The next morning
When Feyre and the inner circle entered the dining room, they were just in time to see Aelin send a servant away with a platter heaped with bacon, sausages, and eggs. "Who is that for?" Feyre asked. Aelin started laughing, "Don't worry about that, you'll find out later. I can't wait!" She stopped abruptly with a serious expression on her face. "Now hurry up and eat! We have things to do, places to be and people to see!"
Cassian and Mor didn't need to be told twice. They quickly sat down and started piling food on their plates. Rhys and Feyre sat down near Aelin and started eating as well. After a couple of minutes, Aelin noticed that Amren wasn't eating. Frowning, she inquired "Is the food not to your liking Amren?" The woman turned bored silver eyes on her and drawled "I have a different kind of appetite." Realisation dawned in Aelin's eyes and she sent a smirk in Amren's direction. "Would you prefer a darker beverage?" Amren's eyes widened slightly but she nodded all the same.
Aelin called for a servant and asked him to bring her something called Manon's favourite wine. Amren sneered "I don't drink wine, and who is Manon?" Aelin just continued smirking "Oh, I know what you drink, it's just easier to call it wine so as not to disturb the human guests I have sometimes. As for Manon, she just so happens to be the Witch Queen of the west, and a very close friend of mine. Her tastes are quite similar to yours; you would get on quite well if you ever met."
At that moment the servant returned carrying a bottle of Manon's favourite wine and placed it in front of Amren. She slowly lifted it to her nose and took a sniff. Her eyes snapped to meet Aelin's, "Goat blood, how did you know?" The queens smirk grew wider. "It is Manon's favourite. I did tell you your tastes were similar, didn't I?" All she got in response was mumbles around the rim of the bottle.
A few hours later
The group was being led around the city while Aelin pointed out all the interesting features of Orynth. They were still beautiful even though they were half destroyed. "And over here is where I'm going to have a theatre built because this city needs more dreamers." Rhys and Feyre shared a knowing look at that phrase. "Uh Aelin whe-?!" Feyre was cut off by Cassian as he shoved past her.
"I'm bored! Is there anything good on this tour? I want more excitement!" he shouts in frustration. Aelin just looked at him with a toothy smile. "If its excitement you want, then you are going to love the next stop on this tour." "Oh yeah? What is it?" He asked cockily.
Aelin's smile turns positively giddy, "I'm taking you to meet Lysandra!" She takes off at a brisk walk towards the edge of the city. The Night Court follows while sharing looks of apprehension.
Aelin stops at the bank of the river outside the city, there is an empty platter a few feet away from her surrounded by water droplets.
When the others catch up, Cassian immediately launches into an interrogation. "You said it would be exciting! Where's the action! I want action!"
"Well." Aelin sighed. "I told you I was taking you to meet Lysandra, and as you have decided to volunteer yourself, you can have the honour of calling her for me. You've already proved that you have a louder voice so she might hear you better from wherever she is."
Only Feyre caught the laughter in Aelin's eyes and the tiny smile on her lips. Or so she thought. "I wonder what she's planning?" Feyre heard Rhys say in her mind. She sent a wry look towards her mate. "Whatever it is, I hope it embarrasses Cassian." She heard his quiet snort in response.
Meanwhile with Cassian and Aelin
"So how do I need to do this?" Cassian inquired. Aelin managed to school her features into seriousness and said loud enough for everyone to hear: "All you need to do is stand at the very edge of the river bank, look up at the sky and shout Lysandra at the top of your lungs. She should come flying down from wherever she is."
Cassian nodded and started walking towards the edge of the river. Aelin motioned for the others to line up next to him. Once they were all at the edge, she gave the nod to shout.
"LYSANDRA!" Came from three mouths. It seems Rhysand and Morrigan decided to join Cassian in calling for her.
Nothing happened.
They looked back at Aelin. "Give it a couple seconds, she's pretty high up." As she said it, she noticed the ripples left behind by a large creature diving deep in the water. She surrounded herself in an invisible barrier of fire to stop any stray water droplets from what was about to happen next.
As the group turned back to watching the sky, Aelin watched as the water started bubbling and churning, Lysandra was moving very fast. Luckily Aelin ensured that everyone left their weapons back at the palace so there was no way Lysandra could be injured.
Feyre noticed it first.
"Am I the only one seeing this, or is the river bubbling?" Rhys looked down and confirmed that it was not only her. "I guess that whatever is down there is what Aelin has been planning. If I'd known I wouldn't have showered this morning. There's no running from this so let's enjoy the excitement." Feyre shook her head and continued watching the water.
