My head throbbed. My body ached and groaned at me as I got up. The smell of food, breakfast, wafted along the corridor and my stomach grumbled. I needed to get up. And eat. Not caring that I was still in what I'd slept in- a loose t-shirt and some leggings, I followed the smell to the dining room. On the table was breakfast; bacon, bread, eggs, sausages, tomatoes. I inhaled the scent and let out a breath. Azriel was already there, lounging on a chair with a book, a slight bit of stubble on his face, coffee in front of him and looking casual in a t-shirt that showed his muscles and some loose cotton trousers. He looked up at me in greeting, the smile on his face reaching his eyes and threatening to make my knees weak.
I had little time to swoon, though, as Cassian pushed past me, hunched and grumbling, "Where is the coffee?"
Azriel simply just signaled to it with a flick of his hand, "Hungover, Cass?"
"How is it you're never hungover?" Cassian groaned. "You drink as much as me."
"Some of us are better at handling our drink," His upper lip quirked and I held in a laugh. Not that I could laugh, really. I was hungover too. Azriel poured me a cup as I sat across from him and I nodded in thanks, loading up my plate with food.
"Drink of the Gods," Cassian sighed and Azriel and I caught each other's eyes as we laughed softly. The General didn't miss the exchange and I noticed him glance our way with a raised eyebrow, making me blush. I turned my attention back to my food, shoveling in the bacon and eggs, enjoying the warmth and taste.
"Remind me never to drink again," Mor appeared in the doorway, dressed for the day but holding her head.
"We do, yet you drink again and again," Azriel closed his book now and looked up. "Breakfast, Mor?"
"I'm starved," She replied, sitting down beside me and piling her plate high. How she ate so much and still had that figure was beyond me, but I wondered if maybe things were different if you were fully High Fae?
"Where did you end up last night anyway?" Cassian asked.
"Still not my keeper, Cass." She said, tucking into the food. "I went out with some friends, that's all."
The General held up his hands, "Forget I asked. Now what are we doing today? Helping decorate the garden and street for Calanmai?"
Azriel snorted, catching me off-guard, "After your decorating for the Solstice? I think not."
Cassian rolled his eyes, "Feyre and I tried, okay?"
"Oh it was hideous," Mor agreed. "Try to stay out of trouble, won't you, boys?" She grinned at me. "Us girls are going shopping."
"Is that really-"
"Mayar agreed to it last night," Mor beamed. I had. After copious amounts of wine, of course. But, I realized, the black wool dress I'd brought with me for the Calanmai celebrations would certainly make me look underdressed in Velaris, so a new outfit couldn't hurt.
Azriel looked at me, as if asking Is that okay with you? And I gave him a nod.
"I guess I'll go and help Elain with the decorations then," He said and it was settled.
Mor didn't give me long to get ready to head into Velaris. She was impatient when it came to shopping, I decided. The streets seemed busier than the previous day, but now Calanmai decorations were going up- faelights, flowers similar to those back home. People carried bags filled with foods and others were popping in and out of the clothiers and jewelers, making sure they had everything ready for when the celebrations started that afternoon. I knew now why Mor was in such a hurry- it was busy and we didn't have much time.
"I need a new dress for tonight," She announced as we reached one of the market squares.
"Me too… I wasn't really sure what the dress code was and I'm afraid I might be underdressed," I looked in the shop windows we passed.
Mor smiled across at me, "I know just the place."
It was tucked away, a little boutique along an alleyway. The dresses were closer to gowns and I wondered how expensive they would be as I looked at the fabrics- fine chiffons, silks, velvets. Emerie had nothing like this in her shop but there was no need for it in Windhaven. The colours here weren't muted greys, blacks or earthy colours either. No, these colours were vivid and rich, bright just like The Rainbow. Far too grand for an Illyrian. I tensed and Mor must have noticed.
"What about blue," She offered, holding up a beautiful turquoise gown, covered with beading across the shoulders. It matched the colour of the lake where I'd had my first flying lesson. She held it against me and smiled, "It brings out your eyes." My mother's eyes, the deep blue sparkling eyes that stood out against her auburn hair.
"Is there anything… simpler?" I liked the beading but it just wasn't me.
Mor looked thoughtful and moved to scan another rack, picking up red dresses- her signature colour, I assumed from her red jumper similar to the one she'd worn the previous evening. She picked up low cut dresses, ones that were figure hugging, ones that had a slit up the thigh. Confident, I realized, but had she always been?
I too scanned a rack, not entirely sure what I was looking for. Many had beading or lots of embroidery, others had lace detailing and other shimmery bits. Too fussy for me, I'd decided. I hadn't worn a dress in years and I'd never worn anything quite like this. I spotted a blue dress then. A cobalt shade. The fabric was light and flowing and what caught my attention the most was the low cut back, ideal for my wings.
"That's pretty," Mor commented, appearing at my side. It was.
"It's a bit low-cut at the front," I said and she tutted.
"Try it on."
I bought the dress. I barely recognized myself in the reflection and when seeing it on me, Mor told me that if I didn't buy it then she would have to buy it for me. She had convinced me to buy some gold heeled sandals too- short ones as I'd not been able to walk in the others I'd been forced to try on.
Mor came back to the House of Wind with me, insisting on getting ready together. She'd invited Feyre too, she had said, but the High Lady was busy. I didn't need to ask what she was busy with as her expression said it all. Mor knew how to get ready for a party. Her hair was curled and sleek, hair pinned to one side with one simple white flower in it. She watched me as I started to braid my hair and tutted.
"Your hair is gorgeous, wear it down," She said. I never wore my hair down. It was far more practical to have it braided back, tied out of the way. But then, I reminded, I wasn't going to be wielding a sword or throwing knives this evening. I left my hair down, a small braid going back on each side of my face, but I left a few tendrils framing it. She wove in some forget-me-nots and then stood back, admiring her handiwork. "I think you'll definitely turn some heads tonight."
I glanced in the mirror and for a moment, I saw my mother looking back. Not my mother in her wool dress and apron, but the mother that had once belonged to the Autumn Court and had once attended their parties and celebrations. My dark hair cascaded down over my shoulders in its loose, natural curls, the flowers matching the dress perfectly. The dress was beautiful and I tried to ignore the plunging neckline that showed my cleavage. My waist looked small and then the skirt of the dress flowed outwards perfectly. The loose sleeves covered my shoulders and my wings flared out of the back. I gave the sandals one last check, praying that my feet could survive them.
"Here," Mor held out a pendant for me. Gold with a blue gem nearly the colour of my dress. It was small, simple. "A gift." Before I could refuse she fastened it behind my neck and stood back. "Perfect."
"Is it too early for wine?" I asked her as she smoothed over her red, fitted gown.
She grinned, "In the Night Court? Never."
And she grabbed my shoulders, winnowing us to a street in Velaris below.