Mor, apparently, had foreseen such a need for Day Court formal gowns and had a few commissioned pieces on hand. I stood in front of the full-length mirror as she held each dress in front of me, suggesting various tailoring options.
The dress in her right hand was many layers of sheer twinkling gold, tiny white flowers blooming up from the hem, strapless, the neckline cut straight across. The other a pale yellow silk, a simple piece of fabric that wrapped around one shoulder and fell in front like supple sunshine, cinching at the waist.
"It's supposed to be a casual weekend," I said once Mor paused long enough for a breath.
"Do you doubt that Helion won't try to throw a fancy ball or supper and forget to tell us? There's no such thing as a casual weekend in the Day Court."
I sighed, taking a seat on the edge of my bed and twisting my new ring around my middle finger. Maybe we shouldn't have agreed. "I can only hope to come back with a tan."
"Then this one will look fabulous on you," she lay the strapless, shimmering gold gown beside me. The early morning sun had just begun to shine through the high windows, catching the top in light, a few birds chirping cheerfully right outside.
Rhysand had flown up to the House of Wind before bed the night before, inviting the rest of the court to join us this morning, after vanishing a short letter back to Helion with the time of our arrival.
Mor had met him with a resounding yes,Azriel and Cassian tossing a coin, which left Azriel to watch over Velaris while Cassian joined us. Amren declined, matters of her own to attend to.
A few rampant knocks at the door, and Rhysand poked his head in. "Are you ladies ready?" Relief sunk my shoulders at his voice, the tension of the morning melting away. This was a vacation, I had to remind myself, a relaxing weekend on the beach. Nothing dangerous lurked at the Day Court.
Well, nothing that I truly feared.
"No, we're still dressing. Can you two quit bothering us for five minutes?" Mor responded, now snatching various hair clips from my vanity to put into a small satchel.
I laughed, and found a tiny decorative pillow to throw at the door. "We do have enough to dress us for a decade."
Early autumn in the Night Court meant breezy, sunny weather in the Day Court. I had chosen a cotton, forest green sundress that fell right above my knee for the day ahead, with tan strappy sandals. Mor was clothed in a slip of white, her lips painted a soft pink. But it wasn't as if we couldn't winnow back for a forgotten piece of jewelry. Although that seemed to be the assumption Mor was working on.
Cassian groaned from the hall, banging his fist on the wall. "I woke up early to stand here and wait?"
I walked over to the door, swinging it open, Mor protesting in faux annoyance. "Did you invite Nesta and Elain?"
Although I directed the question to Rhysand, Cassian answered, "No."
They've had a lover's quarrel,Rhys sent through the bond. And Nesta will go where Elain does. So Cassian decided it was best that neither were invited.
Cassian decided, huh? And a quarrel? They're hardly speaking,I sent back.
A few months after the War ended, we all thought perhaps Cassian and Nesta were going to finally work out. But that came to an abrupt end, and since, Cassian has been back to his snide comments and Nesta to her sharp, icy responses. Only separated by months on end of complete ignorance of the other's existence. Which had been the case most recently. And Nesta, despite her unending charm and wit, never seemed to really stay on Rhysand's good side.
Of course he let the decision fall to Cassian.
Or so he says. But Cassian had just come back from Nesta's when he arrived this morning,I suppose my face revealed my surprise, because Rhys added, he's extra snappy now. She didn't come with him.
Great. Even when they aren't talking, they're a pain. You definitely would've had to play peacekeeper this weekend.
Be careful, you look enough like your sister that he might accidentally throttle you.
Funny.
"Would you two cut it out, I don't know what the hell you guys are talking about." He looked between us for a response, "Is it sex stuff? If so, let me in on the conversation because it's just bad manners at this point," Rhys just winked at him and he sighed, uncurling from where he was camped on the hallway floor, and stomped toward my bedroom door. "Mor! Get your ass out here or we're leaving without you."
Mor finally emerged, bag clinking with every jewel she could anticipate as possibly necessary. When I raised my brows at the stuffed satchel, she gave me a look as to say, there's no such thing as being too prepared.
The four of us ready, we headed downstairs, Mor doing a final sweep for any forgotten bauble.
However, as we round the corner into the main entrance, Rhys sent, So much for a vacation.
In front of the wooden double doors, Nesta stood, bag in hand and chin held high, "I've changed my mind."
If the bickering didn't make our ears bleed, it was the deafening silence so thick it was smothering.
