Chapter 9.1

The riverfront residence was truly enormous. By the time we reached the rooms on the ground floor, I was so tired that I wanted to simply sit down and not move for the rest of the day. But I realised that I might go home any minute, so I didn't want to waste time as there was so much to see.

Surprisingly, my little kidnapper was an amazing guide. She showed me a lot of well-designed bedrooms and guest rooms, except her brothers' ones (for obvious reasons), and told me various anecdotes about her and her family. I also learnt some stories behind Feyre's paintings. According to Meleri, her favourite ones hang on almost every wall of the house and depicted all sorts of landscapes, buildings and people that the High Lady considered important to her. The rest of Feyre's works were hidden somewhere in the house, but my little kidnapper didn't want to say where exactly.

In the early afternoon, after eating lunch, Meleri and I finally reached the ground floor. We were about to enter the ballroom when Cerys joined us. Having got rid of her black leather armour, the dark-haired fairy had a purple set that was very similar to what my little kidnapper was wearing that day. She smiled broadly after spotting us.

"Hello again," she said, stopping next to her sister. "How is the tour? I do hope that you didn't show Lexi their rooms."

Meleri flashed her a small smile. "Of course, I didn't. They barricaded their doors, so we couldn't get in anyway."

"Honestly, I don't think I would like to see a messy boy's room," I added, making a face. "I've been to a few back in the day, and I can assure you that none of them were a pleasant place."

Cerys smiled. "I'm glad that we all agree on that matter, so I wouldn't have to convince you not to go inside."

I shook my head. "Not a chance."

"Did you take a little rest before coming here?" Meleri asked. "You seemed tired in the morning."

Cerys smiled again. "I did, sweetie. I can't survive a whole day without my little rest." Then, she glanced at the closed door, and said, "Ah, the ballroom. Melly saved the best for last."

My little kidnapper nodded several times. Slowly, she opened the double door and motioned me inside. "After you, Lexi."

Feeling excited, I crossed the threshold of the room.

As a little girl, I loved watching 'Anastasia,' an animated film from the nineties. One of my favourite scenes took place in a beautiful ballroom of an abandoned palace. There, the main character sang a gorgeous song and danced with imaginary people who were dressed in elegant suits and stunning gowns. I was so fascinated by their dance that I could watch it over and over again, eventually damaging the VHS tape and making my mum and sister rather angry.

So now, years later, looking around another imaginary ballroom, I couldn't shake the feeling of being sucked directly into the animation.

With six large windows overlooking the lawn in front of the residence, the creamy ballroom seemed to be a perfect place for hosting all kinds of parties and receptions. It wasn't as big as the one in the film, but it was still quite impressive. There were several elegant chairs placed near the windows, and three long tables that probably served as buffets. At the far end, I noticed a semi-circular platform with a few instruments and music stands, now empty and quiet, but surely bustling during parties.

Looking up, I saw five fancy chandeliers. Each of them had a gold-coloured frame and lots of sparkling teardrop crystals that were glassing the rays of the sun and illuminating the whole room. They reminded me of the one I saw in the hall last night, though they weren't as impressive.

"My entire house could easily fit in this room," I said, still gaping.

Standing beside me, Cerys let out a laugh. "Your entire house? That's impossible. What does it look like then?"

"Surely not like this incredible palace of yours," I replied quietly, taking in the shiny wooden floor I could see my own reflection in. Then, I looked at the two fairies and went on, "It's a two-storey terraced house, so each building looks basically the same, and shares a wall with the next one. In the back, there is a small garden with a summerhouse and some trees."

"Is the famous ash tree among them?"

I nodded.

"Do you have your own room?" Meleri asked.

"No, I share it with my sister, Jasmine. She's eighteen, so a bit younger than me, but we usually get on."

"I'm sure that you agree that having younger siblings can be sometimes challenging," Cerys said, glancing at my little kidnapper. "Especially, when they grow up and come up with insane ideas, like inviting people from other worlds."

Meleri frowned. "The same goes with elder siblings, both male and female. Living with them may eventually turn out to be a challenge as well. Especially, when they grow in age and come up with insane ideas, like searching for the creature that helped to invite those people from other worlds."

Cerys rolled her eyes. "I wasn't alone last night. Our brothers and Conri were there, too."

