Liani
The interview process is always a bit of a mess. At least that's what Liani told herself as she trudged up the narrow, cobbled street to her flat. Light was fading over Velaris and the lamps were lighting along the Sidra. She stopped to take in the view from the top of her small street, her eyes lighting up at the swirl of colors along the horizon.
Taking out her keys, Liani sighed, her thoughts turning back to the day she had. If she was being honest with herself, it could've been a whole lot worse considering her track record with bad luck. She should consider her circumstances with a sense of pride, she accomplished something great! But how often did she actually allow herself to feel that positively?
The first interaction with the Lord and Lady of the Night Court was interesting to say the least. They clearly needed assistance, as indicated by the piles of paperwork and correspondence Liani saw in the library. Her fingers had twitched as she debated the four different ways she thought of arranging the letters, determining what could be most efficient.
She was determined to contribute to the city that had given her a home. Living in Velaris was the only lucky thing that had happened to her in her two centuries of life and she had done her best to give back. This beautiful city had made her whole again.
Where else but a city of dreamers would take you, broken as you are.
Liani scowled, shaking her shoulders at the rough, dark thought. Not broken, damaged, perhaps a bit cracked and chipped still, but she was managing! She was almost happy when she felt like she was actually useful here. Gripping that feeling of almost happy, she cast one last look at the last scraps of daylight and continued up the cobbled hill.
The High Lord of the Night Court was exactly as Liani expected him to be. He was beautiful and powerful, with the easy movement and assurance of a man blessed with both. The High Lady, however was a true surprise, a gift she had learned to never take for granted.
Feyre, Cursebreaker was strong. The kind of strong that only comes from suffering and sacrifice. It glowed in her skin and Liani wondered often throughout the day if the High Lady knew how many people saw themselves and their fight in this life reflected in herself. It was the thought of being at her side that had brought Liani to the River Manor offering service where none was expected. There was change on the horizon, the city open and vulnerable for the first time in over a millenia. The Lord and Lady had sacrificed much and there was still much work to do.
Musing over what she knew of the inner circle of the Night Court, Liani pushed open the courtyard door tucked in among the identical red stone buildings. The scent of jasmine and verbena washed over her, automatically putting her at ease. It had been overwhelming at first, such decadence surrounding her home and infusing itself into her few possessions. But she had fast become used to the greenery that welcomed her home each night and woke her each morning.
Lady Morrigan was somewhat familiar, Liani had seen her out in the city often. She had a bright smile and easy manner. Her eyes though, they held a long, sad story that Liani hoped to one day hear.
Mother had always said "Lia, you could sense a story in stone and starlight."
Her way of downplaying the strange way her daughter knew things she shouldn't, secrets that should be safely tucked away.
Sighing as she reached the top of her cramped, stone stairwell, her keys dangled forgotten in her hand. It had been a long time since Liani had thought about her mother. Honey eyes and long braids, a voice like the wind whispering to the trees. She was everything a young fae had ever thought a female should be, beautiful and soft and warm. The female Liani was now was none of those things, life had laid out a different plan for her.
Liani pushed into the small hall, keys loud in the porcelain dish, bhe emptiness that usually greeted her seemed off somehow. It took her longer than she would've liked to figure it out.
One heartbeat. Two. A shadow shifted and her breath loosed even as her shoulders tensed further. Liani had never had a male in her home, she had not been alone with one in over half a century, but she knew what finding a place in the High Lord and Lady's home would require.
"If you please," Liani whispered hoarsely, clearing her throat. "Tell your master, I am putting on the kettle, if he would like a cup of something warm."
She turned from the too dense shadows, leaving the front door ajar and made her way towards the kitchen, hands shaking slightly as she awaited the spymaster and his questions.
By the time he stood in the doorway, tall and foreboding, she had willed stillness into her fingers and the kettle had begun to whistle. The sound was too sharp, too trill for the severity of the situation and she knew the hammering of her heart was loud and suspicious.
"I figured I would be speaking with you at some point in time." Her voice was steadier that she thought it would be. "Do you take milk or lemon?"
The Spymaster and shadowsinger studied her impassively, his eyes a complete mask of stone. She implored him to be patient, her eyes pleading for a little time to collect herself. He seemed to find what he sought and with slow steady movements went to light the lamp in the sitting room.
"Lemon, please."
Liani poured out tea with a steady hand as she frantically grasped for where to start. His eyes were just as unnerving as his presence in her home.
"How?" was his first question.
She flinched at the quiet ice of the command, a warrior through and through. Quiet power simmered from him and it was all she could do to remain in her seat, posture upright and not cower backwards from the raw maleness of him.
"I did not mean to alarm you, my lord. I - I assumed I would be watched."
She started haltingly, trying to decide where to begin. Liani still couldn't meet his eyes, but this was the next step. If she was to work within the Night Court, this was her final interview. Convincing the Spymaster of her abilities and allegiances was crucial not only to her job but to her continued existence in the City of Starlight.
"We all have our tales, our stories, and I hope that sharing mine with you will allow me a measure of trust." Liani began, pushing her shoulders back and lifting her eyes to his.
"I would first like to apologize for my nerves, I'm sure it looks bad. I have nothing to hide and I would only share this story with you in order to lend credit to that claim. You see, my lord, I have not been alone with a male in half a century and never allowed one in my home here. I beg your indulgence as I calm myself."
Something in his eyes softened a little at her words and it gave her confidence.
"As I am sure you are aware, sir, I am not of the Night Court, not by birth at least. I have lived here for quite some time, but I came here stowed away on a merchant ship after a string of what I have come to call very poor luck."
She shuddered, eyes falling from his intense gaze momentarily.
"I'm sorry- I - Allow me to answer your question." With a steadying breath, she brought her gaze back to his to find him quietly sipping his tea, intently studying her over the rim.
"I can sense the truth of things, the stories they wish to tell as my mother always put it. I could feel the intention of the darkness when I walked into the flat and I knew it was different. I thought it might be best if we spoke in person instead."
"I see," the Spymaster murmured. "You can see how that message was troubling. I have never experienced anything like it."
"You do not seem like one who enjoys surprises." Liani smiled, a little at least. The corners of her mouth tugged slightly and she allowed a small amount of tension to seep from her shoulders.
"No," Azriel bowed his head slightly, his mouth twitching almost in response to her own. "You are correct in that. I do not do well with surprises."
He put his cup down gently, so gently she wondered if he knew. He must, he was studying her like he was approaching a wounded animal. She hated that look, knew it all too well.
"My lord-" She began
"Don't do that." He interrupted gently, "I am no lord."
"With all due respect sir, I was on the hill, in the medical tents during the battle with Hybern."
Liani tilted her head as she took him in. The lens of fear had cleared slightly and she was able to take in his features. High cheekbones, a wide generous mouth that would part beautifully if he were ever to smile, a straight severe jaw. She forced herself not to look at the Siphons on his scarred hands, but to maintain soft eye contact.
"If you do not deserve the title and the dues that come with it, than who does? It is my dearest hope that I can lend a fraction of the service you provide this city- this court with."
Azriel's gaze was calculating as he took in her measure, seeming to dissect her every word and searching through her thoughts. The shadows that curled around him were moving silently around the room, melding with the shadows cast from the lamp.
This was her only chance, she needed him to trust her.
"I would very much like to be of use in the work that is to come. This city, this land, is going to see much change in the aftermath of Hybern."
She finished quietly, holding his gaze steadily.
The spymaster sat back in his chair, studying her and Liani prayed to the Mother that he saw truth in her words. If he didn't, she may just lose everything.