But - no. My Mate and I were headed to the beach. That's what this trip was; wine and bread and swimming and basking. And I would be foolish to let Nesta and Cassian ruin it.
I was sure Helion would garner most of the attention anyways. The High Lord had a knack for surprises, although I hoped they were kept to a minimum. My hand rested in Rhysand's as we strolled up the steps to the Day Court Palace. I doubted he would still opt for his dark suit once we were settled, the sunshine already pressing in.
The entrance to the Palace was lovely. An open, meticulously preened garden broken up only by straying paths curving curiously out of sight and massive, bubbling fountains.
Helion waited atop the massive steps to greet us warmly, his tone and words passionate, as if we were friends parted for a hundred years.
The High Lord of the Day Court strolled in front of us, hands behind his back, occasionally pointing out some rare piece of art or another. The early morning sunlight leaking in glinted upon his gold accents: the shimmering crown, and the scaled snake coiling around his right bicep. His all-white attire slung loosely off of his body as he walked. He was practically glowing, Day incarnate.
He flashed me a grin, catching my stare.
"You look lovely as well, Feyre. As always."
"Doesn't she?" Rhysand replied, looking down at me, his arm around my shoulders. "Although I think she fairs even better, if possible, under the starlight." A glimmer of pride echoed in the bond.
Helion only laughed. "And Mor, white becomes you. Perhaps the Day Court suits your tastes even more so than that drafty, dark abyss up North, hm?"
Mor flung her gold hair behind a shoulder, shrugging, "I'm afraid I simply look good in every color, Helion."
"A blessing and a curse, I'm sure," Helion said.
"And me?" Cassian questioned, hands in his pockets toward the back of the group. "Illyrian fighting leathers too rough for your style?"
Helion sighed. "I did mention to Rhysand a few weeks ago about some alterations that would help with you and your Illyrian's new movements. Just a couple material swaps, and there would be far less friction to deal with."
"Not necessary. Our armor works just fine," Cassian replied, a bit too sharply.
Helion gave him a weighing look over his shoulder, and then, "Nesta, might I say you look absolutely delicious this morning."
I cringed, waiting for Nesta's retort to strike like a viper, but to my surprise, she cooly replied, "Thank you, Helion."
Did you just hear what I heard,I sent down the bond, itching to turn around and see her face. Or Cassian's.
Perhaps we mistakenly brought the wrong sister, Rhysand replied. That has to be Elain.
"Expect breakfast to be exciting. There'll be some familiar faces around the table."
Mor groaned, "Don't be so cryptic, Helion. There will be other guests besides us?"
"Yes, but that's the fun part. The mystery, the anticipation, all bubbling up to create a sense of wonder."
"Why make them a surprise at all," I questioned.
"It's not in my blood to throw a boring breakfast party."
If this was just breakfast, the weekend was going to quickly tumble downhill.
Our room was bright and inviting, a four-poster bed with light blankets strewn across the mattress lay in the center of the room, with a dressing and bathing chamber through a doorway just before the open balcony doors. Rhys peeled off his usual attire as I sat my bag on the bed, gazing out the window at the calm ocean just feet away.
I turned back into the room to see Rhys dressed and crouching down in the too-low vanity mirror, scruffing his hair back from his face.
"Ravishing," I said, doing my best impersonation of Helion. I walked behind him to wrap my arms around his waist.
I rarely saw him in white, as he always favored darker colors at home. "Figured I'd try to fit in." His slightly billowing button up contrasted deeply with his tanned skin, tucked into brown tunic pants. If he wanted to fit in, I said, he might as well tie the bed sheets around his waist and call it a day.
A gold chain lay on his tattooed chest, a star hanging from the end. "Just need a little piece of home," he said following my gaze and rolling the star between his fingers. "And yes, I'm sure the sheets would've worked just fine."
I plopped into the vanity chair, and he stayed behind, running his fingers through my hair. "I'm glad we decided to come. The ocean is refreshing here," he glanced out the open doors where the saltwater breeze floated in and back to my reflection. "But you say the word, and we're home. No questions asked."
I nodded, smiling, and let my head roll back into his touch, his hands cool and delicate on my scalp. "Thank you."
Azriel flew across Velaris, shooting straight for Rhysand and Feyre's waterside estate.
He was relieved when Cassian had won the coin toss the night before, the Day Court's blasting sun and Helion's constant train of thought wasn't what he had in mind for a nice weekend anyway.
