Previously on "A Court of Fear and Ice"

Lexi spends a whole day in the Night Court. At dinner, she promises Rian to never call him "mate" again and gets a tattoo in return. The next day, she tries to get rid of it but Rian doesn't want to remove the tattoo. After a small argument, she bursts out crying and leaves the hall, wanting to return to Meleri's bedroom.

Chapter 13

As I was walking slowly through the main corridor, my head was full of thoughts I didn't want to have anymore. I hoped I said goodbye to them many months ago but they were back. This time, they were nagging me and reminding of the times Henry treated me as his possession. As something he could just use and then put back on the shelf.

Back then, I didn't know he saw me as a rather interesting switch between his two girlfriends, his ex and soon-to-be one. Though I thought I was madly in love with him and started planning a future, he didn't even take me seriously. He was after one thing and now I was fucking glad I didn't give it to him.

Soon, the corridor forked to left and right. I was about to choose the right turning that would lead me to Meleri's bedroom when I heard steps in the other corridor. At first, I thought I fancied it but then I felt a blast of cold wind. Intrigued, I took a couple of steps forward and looked round the corner. There, I saw Ciaran who was talking with a white-haired girl standing with her back turned.

"Spying on them?" I heard a soft whisper in my ear and immediately shuddered. Turning slowly around, I saw a blond guy with brown eyes who was standing right in front of me. Dressed in blue, the guy was very handsome and had pointy ears so he had to be a fairy. When I shook my head, he flashed me a smile. "No? Oh my, can you speak, darling?" he asked with a British accent, similar to Rian's.

"Yhm," was my only answer. I didn't know him so why would I talk with a complete fairy stranger?

He laughed softly. "I see. Then what are you doing here?"

Before I was able to answer, I heard footsteps. Within two seconds, Ciaran stopped next to us and asked, "Lexi?" He was alone. Ciaran narrowed his eyes when he saw the blond fairy. "You've got the nerve showing up here," he said. "Where were you, you bastard?"

The fairy smiled. "Ah, if that isn't my favourite nephew then I'll be damned."

"Uncle Mel!" Ciaran gave him a big bear hug. "I haven't seen you for ages."

"Glad to see you, too, chap. I had some business to take care of. But I'm staying with you for a few days so we can catch up." The blond fairy put his arm around Ciaran. "And I think there's a lot to talk about, Cian." He glanced at me. "For starters, this pretty lady."

"Oh, yes. This is Lexi," Ciaran said. "Melly kidnapped her. For Rian."

"That's not entirely true," I said, frowning. "And I'm leaving soon."

"Oh my, she can speak," the fairy whispered in awe. "Why didn't you tell me you could speak? I was trying to make you say something but you were just muttering."

Ciaran crossed his arms. "Give her time, Uncle. She has a lot to talk about, don't you, Lexi?"

"I'm sure she does." The fairy took my hand and kissed it, saying, "Hello. I'm Merlin."

I smiled. "Hi. It's nice to meet you, Merlin. I know a Merlin, you know."

"Please, don't mistake my name with the fish, darling. It's written quite differently though."

"Fish?" I lifted my brows. "Oh, no. In my world, Merlin was a legendary wizard. Actually, the greatest wizard in the whole history."

"Oh my, your world?" he asked, looking at Ciaran. "Where did Melly get her from?"

Ciaran shrugged. "Told you she kidnapped her."

"I would have never thought our little Meleri would kidnap someone so pretty," Merlin said with a grin and then placed a hand over his heart. "I don't remember the last time we had a human guest in the residence."

"I won't be staying long," I repeated. Glancing at Merlin, I tried to recall him from the books but I didn't remember such a guy. That's why I said, "Ciaran called you uncle. Are you two related?"

Merlin flashed me a smile. "Yes, the High Lord is my cousin. In the loosest definition."

I lifted my brows. Oh, God. I remembered there was something about the loosest definition of cousins when Morrigan was introduced. So was it possible for Merlin to be her brother? Did she really have a brother? "Are you Morrigan's brother?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm her younger brother." Merlin nodded.

"Wow. I didn't know she had siblings. Are there more of you?"

"No, just me and my beautiful face," Merlin said and regarded me carefully. "Do you know my sister?"

"Only by reputation."

"You know, Uncle, she knows everyone in our court." Ciaran slid his hands into his pockets. "Father, Mother, Uncle Cass, Aunt Nesta… She read stories about us."

