Chapter 7.1

When I woke up in the morning, I had no idea where I was. I knew I was lying in a very comfortable bed that smelt like lavender and was absolutely enormous, yet it wasn't mine. I also knew I was in a bright and spacious bedroom with big windows, but it didn't belong to me as well.

Despite everything that happened hours ago, I still couldn't believe that I was actually in Prythian. That I was really in Rhysand and Feyre's house, wherever it was. I needed a couple of second to remind myself that I travelled through a portal to a magical world and spent a whole night in it.

Part of me suspected that, after waking up, it would turn out that it was all just a dream, nothing more. That the people I met – the fairies from the Night Court – would remain characters from the books, not living and breathing creatures who offered to host me for the time being.

But here I was, lying in a bed and looking around the yellow guestroom.

Surprisingly, I didn't sleep well. Tossing and turning throughout the night, I had weird dreams full of black smoke, dark-haired men and beams of light. Now, watching the ceiling above me, I hoped the handsome muppet wasn't involved in creating my dreams. Hell, I really hoped he didn't star in any of them, because that would be simply creepy.

I let out a loud sigh.

Suddenly, I heard a loud knock on the door. Before I was even able to say anything, it opened and I saw a big pile of clothes that was moving towards me. Then, I noticed two small hands and two rather short legs, and realised it was my little kidnapper.

"I've heard that you woke up, so I decided to bring you some clothes," Meleri said, putting the pile on the dressing table. When she turned towards the bed, I noticed she was wearing a cute dark green set which consisted of a sleeveless top and a pair of harem trousers. "I hope you slept well, Lexi," she added with a smile.

"You've heard me?" I asked, rubbing my eyes and sitting slowly up.

"Of course." She approached me and sat on the foot of the bed. "I even heard that you mumbled something in your sleep, so I came here a few hours ago and checked on you." When she realised what she had just said, Meleri blushed and flashed me a bashful smile. "I was worried about you. That's all."

Having grunted quietly, I replied, "Thank you, that's very considerate of you to keep an eye on me."

She nodded, averting her blue eyes.

"Thank you for the clothes, too." I pointed at them. "What exactly did you bring?"

Quickly, Meleri drew near the dressing table and scooped the pile up.

"There are dresses, tops, trousers and some shoes," she answered, throwing them on the bed. "You can choose anything you want, but don't worry if you don't like any of them. Mother will find you something else." She turned around and added, "The bathing room is over there. Inside, you will find towels, soaps and oils. Should you need help, just call my name."

My little kidnapper let out a loud breath.

"I'll wait here," she said softly, sitting on a chair in front of the dressing table.

I nodded. "Thanks again."

Trying to hide my wide smile, I got out of the bed. Then, I grabbed the whole pile and entered the bathing room.

Made as if of chiffon, the clothes that were prepared for me were gauzy and pastel coloured. There were two beautiful long dresses with short sleeves, three sleeveless tops with matching baggy harem trousers caught in at the ankle, and three pairs of very comfortable flat shoes. I hadn't expected so many things for me to wear and was surprised by the fairies' kind gesture. In the end, after much deliberation, I chose a baby blue top with harem trousers and white flatties.

Having folded the rest of the garments and put them on one of the cabinets, I left the pretty bright marble bathing room and found Meleri still sitting in front of the dressing table.

"I thought you would choose something pink or yellow," she said, moving her eyes up my body. "But this one suits you." She smiled.

I peered down at myself. "Thank you. I liked that one."

"Do you want to have your hair brushed?" she asked, motioning to my ponytail.

"Oh, no, thanks. I prefer a simple ponytail. My hair isn't as long and gorgeous as yours, so there's no need to let it down."

Meleri nodded and then stood up. "Are you hungry? Breakfast has been just served, and Mother wants us to join them in the breakfast room."

"Sure," I replied. "I'm quite hungry."

My little kidnapper flashed me a big smile. "Please, follow me."

We left the yellow guestroom.

"While you were changing, I came up with the idea of giving you a tour around the house," Meleri added, leading me to the breakfast room. "I thought that you might want to see more of our Court as you seem to be quite familiar with certain places. For instance, you mentioned the Court of Nightmares yesterday."

"Thanks. That's a great idea," I said.

Deliberately, I didn't comment on my knowledge of the Night Court. The less they knew, the better.

Looking around the brightly lit corridor, I realised that we were using the same way as yesterday. This time, I could see all the details in broad daylight, beginning with beige walls and ending with several paintings with cityscape.

