Alex of 90s

The night court had varying practices for where they come from. The lesser fae and the lower levels rarely buried the dead, they didn't have the time nor the space so bodies would either bit cut up for food or be given to the spider fae for precious silk. The upper levels of hewn city where the privileged would gather had mausoleums reserved for nobles while the lesser would have graves where bodies upon bodies were buried. Illyrians cremated their dead and spread their ashes on the highest clouds at night but those in Velaris were different. They were buried in cemeteries, had grave stones and were given the privilege of being prayed by a priest something both the illyrian camps and Hewn City lack.

All of Velaris stopped working to attend Mor's funeral, even a few of the Valkyries were invited given temporary access to attend since Mor had tried to join once. 

Her body was laid to rest beside Rhysand's mother, father and sister's grave with a beautiful statue depicting her as an ethereal fae holding the veritas. The people were then invited to the town house for the wake where they were served drinks and pastries. The atmosphere felt gloomy with everyone wearing more loose fitting, less exposed simple black clothes and less make up.

Many came and went to give condolences to the high lord and his family. Rhysand seemed almost emotionless,  nodding alone barely drinking the wine in his cup. Feyre was similar staying at the side of the room making comments from time to time while Elain took care of Nyx keeping her anti daemati necklace hidden. Nesta was with the few valkyries invited at the side of the room, many of the nobles there didn't even try to get near. They kept eyeing and whispering amongst themselves about brutish illyrians just like how Moriggan used to do. Nesta was different from the rest, she was peaceful almost relieved someone that brought her pain was gone but she kept those thoughts shielded.

Amren seemed the most unaffected even making snide remarks of Hewn city stupidity on blowing themselves up. Azriel stood in the corner like a shadow eyes scanning everyone arms crossed holding his own biceps too tight. Cassian was beside Rhys making small talk when the few people stayed too long to give their condolences.

"You know... I always thought you and her would be a great couple..." Feyre slurred slightly as she came to talk to Emerie.

The illyrian female was confused, "Pardon me, high lady Feyre but what do you mean?"

Feyre took a big sip of wine, "Mor and you... I saw you both talk. I thought you'd look good for each other... I think Mor liked you too." 

Emerie was unsure how to react, on one hand Mor was outed and the other was that information seemed inappropriate for a funeral. "I see... thank you...?" Emerie uttered confused standing there beside the other Valkyries confused.

"You don't like that? She'd be perfect with you." Feyre replied offended earning some stares from the other fae there.

Emerie was too stunned to speak but Nesta quickly stepped forward putting herself between Emerie with the Valkyries and her youngest sister. "That's enough Feyre, you're drunk." Nesta reasoned gently and tried to take the wine glass away but the high lady quickly stepped back before she could.

"I'm not drunk, You're the one who's drunk every night going home with different men everytime!" Feyre shouted silencing the room everyone looking at them now. She wanted to twist the knife further, to make her sister hurt just like Nesta hurt her in the past, "don't even pretend you care, you're not even sad! You liked that Mor's dead!"

Everyone looked to Nesta, her body pulled taut like a string ready to snap her eyes looking down. For a moment she considered letting it go but years  of being ridiculed, months of her own mate avoiding her and the cruelty the illyrians suffered hardened her heart. Rhysand noticed and gestured Cassian to intervene before his mate could speak.

"I thought it was customary to celebrate when someone cruel dies, she was no different than the people she hated."

Nesta's word struck a chord, the illyrian woman surrounding her were shocked but Gwyn immediately pulled her back into the group to shield her.

"She didn't meant what she said!" Gwyn interjected quickly while Nesta starred at Feyre who was in disbelief.

"Do you have to ruin everything?! Do you always have to act like this?!  " Cassian shouted grabbing Nesta's forearm and yanking her from the Valkyries before grabbing her shoulder to scold her while shaking her.

Feyre was already emotional since losing her bestfriend but Nesta's comment pushed her over the edge, she balled her hands into fist before swinging her dominant hand towards Nesta sending a fireball at her.

Nesta was facing her youngest sister despite Cassian being in front of her but when she saw flickers of fire, silver flames quickly erupted from her body shielding herself and her mate.

"Are you alright?!" She asked in a panicked worried he was hurt.

"Don't change the subject!" Cas countered not realising he could have been burned badly if Nesta didn't intervene not that he would care.

"Enough! Cassian take her out of my court before I kill her!" Rhysand snarled the room darkening for a split second. The room became silent once more, the Velaris citizens cower but the Valkyries remained strong on guard ready to defend one of their own.

Cassian glared at Nesta before he began pulling her away only for the eldest Archeron to force hand out of his hold. She returned the glare her eyes filled with pain, then left wirh the valkyrie following as the others whispered under their breath about illyrian brutes. Nesta held on until she reached the stairs of the house of wind that began to move so they didn't have to walk down before she finally cried holding her own mouth to muffle her sobs. Emerie was eyes looking back for a mate who chooses to stay while Gwyn held her as they headed down and return to camp.

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News of Mor's death and Hewn City's collapse spread through Pyrinthia slowly until it eventually reached Spring Court. Tamlin had been busy with helping the new citizens of his court when the news finally reached him. One moment he was with a few dark bringers making sure they were fed, then he was gone leaving only grass floating in the wind as he flew up.

The high lord landed in front of the forest house roughly leaving a small crater before heading up the stairs.

"Lord Tamlin? Lord Beron is just about to start th-" Tamlin punched through the warded doors hard forcing them open before walking through the lines of wards that burned bright to keep him out only to fail. "-e party... I'm not paid enough for this." The guard huffed.

His karacal ears extended moving around to hear before he started running on all fours. He pushed the door where the sound was coming from and was revolted at the sight.

Autumn and Night court high fae partying like they were immortals. The large ball room was filled with finely dressed high fae from both courts with shades of orange, brown, dark blue and black mixed around. Lively music was played by an automatic music box while the nobles partied, at first glance it seemed formal until Tamlin walked further in and saw them in various stages of undress, some already rutting on the furniture or pestering the serfs, he saw a few pour wine and melted cheeses on a fae's body ignoring her discomfort as they drank from her and many of them were too out of it to care for him. He understood why when he finally noticed a fountain filled with white powder where the fae went to stuff their nostrils to get high, he saw the small pills they took or force into the entertainers, he saw then eating poisonous mushrooms that could kill lesser and humans. Less than a few days and they were celebrating the cruel murder of their home. Their people suffered because of this, imprisoned for it yet they didn't care.

He raised his taloned hand and released a high pitch shriek, the crowd immediately covered their ears as the music died down. The half beast lord was growling, more of himself becoming a beast.

"Lord Tamlin... a surprise. Come to taste Autumn's products or...sample the local cuisine. I'm sure I can find a maiden or lad for you." Beron calmly walked forward from the back, the crowd splitting to make way.

"Where's Keir...?" The half beast growled the question and stepped forward towering over Beron until a shadow was cast over the autumn male. "I heard the most...troubling news that Hewn City exploded and burnt for hours....WHERE IS HE?!" his voice boomed in the quiet striking fear in many.

Beron didn't reply, he seemed unbothered until Tamlin's eyes landed on Keir standing at the back. The half beast walked past the high lord of autumn, bumping into him without a care.

"The deal was to save those who wish to leave... to save those who are no threat to us....I didn't say you had to kill them...why did do it? WHY?!"