"Weren't you supposed to go in the morning?" I asked.

"We were, but there was a slight change of plan." The dark-haired fairy flashed me a small smile.

When she didn't say more, I decided to change the subject. Motioning towards the ballroom, I asked, "Do you throw a lot of parties in here?"

"We do," Cerys replied. "For instance, there is one for my birthday and one for Melly's. And let's not forget about the huge ball which our parents host the day after Starfall."

"Starfall was three days ago," Meleri added. "It's a shame that you missed it."

I made a sad face. "Really? Just three days ago? Well, if it looks half as amazing as our falling stars, then I would love to see it with my own eyes."

"Maybe, you could visit us next year," Cerys said. "We could convince Bryaxis to summon you every now and then."

I laughed. "I'm more than sure that Bryaxis would be thrilled to find out about your plans."

"We will see." She flashed me a smile. "But, first, we have to track that creature down, and then, we can ask it for favours."

"I'm sorry for what I did to you, Lexi," Meleri said unexpectedly, her voice faltering. "I know that I have already apologised to you, but still, I feel guilty about it."

Slowly, I approached her and I put a hand on her shoulder.

"What's done is done," I replied, looking into her blue eyes. "No one, not even Bryaxis, is able to change that. I know that you feel bad about bringing me here, but we must focus on the present in order to make the future better."

I smiled, letting go of her.

"I have no idea how much time I have left in your world. It may be minutes, or it may be days. Yet, I know that I would like to see everything in your Court that I had read about. Or heard about," I added quickly.

Hopefully, not too quickly.

"Anyway," I said, "today has been great so far, and it's all because of you, Melly. So, thank you."

My little kidnapper smiled. "I'm glad that you liked the tour."

"I'm so sorry to interrupt you, but I've just remembered about something important to do," Cerys broke in. "Melly, sweetie, you will have to continue the tour without me."

Meleri made a sad face. "Oh, that's a shame. Will we see you at dinner?"

"Of course. I won't miss it." Cerys flashed us a smile and headed towards the door.

I fixed my eyes on Meleri.

"Since there is no music, obviously, we can't dance," I said. "What now?"

She looked outside. "We have still time before dinner, so maybe we can go to Father's office. I know that you've already been there, but you haven't seen the whole room."

"He wouldn't mind if we go there, would he?"

"As long as we don't touch anything," Meleri replied, "I'm sure that he wouldn't."

"Lead the way then."

Meleri smiled.

###

The next morning, I entered the breakfast room with my little kidnapper at my side when rays of the sun were slowly illuminating the whole place.

Cerys and Feyre had been already inside, eating fruit and talking quietly. They were wearing similar light-coloured clothes – sleeveless tops and baggy harem trousers like me – and their hair was braided.

When Meleri's sister noticed me, she waved at me with a grin on her face. "Good morning, Lexi," she cheered and then motioned to the chair next to her. "Today, you'll sit by my side."

"Good morning." I smiled and sat beside her. I poured myself a cup of tea and asked, "No nightlong hunting for Bryaxis?"

"Two nights in a row?" Cerys replied, shaking her head. "I enjoy sleeping too much. You must know that I can't possibly deprive myself of spending the night in my own bed." She took a bit of a strawberry. "The males went without me yesterday, but I'm fine with that."

I nodded, putting some scrambled eggs on my plate.

"Mother, are they back yet?" Meleri asked, having taken a seat opposite her sister.

Feyre shook her head. "Not yet. Last night, your father and uncles decided to take up the reins and look for Bryaxis themselves. They said that it was time for the adults to jump in."

Cerys chuckled.

"So, Father won't be joining us today?" My little kidnapper made a sad face as she reached for the grapes.

"I'm afraid you'll see him in the afternoon." Feyre flashed her an apologetic smile. "But don't worry. He won't forget about your flight."

Meleri beamed. "Oh, I can't wait for tonight." Then, she looked at me and added, "Every now and then, Father takes me on a flight over Velaris, because, as you know, I don't have my own wings. And tonight's the day."

"That's great," I replied. "I will try to look out the window. Maybe, I will catch a glimpse of you and your dad."

Flashing me a smile, my little kidnapper nodded.