Stopping in front of one of them, I pointed at a row of tall buildings. "You said this is your house. But where exactly are we?"

Meleri smiled. "Don't you know?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, I don't."

"We're in Velaris."

"We're in Velaris?" I repeated. "I was transported to your hidden city? Wasn't it protected by a powerful spell?"

My little kidnapper frowned. "Well, it is. Yet, somehow, Bryaxis was able to let you in. Actually, Father wondered about the same issue after you fell asleep, but no one could answer the question."

I glanced at the buildings again. "So, this house is…?"

"This is the riverfront estate. Our house." Meleri beamed.

I nodded.

As far as I could remember, Rhysand did build a house for Feyre in Velaris. It was located near the river and looked more like a residence. And judging by everything around me, it really did.

I started walking towards the staircase and she followed me. "Does the House of Wind still exist?"

"Of course. But I need assistance if I want to visit Aunt Nesta and Uncle Cass."

"Does it mean that you don't have wings?" I asked.

Meleri shook her head. "Unfortunately, I need to ask others for help. Usually, my choice is on Rian." She stopped near the staircase and stretched her arms. "His wings are that big!"

"Of course. How could they not be?" I murmured and then said louder, "That's fantastic. Do you like flying with him?"

"He's one of the best flyers in Prythian."

"One of the best?" I repeated and smirked. "Then, he's not the best?"

"Well, it's hard to choose between Mother, Father, uncle Cass, Conri, and him. To tell the truth, I love flying with all of them." Her violet eyes beamed with joy as we were descending the staircase. "And I like winnowing, but I don't do it often. I'm rather afraid I will spoil it and end up somewhere far away." Her smile faded.

"Don't worry," I said. "You'll learn. Remember, practice makes perfect."

"I suppose so."

We turned right.

"Your siblings are adults, aren't they? So is Rian married?" I asked casually as we were walking through the hall. Deep inside, I was super curious about this.

"No, he isn't. Though I know that he was once in love. It was long before I was born. But… it didn't end well," Meleri whispered.

"I see."

Turning my eyes on her, I pondered over her words. She said that Rian was in love long before she was born. But what did she mean by that? Was she really a child or an adult in a body of a child? Well, curiosity killed the cat, but hell with that.

"How old are you exactly?" I asked.

"I'm eleven. What about you?"

"I'm twenty-three."

At least I knew she was like a normal child. To some extent, of course.

"Yesterday, you told me that you're the youngest," I said. "What about your brothers and sister? How old are they?"

She shrugged. "I've always been the youngest. My siblings had all grown up by the time I was born. You see, Cerys and Ciaran are now seventy-eight and Rian is one hundred and three."

Blood rushed to my head, making this rumbling sound.

"What?" I gaped, coming to a stop.

"We're Fae. We could live hundreds of years. Father is almost six hundred and forty, and Mother is one hundred and twenty-five. You didn't know?" she asked, looking at me.

One hundred years, I thought. Over one hundred years have passed in Prythian since the end of war with Hybern and the ending of the trilogy. Over one hundred years of new events and new people I've never heard of.

Still slightly shocked by the news, I mumbled, "I… I haven't expected this."

"Well, that's true." She shrugged, then began walking in the direction of the breakfast room. "I'm not lying."

"I do believe you. It's just a bit too much for me," I admitted, following her. "Humans don't live that long. And besides, neither your parents nor siblings look that old."

"After reaching eighteen, I will stop aging, too," she said with a small smile. "And for the next couple of hundred years I will look the same. Just like Father." Meleri chuckled softly. "Hopefully, I will take after Mother and be as beautiful as her."

I smiled back at her. "No doubt."

Suddenly, Meleri picked up the pace. "Mother wants to know why we're still gossiping as we're terribly late for breakfast."

Blinking with surprise, I said, "How did she–"

"I can read her mind, just as she can read mine," she broke in. "Even if we are miles away from each other, our whole family can do that. So, Lexi, if you ever see both my brothers smiling wickedly to each other, remember – they might gossip right in front of you and you wouldn't even know that!" She laughed.

I forced myself to smile. "Yeah, I'll bear that in mind."

To be honest, I was pretty sure the handsome muppet and his brother would do it in front of my eyes and have the time of their lives. But I didn't tell her that.

The rest of our walk towards the breakfast room seemed more like a run, since Meleri kept moving quickly as if she were late for her bus, and I had to follow her. Soon, we reached the blasted room. My little kidnapper opened the double door and motioned me inside. Slowly, I entered the breakfast room.