Although, this was.
Elain opened the door wide after his second knock. He considered just walking straight in, but didn't want to frighten her by just appearing. It took him a few times to realize his arrivals were usually too silent to be considered welcoming.
She waved him inside, smiling, immediately diving into conversation about the weather stealing her lovely garden and how perhaps tea inside would be nicer today.
She unceremoniously plopped onto the armchair by the unlit fireplace, sighing loudly, her flushed cheeks the same shade as her light pink gown. Even after everything, her change into Fae, the War, living in Prythian, she still preferred a rather human way of dressing. He liked that many parts of her old life seemed to still be intact.
She tucked her hair behind a delicately pointed ear and smiled at something he said, agreeing whole heartedly.
And that smile, damn him, made his chest tighten every time.
He hoped Lucien stayed on another continent for a long, long while.
After Helion's comment on Nesta and Cassian sharing a room, Nesta insisted on a room even further from the rest of us, which ended up being quite far, closer to Helions private quarters. He said as much with a grin.
We were all to meet a few floors above, after getting settled into our rooms. Rhysand and I arrived just after Mor, Cassian and Helion had taken a seat.
A full bouquet of deep purple sat in the center of the large glass dining table, light streaming through the massive windows along the east wall, catching on the petals and glassware.
"I haven't had the chance to thank you for the ring," I said, sliding into the chair to the right of Helion. "Spectacular craftsmanship." Rhysand snorted as he took the chair beside me.
Helion winked. "I knew you'd love it. I had it commissioned earlier this week"
"Speaking of presents, Helion, who's the big secret?" Mor asked.
Before Helion could respond, Nesta walked in, attributing her late arrival to her room being so far away. And a few steps behind her trailed Tarquin, Cressida, and an unfamiliar face, grinning at them all.
"I thought, why not invite all our old friends?" Helion said, motioning for the group to take a seat. Nesta had sat across from Helion, beside Mor and Cassian. There was a seat at the head of the table, although no one claimed it.
The tall male behind Cressida bowed low. "It's a true pleasure." His dark eyes flicked to me for half a second, then back to looking at no one in particular.
I shifted in my seat. Helion was enough to handle, and now another High Lord, Cressida, and a random straggler brought a different light to this weekend.
The wiry male stood straight. "My name is Griffin, I'm a master chemist here in the Day Court. I've heard so much about you all. Not only good things though. Some were downright wicked." The trio settled into their seats, "I'm excited to hear the true stories from your own lips, see how they compare."
"We'd rather hear your versions first, then work from there," Rhysand said from beside me.
Greetings arose from all around the table, now that the surprise guests had arrived. I slathered my buttery toast in jam, then reached for a few pieces of fruit. Rhysand poured my teacup to the brim, filling his own glass with orange juice.
"How's the Summer Court getting along," Cassian asked Tarquin, loading his plate with various meats. "I hear from the she-devil of some rebel forces building against the new rulings for equality?"
"Amren leaking information again?" Tarquin said, humor lighting his eyes.
We hadn't seen the High Lord of the Summer Court much lately, after the War the young male was focused on rebuilding his court, from the ground up. New rules were established to abolish the hierarchy of high fae and lesser fae. Certain High Fae didn't take well to the change, but culturally ingrained expectations were difficult to overturn by themselves.
"She talks only of her true love, and we're clever enough to use context clues."
"Pushback is natural," Helion cut in from beside me, "but who could deny there's always room for improvement? Our thrones have housed some idiotic males in the past." He took a sip on his drink, clinking it back down on the glass surface. "It's our job to strive for excellence."
"Yes, but to stomp on tradition," Cassian said, leaving his piled plate to grow cold, "will anger anyone. High Fae or otherwise."
I spared a glance to Rhysand, who's attention was equally split between his blueberry muffin, and the line of tension building between the two males. Cressida and Mor were engaged in a bubbly side conversation, Griffin asking Nesta if she'd like any eggs.
"These are beautiful, Helion," I said, reaching to touch one of the petals in front of me. "What are they called?"
"Hollyhocks. They smell as devastating as they look."
I floated one out of the vase and toward my hand, sniffing at the open bud.
"They're said to promote fertility of the body and land. Some females crush them to drink the powder when trying for younglings."
My limbs felt light and heavy all at once at his words, but I floated the lovely flower back, taking a deep breath. I felt Rhysand lingering then, at the edge of my mind. A comforting graze.
