The Moonstone Palace was on the map, the High Lord's home that the other courts all knew about, because Velaris was Rhys' secret, not to be known about to outsiders. Until Hybern had attacked of course. But now… it remained a secret once more, tucked away for safe-keeping. The palace sat atop the Court of Nightmares and despite the winnowing making me feel queasy, I was glad we'd bypassed the entrance to the Hewn City, instead arriving straight in a foyer.
My eyes adjusted and I looked around as I straightened the sword strapped to my back. The palace was made from moonstone, living up to its name. The windows were not covered by a glass and were all open, but the magic there seemed to shield them from the breeze outside. Pillars decorated the hallway, as did gossamer curtains, and the scent of jasmine drifted through the breeze.
"By the mother," Emerie whispered as we looked around us.
Rhysand smiled, as he draped an arm over Feyre's shoulders, Nyx tucked up in her arms, "Make yourselves at home." He signalled up a corridor. "Emerie, your room is on the floor below us, third on the left. Gwyn, I'll let Az show you where yours is. Helion will be here in about an hour."
Emerie set off to her room, bag in her arm as she admired the moonstone ceilings on the way, her Valkyrie armour seeming to be in complete contrast with our surroundings.
"Shall we?" Azriel asked and he carried my bag, leading me along the corridor. Lanterns hung from the ceiling and he indicated an alcove, tucked behind a gossamer curtain, "Dining room." We passed a few places with cushioned benches in front of large open windows. Every alcove was decorated with cushions, rugs and the occasional seating area with upholstered furniture. "There's a lot of reception rooms," The Shadowsinger said to me, "And lots of places to read," His mouth curved up at the corners. He led us up a single flight of stairs and I followed him along another corridor. Then he paused in front of a wooden door, next to another seated alcove area. "This is us."
He opened the room and I couldn't believe how light it was. No dark shades here. Instead the room was a mixture of silvers and light blues, complementing the moonstone perfectly. The large bed was decorated with silver sheets and different shades of blue cushions and blankets were spread across the top. Silver lamps were on each side of the bed and an armoire and dressing table were against one of the walls. But the main wall… the large windows were glassless and I walked over to them, looking at the view outside. The mountains still had snow on the top and birds soared past, chattering to one another. No sign of any other buildings. Peace, quiet. Beautiful.
"Bathroom's here," Azriel said, opening an arched door. I continued my exploring and stepped inside. A toilet and a sink. I looked to the other side of the door, where there was another window and the… bathtub.
"No," I gasped as I walked over to it. The bathtub was practically a pool. Large with the water trickling over the edge of the mountain into nothingness. "Do you think Rhys would let us live here?" I asked him, exiting the bathroom.
He stood in front of the armoire, unpacking my clothes with an amused expression on his face, "I could ask." I looked over to the armoire where some different clothes were hung. "What are these?"
"The Night Court attire here," He said as I pulled out a blue two-piece made up of a light blue top and matching cuffed trousers. I hung it back in the armoire and packed away my underthings in the drawers. Then I pulled out two books and placed them on a bedside table.
"Is Eris coming?" I asked and Azriel raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"He might know who my grandfather is," I replied, sitting down on the edge of the bed.
Azriel looked thoughtful for a moment and then moved to sit beside me, "Eris is dangerous," He reminded me. "I don't know how he knew you were from Sangravah but… please be careful." He looked out at the mountains through the window in front of us, "I believe Rhys is expecting him tomorrow." And then he turned to look at me. "But for now, Helion is on his way."
We met everyone back down by the foyer, on a large, open balcony, ready to greet the High Lord of the Day Court. I stood with Emerie and Nesta and I gasped, trying my best to retain my etiquette as Helion rode onto the balcony on a beautiful pegasus. Emerie poked me, as if reminding me to keep myself under control and as I looked over at the Illyrian warriors, where they stood near our High Lord, Azriel's eyes watched me with amusement.
