There is something magnetic about Nyx. Over the following days, as I stay at the townhouse and spend hours getting aquainted with the life of Velaris, I find myself thinking about him in my down time. So, I make it a point to occupy as much of my time as possible. Rhys and Feyre offered to have Lucien and I stay at their sprawling mansion beside the river, but we both declined and decided to stay in the townhouse. I was introduced to everyone within the Night Court's inner circle and most of them were very welcoming; aside from Nesta and the small one, Amren. And Nyx... he seemed to make it his personal priority to drive me insane. No matter what was said, he seemed to always have a quick witted retort to throw back at me. I begin to worry that the scowl on my face might become permanent if I spend too much time around him.
Feyre had also volunteered to show me around the city, but I didn't want to impose or take time away from her other duties. So it was Lucien that took me around the city, much like he did in the Autumn Court. It struck me how easy it all comes to him; moving from court to court, molding himself to fit in with his surroundings. He seems to find his own niche in every place he settles. Finds it or carves one out for himself, I'm not sure which. He knows just as much about this place as he did the Autumn Court, which surprises me.
"How long did you stay here after the war?" I asked him while we strolled down a sidewalk, a cool breeze washed over us as it rolled off the Sidra River. Summer is in full swing in Velaris and I was thankful for the river.
"Over a century," he had sighed like the weight of the world rested solely on his shoulders. "It was hard to leave. Not just because of Elain, but this place is easy. The people are kind, the food is good. Even working with Rhys and Feyre was pleasant. I grew very fond of everyone here. Even Nesta, believe it or not." He offered a smile at my quirked eyebrow. "She's rough around the edges, but she's dead loyal. And she'll always give you the truth; no matter how painful it may be. In fact, I'd say she'd be more keen to tell you the truth if it hurt a little."
After that last walk with Lucien, he's spent most days off with Rhys doing who knows what. I don't ask for any information when he comes home with bleary eyes and heads straight for bed. Instead I bring the fireplace to life with a wave of my hand and read in the armchair by the foyer, content to spend my time with the endless books around me. Tonight, with the moon high in the sky, I pick up a book on Velaris' history when I hear a heavy thud on the front stoop. I carefully set down my book and rise from the chair, killing the fire and plunging the foyer into darkness. No one has stopped by this late since we've arrived in Velaris. On the other side of the front door's fogged glass I see a tall silhouette. I feel the fire I called from the hearth simmer at my fingertips as I wait for the person to enter the house.
"When the hell did they start locking this place?" A muffled male voice as he fumbles with the doorknob. A key slides into the lock and before I have the chance to move so much as a muscle Nyx shoves open the door. I shove my hands behind my back, letting my fingers cool down with a sizzle and stare at the male now standing in front of me. "Oh, I forgot you were staying here." He says casually.
"What are you doing here?" My tone is too clipped, shaken from his sudden arrival. He smirks.
"I came here to grab a few things before heading out for the night." He saunters by me reaching out as he does so and taps the hard line of the shield I've kept in place since I've arrived here. I've been vigilant about keeping it in place after Mor took me by surprise with her hug. I try not to make it very obvious, keeping it so close to myself it might as well be part of the clothing I wear, but it appears Nyx has taken note of it's presence. "We don't bite, you know. Unless you ask nicely." Wicked. That's the only way to describe the glint in his eye. "What was that, by the way?" He motions towards my hands.
"Heading out for the night?" I ask, ignoring his other comments. "The night is half over."
"Maybe for the Spring Princess." Harmless words, with a bit of a sting to them. Clearly he doesn't think much of my court of origin. "But here in Velaris, the night has only begun." I don't even try to keep myself from rolling my eyes. Does he always talk like this? He rifles through the refrigerator and pulls out a large bottle. I follow him and take a seat at the island, leaning onto my arms, the counter top cold against my heated skin.
"Are you always so poetic, little lordling?" His eyes flash at my words and in the dark I see the light from the fridge glint off of his white teeth as he grins. If he wants to play; fine. I can play.
"Lordling?" He nearly spits the word with disdain. "Poetry usually works on the females around here. Is Spring not used to being wooed?"
"Why are you raiding your parent's fridge like you're a wayward teen, Nyx?" Nyx leans across the counter top towards me. Close... too close. And with that fiendish, dangerous smile ever present on his face, he narrows his eyes. In the muted light they are so blue they almost look violet.
"Technically this house belongs to me. So everything in here... is mine." His eyes sweep over me and I feel heat rise in my cheeks at his insinuation. I thank the cauldron it's dark and pray he can't see my blush. "I'm not here often, so I was kind enough to loan it out to you and Lucien for the time being." He pushes away from the island and nudges the fridge door shut.
"Where are you if you're not here often?" Anything to change the subject.
"I have duties outside of Velaris that keep me away. Why don't you come out with me tonight and I'll tell you all my secrets, princess." I glance behind his outstretched arm at the clock. It's nearly one in the morning now. He nods his head towards the door and swirls the dark amber liquid around in the bottle he holds. "Come on, live a little." I tap my fingers against the counter and weigh my options. On one hand I hardly know Nyx, who knows where he's even heading with that bottle of liquor? On the other... I did leave the Spring Court to have new experiences and something tells me that if I want to experience new things; Nyx is the one to follow. It's this thought that decides for me. I slide off the barstool but before I can take a step towards him he holds up a hand.
