Previously on "A Court of Fear and Ice"

Halimede disappears, leaving Lexi alone behind the rocks. When she hears someone calling her name, she walks up to the barrier and sees Zareen and Conri. They are later joined by other fairies. Lexi meets Helion, the High Lord of Day, who informs her that if she wants to get out of the prison with Rian, she has to be the one who kills the creature. Eventually, with Rian's help, Lexi sinks a dagger in the giant.

Chapter 38

Yelling seagulls were the first thing I heard when I woke up. Then, my ears registered the distant sound of waves breaking on the shore and I soon realised that I was still in the Summer Court.

That I was actually alive.

Sore and a bit wooly-minded, I slowly opened my eyes and fixed them on the beige ceiling above me. Listening to the sounds around, I tried to move my right leg, but somehow it felt numb and heavy. It wasn't put in cast, yet the sensation didn't want to wear off.

Trying hard not to think of the moment the giant grabbed my leg and squeezed it, I took a deep breath and set my eyes upon the windows. It was still clear and sunny outside, so I couldn't have slept that long. But without a watch I wasn't able to tell the exact time.

Slowly, I sat up on the bed and only then did I spot someone lying on the small blue sofa across the room. Immediately, I realised that it was Rian.

Cupping the back of his head with his hand and bending one leg in the knee, he was lying on his back. His chest was slowly moving up and down, and his eyes were closed, so I assumed that he was sleeping. The collar of his beige shirt was unbuttoned, showing a part of the tattoo on his arm, and his dark trousers were slightly rolled up. He wasn't wearing any shoes and it occurred to me that it was the first time I had seen him barefoot.

Observing Rian, I kept asking myself why he had decided to crash on a sofa in my room. After all, he had his own huge room in the tower with an enormous and very comfortable bed, and surely a small sofa was no match to it. Well, maybe Rian had been checking up on me and the sound of the ocean started lulling him into sleep.

Rubbing me eyes, I peered down at myself. Apparently, I needed an outfit change, since my clothes transformed into a yellowish lace nightdress which I had never seen before. I blushed when I realised that someone had taken my dirty tunic and trousers off, and dressed me in the nightdress. I really hoped it wasn't the one lying on the sofa. Just because he had seen me naked once – without my permission, of course – didn't mean he was entitled to do it again.

Suddenly, Rian inhaled deeply and then sat slowly on the sofa. The moment he saw me sitting on the bed there was a smile on his face. "How are you, Lexi?" he asked.

Having stood up, he moved a chair closer to my bed.

"Did you sleep well?" he added.

Swallowing, I rubbed my eyes again. "I don't know. How long did I sleep?"

"Quite long. It's past dawn."

"Dawn?" I repeated with surprise, glancing at the windows. "I slept a whole day?"

"Tarquin's healer gave you a sleeping potion, so you wouldn't feel any pain," he said. "How is your leg? Does it hurt?"

I sighed.

"I don't know," I repeated as I really wasn't sure. "From the moment I woke up it has felt numb and a bit heavy, but there is no cast around it."

"That's one of the ointments. It can temporarily make the body go numb, but it will soon wear off." Rian smiled. "I'm so glad that you're fine. I was worried about you."

I fixed my eyes on him. "You look tired."

He shrugged.

"I couldn't sleep, so I came here to have an eye on you," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "But then I must have fallen asleep. I know, I'm a shitty warden." He gave me a smile.

Slowly, I reached for Rian's hand and squeezed it.

"Thank you for saving me, Rian," I said and our eyes met. "Thank you for breaching the barrier and getting inside the wood-meadow. Thank you. If it weren't for you…" My voice trembled and tears stung my eyes. "If it weren't for you…" I repeated but couldn't finish the sentence.

Rian squeezed my hand back and replied quietly, "You're welcome, honey."

Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes and tried to recollect myself. I knew that it was all over. I knew that nothing could hurt me anymore because I was safe inside the palace. I knew that the man beside me did everything he could to get me out of the wood-meadow. That he didn't leave me alone.

