Rhysand's breathing stopped for a moment. His heart skipped a beat.
Why was she asking about Jurian? How had she even known about him? The War had happened centuries ago. It had been marked by history, of course, but details like Jurian and his demise had slowly been forgotten. So why was Celeana interested now?
"Why are you asking?"
The beauty before him shrugged her shoulders. "Curiosity,"
Though she looked nonchalant when she said so, Rhys doubted that was her motive. "How do you know about him?"
"A little birdy told me,"
That was most likely the Suriel too. Mother, she had been able to interrogate the creature so easily- the High Lord doubted he would ever get used to the blond woman.
At his hesitation to divulge information, Celeana pursed her lips. "What's with the distrust? I thought we were partners." A small smile graced her beauteous face as she raised her inked hand. "Remember?"
Yes, they were business partners indeed. But that did not mean that he trusted her. There were still too many unanswered questions about Celeana, like who she was, why was she here, and what were her true motives. That made her unpredictable, and unpredictability in war could be fatal.
He was being cautious, more cautious than he had been the last few days. Celeana had changed so much for him, made him vulnerable. And that vulnerability could cost him if she was indeed the enemy. But he did not see how it could hurt him to tell Jurian's tale.
And so he did. Rhys wove a story full of tragedy and betrayal, all while Celeana listened attentively. The woman would occasionally raise her eyebrow every now or then but was otherwise still. Rhysand felt his cousin become rigid when he mentioned Miriam and knew that Amren was paying close attention to the human.
"So he was murdered by Amarentha for murdering her sister," She said when the story ended. "That sounds like poetic justice."
"Initially, his intentions were good, his execution, however, had been done badly," Mor whispered, sorrow evident in her voice. "After that, the wall was built."
"So you were all present during The War?"
"Present? We fought it, alongside humans."The general looked smug as he said so.
"Did you now," Humor was laced in with each word. "So that means that I've been flirting with senior citizens this whole time, correct?"
"We are not considered elders here in Prythian," Answered back Azriel, wholeheartedly serious. "We are all over five hundred years old, so I supposed we are old compare to you."
"Who's the eldest?"
"That would be Amren."
"Now that you mention it…"Celeana looked back at the female with eyes promising nothing but mischief. "Yes, I do see the wrinkles,"
Rhysand went still. The room went still. He was sure the only one breathing was Celeana. But he wasn't sure for how much longer. Because he was sure his Second-in-command was going to murder her. Rhysand was the most powerful High Lord in all of history, and even he would never insult the petite female like that. Not unless he had a death wish. Because Amren was not from this world, and though she was trapped in a body that was not her own, her powers could make the world tremble. He had seen it once when Mor had decided to get into a heated argument with her and they had taken down a mountain with them, and that hadn't even been at her strongest. So should Celeana try- Rhys didn't even want to think about it.
Amren looked like she was ready to slash her throat. And Celeana, Celeana looked satisfied.
"Be careful with your words, girl,"
The blond looked at Amren's intimidating face and smiled. "Ah yes, I've been taught to always respect my elders,"
At this point, Amren was sneering and Celeana beaming. Where the hell did she find the courage to speak to the terrifying female like that? And how was Rhysand going to convince his second-in-command not to destroy Celeana right there and then?
"Celeana, I don't suggest you tease Amren," Started Mor, looking between the two females.
"Did I hit a nerve?"
"The last being who did found themselves dead…"
"What a beautiful threat," She cocked her head to the side and stared down at Amren, eyes full of amusement. "Does that ever work?"
Even Amren seemed at loss for words, and that in itself was shocking to see. The human really was one of a kind.
"Now that we are done with, there is a question that I've been itching to ask," With eyes solely on Cassian, Celaena asked, "Are you in love with Mor?"