"Rhysand, Feyre, a pleasure," Helion said as he dismounted. A fae male he'd brought with him took the reins of the great horse, holding him still. Helion looked then at the baby in Feyre's arms, "Hello Nyx," He said, ticking the babe's tummy. "You're certainly growing." Nyx let out a small babble sound in response and the High Lord smiled.
"He'll be causing trouble in no time," Rhysand murmured, his eyes filled with pride.
"Much like his father then," Helion laughed softly and patted our High Lord on the shoulder in a friendly greeting. He then turned his attention to all of us, his welcoming party. "Morrigan, looking wonderful as ever." He kissed Morrigan's hand. "Cassian, Azriel, looking handsome as ever."
"It's not happening, Helion," Cassian told him.
"Ah yes, a mated male now…Congratulations." He turned to Azriel then with a suggestive eyebrow and I let out a soft laugh, drawing his attention. He looked over at the three of us in our armour and smiled with approval, "Ah, yes, Rhysand, your Valkyries," He nodded his head. "Nesta, nice to see you again." He kissed her hand. He turned to Emerie next.
"Emerie, Lord Helion," She said formally.
He tutted, "No need for formalities here." Another kiss of the hand. He turned his attention to me finally.
"Gwyn Berdara," I told him. "And can I just say, your pegasus is beautiful!" It came out before I could stop myself and Nesta snorted beside me.
"Thank you, Gwyn, Meallan is certainly something," He bowed and kissed my hand, amusement on his face when he saw the dagger sheath on my thigh. "Perhaps you would like to go for a ride later?"
I widened my eyes and responded in my calmest voice, "It would be an honour."
He turned to Rhys again then, "Shall we grab some lunch together? I'm famished."
The High Lord and Lady had their lunch with Helion alone and we enjoyed ours in another alcove on the main floor, before the meeting we were called to in the War Room later that afternoon.
I'd never seen a war room before but it was as I expected. The large table in the centre was a map of Prythian, locations painted on. The Illyrian forces were marked with figures at their different locations in Illyria. There were Autumn forces marked in their court, in their current locations- The Forest House and a scattering on the Spring Court border.
"Beron is planning to take Spring," Rhys said, signalling to the soldiers.
"Greedy bastard," Helion murmured, shaking his head, "Nothing will ever be enough for him."
"Tamlin has chosen Lucien Vanserra as his heir, should things go wrong," Rhys said now. "The ceremony has been completed."
"You wish for my assistance," Helion said. "To defend the Spring Court."
"If it is needed, yes." Rhys moved some Illyrian figures to the Spring Court. "We have soldiers there laying in wait."
"And what of Eris in all this?"
"We are expecting him tomorrow," Our High Lady spoke this time, "Eris still plans on overthrowing Beron."
"Well now would be the time for his great plan to be unveiled," Helion looked up to the heavens, "We can't do it ourselves, that would be more problematic."
"Indeed," Rhys drawled.
"I'll send some of my own forces to the Spring Court immediately. I'll protect them under a cloaking spell as I presume you have done with yours," Helion said and Rhys nodded. He nodded at one of his own warriors that he'd brought with him and they bowed before quickly exiting the room to carry out orders. "I'll stay here tonight to meet Eris with you, if of course that's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all," Rhys replied. "I have rooms ready for you and your entourage."
"Wonderful," He turned to me then and smiled over at me, "Now how about that ride?"
I ditched the sword before meeting Helion back on the balcony. The elegant, black pegasus waited ahead and I beamed at the sight of it as I approached.
"Rhysand doesn't like me bringing Meallan here. He says that I don't need to draw attention with grand entrances," Helion told me as I approached.
"Well I'm glad you did. I've read so much about them and… to just see one for real." I reached a hand out, "May I?" Helion gave a nod in response.
"You're a priestess, yes?"
"From Sangravah," I replied, "Until just before the War…" I stroked the pegasus' muzzle. It felt like soft velvet beneath my fingers. The pegasus made a pleased sound in response.
"My condolences," He said sincerely. "Far too many lives have been spoiled over the last century."
I murmured in agreement and continued stroking Meallan. "You're so beautiful," I cooed at him and he whinnied in response.