I blinked a few times and then set my eyes upon Rian. "Thank you," I said.

Still holding my hand, Rian gave me a smile. "Do you want to return to Velaris with me?" he asked. "I think that there is no better place to recover than the City of Starlight. Just think of it, Lexi. Picturesque views, long walks along the Sidra, mouth-watering food from every corner of the world, and the best healers in Prythian should you need their help. Besides, you can stay wherever you like, in my parents' townhouse or in the House... It's your choice, of course."

Suddenly, he got quiet and all I could hear was the sound of the crushing waves.

At first, I wanted to decline his offer. Winnowing me to the mountain residence seemed like a better plan, since I felt safe inside that enormous building. After all, I had spent there several weeks following Bryaxis's death doing whatever and whenever I wanted, and a small part of me even treated the residence like home.

But then I noticed an expectant look on Rian's face, as if he really wanted me to go to Velaris with him and spend some time in his city. Glancing at him for the second time, I realised that I had made up my mind.

"Will you fly with me there?" I asked. "To the House I mean."

"If you want me to."

I nodded. "I will just close my eyes and cling to you."

Rian smiled.

"In this case, we're leaving before midday," he said, slowly letting go of my hand and standing up. "I'm sure that you can't hear it, but the kitchen staff have just begun preparing breakfast. I wonder if there is something special you would like to eat today."

I shrugged. "I'm not picky about food. I eat almost everything."

He glanced at the windows and frowned.

"I don't know about you," he drawled, still looking out, "but I'm going to order a few pancakes with strawberry jam and whipped cream, served with a big cup of delicious hot chocolate."

I gasped, seeing them very clearly in my mind's eye.

Rian looked at me with a small smile on his face.

"Make it double," I replied.

He laughed. "That's what I thought you were going to say."

###

After our late breakfast, which surprisingly consisted of huge pancakes with strawberry jam and whipped cream, we thanked our hosts for such eventful and unforgettable time we spent in the Summer Court and bid them goodbye.

When I was about to approach Rian and let him embrace me, Nerida suddenly wrapped her arms around me so tightly that I couldn't move. Having finally let go of me, the little fairy whispered that she was honoured to meet me and that I had found a place in her heart for the rest of time. Then, she pressed a kiss on my cheek.

Touched by Nerida's affectionate goodbye, I grabbed her small hand and replied that I would never forget her as well. On the spur of the moment, I even kissed her forehead and then gave her a smile. Though I knew we wouldn't meet again, I added that I hoped to see her in the nearest future. Nerida's bright smile was the last thing I saw before everything disappeared.

Slightly upset by the farewell, I arrived in Velaris with the Night Court fairies before noon. Looking around, I realised that we were standing in the wood-panelled foyer of the townhouse which hadn't changed since the last time we visited it. Yet this time, I noticed two adjoining rooms – an elegant dining room on the right and a living room with a dark fireplace on the left.

Genuinely interested in both rooms, I peeked inside the first one. Spacious and full of exquisite paintings depicting mostly mountain landscapes, the wood-panelled dining room contained some china closets opposite the windows and a long reddish table with a few chairs around it. Each of the chairs looked peculiar as their backs were nothing more than thin wooden planks trimmed with emerald velvet.

I turned around, wanting to ask the fairies about the backs of the chairs, but most of them had already made their way across the foyer – towards the living room. The only one left was Conri who motioned me in, so I had no other choice but to go inside.

Having sat on the nearest sofa, I took a look around. With three big windows overlooking the street, the living room seemed a perfect place to spend endless mornings and afternoons with coffee, cake and crackling fireplace. The rest of the lavender walls were covered with built-in bookshelves that contained lots and lots of books. Just like in the bookshop in Adriata, I wasn't able to read any of the titles.

Apart from the sofa I was sitting on, there was a lot of comfortable furniture scattered here and there in the room. Armchairs, sofas and chairs seemed all elegant and incredibly expensive, yet I noticed that most of them were worn.

"Why did we have to come here?" Conri asked.

When I looked back, I saw him leaning a shoulder against the threshold.