"Look, I think you look great... but you might want to change." A glance down reminds me that I'm wearing my bed clothes and sends heat rushing right back to my face. I'm already in my room, pulling open my armoir when it fully hits me that I have no idea where we're heading. And because of that, I have no idea what to wear. Nyx was wearing what I assume is standard Night Court attire; black pants, shoes, and a nice black jacket. So if I base my outfit off of his... I shove aside the clothes I had unpacked from my hastily packed bag and run my fingers over the clothes Feyre had sent over. I select a deep blue dress at random and before I have a chance to question myself, I strip my night clothes off and shimmy into the dress. Floor length with a slit up the right thigh makes it so that it isn't too restricting. I frown in the mirror as I brush out my dark brown hair. The neckline is significantly lower than what I would normally wear, but I suppose it will have to do. I'm debating on looking through the clothes for something less revealing when I hear Nyx call up the stairs.
"Come on, the night's nearly over!" I roll my eyes as I shove on a pair of heels to match and I stalk down the stairs towards my unofficial guide.
"I thought you said 'the night has only begun'," I drop my voice to a lower octave as I mock him. He spins on his heel, with a snappy comeback sharp on his tongue no doubt, but stops short. "Why, I never thought I'd see the day where you'd be rendered speechless, little lord."
As if never missing a beat, he shifts into that easy grin. "I never thought I'd see the day where you dress in Night Court attire, princess. What would Tamlin think?" Gritting my teeth, I stride passed him and fully ignore his offered elbow as I head out of the townhouse and down the sidewalk. "Oh come now. I was just teasing." He jogs a little to catch up with me. "No need to get out of sorts."
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you people that I don't owe anything to Tamlin."
"I know that, we know that. It's just so easy to poke fun at Tamlin."
"You'd do well to remember that Tamlin is my father," I snap at him. "And I didn't leave to spite him. So you'll excuse me if I don't find the jokes to be amusing." He holds up his hands in surrender.
"Okay, I'll lay off the Tamlin jokes." He spins the lid on the bottle and offers it to me. "Care for a little pre-game drink?"
"Where are we going?" I ask, a little hesitantly, as I take the bottle from him. "And what is this?" I sniff the amber liquid before taking a swig of it.
"Bourbon," he says as I cough around the harsh taste. He grins as I shove the bottle back towards him. "We're going to Rita's. There are a lot of clubs downtown, but Rita's is the best. I have a few friends that are waiting there for me. You'll have to let that shield down a bit if you want to have some fun though." A tingle goes down my spine at the thought. I don't particularly trust everyone at the Night Court and I'm not sure I want to let my shield go. Although, if I'm being honest I could hold my own against any attack long enough to at least winnow away. What's that saying? Old prejudices die hard - or whatever. And really, I think, the most important shield is the mental one. Do I really need a physical barrier? Besides, how much of my mistrust is well placed - and how much of it is bias that has been ingrained in me since birth by Tamlin? I war with myself for a moment longer before deciding to let the barrier around me drop, but I double check that my mental shield is strong. Nyx grins at me as if he can see it falling. "That's more like it. Dancing is more fun when you can feel the people around you." I nearly trip over my feet at his words.
"Dancing?" I balk. "I don't dance."
"Perfect. Then you can carry all of us home tonight when our feet hurt too bad to go on." He slings an arm around my shoulder. "See, isn't this nice?" He grins, despite my tensing muscles. What is it with these Night Court faeries and physical touch? It would take me a lifetime to get used to this.
We arrive outside a large building with loud music thumping from within. A male faerie stands at the doorway and stops Nyx with a hand on his chest. "You know the rules, Nyx."
"Oh come on, Sidhe. Rita knows I'll spend more than what this bottle is worth in there. I just prefer my liquor." The male looks him up and down and rolling his eyes, he nods for Nyx to go inside. How is it possible that the insufferable male draped across my shoulders seems to get his way everywhere he goes?
"Relax," he breathes into my ear as we approach a booth in the back. I shiver at the feel of his breath on my skin. Two absolutely beautiful female faeries sit at the booth sipping from wine glasses and talking to each other. I can't hear their conversation over the noise of the music but when we come to a stop at the edge of the table, Nyx raises his voice to introduce me. "Aerin, Minna, this is Florence. She's from Spring." The two females turn to us at the same time and I realize they must be twins. Both of them have curly brown hair that falls below their shoulders and kind, the only difference between the two that I can note in the darkness of the club is that one of them has hazel eyes and the other has blue-grey eyes. Their sharp features are stunning; and familiar. "Florence. Aerin and Minna are Cassian and Nesta's daughters. Twins. Obviously," he concludes.
