I walked across the green field with the Inner Circle a week later, avoiding frisbees whizzing above our heads and kicking-slash-throwing bac soccer balls and footballs that came our way. Today the Inner Circle was going to meet the other Archeron sisters over a casual Friday dinner at Rita's.
As I neared our building, I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw a familiar flash of red hair.
"Fuck," I muttered.
"What?" Cas asked, everyone else noticing the man outside our dorm.
"Turn around, and walk away. Don't make a sound," I instructed under my breath.
But he had seen me.
"Feyre!"
I sighed and faced him. "Lucien," I said curtly, venom dripping from my words.
"Feyre," Lucien breathed. He glanced at the Inner Circle, assessing how I stood with them.
"Tamlin-"
I growled at the name, but Lucien continued.
"Tamlin hasn't been himself lately- just come back, come home, Feyre, please-"
"No."
"- and if you would just come back- What?"
"No," I said again. "No. No, I will not come back. I will never come back, and there is nothing you can say or do to change my mind."
"Feyre, I don't think you realize-"
"Do you not understand the meaning of the word 'no,' Lucien?" I cut in. "Maybe it's strange hearing it from me. But, for the first time, and I know I should have a long time ago, I'm saying no."
"Tamlin is sorry, he didn't mean it. I don't know what he did to upset you, but whatever it is, I'm sure you can work it out-"
"You don't know what he did to me?" I said. "You don't know? Well why don't you ask him? Ask him what he did to upset me, as you said, before you beg me to come running back."
Rhys, who had been silent for most of the time, spoke up. "Now why don't you leave before Feyre darling here, and all of us, do something we might regret."
Lucien glared at him, then looked between me and Rhys and the Inner Circle and back to me, and briskly walked away.
I stormed into the room, not bothering to watch his retreating figure.
I wore a red sleeveless blouse with a frilly collar and lace near the hem of the shirt, a black leather jacket, and black jeans. I also wore red strappy heels and a deep set red pendant, that looked like glittering blood. Blood red lips and red smokey eyes were my makeup in addition to the crap ton I already wore.
Mor also wore red, hers a bit lighter and not as blood-like as mine.
We left for Rita's to meet Elain and Nesta. They greeted me with a hug and I introduced them to the Inner Circle.
"I'm Rhysand, a pleasure to meet you," He held out a hand to Elain. Nesta gave him a once over before looking at me and raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. I glared at her.
When Cassian stepped forward, Nesta narrowed her eyes almost imperceptibly.
"So you're the famous Archeron sisters," Cassian drawled. He shook Nesta's hand with a firm grip, not breaking her gaze. They stared at each other, having some sort of silent conversation. Cassian's smirk didn't falter once and Nesta didn't stray from her scowl.
Oh boy.
I met Rhys's eyes, and saw my own amusement mirrored in his.
The seating went: Rhysand, me, Azriel, and Mor on one side, on the other Elain, Amren, and much to the dismay of both individuals, Cassian and Nesta.
I wish I could say the dinner went well.
And it did… just not between those two.
They were bickering constantly, over everything! I should have known not to put Nesta's fiery rage and temper with Cassian's cocky and arrogant personality.
The rest of the Inner Circle was amused beyond words, Azriel watching with a faint smile on his face, and as always, observing and cataloging the information for later. It seemed like the pair were intriguing enough to draw his attention away from Mor, whom he was normally captivated by.
Yet now that I think about it, Nesta and Cassian are practically made for each other. Their personalities just… clicked. Cassian could use someone who would snap back at him, and Nesta could use someone to draw out the emotions she always suppresses.
Hmm.