"I thought we were going to fly to the House," I said, addressing Rian. "I have mentally prepared myself for flying, but we're not going there."

Sitting in an armchair next to the dark fireplace and crossing an ankle over his knee, he made a face. "I'm afraid there has been a slight change of plans," he replied as if that was supposed to clarify everything.

I frowned.

"Our parents are upstairs," Cerys added, standing next to the window and peeking outside. "They want to talk with us, but before they would honour us with their presence, I will bring some refreshments."

Zareen stood up, saying, "I'll help you."

They headed towards the door.

"No refreshments will be needed, love," Rhysand cut in, entering the room and sitting in the armchair next to Rian. "There's something we need to discuss before you can all go to the House."

He fixed his eyes on me, a blank expression on his face.

Feeling super awkward, I swallowed quite loudly and looked at my own hands which were clenched. Why was I under the impression that the upcoming conversation was nothing more than an interrogation?

Oh, boy, I thought. What have I done this time?

"How are you, Lexi?" Rhysand asked casually.

My only answer was a quiet, "Fine, I suppose."

"I'm glad to hear that." There was a long pause before he went on, "Last night, I had a lovely interlocution with my three children about yesterday's events. I was told that you were given a certain map in the bookshop. Do you still have it?"

I shook my head, still avoiding eye contact. "I had it in my bag, but I haven't seen it since yesterday."

"If you're talking about the leather bag, it's in the palace," Rian chimed in and I glanced at him. "I thought that Lexi borrowed it from Marella for the time being, so I left it in the bedroom."

"Son, bring the bag, please." Rhysand smiled. "And everything that's inside."

Rian nodded and disappeared.

"Do you remember the one who gave it to you?" the High Lord asked.

"Yes, her name was Naila," I replied, glancing at him. I noticed that Cerys and Zareen were sitting on a sofa opposite the fireplace, their eyes set upon Rhysand and me. "She had green skin and lots of colourful bracelets on her forearms. She gave me the map when I said that I was going to the Crystal Waterfall. The map was supposed to show the fastest way to get to the waterfall."

The High Lord fixed his eyes on the fire for a second or two, but then looked at me. "I see. Did she ask about your companions?"

"No, I told her myself."

"Did any of you see that female?" Rhysand asked, addressing the rest of the fairies.

"By the time we got to Lexi," Cerys replied, "she was talking with Marella, Nerida and Calder. I didn't notice any green-skinned females near them."

"Oh, don't forget about Torianna," Zareen cut in. "She was talking with Lexi when we approached them."

Cerys made a face. "And here I was trying to forget about her very existence. Thanks, Zar."

Zareen rolled her eyes, but didn't say a thing.

"Maybe it was Torianna who asked the green-skinned female to hand Lexi a false map," Conri said, sitting next to me. "Simply to spite Cerys."

Rhysand frowned. "Marella's sister?"

"Yes. She's pure evil," Cerys chimed in.

"Torianna has known you for years," Conri went on, "Every time you meet, there is an argument, because you just can't stand each other. Think about it. The other day, Marella's sister must have realised that Lexi had to be important enough to be brought to Adriata, so she decided to vex her least favourite female by setting a trap for the human who came with her."

"Torianna is too stupid for that," Cerys replied.

"Never underestimate your opponent, love," Rhysand said.

He crossed an ankle over his knee and waved his hand, making a bottle of white wine and a few goblets appear on the coffee table. He motioned towards the table. "The refreshments you wanted to bring, Cerys."

The fairies reached for the wine, except Ciaran and me.

"When did you decide to go to the waterfall? Did you tell anyone about your trip?" Rhysand asked, holding a goblet.

Sighing, Cerys replied, "When Rian turned up to Marella's birthday party, he decided to stay with us in the palace. It was his idea to show Lexi some places in the Summer Court, so we chose to take her first to the market and then to the waterfall."

"Oh, you're talking about me," Rian broke in, entering the sitting room with the leather bag in his hand. "Fantastic. Please, keep talking. I'm always interested in hearing about me."