Minna, the one with blue eyes, slides towards the center of the booth to make room for me. "Finally!" She breathes as she pulls me down beside her. "We've been dying to meet you. Nyx told us you showed up at the townhouse a week ago. He's no fun though, and told us we had to wait to see you." I glance up at Nyx as he motions for Aerin to make room for him. He slips into the booth directly across from me, not breaking eye contact.
"Nyx is a no good busybody," Aerin confides over the music as she slides a small glass of clear liquor towards me. I don't think twice before throwing it back. This drink was much easier to swallow than the bourbon.
"He has this savior complex," Minna confirms. "Thinks everyone is fragile."
"He comes by it honestly." Aerin jabs him in the ribs with an elbow and he has the decency to look put out.
"You say it like it's a flaw."
"I don't know that I buy that," I say as I lean towards the center of the table, eyes on Nyx. "It seems like the only thing he enjoys is getting on everyone's nerves." Aerin and Minna break out into raucous laughter, the sound almost musical. The twins order another round as a bartender comes by and Nyx nurses the bottle he brought in. The almost instant comradery I feel with Aerin and Minna is foreign and bizarre. I have only ever been truly close with Poppy my entire life. And as I sit here and listen to the twins gossip about everyone in their lives, I feel like I've always belonged here. Maybe it's the spirits coursing through my veins, or maybe it's something deep inside me loosening up and allowing me to form genuine relationships outside of forced ones. Not that I didn't truly love and cherish my friendship with Poppy but.. would we have been friends if she hadn't been my lady in waiting? I'm not so sure.
It doesn't take long for me to feel the booze coursing through my veins; until tonight the most I've ever had to drink at one sitting is a glass of wine with dinner. Occasionally. I cut myself off after my third shot and the twins disappear with two males that saunter up and ask for a dance. I watch, bemused, as they're lead out of sight and into the rippling crowd of faeries moving to the thrum of the music. I close my eyes, letting the music wash over me as it ebbs and flows and find myself subconsciously swaying back and forth where I sit.
"Come on," Nyx's voice is suddenly at my shoulder and he's standing beside my seat in the booth. I open my eyes to find his hand held out to me, palm up. Dark ink swirls out from under the sleeve of his jacket, stopping right at his wrist. "Let's go." He cocks his head towards the floor where Aerin and Minna were swallowed by the crowd. I blanche.
"No thank you," I say sweetly, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. "I'm good here."
"Dance with me, Flo." Despite my better judgement, I take his hand. As if worried I'll back out of my hesitant agreement he closes his hand around mine and pulls me swiftly to my feet. He twirls me out into the middle of the crowd, his grip on me unwavering. When I nearly spin completely away and off into the throng of people, he pulls me back close to his chest. With my back pressed against his chest, he presses his free hand to my abdomen.
"I'm not a good dancer," I warn, a little breathless. Either from the alcohol, the sudden press of bodies around me, or from his palm moving across my stomach, I feel heat rising in me and I'm thankful for the fabric separating us.
"I am," he answers simply. He whirls me around and I come face to face with that damned grin. I groan with disapproval. Cocky. He's so. damn. cocky. But as we move on the dance floor I have to admit there might be a slight reason for his high opinion of himself. We move fluidly, despite me knowing nothing about the music that plays around us, or the dances that might go with this kind of music. He leads me through simple steps, his hands never leaving my body. Fire trails after every touch; every place our bodies collide fills with heat. The tempo rises as Nyx and I pirouette across the floor; and just as I'm sure I'll burst into flames, the music slows, and so do we. Until we're standing still and breathless my hands locked around his neck. Keeping one hand pressed firmly against my lower back, he brings his other up to my chin and tips my face up towards his. Every nerve in my entire body is standing on high alert as he brushes his thumb up my jaw. He leans in towards me almost imperceptibly and I damn near hear my blood singing in anticipation as his lips are just a breath away from mine. I look up into his violet blue eyes, the alcohol allowing me to release my defenses and tilt my chin up just enough for an invitation.
Instead, he pulls away and holds me at an arms length. His eyes dart over my shoulder and when I turn I see the twins standing just off to the side, their heads tilted. "I have to go," he announces as Minna and Aerin approach. "Ladies, I assume you can help our drunk princess find her way back to the townhouse?" He doesn't wait for a response before making his exit.
"I'm not drunk!" I protest to his retreating form. I scowl after him, my skin feeling too cold all the sudden. I feel the twins on either side of me link their arms with mine. "I'm not drunk," I repeat to them. Aerin grins and pats my arm.
"Of course not, Flo. Let's get back home, shall we?" And just like that the twins are leading me out of Rita's and back down the sidewalk. To my surprise, I'm not as steady on my feet as I had been with the rigid support of Nyx holding me upright.
"I'm sorry," I giggle as I trip over my feet for the thousandth time. "I don't usually drink."
"You hide it very well," Minna says through her own laughter. By the time we arrive at the townhouse the sun is beginning to peak over the horizon. We practically fall through the front door and into the living room where we collapse on the couches and chairs. Aerin falls asleep almost immediately and Minna pulls a blanket over herself before getting comfortable on the chair. As I'm nearing sleep, I register Lucien walking into the room with a bewildered look on his face as he takes in the three of us sprawled across the furniture.