(Aelin POV)

Aelin looked around her, grinning as the noise of laughter filled her ears. Her cheeks hurt she was smiling so much. Rowan and Aedion were here. Everything was back to normal, well mostly. She looked at Rowan who was sitting beside her. She was excited to see him again, but something was different between them. He was her carranam, her best friend, and she loved him, but not in the same way she had just a few months ago. Rowan was in the middle of telling her about their trip to the Western Wastes, apparently it hadn't been entirely easy to get Ansel to agree to make the trek to Rifthold. Aelin hadn't expected anything less. Rowan added with a smile that after a few hours alone with her, he had been able to persuade her to come. Aelin laughed she could only imagine what sort of terrors he put her through. She deserved it.

A tug from her magic pulled her attention away from Rowan towards Dorian who was sitting across from her. He was talking and laughing with Aedion and Lysandra. Aedion was explaining in great detail what a pain the Queen of Briacliff was, and Dorian had smirked adding that it reminded him of a certain assassin. She smiled it was so nice to hear him laugh again. Suddenly aware that Rowan had stopped talking, she turned to face him. He was staring at her a question all too visible in his eyes. What? He continued to stare at her, waiting for her to answer his silent question. She touched the brim of her nose and sighed.

"He has come a long way, when I first got here Rowan…" her voice trailed off and she trembled at the memory. "But now he is healing little by little. I've been helping him learn to control his magic, and it seems to steady him."

Rowan nodded his face full of understanding as he observed the King of Adarlan. He reached out taking her hands in his and squeezed them. I know how much he means to you. Her heart stopped. Shock was plastered all over her face. Dorian was her friend, nothing more she lied to herself. She tried to jerk her hand away, but his grip tightened. Aelin, listen to your magic. What did he mean by that? Rowan's face softened at her reaction. He stared at her with an expression that she didn't understand. Sympathy?

He released her hand and cleared his throat. "Dorian" Oh gods what was he doing! "I hear that Aelin is attempting to train you." Attempting?! Oh she was furious she wanted to set him on fire! As if he could sense it in her she felt a gust of wind calming her flame, it worked but she continued to glare at him. "If you like, I could train you correctly."

Dorian glanced back and forth between her and Rowan. She rolled her eyes. "Of course Rowan, I'd be honored." Dorian stole a cautious glance in her direction, offering her a slight smile. Turning she glared at Rowan. "I think it's a great idea, and I'll enjoy watching the look on your face when Dorian knocks you on your ass tomorrow." Rowan just smirked at her I look forward to it Fireheart.

(Dorian's POV)

Dorian had finally been able to escape away from Aedion, thanks to Lysandra's help. He had grown tired of strategizing future battle plans. For months now Dorian had been working on striking alliances with the other countries of Erilea, in hopes that they would fight with them to defend their continent. The world. Aedion being a general loved discussing different possible scenarios in which the armies of Erilea would stand together and fight. The topic however pressed heavily on Dorian's mind. It was a future that he knew he was destined for, but wanted to avoid for as long as possible. Soon all the armies of Erilea would be gathered outside Rifthold and the greatest war in history would start.

Sighing, he stretched out on the sofa and began to read. It was hard to concentrate though, he had reread the same sentence at least a dozen times. Everyone was talking at the same time and laughing. About an hour ago Aedion had brought out a couple bottles of wine to celebrate their he noticed was still on his first glass and he himself had refused stating that it was hard to read while inebriated. Aelin had just rolled her eyes. Those beautiful Ashryver eyes.

He looked up at her over his book. She was leaning her head on Aedion's arm, her cheeks blushed from the wine. A smile lit up her face as she talked excitedly with her hands. Lysandra and Aedion were laughing so hard they were crying, and Rowan just sat there observing. Occasionally chiming into the conversation. Aelin was tipsy and Dorian was enjoying watching this side of her he had never seen. Her enjoyment was intoxicating. Dorian wanted to be near her, he couldn't explain it. He felt this pull from somewhere always directing him to her. Her gaze met his, and she winked at him. Smiling he glanced down at his book and resumed reading, or trying to.

"Dorian!" Followed by laughter as Aelin plopped down beside him on the sofa. She leaned in close to his face as she took the book out of his hands. Her face filled with mischief. "Let's see what is more interesting than me." Dorian laughed. She was staring at his book, flipping through the pages. Her head snapped up "You've read this already!" He had multiple times. He shrugged his shoulders. Aelin flipped back to the first page, handed him back his book, and shoved him over so that she could lay down beside him. Dorian made room for her placing his arm behind her shoulder. She rested her head on his chest, the scent of lavender tickling his nose, as she pointed to the first page in the book, "Read".