"Did she?" Merlin asked.

I smiled. Knowing our conversation was going into the wrong direction, I had to do something and start talking about a safe topic. "Do you live in the residence, Merlin?" I asked.

The blond fairy relaxed a bit. "Occasionally. I have my own house in the south. It isn't as impressive as this one but it's cosy."

"And it has three floors, over twenty bedrooms, and a huge orchard so it's very cosy," Ciaran laughed.

Merlin made a bit of a pout and said, "I should be the one who is jealous, Ciaran. I'm not the younger son of a High Lord. And surely, I don't have such a residence."

"But you're older and more experienced…" Ciaran gave him a knowing smile. "And you can be my role model." Content, the blond fairy bowed slightly and then smiled.

"Men are weird," I muttered.

"We're not men. We're males," Merlin said in a slightly offended voice.

I rolled my eyes. "That's even worse."

"Lexi, if I may," Merlin whispered, taking my hand and kissing it once again. "I feel an overpowering grief that you think so little of males and men. Let me prove to you we are worth your while. Let me show you the incredible things we can do."

Now I blushed.

"Get away from her, you old prick," Ciaran said, pulling his arm. "She was brought for my brother, not you."

Merlin laughed. "Don't be such a spoilsport, Cian."

Pointing my finger at the younger fairy, I warned him, "Stop repeating that. Maybe I don't have any magic but surely I know how to use my fists. And you," I said to Merlin, "stop doing… whatever you're doing. I'm done with flirting for now."

"A little flirt never hurt anyone." Merlin flashed me a smile. "And besides, flirting is good for your body parts like–"

"All right!" I chimed in. "Spare me the details."

"But I've just wanted to say head and legs," the blond fairy said, making an innocent face, but I didn't believe him. "And you suspected the worst of me. Shame on you, Lexi."

Ciaran burst out laughing. "Sure."

"Younglings are all the same." Merlin shook his head. "You can only think about drinking, dancing and flirting."

Feeling awkward, I said, "Okay. So I'll be going." I started going back to Meleri's bedroom. "Have a nice day, guys."

"Are you really leaving us?" Merlin asked. "It was such a nice conversation."

Smiling and walking backwards, I added, "Yes, it was, but I must go. See you." I turned around and disappeared in the corridor that was leading to my little kidnapper's room. On the way, I overheard Merlin and Ciaran's conversation.

Merlin said in a slightly offended voice, "And you shooed her away."

"I did?" Ciaran asked with surprise. "You started talking about body parts."

"It's not my fault that she's an attractive human female. I like her. I've always liked the curvy ones most."

Inside, I cringed. Good God, I thought, walking faster, they're starting to talk about me and my body.

Ciaran seemed angry when he said, "As I said earlier… she was brought–"

"Yes, I've heard. For our dear Rian." Merlin sighed. "Yet, I'm sure he couldn't care less about that."

Well, bloke, you couldn't be more right, I thought, walking away from them. He just doesn't give a shit about me.

Suddenly, I felt a teeny weeny pang of regret. Most girls have always dreamt about meeting such a guy – tall, handsome, muscular, and a bit mysterious. Most girls have always wanted to fall for such a guy and know he feels the same, or even more. Most girls have always been afraid that such a guy would never notice them and simply pretend they don't exist. Most girls have always known they are not good enough for such a guy. Most girls, including me.

###

I was sitting in the armchair, with my feet tucked beneath me, and flipping through a book I found in Meleri's bookcase, when she unexpectedly appeared in her bedroom and scared the shit out of me. "We're going to Velaris!" my little kidnapper exclaimed.

I screamed, dropping the book on the floor, and then shouted, "I told you not to do this anymore!" I got down to lift the book and grunted, "You scared me to death, Meleri. Again."

"I'm sorry, Lexi," she said, approaching the armchair and picking the book faster than me. Only now, did I realise Meleri was truly a fairy, fast and strong. "I didn't mean to. You know I'm still working on my gifts." She looked at the cover and then handed me the book. "This one's my favourite. Rian gave it to me last year. It belonged to him."

After hearing that, I wanted to toss that book out the window. But instead, I said, "Wow. How thoughtful of him." Standing up, I walked up to the bookcase and put the book away on the shelf. "I'd better stop touching it. I don't want to destroy it, do I?"

Meleri flashed me a smile. "Don't worry. I'm sure you won't."