For a while, the breakfast room was quiet as the four of us busied ourselves with eating. Just like yesterday, I had a wide variety of food to choose from. There were different kinds of bread, some ham, cheese, a lot of fruit and the most delicious scrambled eggs in the world.

Halfway through eating, I put my fork aside and I said, "I have never eaten anything as good as those eggs."

"I'm glad you liked them." Feyre flashed me a smile.

I opened my mouth to say something more, but Cerys was faster.

"No," she replied, "she didn't prepare the food herself."

We all laughed.

"How did you know I was going to ask that question?" With a smile, I went back to eating the scrambled eggs.

Cerys shrugged. "I had a hunch."

"Lexi, does your mother cook?" Meleri asked.

I nodded. "Most of the times. She usually cooks with my dad and sister."

"Is she a good cook?" Feyre smiled.

"Yes, she's quite good."

"And you?" Meleri asked.

"Not really." I made a wry face. "My mum keeps telling me that my future husband might starve to death because of that."

The fairies laughed.

"That makes two of us," Cerys added, flashing me a smile.

Feyre huffed.

"Mother above," she said. "I've never said anything about starving your future mate."

The dark-haired fairy waved her hand. "I'm pretty sure, Mother, that you've thought about it at least once."

Without uttering a word, the High Lady raised one eyebrow and gave her daughter a look.

"I'm sure of it," Cerys whispered to me and I laughed quietly. "I think it's time to change the subject." She took a strawberry and said, "Melly, sweetheart, do you have any plans for today? I was thinking of taking Lexi to the House of Wind."

"Yes, that's a good idea," Meleri replied. "We can ask Rian for help since there would be another visitor without wings."

I frowned.

"Wait a minute. But that would mean that either you," I pointed at Cerys, "or him would have to fly with me there."

She nodded.

I shook my head. "No flying. I'm afraid of heights."

"That's a quick flight." She shrugged.

"I'm sorry. That's not for me."

Cerys gave me a look. "Fine. We'll think of something, I promise. With no flying involved."

"I hold you to your promise."

The dark-haired fairy smiled, taking another strawberry.

"Yesterday, you said that you could fly in planes," Feyre broke in. "So, does it mean that you're also afraid of them?"

Slightly surprised by her question, I raised my eyebrows.

"Well," I started, putting my fork aside, "flying in a plane seems different than flying… with wings. In a plane, you're surrounded by metal walls on all sides and you can see everything around thanks to the small windows. I've been in a plane several times, but I've never flown by using wings, so I can't really compare them."

Carefully, I lifted my nearly full cup.

"Well, it's high time to change it," Rian said, suddenly appearing next to me.

Completely taken aback, I spilled the tea on myself.

"For fuck's sake!" I shouted, pulling my chair away from the table and looking at my wet clothes.

Laughing, the handsome muppet poured himself a glass of apple juice and then added, "Ops, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, lovely Alexandra."

I gave him an angry look as he didn't behave as if he felt bad about that.

Indeed, he flashed me a wide smile, before saying, "I was sure that you noticed my arrival. After all, I announced myself with the help of my smoke, as you called it yesterday." He took a sip.

"Your so-called smoke was the last thing I was paying attention to, mate," I replied, not even looking at him. "For your information, I'm now completely wet. And it's all thanks to you."

Rian got closer to my ear and whispered, "And to think that I didn't even say anything obscene to get you wet."

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I quickly straightened up and gasped, "You what?"

He laughed quietly, reaching for some grapes. "You've heard me."

"You've heard me?" I repeated and he nodded. With a frown on my forehead, I watched him toss a grape in the air and then catch it in his mouth. He did it one more time before I asked, "So, is this how you get all the girls? By telling them dirty lines?"

He flashed me a sexy smile. "Most of the times."

"No wonder you're not married yet, mate." I rolled my eyes, getting closer to the table and trying not to think about my wet top and trousers.

"Last time I checked, you didn't have a wedding ring either," Rian said, his voice low and cold.

I glimpsed at him. "It's a long story."

"We have all–"

"Where did you lose our cousin?" Cerys broke in, rescuing me from having to tell them about the reason I was single. "I thought he was supposed to come with you."

the handsome muppet cleared his throat and then replied, "He's not a youngling anymore. He can take care of himself."

A second later, the door opened and I heard a male voice saying, "Morning. I'm sorry for being late. I promise it won't happen ever again."