Dorian sighed, he looked across the room at Rowan who was in the middle of arguing with Aedion about something dealing with the Bane. He didn't seem to be paying attention to them. Clearing his throat he leaned forward so that he could whisper in her ear. "Queen Aelin of Terresan are you prepared to hear the best book ever written, will you respect the integrity of the book, keep all questions and comments to yourself, and not say anything negative about the authors writing style?"

"Oh gods Dorian! will you just shut-up and read it!" She thumped the book with the back of her hand. Trying to contain his laughter, Dorian started reading the book out loud to her. As he flipped the page, she turned to whisper in his ear, the warmth from her breath brushing his skin. "Reading while inebriated is the best." He smiled.

Twenty minutes later, Aelin was asleep on his shoulder. Lysandra had said good-night, and Rowan was telling Aedion that he was going to check on the Queen of Briarcliff to make sure that she wasn't causing any trouble. Apparently Ress and his royal guards were posted outside of her rooms now. Aedion agreed that was probably best, and stumbled off to bed. Rowan turned to face Dorian. "Will you be okay?" he asked looking at Aelin. Dorian nodded. "I'll wake her and get her to bed."

"Good, oh where are her rooms?". Dorian felt his cheeks blush, though he wasn't sure why. He knew that Rowan and Aelin were something, are something? He looked at Rowan who just smiled and said, "Take good care of her" before turning to leave. Dorian knew that he wasn't just talking about tonight.

(Aelin's POV)

Aelin leaned on Dorian as he guided her back to her room. No his room. Her thoughts were muddled. She had insisted on walking because she didn't want to appear weak. She cursed Lysandra and Aedion for their interesting stories and endless supply of chocolate cake and wine. Lot's of wine. Dorian had his arm around her waist, and was snickering beside her. "Where's Rowan?" she slurred, suddenly remembering not seeing him leave.

"He went to check on the Queen of Briarcliff". Aelin nodded. "She's beautiful"

"Who?"

"Ansel…"

Dorian's grip tightened around her waist, she felt his lips brush against her ear as he whispered, "You're beautiful" Aelin felt her magic pulse through her body her legs suddenly feeling weak. Did he know the affect he had on her? His chuckle was answer enough, he was enjoying himself. Bastard! "How much further?" She breathed into his shoulder. Dorian stopped moving. She leaned against him eyes closed, head spinning.

"Just let me carry you! You can barely stand." Aelin mumbled something inaudible into Dorian's chest. She felt his arms tighten around her as he scooped her up into his strong arms. Aelin tried to wiggle free, but gave up and let him carry her to their room. His room.

She felt the comfort of Dorian's arms vanish. Realizing she was laying in bed, she reached her hand across the mattress, it was empty. Confusion hit her, where was he? Her eyes sprang open as she scanned the room. She didn't have to look far. The King of Adarlan was standing on the other side of the bed his back to her as he pulled off his shirt. She watched as he bent to take off his boots, her eyes taking in the polished muscles of his back and shoulders. She bit her lip. Wyrd help her. "Dorian?"

He turned to look at her. His face showing concern. "Do you need anything?" Her magic was thrumming through her pulling her, she wanted to be closer to him, to touch him. Rowan had told her to listen to her magic, she now understood. "Dorian" she said his name again as if that was the answer. "Shh, get some sleep." Shaking her head she sat up on her knees, reaching for his arms pulling him towards her, placing his arms around her waist. "I don't need sleep." Her heart was beating rapidly in her chest as she reached up to run her fingers through his hair. She met his gaze, his sapphire eyes filled with questions and desire.

"Aelin.." he pushed her away slightly, "You should get some sleep, you had too much wine." Aelin felt herself pouting. She wanted him now, so what if she had drank a little too much. Determined not to give up that easily. She tightened her grip on his hair pulling his head back as she kissed his neck. She felt his hands clinch into fists around her waist. He liked it. "Aelin, I…"

She pushed him on to the bed so that he was pinned bellow her. She stared at him, her prey. His blood pulsed beneath her hands, calling to her. She bent low so that her lips hovered just above his. Smiling so that her fangs were visible, she angled her mouth towards his neck, letting her fangs graze his skin. His hands gripped around her wrists and before she could register what happened he was on top of her, his hands pinning her beneath him. His sapphire eyes met hers, as he leaned forward and kissed her. Her world erupted. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed being kissed by him. It was a kiss full of so much passion and need. He pulled away his forehead resting against hers. That one kiss had left her senseless, she couldn't think. Dorian laughed in her ear, as he continued kissing her his hands tugged at her shirt ripping it off. She felt the coolness of his skin against hers, as she wrapped her arms around his back pulling him closer. "I love you" he whispered in her ear. Her magic surged as the bond snapped into place.