"Anyway, what about the tour around the residence?" I asked.

My little kidnapper waved her hand. "It can wait. I'll give you a tour around the city." Her violet eyes started to shine with happiness. "The City of Starlight is incredible. Wait till you see the streets and the houses and the shops. And the Rainbow of course. I'll show you the House of Wind too." She stopped for a moment, deep in thought. "Though I would have to ask someone to get us there because I can't fly."

"Fantastic. Where will we stay?" I asked. "In a hotel?"

"What's that?" Meleri frowned.

Now it was my turn to frown. "A place where you can stay after arriving in a new place?"

"You mean an inn?" she asked. "Why would we stay in an inn when there's our townhouse? We're staying there."

I nodded. "Then lead the way, Melly Jelly."

She beamed and grabbed my hand. A second later the bedroom disappeared and we were standing now in a big blue room with lush sofas and armchairs which had to be the living room. Looking around, I noticed Rhysand and Merlin sitting on a beige sofa and chatting over a glass of wine. Feyre and Cerys were standing by the fireplace listening to Ciaran who was speaking with his hands. And the handsome muppet was sitting on a window sill and tossing an apple up and down.

He was the first one to notice our arrival. "Oh, my favourite sister and human girl," he said with a smile, still tossing the apple. "Glad to see you with all your limbs intact, lovely Alexandra."

I made a sad face. "Sorry to disappoint you, Tinkerbell. I'll ask Melly to try harder next time and have my head disappeared."

"I would pay to see that." Rian gave me a lazy smile.

"Father," Meleri said, approaching Rhysand and taking his hand, "when will we go?"

Rhysand flashed her a smile. "Soon, sunshine."

"Can we go now? Please." Meleri was still holding his hand and moving it up and down. "I want to show Lexi our city."

Focused on Meleri and Rhysand, I hadn't noticed that Rian appeared next to me. So when I turned my head left and saw him standing right beside me, I shivered and squeaked, "Shit."

He chuckled and then said, "Ops. I've forgotten you aren't used to winnowing." Somehow, I didn't believe him. I knew he must have done it on purpose, just to scare me. "I'm sure you know everything about the City of Starlight," he went on.

"Yeah. And the cabin you were made in, too," I muttered angrily.

"What?"

"What?"

Fuck. I said that aloud.

"What cabin?" Rian asked, standing right in front of me.

I frowned, avoiding eye contact. "I don't know what you mean."

"You do." When our eyes met, I saw that Rian was looking at me with surprise. "You read a story about my parents who were making love in a cabin?"

Blushing, I averted my eyes and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Yes?"

Rian snorted, drawing my attention. I looked up and saw he crossed his arms. Then, a sly smile started to spread across his face. "Did you like it?" he whispered, leaning in to me.

"It's none of your business," I said, feeling rather hot on the cheeks.

"Admit it. You liked it."

I started backing away. "Stop it, Rian."

"What a filthy mind you must have, lovely Alexandra," he said, amused, "to enjoy such stories." He regarded me carefully. "What else did you read? Other steamy pieces?" Rian moved closer to me. "Tell me, honey, what else did you read?"

I made another step back. "Nothing else."

"Lair. I can hear your heart and it's racing." Rian came closer.

"No, it's not. It's just your imagination, Tinkerbell."

"Oh, you have no idea what's happening in my head right now," he whispered.

Crossing my arms and lifting my chin, I said, "That's the last thing I want to know."

"If you two are done, I think we can go to Velaris." Rhysand stood up, holding Meleri's hand. Rian and I looked at them. "I'm taking Melly with me, Feyre will help Merlin and–"

All of a sudden Feyre, Merlin, Cerys and Ciaran vanished without a word. For a moment, I thought I saw smiles on the younger fairies' faces but they moved so fast I wasn't able to get a good look at them.

Rhysand sighed. "And you will take Lexi," he addressed Rian.

"I'm not going with him." I frowned, still crossing my arms. "I prefer to go with you."

"Why not me?" Rian asked, getting close to me again. "Wouldn't you like to feel my body next to yours? Wouldn't you like to touch my body? Be touched by me?"

Yes, yes, yes.

"No."

"I'm slightly offended by that, lovely Alexandra," Rian said with sadness in his voice.

"I couldn't care less, m–" Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself. "You know, you could have given me a flower tattoo."

"Where's the fun with such a tattoo?" he asked.

