𝒜 𝒞𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝑅𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓈 | ᴀᴢʀɪᴇʟ

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Arwen tipped her head lazily. The sun was already setting, leaving the front garden of the town house under a honeyed light. Spring had finally melted the snow away, but the land had yet to rejuvenate itself, leaving much of the wildlife across Velaris still at rest. "Rhys," she breathed, "I say we just leave without him."

Rhysand coughed behind tight lips. "Thinking about it."

Cassian revealed himself minutes later, dressed in his leathers with all seven siphons on proud display. Arwen pursed her lips and shot him a glare. "All that time to get ready and you still haven't brushed your hair."

"It adds to my charm," he quipped back. She huffed at him.

Azriel and Mor had already left for the Court of Nightmares hours ago, but that wasn't where the three of them were going. Cassian, Arwen and Rhysand were preparing to attend the Dawn Court for a meeting of the Solar Courts. Amren remained behind to look after the city. The arrangement hadn't been their first choice, but something had come up in Hewn City—she didn't pay attention what—that needed Mor's attention and Azriel's skillset to grapple back into control. So Arwen volunteered as Rhysand's guest in Mor's place and Cassian... Well, she didn't think he was actually invited but she'd like to see Thesan kick him out.

Rhysand bowed his arms out to each of them and the moment they both clasped his elbows, he winnowed them across Prythian.

~

"I would be apologising for our tardiness," Rhysand crooned as they entered the dining hall of the Dawn Court Palace, "but it seems we've still managed to beat Amun."

Thesan lounged in a glorious seat that looked to be made of marble. Cloth of gold, white and rose draped his finely crafted form, complimenting his dark skin. His brown hair hung loosely around his ears. "Amun isn't going to make it," he answered with a carved smile. "He's sending Helion and we both know that male makes his entrances." He opened his hand to Arwen and Cassian. "It's lovely to see you both."

"Likewise," Arwen answered as they slipped into their seats. Tonight was an informal dinner, Rhysand had told her before they left. Tomorrow afternoon is when their conversations on the relationship between the solar courts would ensue. She admired the polished wood of the table, even making the thought that it was nicer than the one they had in the House of Wind.

They made amicable conversation until the great doors leading into the dining hall groaned with another opening. Arwen grinned as Helion swept in, his white robe perfectly plain enough that the eyes of any onlooker were drawn to his sculptured features rather than be distracted by flashes of colour and pattern.

"Thesan," Helion said. "I hope my lateness isn't too discourteous."

"Hardly," Thesan replied. "I wasn't expecting you until dessert showed up."

Helion graced his way around the table. Arwen grinned and tipped her head back as he stopped next to hers. "Arwen," he breathed. "I would have come hours early if I knew you would be my company for the night."

"Last minute change of plan," she told him. "The same for you, it's been noted."

"Yes." Helion leant on the spine of her chair as he addressed Thesan once more. "My father apologises greatly but something has come up that he needed to attend to urgently."

"Well don't apologise," Arwen sang. "We get you instead."

He winked down at her. "You have to get past the formalities to get to the fun. And I see you've brought the fun with you. Cassian."

"Nice to be finally recognised," the warrior barked with a grin and Arwen nudged him with the point of her elbow.

"Glad to see my choice of entourage has brought you some delight," said Rhysand.