The room felt heavy as the air reacted to Tamlin's emotions. When Keir first talked to him, he thought the male was a pushover and naive. When he met him at the border, he didn't expect such a calming aura. Tamlin's magic didn't felt like suffocating darkness of being lost in a forest like Rhysand, it felt like a gentle breeze softly kissing the skin. Now it didn't feel like that at all, the night court fae was sweating bullets trying to find an answer that wouldn't kill him. He felt the pressure, it felt like being surrounded by beast that can tear him apart at any moment.

"We....we were running out of time. If...if we didn't cover our tracks we'd-" Keir couldn't finish his sentence before a large taloned hand pushed his body against the wall behind him.

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MANY DIED?!" Tamlin roared. His body enlarged as he became more of his beast form.

"It was a necessary sacrifice!" Keir justified before being picked up only to be slammed down to the floor hard enough it cracked. The large taloned limbed pushing harder making it harder to breathe.

"YOU SACRIFICED NOTHING!"

In mere seconds the high lord was gone in its a place a large beast that filled more than a quarter of the ballroom. Golden furred, bat wing on its protruding on its left side, white wing protruding from its right side, eagle legs with sharp talons for front legs, body and hind legs belonging to a feline. Four heads starred down at Keir, a lion's head with wooden stag like horns on the middle, a goat's head on the left, a wolf's head on the right and the final head belonged to a serpent that acted as the beast's tail. A chimera.

"There was no reason for you to kill them..."

High lords do not care for their people. Keir learnt that lesson with Rhysand's father then with Rhysand. They only cared for themselves, their own happiness, their people were pawns to them and nothing more yet he was proven wrong. High lords do not care for their people but the beast above him did. All four heads were furious with him but still they shed large tears for fae they didn't even know. A few dripped on to Keir's face, hitting the side of his eye making it appear he was crying.

"Tamlin... you will not murder a guest of Autumn. Keir is right. If he did not do what he did, the high lord of night would have found them soon and more problems would come to our doorsteps." Beron commented earning a loud growl from the gigantic beast everyone crowding behind Beron.

Beron appeared calm but he'd lose against Tamlin. Magic defends against magic which is why Tamlin was so annoying. His brutish strength meant that most defensive spells even his own heat shield was useless against him.

The golden beast raised its body and slammed down both of its talons on either side of Keir, smashing the floor beside him before he turned back into his half beast form again.

"I will be personally overseeing and taking over the nigh fae's training and development. I want those with knowledge regarding lesser fae of the night to be at my manor tomorrow!" Tamlin ordered with a growl before walking out of the room leaving Keir on the floor shaking.

Beron didn't spare him a glance, "I'll take it you won't be attending the ball next mid autumn." He commented but the spring fae was silent as he disappeared out of the door.

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"If any of you fuckers suggest throwing them into a pit I'll defenestrate you!"

Those words from earlier that day repeated in Diana's mind. She thought Tamlin was just another angry lord throwing a tantrum over things not going his way but she was proved wrong mere hours later when she saw Tamlin making a large gravestone for the lesser fae who died in the mines. It was simple, just a large oval shaped boulder with gems tied with vines wrapped around it. It was simple yet the high lord still kneeled praying to it with a few tears slip past his eyes. Diana assumed it was a show yet he did it without anyone of importance looking. How could someone cry for those who he never met? 

Diana figured it out later how so many were left behind. In order to protect the secret any noble houses who even had any relevance to Rhysand was left behind which included their assets like slaves.

Diana, Miltia and Saphira stayed close. Thanatos had ordered Diana to advertise the females to Lord Tamlin hence why they were dressed inappropriately at the forest. All three wore beautiful black gowns their faces white with make up yet the high lord sparred them no glances.

Nemoris, an old word the lesser fae named this forest.

"You've been following me for days now. If you're looking for a match I'm afraid you wasted your time," Tamlin informed as he stood up and turned around towering over the three. He didn't look like a high lord but an oversized beast kin wearing a simple white tunic and green pants that seemed a bit too tight for him. Diana was usually close to many fae males in height but Tamlin was half a foot taller. "Do any of you even care to be here?" He inquired barely hiding his annoyance.

"I do." Miltia answered and look up at the high lord, "I question why do you care?" She asked back arms crossed unlike a lady.

Saphira turned her head so quickly there was a snapped, she looked at her as if she had grown to heads. To question a lord of a court offering refuge? She was mad.

"My lordship! Forgive my charge, she has been through much. Her parents and her fathers battalion were executed by night's High lord almost a year ago." Diana excused grabbing Miltia's arm pulling the younger fae behind her.

"Why can't I care?" Tamlin replied eyes on the three of them. "The late lord Malachite cared, your father fought for his battalion, for the people he fought in the army and pushed change. He never knew most of those people yet he fought and died for them. Your father and mother were good, my condolences to you." He sympathise and bowed slightly with a hand on his chest.

"You knew of my father..." Miltia murmured. She heard insults for months now but never praise.

Tamlin looked to the other two, "both of you have been quiet until now. If you're looking for a match you may leave but i am in dire need of helpers. Those with knowledge who can help the night fae adjust to this court, so they feel at home. So let it be known if you have any suggestions or criticism then speak freely. My court will not enforce rank and punish you for mere words, I won't tear off your tongues or anything... did you lose your tongues? I can help regrow it." He offered awkwardly.

"No my lord, I am with tongue." Saphira answered keeping her eyes down as a blush crept up her cheeks.

"Good... as long as you do not act like the courtiers from this morning then everything will go smoothly. I ask of you three, do you know anyone capable of aiding me?"

Saphira and Diana pondered but Miltia had pushed the eldest of them to the front, "Lady Diana held the best balls and parties for the nobles,  she well spoken by the lesser faes I assure you. She's also well read in many topcis including history." 

"Is that true? Do you believe you can help me with connecting to the citizens of night in my court? I would need a new advisor in this regards." Tamlin offered.

"I...I am mere daughter of a noble your lordship, I have no place in court." Diana replied looking down.

"I see... maybe so in the night court but not in mine, ladies or lords are heard in my court. If you change your mind I would like you like your help in certain matters... what powder are you two wearing?" Tamlin asked noticing Diana's and Saphira's powdered faces.

"Oh...um... it's whitening powder my lordship...very high quality. The lead enhances our natural beauty." Diana answered unsure about the sudden change in topic. The high lord's faced paled in response.

"Lead? Why are you two wearing that? Wash those off immediately. Tell everyone the same." Tamlin panicked finally knowing why they look so pale and thin despite being autumn for over a week now.

"My lord? This cosmetic is the most popular in Hewn city, locally sourced in the mine. I assure you it's fine." Diana replied but something felt wrong.

"Fine? Lady Diana I mean you no disrespect but lead based cosmetic has been banned at almost every court for centuries now. High fae may not die to its effects but it's known to weaken the wearer, lose weight and even lead to infant deaths as well as miscarriages. If you wish for alternatives I'll ask my merchants to send some to autumn." Tamlin offered.

Diana was silent as the rest of the words blurred, "right of course thank you..." She gripped her stomach as she remembered the times she wore the highest quality powder and had her ladies in waiting do the same. The amount of miscarriages she and ladies of hewn city. The amount of infants dying just mere days after birth. 

She was silent as the three finally left escorted out in a carriage headed back to the forest house. She wanted to scream, to cry but instead she kept her pain locked away as she was taught too.

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It became clear that Tamlin was in no rush to force the new citizens of Nemoris to work. For the rest of early autumn he spent it on improving the lives of the night court fae little by little all while he continued his work in his own court. During the day he would help the farmers for harvest, handle disputes between merchants, spread more publications on how the high lord of night court had hurt its people to make the citizens appear like victims  and had to take over Shel's work load now that she was no longer advisor. He even considered finally finding a priestess for spring court due to this. At night after dusk he'd winnow to the southern lands of spring court and visit the newly formed town of Nemoris making sure the new citizens were adjusting. It wasn't easy, problems would come occasionally.