"You might make him big-headed," Helion said with amusement. He moved to the pegasus' back and signalled to the saddle. "Allow me." I moved towards him and let him hoist me up until I was sitting with a leg either side of Meallan's body. He hoisted himself up behind me then and adjusted himself until he was comfy. "Ready?"
"Yes."
With a tug of the reins and a kick of the High Lord's leg, Meallan moved into a trot and then a run towards the edge of the platform. He kept running and I was sure we were going to tumble over the edge. I winced as we reached the air and then, before we could tumble, Meallan's wings spread and we glided. I gasped in awe at the valley below us. The winding river, the mountains surrounding our location, the trees who looked small enough to be vegetables on a plate. The sky was grey from up here and it was obvious that a storm was rolling in, but even that I was able to find beauty in. The pegasus turned and I managed to take in the full beauty of the Moonstone Palace, where it sat atop the mountain, built of creamy pillars and archways.
"Well?" The High Lord asked from behind me.
"This is incredible. The other priestesses in the library will never believe me."
He laughed softly, "Their loss. There's something incredibly freeing about flying, feeling the wind through your hair." Meallan dove down, back towards the balcony. "It's been an honour taking a Valkyrie for a ride," He said, flirtation in his voice. The hooves touched down onto the stone and Helion pulled the reins, slowing the pegasus down until we stopped. The High Lord slid off in one small movement and helped me down with a hand.
"Thank you," I said to him and I stroked Meallan's muzzle, "And thank you, Meallan." Another whinny from the pegasus.
I turned around to see Azriel stood in the open doorway, his arms folded, watching.
"Would you like a ride, Shadowsinger?" Helion said, his voice almost a purr.
"Why ride a pegasus when you have wings of your own?" Azriel murmured and Helion smiled in response.
"Of course."
I walked over to Azriel. "You're missing out," I told him, patting his shoulder and Azriel raised an eyebrow at me. I looked over at Helion, who seemed to watch us with an amused expression on his face.
"See you both at dinner," He called out before turning his attention back to the pegasus.
"Well?" Azriel asked when we were back in our room.
"Well?" I repeated.
"How was your ride?"
I grinned across at him, "Incredible! I could never even have imagined riding a pegasus!"
"He was flirting with you."
"I believe he offered you a ride too," I raised an eyebrow, and removed my leathers slowly. There was no amusement on Azriel's face. "You're jealous," I said, walking over to the bath. I turned away from him and removed my underthings, my back to him, before stepping into the bath. The water was warm and I sighed as I sank down into the bubble-filled water.
"Perhaps I am," He murmured, his eyes watching me. I
"I don't believe I'm in Helion's bathing pool right now," I mused, "Unless I've got lost and wandered into the wrong room." His nostrils flared. "Are you going to stand around looking pouty all evening or are you going to get in and join me?"
He removed his leathers quickly and then was at the side of the bath. I moved over so that I was closer to the window and he removed his undershorts before stepping down into the bath, tucking his wings in behind him. I watched him step him, the beauty of his strong, muscled body. I bit my lip as he slid into the water without breaking my gaze. He sat across from me, watching. The scent of the bath products filled the air and steam spread into the air above us. I reached for a sponge and washed my face, then my neck, my shoulders. Azriel tracked my every movement.
"Would you wash my back?" I asked innocently and he nodded. I turned around in the water and he moved to sit behind me. I went to pass him the sponge and laughed as it was thrown out of the window, over the edge of the mountain. I turned my head to look at him and watched as he poured some liquid soap onto his hands. He rubbed his palms together with a sly look on his face and I turned back around. His hands massaged my shoulders and back, cleaning but relieving knots in the muscles that I didn't even know I had. I sighed at the touch and he worked his way down my spine. When he'd finished, he scooped up water and gently washed the products away. I turned my head to look at him and he spun me round and kissed me.
A knock at the door sounded and I heard Cassian's voice call out, "Dinner is in fifteen minutes."
My cheeks flushed and I moved to the edge of the water. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself as Azriel dunked himself under the water.