The bubbling got worse and a shadow appeared under the surface, growing fast. Cassian looked down at the last second and swore viciously as an enormous creature vaulted from the river, soaking everyone to the bone. The Night Court scrambled away from the beast as it fell down onto the river bank.
"Why did we listen when told to leave our weapons in the palace!" Cassian bellowed. The creature took that as a challenge and bellowed back. After everyone had regained their hearing, they realised that the monster wasn't attacking. It was just watching them; no, it was looking behind them.
It was then that they heard slow clapping behind them. They turned to see Aelin sauntering up with a shit eating grin. She continued walking until she was stood directly in front of the behemoth. The Night Court watched in awe as Aelin reached out a hand and the creature bent its head so Aelin could stroke its nose.
This went on for a couple seconds until Rhys cleared his throat. Aelin spun round, startled, as if she had completely forgotten she had company. "Um what just happened? And what exactly is that thing, your pet?" Mor asked in confusion.
The 'thing' in question growled at 'pet' but otherwise just stayed still.
"Well, I think you can figure out what just happened on your own. But just in case, I'll spell it out for you." Aelin left a few seconds for suspense, then spread her arms wide to indicate the monster. "You just met Lysandra!"
She broke down in laughter at the confused expressions on the Inner Circle's faces. The serpent also started making chuffing noises, almost like chuckles.
Rhys figured it out first. "Lysandra must be able to change her form, just like you." He said to Feyre. Aelin saw her eyes light up in understanding.
"They must have a link like me and Rowan." She mused. She put that thought away to ask about later.
Cassian was the first to ask another question. "What do you mean we just met Lysandra? She's a bird!"
Aelin rolled her eyes and shared a suffering look with Lysandra. "Before I answer your question, I'm going to answer Morrigan's. For your information, this." She gestured to the form behind her. "Is called a River Dragon. It is a more streamlined version of a Sea Dragon, the difference being: the Sea Dragon has huge sail like fins to help it move faster in the water. Whereas, the River Dragon has a more powerful tail to help it move at speed."
As Aelin said this, the River Dragon pulled the rest of its body out of the river. It was a lot longer than the Night Court thought.
"But what has that got to do with meeting Lysandra?" Cassian asked. He still hadn't fallen in with the others thinking. Everyone else had already figured it out.
Aelin let out a long-suffering sigh and turned to the dragon. "Just show them, will you? This is getting boring now." The dragon huffed at Aelin a couple times.
"Oh, fine I'll dry you off! Just get on with it!" the dragon made a purring noise and then the surrounding area was drowned in light so bright everyone had to cover their eyes.
When the light died down, a white leopard stood where the River Dragon was seconds ago. It was also dripping wet. Cassian started giggling at it but a show of razor-sharp teeth quickly shut him up. Aelin quickly created a hoop of super-heated flames in the air and the leopard jumped through it. When the big cat landed on the other side it was completely dry.
"Wow those flames must be scorching to flash dry it like that." Remarked Rhysand. "Oh, they are, don't get too close or you might single those pretty wings of yours" joked Aelin. The others laughed along before they were blinded by light again.
When the light cleared, a stunningly voluptuous woman stood in the leopard's place. She tossed her long chocolate brown hair over her shoulder. "Oh, how I just love a bath and blow dry in the morning. Lysandra, a pleasure to scare you." She said as she came to stand by Aelin, giving her a high five.
The Night Court was speechless, whether from how beautiful she was or that she was a shape shifter, she couldn't tell.
Eventually Feyre spoke up. "It's nice to meet you Lysandra, my name is Feyre and this is my Court." She held her arm out to indicate the fae around her. Lysandra inclined her head in greeting as each name was called out.
After the introductions, Lysandra shared a complicated look with Aelin. "Right, as much as I would like to stay here and chat, I'm starving so let's move this conversation back to the palace, shall we?" After the nods of agreement she started the trek back to the city. "Good because shifting into something that big takes nearly all my energy! I need a cat nap!"
AN:
Sorry for the long wait, started a new job just after the last update and I've only now found the time to finish this chapter.
For anyone wondering how I see the River Dragon, I picture it as a sky-blue version of a beast called Sepron the Sea Serpent with legs. Google him, he looks really cool.
Hopefully it won't be too long until the next chapter but unfortunately, I can't make any promises. Thank you to the people who have followed this fic, it really means a lot to me!