He had to check on their belongings, making sure none of it were poison or dangerous making them distrust him despite the fact he offered replacement. The second thing he did was had healers attend, it always his intention to slowly involve the spring court fae with them so when the time came it would be easier for both to accept each other but after discovering the whitening powder he had to escalate. Needless to say discovering that almost every single night court fae were poisoned in some way was terrifying. In didn't matter if they were lesser or high fae.

Centuries of mining toxic ores with their bare hands, turning those ores into cosmetics, paint, furniture or even cutlery. Centuries of using them. It was no wonder that everyone seemed so sick.

Spring and Autumn court had to work together in healing them, Beron wanted to profit of it but after being reminded that he needed a healthy army and nobles he relented. The autumn court healers focused on removing the poisoned and the infected parts by rotting away the sickness while the spring court focused on regenerating, providing cures and pushing recovery. 

When the lesser fae began to hoard, the question of punishment came to mind but Tamlin told the workers to continue to provide food and clothes like usual. It shocked them. Yet food began to rot, wardrobe began to over fill with things they didn't need and there was no buyers when everything is provided.

It ended with Tamlin teaching the fae of Nemoris on how to compose food waste for plant nourishment and the extra clothes were redistributed. Stealing, hoarding and corrupt merchants ended in weeks.

The high lord was truly prepared for them, his experience of rebuilding a court where only the rich had benefits to everyone receiving the same luxuries helped.

Diana and her ladies in waiting would follow on most days. On the surface it looked like Diana was doing her duty to connect Hewn city nobles by pawning of their daughter's for Tamlin to marry for connections but it was far from the truth. She used her centuries of connections to help Tamlin in helping the night court fae that moved into spring court. She acted more like an advisor to him in this time and watched the high lord worked. He was prepared but not perfect, her connections also allowed other night court lord to speak and get to know him.

She even helped with learning about the celebrations that Hewn City was allowed to celebrate.

Lord and ladies came to talk to him, even Diana's former husband, Ciaron had came. He was more polite, the two speaking of strategy and glory. The blonde night fae seemed almost eager to be acknowledged by him yet when Keir came he only received a cold shoulder. 

Diana wasn't sure if it was manipulation or due to Keir's own failings but when Ciaron came with his father, Tamlin ignore them both. It seemed to drive a wedge between them, Keir was desperate to right his wrongs while his precious son was desperate to earn Tamlin's approval. She had to investigate how the spring lord managed to leash such brutal males of her court.

"And how has he been treating everyone?" Diana asked one of her former informers in Hewn City.

The dark bringer shrug, "he's....it's weird. Every lord we've met has treated us so cruelly, saw us nothing other than dirt yet...he comes here. He spends time with us at night. He's considering making a school for us. We aren't afraid of him....he was actually telling the truth, he didn't treat us any different than to his people. He even scold one of his sentries for being rude to us... the sentries here are nice or amicable, lady Diana. We don't feel...we feel happy here." He confessed.

Diana had no works but she felt something deep inside of her heart from the others words. It felt...uncomfortable yet foreign.

Hans watched their high lord worked, the sentries that guarded the forest were more or less adjusting to not only protecting the night court fae but also building relationships with them. Hans didn't understand it at first watching a sentry teaching night children how to play a may pole, Hans realised it was about preparing Spring court to their reveal.

Hans watched for weeks, as Tamlin did everything possible including not sleeping to help Hewn city adjust. Hans had see it before during Amarantha's reign, the high lord had stretched himself thin to accommodate everyone. Which is why his visit to the dungeons was such a surprise.

Shel was surprised to see Tamlin, she had grown bored in her prison cell yet the high lord didn't face her. He instead face the shadow wraiths and Dark bringers in the cells in front her.

"I want you all to know... you were just fools who followed orders from your masters who fed you dog scraps so you could survive... your only mistake was the ill fate of being born in the night court and now... you'll be the victims of my displaced rage." Tamlin remarked at the prisoners coldly before he snapped his fingers.

At the end of their cell images began forming as a glamour formed showing the prisoners, Nemoris. Night court fae who were used to living in eternal torture smiling, enjoying their lives and being happy.

"You intend to torture us with lies?" One of the prisoners said and the others laughed.

"No...this is the truth. Had you all just....denied or were less loyal to your masters who treat you like shit...many of you would have escaped Hewn city and become refugees in my court. They're happy here." Tamlin claimed hands behind his back with a satisfied smirk.

"You're lying..." the prisoner seethed.

"Am I?" Tamlin retorted and looked to the glamour showing the night court fae enjoying free food, learning to contribute to their society and learning to live not as slaves to nobles but as fae.

"They arrived here last summer....weeks after you squad help your high lord kidnap a male I loved dearly...so I want you to watch. Maybe one day I'll let you go so you could join your more fortunate brethen or maybe... I'll keep you lock in here until you decide to end yourself." Tamlin growled as the air in the dungeon felt heavy. The prisoners back away from the high lord in fear while Tamlin smirked.

He and Hans left without a word to Shel. The dryad stayed silent watching the other prisoners who were watching the glamour transfixed.

"Are they...they're dancing, we never got to dance."

"That looks delicious. I want some,"

"Enough! He intends too torture...us... that's my brother...he's here. He's...how is he....he's not lying."

It took only a few days before some began to beg for either forgiveness or to be let out but Tamlin left them alone like he did with Shel.

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Beron housing the nobles of Hewn city who escape was less about showing allyship but financial even political control. Since Tamlin made that deal to get his connections he's prepared and convinced the nobles to buy property in the autumn court. Luxurious houses that they may send their daughters or son if they were married off like that fancy lady, Moriggan was supposed to. It was preparation but by the time came for Autumn court to host the runaway Hewn city nobles they already had places to go.

Beron mostly repurposed old homes and with Spring's workers things went smoothly. Several vacation houses for the night court's nobles were completed and ready to house them until it's time to take back their court.

The mid autumn ball was organised by Beron's inner court themselves as a celebration for the night court nobles vacation home manors or homes being completed.

The main ballroom was used huge enough to hold the entire court if Beron wished but this vast room was made to mingle with the elites so of course the commons weren't invited. The nobles were dressed to the nines wearing autumn colours even the night court nobles wore more greyish black clothes with a glamour placed to hide their identities. In the sea of dark and ground tones there were a deep greens of the forest. Nobles of spring court, invited but there weren't many to begin with. 

"Lady Ellis?" Eris questioned confused seeing a far relative of Tamlin.

Lady Ellis was an older high fae with an hour glass figure wearing a beautiful dark green long sleeve dress with gold lines patterned into butterfly wings. Her dirty blonde hair was styled into a braided swirl, her soft green eyes bright as ever.

"Lord Eris! It's grand to see the heir of Autumn in attendance. No ring I see." She teased.

Eris knew of spring's complicated history, when nobles refused to free their slaves or submit to spring's new more modern laws many nobles had left the court choosing to either settle in the fae realms or even Hybern. Lady Ellis was one of the few. "I'm confused...how are you here?"

"Come now Eris, it's rude to ask a lady how she's at a ball." She teased then laughed, "I'm joking, after King Hybern's defeat that land was doing badly, it was chaos. Some chose to stay to work on but many left for better lands if they weren't ruined. Many of us were interviewed by Lord Tamlin's courtiers especially lady Adebayo, Lady Shel and lord Houyi. Not many of us were given entry to reside in spring of course." 

