Three days later
Feyre didn't know how to describe the looming city in front of them. It just looked so... broken. She could see the others staring at the destruction as well, trying to figure out what had happened. As they slowly picked their way through the streets of Orynth, she felt Mor move closer to her and whisper: "What do you think happened here? I haven't seen disaster like this since the fight against Hybern."
"Don't worry about that now, we can ask when we get to the castle." Rhys cut in as Feyre opened her mouth. "We have more important things to worry about, like the fact that we don't know where we are and we don't know how to get home." Cassian and Azriel nodded in agreement, while Amren looked on in disinterested.
You see, yesterday was just like any other day for the Night Court. Mor and Cassian were bickering, Azriel was silently watching like always, and Rhys and Feyre were laughing at them. After dinner everyone went to bed like normal but they all woke up in the middle of the mountain pass to Orynth. And none of them know how they got there. This lead to Azriel and Cassian flying up to scout the area for nearby settlements, and then the long trek to the city.
After about 20 minutes of walking the main gates of the palace came into view and under them, stood the most striking young woman Feyre had ever seen. She had flowing golden hair and enchanting turquoise eyes with a ring of gold around the centre. She also had some kind of small bird on her shoulder.
As they continued to grow closer they could see that the woman looked to be whispering something to the bird, they watched the bird Bob its head and then take off towards the river outside the city. "I wonder what that was about" Mused Mor, the others could only shrug.
As the group slowly made their way towards the gate where Aelin was waiting, a passing thought had her smiling viciously. Lysandra chirped at her in question from her perch on Aelin's shoulder. "Seeing as you and me are the only ones in Orynth at the moment, why don't we give our new guests a surprise meeting tomorrow. How big can you make your River Dragon?" Aelin whispered. Lysandra puffed up her feathers and gave a nod of confirmation, before flying off to practice in the Florine outside Orynth.
By the time Aelin looked back at the approaching fae, they were already within speaking distance. She plastered a friendly smile on her face and walked to meet them halfway. "Beautiful morning, isn't it?" she suggested. She saw the group jump and reach for hidden weapons at the words. All pointed in her general direction.
Aelin chuckled silently and continued walking towards them, keeping her hands in plain view to show she was unarmed. "Why so scared? I only asked you a question" she smirked.
The male with the violet eyes gave her a wary look but responded politely "We expected to be greeted with more hostility than this, considering the state of the city."
Aelin frowned for a second and looked around, "oh, he means the destruction" she thought to herself as she looked back at him with another smile. "Oh you mean the damage?" He nodded. "That was caused during a war with an evil race of beings from another world called the Valg, but that was 5 weeks ago and I destroyed their army so they won't be coming back any time soon." She said, her voice full of pride.
The group stared at her in shock for a couple of seconds before the big male with the red stones on his armour spoke up. "Just who are you?" he asked in awe.
Aelin just continued smirking as she conjured a crown of flame above her head. "Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius at your service. I am the queen of this territory, called Terrasen, and who might you be?" She asked with a slight bow.
The male with the violet eyes created a matching crown of shadows on his head and the female's beside him and they returned the bow. "My name is Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court in Prythian where we come from." He gestured to the female beside him, "This is my Mate and the High Lady of the Night Court, Feyre, and these are my generals Cassian, Azriel, Morrigan and Amren." He pointed to each in turn. Each of them bowed at the mention of their name.
Aelin bowed again before motioning for them to follow her into the castle. "Are you hungry?" She was answered by 6 loud grumbles. "I'll take that as a yes!" Aelin laughed.
Once everyone had been seated at the table and were tucking into their food, Feyre remembered the little bird that had flown off before they were greated at the gate. "Hey, Aelin?" she looked up from her food, "Yes?" "What was that bird that flew away before we arrived this morning?"
Aelin let out a wicked giggle before saying "Oh that's just Lysandra, you'll meet her properly tomorrow. It's going to be so much fun!"
Feyre and Rhys exchanged worried looks with each other. Tomorrow didn't sound very fun. But hey, She's only a little bird. Right?"