"I'll see you in Velaris," Rhysand said and hugged Meleri. Then, they were both gone.

Rian smiled to me and opened his arms, asking, "Are you ready, honey?"

"I'm. Not. Going. With. You. Honey," I said angrily.

He shrugged. "All right, suit yourself." And he vanished, leaving me alone in the living room.

I gasped helplessly, looking around.

"He left me," I said to myself. "That bastard left me… He really left me. Come on!" I shouted. "You can't just leave me here. Rian!"

"Can't I?" Rian asked softly, appearing in the room. He was sitting on the sofa's armrest. "You said it yourself you didn't want to go with me, so I left."

Having given a helpless, despairing sigh, I said, "It was before all of them disappeared. And now it's just you and me."

"Well done. You're a good observer." Cocking his head, Rian asked, "And?"

I bit my lip. Good God, not again, I thought, observing him. "Is that really necessary?" I asked.

Rian shrugged. "I had offered you my service for free but you said no. Fine, no problem, I thought and winnowed. But then you called me, apparently wanting me to winnow you to Velaris. So here I am." He smiled. "Waiting."

Staring at his handsome face, I didn't say anything. Even though there was an innocent smile playing on his lips, I knew I shouldn't trust him. I had told myself yesterday I couldn't make the same mistake and agree to another ridiculous bargain. I knew there were consequences – sometimes visible ones as my tattoo – and I didn't need an extra problem, did I?

"I know you want to visit Velaris," Rian said, sliding his hands into his pockets. "I see it in your face. You can't fool me."

"Then what do you want in return?" I asked, slowly approaching him. "You wouldn't be telling me this unless you could gain some profit from it."

He flashed me a mysterious smile. "I'll think of something."

"You know I don't have money."

"I don't need your money. I have plenty of it. And besides, where would you get it from, honey?"

I stopped in front of him, gazing into his blue eyes. "I would think of something."

"Would you?" he asked doubtfully.

I shrugged. "I can always steal some quids."

Rian gave me a flirty smile. "I didn't know you had the makings of being a thief."

"You know nothing, Rian Rhysandson," I said, giggling. Thanks, George.

The heir to the Night Court laughed and hung his head, shaking it. Thanks to his move, I had a chance to take a closer look at him. Rian's short hair seemed very soft and was so black that it had a blue gleam. The grey open-neck shirt Rian was wearing allowed me to see his tanned skin and I let my eyes linger there a bit longer. God, what he must look like without it, I thought. Truly, a walking and breathing sex god.

"No one has ever called me that," he said, looking at me and breaking in my checking him out. "But I suppose I should be called like that as I don't have a family name."

"You don't?" I asked with surprise. Hell, I was waiting years to finally find out Rhysand's surname and he had just told me he didn't have one? Not fair.

"Didn't you know, lovely Alexandra?" When I shook my head, he said, "Then you were so absorbed in the story about my parents' lovemaking that you didn't pay attention to anything else, weren't you?" Rian smiled.

"Damn, I could have said nothing," I murmured. "What about going to Velaris?" I asked. "Will you take me there? Please?"

He regarded me for a moment. "You do realise I will ask for something in return."

"You said it yourself – I want to visit the City of Starlight. And to do so, I need your help, oh, mighty Rian."

Rian lifted one of his eyebrows and gave me a sexy smile. "Go on," he said, crossing his arms.

So he was eager for praises? Interesting.

"Oh, magnificent Rian," I added. Never breaking eye contact, I put my hand on his wrist and slid it up his shredded arm, the same way he did it to me yesterday. "Handsome Rian. Sexy Rian. Fucking awesome Rian." My hand was now caressing the back of his neck. I realised I was turned on. Looking at him and touching him were so exciting I wanted to nestle up to him and feel his arms around me. And then we could…

"I think I'm going to fall in love with myself," he purred, putting both hands around my waist and standing up from the armrest. I had to lift my head to look at him.

"Haven't you done it yet?" I laughed.

"Ah, right." Rian smiled. Then, after taking a deep breath, he asked, "Comfortable enough?"

"Yes, thank you." But I wasn't. It felt a bit weird to be hugged by him when I realised who it was. Honestly, I didn't remember the last time I was embraced by a guy who wasn't related to me and who was so freaking attractive. The only drawback of my current state was the fact that he didn't return my feelings towards him. "And you?"

"Not bad." Rian put his hand on my nape and said, "Hold on."

The living room disappeared.