"Yet you managed to." Eris stares almost questioning. He looked at the crowds. There were more blonde nobles than he hoped, trying to find a golden haired high lord in the crowd but he was clearly absent.

"Lord Aldebrand? A word." A familiar deep voice was heard and Eris quickly turned his head. Far from him he saw a blonde male speaking to his brother. 

"Excuse me, I have duties to attend too." Eris excused himself and quickly chased after his brother. The female high fae only raised a glass of wine to him.

When Eris arrived his brother was gone but he was sure he saw him with the one fae he desperately wanted to talk to.

"What do you want? I have no interest in deals with Spring." Aldebran snapped at the blonde fae.

"Just curious...if you were high lord. What would you be like?" The blonde asked the general.

Eris surveyed his surroundings, he was sure his brother was here yet he was gone. He considered using a spell to break glamours to force them out of hiding but doing that here was risky when he could also expose everyone else who had glamour themselves. He was looking everywhere for Aldebrand he didn't realise Deiros has gone missing too.

"Questions like that would lead me to being sent to the dungeon." Deiros warnedl

"That or maybe gain you an ally, don't you want Beron to be replaced? Who else is more worthy?" The blonde continued.

The heir of Autumn knew the truth, Tamlin was here somewhere hidden away by glamour. His brothers were missing and that was rare. No child of Beron would miss a chance to gain connections.

You killed two of my brothers... because of you, Beron scarred me and cut two of my fingers off... he tortured me...Do you take me for a fool?" Phobos seethed hair bursting with fire.

"Far from it, I think you'd be a better fit as high lord than Beron...but you need allies. Besides... don't you want to take revenge?" The blonde continued and extended his hand, "what do you say? Partners-"

"-Aldebrand?"

"-Deiros?"

"-Phobos?"

Eris kept looking for his brothers and felt confused when all three appeared in the crowds. He swore he had checked there but soon his questions were answered as his eyes locked in at someone at the balcony. The blonde fae simply raised his cup at Eris as a greeting but that was enough for the heir to chase after him towards the open 

"Lord Eris, surprised to see you here. Need a reprieve from the crowd?" The blonde fae asked. 

"You actually attended, were my brothers that entertaining for you-" Eris replied as the voices from the ball and the sounds of the night were silenced. "-lord Tamlin?" 

The high fae didn't look like Tamlin at all. Short hay blonde hair, soft grey eyes, lanky build wearing a black doublet embedded with gold and black pants with a similar style. He was shorter than Eris and the darkness seemed to cling to him and the heir questioned if he was right until the other's eyes flashed green. Tamlin had used glamour and shape-shifting to hid himself. Now he was using sound dampening to hide their talk.

"Was I that obvious?" Tamlin purred. 

"Far from it...you dislike events like this and only appear if they're important. Why are you here and what does my brothers have to do it with it?" Eris demanded.

"They're interesting males, with interesting opinions."

"Are they?"

"No not really but I am curious. I've been remembering a lot about my days as a beast, you would linger around looking for someone... you were the one who notified my guard of Lucien's escape, weren't you? Youve sent a few over the years as well." 

Eris bit his lower lip before answering, "you provided sanctuary, I provided refugees. If you were in my place wouldn't you done the same, to help those who you can?" 

Tamlin appeared stone face unmoved by his proclamation but Eris noted the slight upward curl at the edge of his lisp. He was almost relived until he heard what Tamlin said next.

"Such a shame really for his betrayal. He wasn't worth it in the end." 

Eris felt his gut twist and grit his teeth, " I beg your pardon?"

"Your pardon is begged...but to be honest he's no use now. He made his choices. What you think I still care for him after everything, What makes you think I wouldn't call for his execution?"

"He's your friend... and a future high king should show mercy." Eris seethed

"He was and he chose the enemy over his home. Here I thought we could have come to an understanding but I guessed wrong." The blonde turned to leave but Eris quickly grabbed Tamlin's hand yanking him back. The heir swallowed his anger, threatening to spill like bile from his guts.

"Wait...just wait." Eris pleaded and let go, "I know you hate my father and you hate Rhysand and his mate more... but Beron is a far bigger threat. You distrust me due to my past connections to Nesta and Cassian but I am willing to show you my loyalty." Eris offered.

"Show me how?" Tamlin asked.

"The shadow singer, he's the reason why security is wasted. I can lead him to you, for a deal."

Tamlin heard him out then stopped his spell before leaving soon after satisfied. The other brothers answered him, they told him what he wanted to hear but Eris was the only anamoly just as he expected. 

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Azriel sat on top of a large boulder in the middle of the forest to the south east of night court close to the ruins of Hewn City. The illyrian was chugging another bottle of fae wine, eyes dazed at the trees covered in layers of snow and ash.

"You look terrible." Eris greeted and quickly ducked when a almost empty bottle of wine was thrown at him. 

"Why the fuck are you here?!" Azriel growled and charged at the autumn male, choke slaming him to the tree behind and pulled out truth teller pressing it to his neck. "I should fucking kill you...after what you did to Mor..." he spoke the smell of alcohol on his breath made Eris turn his head in disgust.

"Keir didn't explode Hewn city... it was Tamlin... all Tamlin." Eris gasped while being choked.

"What...?" The illyrian staggered back and pointed his blade at him. "Explain..." he slurred.

Eris cleaned off his coat, "Tamlin planned this, he wanted to cripple night court's military power and used my father. He was the one who sold the red flour to Hewn city, that sold the flammable flowers to them. He's the reason why your Moriggan died..." he goaded.

Azriel's breath came in not, shoulders and chest rising gradually quicker before he let out a primal roar. The illyrian turned around and slashed the air sending a cut of darkness that flew through several trees causing them to fall a few seconds later.

He let out trembling breaths, his hands shaking from anger. "I'm gonna fucking kill him....I'm going to tear out his heart! Cut his fucking throat out! Fuck!" The illyrian shouted and stomped around.

It was him, it was always him. That golden bastard killed the only female he ever loved so dearly.

"We can help each other. I want him dead after all he's done to help my father, I can lead you to him but you need to be the one to finish the job." Eris informed and extended his hand, "I Eris of autumn offer you this deal. In return to getting you alone with Tamlin, you will kill him."

In his drunken stupor Azriel didn't think twice before shaking Eris's hand, "it's a deal... now tell me when I can kill that fucking bastard."

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

A large lake surrounded by a light forest and kept hidden by thick mist stood alone. This place was unnerving not because it was so dim despite being the day but because it was devoid of life. The forest was filled with dead trees, the grass was greyish brown and light snow covered most of the place.

The sound of leather hitting snow could be heard before Beron appeared wearing a hooded cloak. "To think such a powerful being as yourself is still stuck here after feeding on so much death." The now young fae taunted.

The lake shivered, "Careful...autumn lord... you need....us..." a thousand voice spoke through the blackened water.

"True... to think such myths exist. After the rebirth of the Archeron sisters and their powers I came to find you to even the playing field now however... I don't need you as much. I have a device that might just help you escape." The autumn male pulled out a cylindrical glass shining brightly from his cape. "This is a sun burst bomb. Filled with day court's magic, strong enough to break wards like cleaving. You can use it to escape...for a deal."

The water surface extended itself forming into a cloaked figure. "You dare...make deals...with a consumer of death?" it spoke with a thousand voices.

Beron seemed unimpressed, "yes I dare and if were you, I'd listen. I know Tamlin intends to betray me and you'll be there when or if it happens. Koschei the deathless, I offer you this deal. In return for this sun burst bomb, for earlier escape you will wreck havoc and avenge me when or if I am betrayed." Beron offered holding up the large cylindrical bomb.