With large windows overlooking a garden full of flowers, the room was bright and sunny. Two white china closets and a solid hand-carved buffet table stood opposite the windows. Again, I saw lots of paintings on the light blue walls, most of them depicting a river. In the middle of the breakfast room, there was a rather long white table with several elegant chairs, now occupied by the High Lord and Lady of the Night Court.

"Good morning," Meleri said, approaching her parents. "I'm very sorry for being late."

"Good morning, sweetheart." Feyre smiled, kissing her youngest child on the cheek. "I'm glad that you've taken care of our guest." She glanced at me.

Having come near them, I nodded and flashed her a small smile. "Thanks for the clothes."

"Don't mention it, Alexandra," she replied. "You couldn't wear your pyjamas all day. A certain blue-eyed male wouldn't leave it be, believe me."

I laughed quietly. "I may know someone who fits the description."

"Please, join us." Rhysand gestured to the table. In front of him, there was a plate and a cup with a dark liquid, most presumably tea. "We're having scrambled eggs and toasts, but there is also bread, cheese, and some ham. Oh, and I've almost forgotten to mention one of Meleri's favourite fruit, grapes."

"For Melly, breakfast without grapes doesn't exist," Feyre added.

Smiling, my little kidnapper pulled out a chair. "This is for you, Lexi. You are going to sit next to me."

"Thank you," I said.

As soon as I took a seat, Meleri started handing me all sorts of bowls and plates, but I decided to opt for something simple. Something that looked the same here and in my world.

Staring at my plate, I swallowed. Though hungry as a bear, I wasn't sure whether I would be able to eat their food, but bread and ham seemed to be the safest option.

"Why are you not eating?" Meleri asked.

"Are you sure that if I eat this sandwich, I won't stay here forever?" I replied, glancing at the three fairies.

Feyre frowned. "It's just bread and ham."

I let out a loud breath. "I'm sorry. I think that I've read too many books and watched too many films where evil fairies tried to kidnap people and imprison them in their realm. By giving them food and beverages, the people couldn't go back home."

"I can assure you that it isn't poisoned," Rhysand said quietly. "We're eating the same food and drinking the same tea as you."

I raised my eyebrows. "I'm far from accusing you of wanting to murder me."

He exchanged a look with Feyre and replied, "That's a relief. I would be able to sleep well at night."

Meleri chuckled.

With my heart in my mouth, I took a bite of the sandwich. Luckily, it tasted like those at home, so I presumed it wouldn't make me stay in Prythian for the rest of my days.

"How did you like the yellow guestroom?" Feyre asked, flashing me a smile. "You seem quite rested, so I assume that you slept well."

"The room is really pretty. I also liked the company next doors." I glanced at my little kidnapper and added, "They were so concerned about my well-being that they woke up in the middle of the night to check up on me."

Meleri smiled. "I was just worried."

"She wasn't the only one," Rhysand murmured, lifting his cup and taking a sip.

I frowned. "Excuse me?"

"We were all curious about you, a human from another world who was sleeping in the guestroom," Feyre said, pouring herself tea. "I'm sure that some of us wanted to see whether you still lay in the bed or disappeared in the night."

Feeling a bit uneasy, I just nodded.

As they say, I thought, taking another bite, curiosity killed the cat, right?

The room went silent as everyone busied themselves with eating breakfast.

"Father, have they found Bryaxis yet?" Meleri asked Rhysand.

Alerted, I fixed my eyes on him.

He shook his head. "Not yet. Your siblings are coming home now, but we're starting the search again in the afternoon."

"Are Uncle Cass and Uncle Azriel coming with you?"

"Of course. Your mother is coming as well."

My little kidnapper nodded. "When you will be gone today, I'm going to show Lexi around the house. I would like to ask Cerys to join us."

"I'm afraid she wouldn't be in the mood for a tour," Feyre broke in. "You know how much your sister loves sleeping late after a nightlong scouting."

"I do, Mother. It's a shame Zareen is not here." Meleri made a sad face.

Rhysand smiled. "Don't worry, darling. Your cousin will be back soon."

Your cousin?

"Lexi, are you ready?" Meleri asked, looking at me expectantly. "Can we start the tour?"

I frowned, glancing at plate that was quite full. "Give me a minute."

"Meleri, let her eat in peace," Feyre said. "You will enjoy to the fullest whatever time you have with Alexandra. I promise."

My little kidnapper flashed me a smile. "I don't remember the last time we had human visitors in the house," she whispered. "I'm glad that it's you."

I smiled back, feeling warm inside. "The pleasure is all mine."