Rowan POV
Amren started down the path wistfully, seemingly unaffected by our dreadful journey as she made her way through the town with a brisk walk. She must do this often. Aelin and I quickly regained our composure and made to follow her. As we walked in silence I saw Aelin's gaze lingering on the fine clothing and jewelry displayed in the shops as we passed. After we'd done what we had come to do, I would bring her to shop for whatever she wanted.
I heard Aelin's stomach rumbling, or was it my own? The portal experience still had me quite disoriented.
"Could we perhaps stop for some food?" I asked on behalf of Aelin, knowing she wouldn't ask herself.
"Ah. Yes, I forgot you needed to eat," Amren chuckled without turning back. Aelin shot me a knowing glance and I responded with a slight shrug. What did she mean-she forgot we needed to eat? Judging from some of the things I'd heard Amren say in the portal, I don't think I wanted to ask her what she eats. She lead us into a small restaurant and plopped down into a seat, motioning for us to do the same in front of her.
A plump lady sauntered towards us and asked Amren, "the usual, I assume?" Amren nodded distantly as if only a part of her were paying attention. The lady then turned to us with her eyebrows raised, confusion written across her features.
"My friends here," Amren forced the word out as if it pained her to do so, "would like the special." The lady scurried off into the kitchens.
"Would you care to explain to us where we are exactly?" Aelin asked Amren. She put on an air of coolness but I heard the suspicion lacing her tone, and noticed the way her eyes slightly narrowed.
Amren looked away from the people she had been observing. "Well, if you couldn't tell, this is a restaurant. It was established over three hundred years ago and is best known for the-"
"That's not what I mean and you know it," Aelin snarled. She always got angry when she got hungry.
"As I said before, we are in the city of Velaris," Amren replied simply, not caring to explain anything else.
"I felt the air around us, it was as if there is a barrier surrounding us. I also saw the map in the Spring Court's library and Velaris wasn't on it. So I would like for you to explain why you and everyone here are doing everything you can to keep this city hidden," I snapped, disliking the way she dismissed Aelin's question.
Amren had an amused expression on her face when she said, "Velaris is a city that has been hidden for centuries by each and every High Lord of the Night Court, Rhysand's ancestors and now Rhysand. It has been that way for a long time, and would like to remain that way," she fixed a pointed glare in my direction. "Your daughter and Drakon are believed to be dead by many, but are hidden here as well." With the incredulous expression that was surely on my face she added, "for their own safety. One of the reasons we had you rescue Feyre was because she could be a key element in defeating the threat that needs them hidden in the first place. The king-" she stopped short when the waitress came scurrying back to us with two steaming plates and a goblet with thick red liquid in it. My nose ticked with the scent of blood that the goblet was filled with and I noticed Aelin's raised eyebrows and wide eyes.
Amren smirked above her glass before raising it with a small, "cheers," as she downed the fluid, smacking her lips afterwards.
"Is that human blood?" Aelin asked, I noticed that she was slightly pale. I realized with a jolt why Amern had a similar air as Manon Blackbeak. Whatever this woman was, it wasn't friendly. I realized then that I certainly did not want to get on her bad side.
Amren crinkled her nose with disgust as she said, "of course not. It's lamb blood, much more tolerable than the stench that human blood gives off."
Aelin and I exchanged glances at and mutually decided that we shouldn't ask anymore questions, in consideration of our appetites.
Once we finished our plates, Amren shouted towards the kitchens, "on the tab!" and left the restaurant expecting us to follow.
So many thoughts flew through my mind as I worked out all the possible scenarios of how the meeting with my daughter would go. Would she love me? Hate me? Aelin, sensing my discomfort, gave my hand a reassuring squeeze and whispered, "It'll be alright."
I internally cursed myself for being so incredibly selfish. I didn't stop to think for a moment how Aelin must be feeling about all of this. Visiting her boyfriend's daughter must not be her ideal date.
Amren lead us into a secluded spot, took our hands, and immediately winnowed us without a warning beforehand. Hoping this wouldn't be like the portal experience, I shut my eyes and clenched my jaw shut in anticipation, but it was over as soon as it started. Aelin and I landed, stumbling for a bit trying to regain our balance as Amren stated with pursed lips, "it takes some getting used to."
Aelin scowled in her direction as she muttered incoherent curses that, if I had to guess, were not over enthusiastic compliments to Amren. She ran her hands along her suit making sure all of her weapons were still in place.
"We probably should've dressed a bit less… threatening," she admitted. I nodded distractedly, my thoughts too muddled to stress about our clothing choices.
"Aelin I trust you know how to get back to your world. Do it in a secluded area please, Rhys would kill me if you scared the citizens away by smearing your blood everywhere. See that mansion up on the hill?" she asked pointed towards a gargantuan mansion about a mile away. "That's Myriam and Drakon's house. And Rowan," she added as an afterthought, "please do not kill Drakon. I don't know how I'd explain that to Rhysand." She then turned to Aelin, something softening in her eyes when she said, "take care Aelin," and with that she was gone.