The lake water wrapped itself around the device, "it is a deal... lord of autumn..." the koschei spoke and took the device into the lake.

Beron smiled believing he had control over the situation as is the nature of high fae who believe they're superior than most. The koschei stayed silent watching the high lord leave the land from the eyes of a bird in the sky releasing embers.

End note: Sorry to the reader who likes Keir, I like him but believe me everyone will face their karma here.

The night court had varying practices for where they come from. The lesser fae and the lower levels rarely buried the dead, they didn't have the time nor the space so bodies would either bit cut up for food or be given to the spider fae for precious silk. The upper levels of hewn city where the privileged would gather had mausoleums reserved for nobles while the lesser would have graves where bodies upon bodies were buried. Illyrians cremated their dead and spread their ashes on the highest clouds at night but those in Velaris were different. They were buried in cemeteries, had grave stones and were given the privilege of being prayed by a priest something both the illyrian camps and Hewn City lack.

All of Velaris stopped working to attend Mor's funeral, even a few of the Valkyries were invited given temporary access to attend since Mor had tried to join once. 

Her body was laid to rest beside Rhysand's mother, father and sister's grave with a beautiful statue depicting her as an ethereal fae holding the veritas. The people were then invited to the town house for the wake where they were served drinks and pastries. The atmosphere felt gloomy with everyone wearing more loose fitting, less exposed simple black clothes and less make up.

Many came and went to give condolences to the high lord and his family. Rhysand seemed almost emotionless,  nodding alone barely drinking the wine in his cup. Feyre was similar staying at the side of the room making comments from time to time while Elain took care of Nyx keeping her anti daemati necklace hidden. Nesta was with the few valkyries invited at the side of the room, many of the nobles there didn't even try to get near. They kept eyeing and whispering amongst themselves about brutish illyrians just like how Moriggan used to do. Nesta was different from the rest, she was peaceful almost relieved someone that brought her pain was gone but she kept those thoughts shielded.

Amren seemed the most unaffected even making snide remarks of Hewn city stupidity on blowing themselves up. Azriel stood in the corner like a shadow eyes scanning everyone arms crossed holding his own biceps too tight. Cassian was beside Rhys making small talk when the few people stayed too long to give their condolences.

"You know... I always thought you and her would be a great couple..." Feyre slurred slightly as she came to talk to Emerie.

The illyrian female was confused, "Pardon me, high lady Feyre but what do you mean?"

Feyre took a big sip of wine, "Mor and you... I saw you both talk. I thought you'd look good for each other... I think Mor liked you too." 

Emerie was unsure how to react, on one hand Mor was outed and the other was that information seemed inappropriate for a funeral. "I see... thank you...?" Emerie uttered confused standing there beside the other Valkyries confused.

"You don't like that? She'd be perfect with you." Feyre replied offended earning some stares from the other fae there.

Emerie was too stunned to speak but Nesta quickly stepped forward putting herself between Emerie with the Valkyries and her youngest sister. "That's enough Feyre, you're drunk." Nesta reasoned gently and tried to take the wine glass away but the high lady quickly stepped back before she could.

"I'm not drunk, You're the one who's drunk every night going home with different men everytime!" Feyre shouted silencing the room everyone looking at them now. She wanted to twist the knife further, to make her sister hurt just like Nesta hurt her in the past, "don't even pretend you care, you're not even sad! You liked that Mor's dead!"

Everyone looked to Nesta, her body pulled taut like a string ready to snap her eyes looking down. For a moment she considered letting it go but years  of being ridiculed, months of her own mate avoiding her and the cruelty the illyrians suffered hardened her heart. Rhysand noticed and gestured Cassian to intervene before his mate could speak.

"I thought it was customary to celebrate when someone cruel dies, she was no different than the people she hated."

Nesta's word struck a chord, the illyrian woman surrounding her were shocked but Gwyn immediately pulled her back into the group to shield her.

"She didn't meant what she said!" Gwyn interjected quickly while Nesta starred at Feyre who was in disbelief.

"Do you have to ruin everything?! Do you always have to act like this?!  " Cassian shouted grabbing Nesta's forearm and yanking her from the Valkyries before grabbing her shoulder to scold her while shaking her.

Feyre was already emotional since losing her bestfriend but Nesta's comment pushed her over the edge, she balled her hands into fist before swinging her dominant hand towards Nesta sending a fireball at her.

Nesta was facing her youngest sister despite Cassian being in front of her but when she saw flickers of fire, silver flames quickly erupted from her body shielding herself and her mate.

"Are you alright?!" She asked in a panicked worried he was hurt.

"Don't change the subject!" Cas countered not realising he could have been burned badly if Nesta didn't intervene not that he would care.

"Enough! Cassian take her out of my court before I kill her!" Rhysand snarled the room darkening for a split second. The room became silent once more, the Velaris citizens cower but the Valkyries remained strong on guard ready to defend one of their own.

Cassian glared at Nesta before he began pulling her away only for the eldest Archeron to force hand out of his hold. She returned the glare her eyes filled with pain, then left wirh the valkyrie following as the others whispered under their breath about illyrian brutes. Nesta held on until she reached the stairs of the house of wind that began to move so they didn't have to walk down before she finally cried holding her own mouth to muffle her sobs. Emerie was eyes looking back for a mate who chooses to stay while Gwyn held her as they headed down and return to camp.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

News of Mor's death and Hewn City's collapse spread through Pyrinthia slowly until it eventually reached Spring Court. Tamlin had been busy with helping the new citizens of his court when the news finally reached him. One moment he was with a few dark bringers making sure they were fed, then he was gone leaving only grass floating in the wind as he flew up.

The high lord landed in front of the forest house roughly leaving a small crater before heading up the stairs.

"Lord Tamlin? Lord Beron is just about to start th-" Tamlin punched through the warded doors hard forcing them open before walking through the lines of wards that burned bright to keep him out only to fail. "-e party... I'm not paid enough for this." The guard huffed.

His karacal ears extended moving around to hear before he started running on all fours. He pushed the door where the sound was coming from and was revolted at the sight.

Autumn and Night court high fae partying like they were immortals. The large ball room was filled with finely dressed high fae from both courts with shades of orange, brown, dark blue and black mixed around. Lively music was played by an automatic music box while the nobles partied, at first glance it seemed formal until Tamlin walked further in and saw them in various stages of undress, some already rutting on the furniture or pestering the serfs, he saw a few pour wine and melted cheeses on a fae's body ignoring her discomfort as they drank from her and many of them were too out of it to care for him. He understood why when he finally noticed a fountain filled with white powder where the fae went to stuff their nostrils to get high, he saw the small pills they took or force into the entertainers, he saw then eating poisonous mushrooms that could kill lesser and humans. Less than a few days and they were celebrating the cruel murder of their home. Their people suffered because of this, imprisoned for it yet they didn't care.

He raised his taloned hand and released a high pitch shriek, the crowd immediately covered their ears as the music died down. The half beast lord was growling, more of himself becoming a beast.

"Lord Tamlin... a surprise. Come to taste Autumn's products or...sample the local cuisine. I'm sure I can find a maiden or lad for you." Beron calmly walked forward from the back, the crowd splitting to make way.

"Where's Keir...?" The half beast growled the question and stepped forward towering over Beron until a shadow was cast over the autumn male. "I heard the most...troubling news that Hewn City exploded and burnt for hours....WHERE IS HE?!" his voice boomed in the quiet striking fear in many.