"Helion, perhaps you can acquaint us further with Griffin? Any stories to share before we spill some of our own?" Rhysand said, drawing eyes off of my face. I could kiss him for that act alone.
Rhysand grabbed my hand under the table, as Helion dove into some story about Griffin's knack for chemistry.
I'm okay, I sent before he could ask. I took a sip of my tea.
I know you are, Rhysand sent back, giving my hand a squeeze.
And you? I sent a few moments later.
I'm sad, Feyre,he sent back quietly. But okay as well.
Maybe I didn't have to be either completely fine or a total wreck. I could almost feel Rhysand's heart on the other side of those words, heavy and dreary. But still, he engaged in conversation, laughed with Tarquin… was still himself.
Perhaps I could carry both the grief and joy in my heart at the same time.
"Griffin is my personal handyman. He can fix anything, anywhere. He leans toward chemistry rather than nuts and bolts, and if he's not here in the Palace, he's probably in the library."
"Helion practically enslaved me after seeing what I was reading at said library," Griffin replied from beside Nesta.
"I couldn't even make out the cover, and it was a picture with one word," Helion said. "Far too much science."
After a few minutes of arguing the pros and cons of science versus magic, Griffin said, "Feyre, what was it like in the human realm? Before the War, I mean."
I blinked at the question, digging through my memory. "It's fantastic if you're wealthy beyond reason. After our fall from grace though, I was miserable. But I guess that's true for anywhere, human or fae."
"It most definitely is. Nesta, how did you find it?"
"Cold. Not much worth remembering. If it wasn't for Feyre, we'd be dead," she said casually as she cut her sausage into pieces.
Helion changed the subject then, teasing Griffin about his mess of brown hair being brought into his fancy Palace. Surely to keep Nesta from dragging the conversation down.
After we had all had our fill of food and conversation, sparkling champagne was brought out on a gold platter, and we toasted to a wonderful weekend of sunshine.
"Before we go," Griffin said. "I have an inquiry of you all." He glanced at Helion, who motioned for him to continue. Griffin swallowed before going on, "There's a hidden place in the Day Court, not many know about. I'd like to invite you all tonight, for dancing and swimming. It's a spit of hidden beach. However, there is a price to enter."
"We have to pay to go to your beach? Enjoying your hospitality, Helion," Mor said, raising her champagne glass in a mock toast.
"No," Griffin said quickly, "but it is the stone entrance that requires payment. It's ancient. The payment isn't in the form of money."
Cassian scoffed. "What then? Our everlasting souls?"
Griffin held Cassian's questioning look, "To enter, you must give up a secret. One that no one else knows."
I wasn't going to spill my guts to a rock archway to go to a beach party, and I'm sure Rhysand was thinking as much.
"What could entice us enough to do so," Rhysand asked.
"The Day Court land soaks in knowledge. It once housed most of the libraries on this continent. Some locations still…. crave information. This certain place refuses to allow in any travelers without the secret as payment." Griffin lowered his voice slightly, leaning forward. "In return, you'll get a night you'll never forget."
Cassian chuckled. "I've seen the topless water wraiths, Griffin, and they are not easy on the eyes." I had to agree with him there.
Helion chimed in then, "I must admit, nothing quite completes a visit to my Court like a night at the Arch. I've been a few times myself, and enjoyed it immensely. Not to mention, clothing is optional," he offered up that last bit in Nestas direction, who, to my surprise, didn't berate him but simply rolled her eyes.
"It's not the wraiths, Cassian, or the optional nudity," Griffin said to Helion, "but rather the eye-opening experience. It changes your perspective on life. If I could drag everyone in there, I would."
"And the secrets?" I asked. "Where do they go?"
"They power the Arch, sink into the very soil, to then become part of your own experience."
"So no one else hears them?"
"Not unless you wish for them to."
Cressida spoke first, breaking the thoughtful silence, "Well I'd love to go. Besides, I'm an open book."
Tarquin looked hesitant, but then agreed politely.
Cassian glanced to Mor, then said, "We will go where our High Lady and Lord go. It's up to them," he sat back, crossing his arms.
"Is that your condition as well, Nesta?" Helion asked. "As long as we can convince the King and Queen of Darkness, then I can expect your presence?"
"If they deign to appear, I will as well."
"Wonderful then, we nearly have a complete party." He turned to us. "Rhysand, Feyre, what do you say?"