Cerys sighed again. "Mother above."

Rian approached the armchair next to the fireplace and handed Rhysand the bag.

"Took you long enough," Conri said.

Having sat, he added, "I came across Nerida who thought that Lexi and I returned to take her to the Night Court, so I had to talk her out of coming to Velaris with me. She wanted to go without informing her parents, of course."

Out of nowhere, there was a goblet with wine in his hand.

"She thought I returned with you?" I asked. "Oh, that's sweet."

"Next time, you're the one trying to explain to her why her favourite human girl can't stay with her in Adriata for a month." Rian flashed me a smile.

I frowned.

"Oh, no. I wouldn't dare interfering with your paternal instincts, my dearest Rian," I said.

Having given me a look, Rian sipped his wine. "So no handsome muppet this time?" he asked. "I think I prefer being called 'handsome' instead of 'dearest'."

At first, I blushed when he said 'handsome muppet', but then I replied, "I can call you other names."

He smiled. "I bet you can."

"The bag is full of glass," Rhysand chimed in, showing us its interior. "But I can't see any maps. Are you sure you didn't drop it in the forest?"

"I am," I said. "After Rian handed the map back, I stashed it in the bag and didn't take it out."

"That's what I said yesterday." Rian shifted in his armchair.

Rhysand asked again, "Did the paper look suspicious to you, Lexi?"

"No. It was old and rough when I touched it, but I suppose this is the way paper is made in your world."

The High Lord looked inside the leather bag once more.

"What about her voice?" Conri asked. "Would you be able to describe the way the female spoke?"

I fixed my eyes on him. "You mean her accent? Sorry, I wouldn't. It was English, for sure," I said. "She didn't speak with a Scottish accent like you."

"Scottish?" Rian repeated. "It's Illyrian."

"In my world," I replied, "the Illyrian part of your land is called Scotland. They don't have wings, though," I motioned towards Conri's wings, "but speak just like you. Out of curiosity, Rian, why don't you speak like your dad and siblings?"

He shrugged. "I have my reasons."

"Quite stupid ones," Cerys murmured and drank her wine. "Right, Ciaran?"

At first, Ciaran didn't respond, but then he just shrugged. I noticed that he was staring outside the window and didn't seem interested in the conversation.

"Let's go back to the map, shall we?" Rian said quite loudly. "Lexi, Zareen and I were the only ones who were holding it in their hands, and I think we can all agree that neither the map, nor the paper looked suspicious." When the two of us nodded, he went on, "This way we can remove getting you killed from the potential reasons for giving you the map."

"Getting me killed," I repeated, looking at him with my eyes wide open. "You thought that someone wanted to get me killed? Me? But… I'm no one." I laughed nervously.

Good God, I thought, reaching for a goblet and drinking the wine in one sip.

"At first, I thought that meeting that female wasn't accidental," Rian explained, glancing between me and the goblet he was holding. "I thought that someone wanted you to get stuck behind the barrier and get killed. On purpose. But I talked it through with our father and uncles yesterday, and we all agreed that you've never posed a threat to any of the Courts, so why would anyone want to eliminate you?"

Cerys snorted. "Not anyone," she added quietly. "Torianna."

I frowned. "What?"

"All Rian wants to say," Rhysand broke in, shooting his son a warning glance, "is that we talked about yesterday's events in the Summer Court and we came up with several possible reasons for what happened back there. Taking your life was one of them."

I blinked several times, trying to mull it over. Taking my life?

"Since we've already settled that it wasn't the reason," Rhysand added, "let's focus on Marella's sister."

"Finally," Cerys murmured.

"There is only one way to figure it out. I will invite the Summer Court for dinner to the residence."

"You can't be serious, Father," Cerys protested.

"You want to invite her for dinner?" Rian asked. "And talk with her? What if she really wanted to harm Lexi? What if–"

"Yes, we'll still invite her and Tarquin's family for dinner, and have the time of our lives. Tomorrow." Rhysand smiled.

"Oh, boy. I need more," I murmured, reaching for the last goblet.