Beron didn't reply, he seemed unbothered until Tamlin's eyes landed on Keir standing at the back. The half beast walked past the high lord of autumn, bumping into him without a care.

"The deal was to save those who wish to leave... to save those who are no threat to us....I didn't say you had to kill them...why did do it? WHY?!"

The room felt heavy as the air reacted to Tamlin's emotions. When Keir first talked to him, he thought the male was a pushover and naive. When he met him at the border, he didn't expect such a calming aura. Tamlin's magic didn't felt like suffocating darkness of being lost in a forest like Rhysand, it felt like a gentle breeze softly kissing the skin. Now it didn't feel like that at all, the night court fae was sweating bullets trying to find an answer that wouldn't kill him. He felt the pressure, it felt like being surrounded by beast that can tear him apart at any moment.

"We....we were running out of time. If...if we didn't cover our tracks we'd-" Keir couldn't finish his sentence before a large taloned hand pushed his body against the wall behind him.

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MANY DIED?!" Tamlin roared. His body enlarged as he became more of his beast form.

"It was a necessary sacrifice!" Keir justified before being picked up only to be slammed down to the floor hard enough it cracked. The large taloned limbed pushing harder making it harder to breathe.

"YOU SACRIFICED NOTHING!"

In mere seconds the high lord was gone in its a place a large beast that filled more than a quarter of the ballroom. Golden furred, bat wing on its protruding on its left side, white wing protruding from its right side, eagle legs with sharp talons for front legs, body and hind legs belonging to a feline. Four heads starred down at Keir, a lion's head with wooden stag like horns on the middle, a goat's head on the left, a wolf's head on the right and the final head belonged to a serpent that acted as the beast's tail. A chimera.

"There was no reason for you to kill them..."

High lords do not care for their people. Keir learnt that lesson with Rhysand's father then with Rhysand. They only cared for themselves, their own happiness, their people were pawns to them and nothing more yet he was proven wrong. High lords do not care for their people but the beast above him did. All four heads were furious with him but still they shed large tears for fae they didn't even know. A few dripped on to Keir's face, hitting the side of his eye making it appear he was crying.

"Tamlin... you will not murder a guest of Autumn. Keir is right. If he did not do what he did, the high lord of night would have found them soon and more problems would come to our doorsteps." Beron commented earning a loud growl from the gigantic beast everyone crowding behind Beron.

Beron appeared calm but he'd lose against Tamlin. Magic defends against magic which is why Tamlin was so annoying. His brutish strength meant that most defensive spells even his own heat shield was useless against him.

The golden beast raised its body and slammed down both of its talons on either side of Keir, smashing the floor beside him before he turned back into his half beast form again.

"I will be personally overseeing and taking over the nigh fae's training and development. I want those with knowledge regarding lesser fae of the night to be at my manor tomorrow!" Tamlin ordered with a growl before walking out of the room leaving Keir on the floor shaking.

Beron didn't spare him a glance, "I'll take it you won't be attending the ball next mid autumn." He commented but the spring fae was silent as he disappeared out of the door.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

"If any of you fuckers suggest throwing them into a pit I'll defenestrate you!"

Those words from earlier that day repeated in Diana's mind. She thought Tamlin was just another angry lord throwing a tantrum over things not going his way but she was proved wrong mere hours later when she saw Tamlin making a large gravestone for the lesser fae who died in the mines. It was simple, just a large oval shaped boulder with gems tied with vines wrapped around it. It was simple yet the high lord still kneeled praying to it with a few tears slip past his eyes. Diana assumed it was a show yet he did it without anyone of importance looking. How could someone cry for those who he never met? 

Diana figured it out later how so many were left behind. In order to protect the secret any noble houses who even had any relevance to Rhysand was left behind which included their assets like slaves.

Diana, Miltia and Saphira stayed close. Thanatos had ordered Diana to advertise the females to Lord Tamlin hence why they were dressed inappropriately at the forest. All three wore beautiful black gowns their faces white with make up yet the high lord sparred them no glances.

Nemoris, an old word the lesser fae named this forest.

"You've been following me for days now. If you're looking for a match I'm afraid you wasted your time," Tamlin informed as he stood up and turned around towering over the three. He didn't look like a high lord but an oversized beast kin wearing a simple white tunic and green pants that seemed a bit too tight for him. Diana was usually close to many fae males in height but Tamlin was half a foot taller. "Do any of you even care to be here?" He inquired barely hiding his annoyance.

"I do." Miltia answered and look up at the high lord, "I question why do you care?" She asked back arms crossed unlike a lady.

Saphira turned her head so quickly there was a snapped, she looked at her as if she had grown to heads. To question a lord of a court offering refuge? She was mad.

"My lordship! Forgive my charge, she has been through much. Her parents and her fathers battalion were executed by night's High lord almost a year ago." Diana excused grabbing Miltia's arm pulling the younger fae behind her.

"Why can't I care?" Tamlin replied eyes on the three of them. "The late lord Malachite cared, your father fought for his battalion, for the people he fought in the army and pushed change. He never knew most of those people yet he fought and died for them. Your father and mother were good, my condolences to you." He sympathise and bowed slightly with a hand on his chest.

"You knew of my father..." Miltia murmured. She heard insults for months now but never praise.

Tamlin looked to the other two, "both of you have been quiet until now. If you're looking for a match you may leave but i am in dire need of helpers. Those with knowledge who can help the night fae adjust to this court, so they feel at home. So let it be known if you have any suggestions or criticism then speak freely. My court will not enforce rank and punish you for mere words, I won't tear off your tongues or anything... did you lose your tongues? I can help regrow it." He offered awkwardly.

"No my lord, I am with tongue." Saphira answered keeping her eyes down as a blush crept up her cheeks.

"Good... as long as you do not act like the courtiers from this morning then everything will go smoothly. I ask of you three, do you know anyone capable of aiding me?"

Saphira and Diana pondered but Miltia had pushed the eldest of them to the front, "Lady Diana held the best balls and parties for the nobles,  she well spoken by the lesser faes I assure you. She's also well read in many topcis including history." 

"Is that true? Do you believe you can help me with connecting to the citizens of night in my court? I would need a new advisor in this regards." Tamlin offered.

"I...I am mere daughter of a noble your lordship, I have no place in court." Diana replied looking down.

"I see... maybe so in the night court but not in mine, ladies or lords are heard in my court. If you change your mind I would like you like your help in certain matters... what powder are you two wearing?" Tamlin asked noticing Diana's and Saphira's powdered faces.

"Oh...um... it's whitening powder my lordship...very high quality. The lead enhances our natural beauty." Diana answered unsure about the sudden change in topic. The high lord's faced paled in response.

"Lead? Why are you two wearing that? Wash those off immediately. Tell everyone the same." Tamlin panicked finally knowing why they look so pale and thin despite being autumn for over a week now.

"My lord? This cosmetic is the most popular in Hewn city, locally sourced in the mine. I assure you it's fine." Diana replied but something felt wrong.

"Fine? Lady Diana I mean you no disrespect but lead based cosmetic has been banned at almost every court for centuries now. High fae may not die to its effects but it's known to weaken the wearer, lose weight and even lead to infant deaths as well as miscarriages. If you wish for alternatives I'll ask my merchants to send some to autumn." Tamlin offered.

Diana was silent as the rest of the words blurred, "right of course thank you..." She gripped her stomach as she remembered the times she wore the highest quality powder and had her ladies in waiting do the same. The amount of miscarriages she and ladies of hewn city. The amount of infants dying just mere days after birth. 