Looking over my shoulder, I saw an Illyrian. Tall and well-built, the young man was dressed in a navy-blue shirt and brown trousers. His bat-like wings were tucked in tight to his body, but I was able to see claws at their tops.

Quickly, the black-haired Illyrian took a seat next to Rian and reached for the scrambled eggs. "Mother above, I'm so hungry," he added.

I noticed that he had a Scottish accent like the twins, and it made me wonder once again why the handsome muppet didn't have one.

The Illyrian put the bowl aside and turned towards Rian. Only then did he realise that someone was sitting next to him.

A flirty smile touched his lips. "Hello, there," he said, fixing his brown eyes on me. "I didn't know we had company."

"This is Lexi," Cerys replied. "She's the human whom Meleri kidnapped two days ago."

My little kidnapper huffed. "I thought we were over this."

Cerys flashed her an apologetic smile.

Not paying attention to Rian, who was sitting between the two of us, the Illyrian extended his hand towards me. "I'm Conri. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too." I shook his hand.

"Let's pretend I'm not even here," Rian muttered, looking expressively at our hands.

Sighing loudly, Conri let go of me and went back to eating his breakfast. "Rinny, stop overreacting," he said.

"So, you're their cousin, right?" I chimed in. "How exactly are you related to them?"

"Conri is Nesta and Cassian's son," Feyre explained.

I beamed. "No way. Do you want to tell me that Nesta and Cassian are really together? Like together together?"

Conri exchanged a look with Rian and lifted his brows. "Err… Yes?"

"And are you their only child?" When he nodded, I exclaimed, "Wow. You're Nesta and Cassian's baby. That's so cool! I have been always shipping them."

"Shipping?" the Illyrian asked with uncertainty in his voice.

"Yeah. I mean… you know, supporting their relationship and everything." I stared at him for a while. "That's so fucking awesome. Cassian's baby. Rhysand's babies. Who else has a baby?" I looked around at the fairies. "Morrigan? Does Morrigan have a child? What about that golden-haired bastard? Does he too?"

Rian sighed. "He's dead."

I looked at him.

"Tamlin's dead?" I asked.

"Yes."

After a while, I said, "Don't get upset with me, but I don't feel sorry."

"Me neither." Rian crossed his arms and set his eyes upon the Illyrian. "Stop talking and eat faster."

"Do you really want Conri to have indigestion?" Cerys asked with amusement.

Giving her a look, he replied, "Do you really want to know the answer to your question?"

She nodded, still smiling.

"Need I remind you that I'm your only male cousin?" Conri broke in, reaching for toasts. "I'm excluding Neven for obvious reasons."

"Who's Neven?" I asked.

Rian turned towards me and slung his arm across my chair. "No way," he said quietly. "Don't tell me that he wasn't mentioned in those wonderful stories about us."

Averting my eyes, I replied, "No, he wasn't. I've never heard such a name."

"And what names did you hear?"

"We've already discussed that. I can't tell you anything. For safety reasons."

The breakfast room got quiet.

I'm a big fat liar, I thought, fixing my eyes on my empty plate. And they know it.

"It's a shame," Rian said, drawing near me, "that I can't come up with a way to convince you to tell me bits and pieces of those stories."

Feeling a little red on my cheeks, I moved away from him slightly.

"Listen, mate. That is your part of the table," I pointed a finger at his plate, "and this one belongs to me. Try to keep out of mine, will you?"

He drew close again and asked, "What if I like your part of the table better?"

I frowned and opened my mouth to answer him, but Cerys was faster.

"What a peculiar way of wooing a female," she chimed in. "Brother, I would have never thought that you would be so desperate to get laid."

Really embarrassed, I gasped, "What?"

Conri and Cerys chuckled.

"Cerys, stop it," Feyre said.

But Rian just sighed loudly and pulled his chair away from the table. Then, he stood up. "You're insulting me, sister," he replied. "I would never stick my cock into her."

He started walking towards the door.

The first thing I felt was a sudden and uncontrollable urge to kill that bastard. I would have gladly emptied his glass onto him and then bumped his empty head hard against the table. But all I could do was use my words.

"Well," I hissed and looked over my shoulder, "providing there is a cock to stick into me."

Rian froze.

Come on, mate.