She was silent as the three finally left escorted out in a carriage headed back to the forest house. She wanted to scream, to cry but instead she kept her pain locked away as she was taught too.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

It became clear that Tamlin was in no rush to force the new citizens of Nemoris to work. For the rest of early autumn he spent it on improving the lives of the night court fae little by little all while he continued his work in his own court. During the day he would help the farmers for harvest, handle disputes between merchants, spread more publications on how the high lord of night court had hurt its people to make the citizens appear like victims  and had to take over Shel's work load now that she was no longer advisor. He even considered finally finding a priestess for spring court due to this. At night after dusk he'd winnow to the southern lands of spring court and visit the newly formed town of Nemoris making sure the new citizens were adjusting. It wasn't easy, problems would come occasionally.

He had to check on their belongings, making sure none of it were poison or dangerous making them distrust him despite the fact he offered replacement. The second thing he did was had healers attend, it always his intention to slowly involve the spring court fae with them so when the time came it would be easier for both to accept each other but after discovering the whitening powder he had to escalate. Needless to say discovering that almost every single night court fae were poisoned in some way was terrifying. In didn't matter if they were lesser or high fae.

Centuries of mining toxic ores with their bare hands, turning those ores into cosmetics, paint, furniture or even cutlery. Centuries of using them. It was no wonder that everyone seemed so sick.

Spring and Autumn court had to work together in healing them, Beron wanted to profit of it but after being reminded that he needed a healthy army and nobles he relented. The autumn court healers focused on removing the poisoned and the infected parts by rotting away the sickness while the spring court focused on regenerating, providing cures and pushing recovery. 

When the lesser fae began to hoard, the question of punishment came to mind but Tamlin told the workers to continue to provide food and clothes like usual. It shocked them. Yet food began to rot, wardrobe began to over fill with things they didn't need and there was no buyers when everything is provided.

It ended with Tamlin teaching the fae of Nemoris on how to compose food waste for plant nourishment and the extra clothes were redistributed. Stealing, hoarding and corrupt merchants ended in weeks.

The high lord was truly prepared for them, his experience of rebuilding a court where only the rich had benefits to everyone receiving the same luxuries helped.

Diana and her ladies in waiting would follow on most days. On the surface it looked like Diana was doing her duty to connect Hewn city nobles by pawning of their daughter's for Tamlin to marry for connections but it was far from the truth. She used her centuries of connections to help Tamlin in helping the night court fae that moved into spring court. She acted more like an advisor to him in this time and watched the high lord worked. He was prepared but not perfect, her connections also allowed other night court lord to speak and get to know him.

She even helped with learning about the celebrations that Hewn City was allowed to celebrate.

Lord and ladies came to talk to him, even Diana's former husband, Ciaron had came. He was more polite, the two speaking of strategy and glory. The blonde night fae seemed almost eager to be acknowledged by him yet when Keir came he only received a cold shoulder. 

Diana wasn't sure if it was manipulation or due to Keir's own failings but when Ciaron came with his father, Tamlin ignore them both. It seemed to drive a wedge between them, Keir was desperate to right his wrongs while his precious son was desperate to earn Tamlin's approval. She had to investigate how the spring lord managed to leash such brutal males of her court.

"And how has he been treating everyone?" Diana asked one of her former informers in Hewn City.

The dark bringer shrug, "he's....it's weird. Every lord we've met has treated us so cruelly, saw us nothing other than dirt yet...he comes here. He spends time with us at night. He's considering making a school for us. We aren't afraid of him....he was actually telling the truth, he didn't treat us any different than to his people. He even scold one of his sentries for being rude to us... the sentries here are nice or amicable, lady Diana. We don't feel...we feel happy here." He confessed.

Diana had no works but she felt something deep inside of her heart from the others words. It felt...uncomfortable yet foreign.

Hans watched their high lord worked, the sentries that guarded the forest were more or less adjusting to not only protecting the night court fae but also building relationships with them. Hans didn't understand it at first watching a sentry teaching night children how to play a may pole, Hans realised it was about preparing Spring court to their reveal.

Hans watched for weeks, as Tamlin did everything possible including not sleeping to help Hewn city adjust. Hans had see it before during Amarantha's reign, the high lord had stretched himself thin to accommodate everyone. Which is why his visit to the dungeons was such a surprise.

Shel was surprised to see Tamlin, she had grown bored in her prison cell yet the high lord didn't face her. He instead face the shadow wraiths and Dark bringers in the cells in front her.

"I want you all to know... you were just fools who followed orders from your masters who fed you dog scraps so you could survive... your only mistake was the ill fate of being born in the night court and now... you'll be the victims of my displaced rage." Tamlin remarked at the prisoners coldly before he snapped his fingers.

At the end of their cell images began forming as a glamour formed showing the prisoners, Nemoris. Night court fae who were used to living in eternal torture smiling, enjoying their lives and being happy.

"You intend to torture us with lies?" One of the prisoners said and the others laughed.

"No...this is the truth. Had you all just....denied or were less loyal to your masters who treat you like shit...many of you would have escaped Hewn city and become refugees in my court. They're happy here." Tamlin claimed hands behind his back with a satisfied smirk.

"You're lying..." the prisoner seethed.

"Am I?" Tamlin retorted and looked to the glamour showing the night court fae enjoying free food, learning to contribute to their society and learning to live not as slaves to nobles but as fae.

"They arrived here last summer....weeks after you squad help your high lord kidnap a male I loved dearly...so I want you to watch. Maybe one day I'll let you go so you could join your more fortunate brethen or maybe... I'll keep you lock in here until you decide to end yourself." Tamlin growled as the air in the dungeon felt heavy. The prisoners back away from the high lord in fear while Tamlin smirked.

He and Hans left without a word to Shel. The dryad stayed silent watching the other prisoners who were watching the glamour transfixed.

"Are they...they're dancing, we never got to dance."

"That looks delicious. I want some,"

"Enough! He intends too torture...us... that's my brother...he's here. He's...how is he....he's not lying."

It took only a few days before some began to beg for either forgiveness or to be let out but Tamlin left them alone like he did with Shel.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Beron housing the nobles of Hewn city who escape was less about showing allyship but financial even political control. Since Tamlin made that deal to get his connections he's prepared and convinced the nobles to buy property in the autumn court. Luxurious houses that they may send their daughters or son if they were married off like that fancy lady, Moriggan was supposed to. It was preparation but by the time came for Autumn court to host the runaway Hewn city nobles they already had places to go.

Beron mostly repurposed old homes and with Spring's workers things went smoothly. Several vacation houses for the night court's nobles were completed and ready to house them until it's time to take back their court.

The mid autumn ball was organised by Beron's inner court themselves as a celebration for the night court nobles vacation home manors or homes being completed.

The main ballroom was used huge enough to hold the entire court if Beron wished but this vast room was made to mingle with the elites so of course the commons weren't invited. The nobles were dressed to the nines wearing autumn colours even the night court nobles wore more greyish black clothes with a glamour placed to hide their identities. In the sea of dark and ground tones there were a deep greens of the forest. Nobles of spring court, invited but there weren't many to begin with. 

"Lady Ellis?" Eris questioned confused seeing a far relative of Tamlin.

Lady Ellis was an older high fae with an hour glass figure wearing a beautiful dark green long sleeve dress with gold lines patterned into butterfly wings. Her dirty blonde hair was styled into a braided swirl, her soft green eyes bright as ever.

"Lord Eris! It's grand to see the heir of Autumn in attendance. No ring I see." She teased.

Eris knew of spring's complicated history, when nobles refused to free their slaves or submit to spring's new more modern laws many nobles had left the court choosing to either settle in the fae realms or even Hybern. Lady Ellis was one of the few. "I'm confused...how are you here?"

"Come now Eris, it's rude to ask a lady how she's at a ball." She teased then laughed, "I'm joking, after King Hybern's defeat that land was doing badly, it was chaos. Some chose to stay to work on but many left for better lands if they weren't ruined. Many of us were interviewed by Lord Tamlin's courtiers especially lady Adebayo, Lady Shel and lord Houyi. Not many of us were given entry to reside in spring of course." 

"Yet you managed to." Eris stares almost questioning. He looked at the crowds. There were more blonde nobles than he hoped, trying to find a golden haired high lord in the crowd but he was clearly absent.

"Lord Aldebrand? A word." A familiar deep voice was heard and Eris quickly turned his head. Far from him he saw a blonde male speaking to his brother. 

"Excuse me, I have duties to attend too." Eris excused himself and quickly chased after his brother. The female high fae only raised a glass of wine to him.

When Eris arrived his brother was gone but he was sure he saw him with the one fae he desperately wanted to talk to.

"What do you want? I have no interest in deals with Spring." Aldebran snapped at the blonde fae.

"Just curious...if you were high lord. What would you be like?" The blonde asked the general.

Eris surveyed his surroundings, he was sure his brother was here yet he was gone. He considered using a spell to break glamours to force them out of hiding but doing that here was risky when he could also expose everyone else who had glamour themselves. He was looking everywhere for Aldebrand he didn't realise Deiros has gone missing too.

"Questions like that would lead me to being sent to the dungeon." Deiros warnedl

"That or maybe gain you an ally, don't you want Beron to be replaced? Who else is more worthy?" The blonde continued.

The heir of Autumn knew the truth, Tamlin was here somewhere hidden away by glamour. His brothers were missing and that was rare. No child of Beron would miss a chance to gain connections.

You killed two of my brothers... because of you, Beron scarred me and cut two of my fingers off... he tortured me...Do you take me for a fool?" Phobos seethed hair bursting with fire.

"Far from it, I think you'd be a better fit as high lord than Beron...but you need allies. Besides... don't you want to take revenge?" The blonde continued and extended his hand, "what do you say? Partners-"

"-Aldebrand?"

"-Deiros?"

"-Phobos?"

Eris kept looking for his brothers and felt confused when all three appeared in the crowds. He swore he had checked there but soon his questions were answered as his eyes locked in at someone at the balcony. The blonde fae simply raised his cup at Eris as a greeting but that was enough for the heir to chase after him towards the open 

"Lord Eris, surprised to see you here. Need a reprieve from the crowd?" The blonde fae asked. 

"You actually attended, were my brothers that entertaining for you-" Eris replied as the voices from the ball and the sounds of the night were silenced. "-lord Tamlin?" 

The high fae didn't look like Tamlin at all. Short hay blonde hair, soft grey eyes, lanky build wearing a black doublet embedded with gold and black pants with a similar style. He was shorter than Eris and the darkness seemed to cling to him and the heir questioned if he was right until the other's eyes flashed green. Tamlin had used glamour and shape-shifting to hid himself. Now he was using sound dampening to hide their talk.

"Was I that obvious?" Tamlin purred. 

"Far from it...you dislike events like this and only appear if they're important. Why are you here and what does my brothers have to do it with it?" Eris demanded.

"They're interesting males, with interesting opinions."

"Are they?"

"No not really but I am curious. I've been remembering a lot about my days as a beast, you would linger around looking for someone... you were the one who notified my guard of Lucien's escape, weren't you? Youve sent a few over the years as well." 

Eris bit his lower lip before answering, "you provided sanctuary, I provided refugees. If you were in my place wouldn't you done the same, to help those who you can?" 

Tamlin appeared stone face unmoved by his proclamation but Eris noted the slight upward curl at the edge of his lisp. He was almost relived until he heard what Tamlin said next.

"Such a shame really for his betrayal. He wasn't worth it in the end." 

Eris felt his gut twist and grit his teeth, " I beg your pardon?"

"Your pardon is begged...but to be honest he's no use now. He made his choices. What you think I still care for him after everything, What makes you think I wouldn't call for his execution?"

"He's your friend... and a future high king should show mercy." Eris seethed

"He was and he chose the enemy over his home. Here I thought we could have come to an understanding but I guessed wrong." The blonde turned to leave but Eris quickly grabbed Tamlin's hand yanking him back. The heir swallowed his anger, threatening to spill like bile from his guts.

"Wait...just wait." Eris pleaded and let go, "I know you hate my father and you hate Rhysand and his mate more... but Beron is a far bigger threat. You distrust me due to my past connections to Nesta and Cassian but I am willing to show you my loyalty." Eris offered.

"Show me how?" Tamlin asked.

"The shadow singer, he's the reason why security is wasted. I can lead him to you, for a deal."

Tamlin heard him out then stopped his spell before leaving soon after satisfied. The other brothers answered him, they told him what he wanted to hear but Eris was the only anamoly just as he expected. 

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Azriel sat on top of a large boulder in the middle of the forest to the south east of night court close to the ruins of Hewn City. The illyrian was chugging another bottle of fae wine, eyes dazed at the trees covered in layers of snow and ash.

"You look terrible." Eris greeted and quickly ducked when a almost empty bottle of wine was thrown at him. 

"Why the fuck are you here?!" Azriel growled and charged at the autumn male, choke slaming him to the tree behind and pulled out truth teller pressing it to his neck. "I should fucking kill you...after what you did to Mor..." he spoke the smell of alcohol on his breath made Eris turn his head in disgust.

"Keir didn't explode Hewn city... it was Tamlin... all Tamlin." Eris gasped while being choked.

"What...?" The illyrian staggered back and pointed his blade at him. "Explain..." he slurred.

Eris cleaned off his coat, "Tamlin planned this, he wanted to cripple night court's military power and used my father. He was the one who sold the red flour to Hewn city, that sold the flammable flowers to them. He's the reason why your Moriggan died..." he goaded.

Azriel's breath came in not, shoulders and chest rising gradually quicker before he let out a primal roar. The illyrian turned around and slashed the air sending a cut of darkness that flew through several trees causing them to fall a few seconds later.

He let out trembling breaths, his hands shaking from anger. "I'm gonna fucking kill him....I'm going to tear out his heart! Cut his fucking throat out! Fuck!" The illyrian shouted and stomped around.

It was him, it was always him. That golden bastard killed the only female he ever loved so dearly.

"We can help each other. I want him dead after all he's done to help my father, I can lead you to him but you need to be the one to finish the job." Eris informed and extended his hand, "I Eris of autumn offer you this deal. In return to getting you alone with Tamlin, you will kill him."

In his drunken stupor Azriel didn't think twice before shaking Eris's hand, "it's a deal... now tell me when I can kill that fucking bastard."

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

A large lake surrounded by a light forest and kept hidden by thick mist stood alone. This place was unnerving not because it was so dim despite being the day but because it was devoid of life. The forest was filled with dead trees, the grass was greyish brown and light snow covered most of the place.

The sound of leather hitting snow could be heard before Beron appeared wearing a hooded cloak. "To think such a powerful being as yourself is still stuck here after feeding on so much death." The now young fae taunted.

The lake shivered, "Careful...autumn lord... you need....us..." a thousand voice spoke through the blackened water.

"True... to think such myths exist. After the rebirth of the Archeron sisters and their powers I came to find you to even the playing field now however... I don't need you as much. I have a device that might just help you escape." The autumn male pulled out a cylindrical glass shining brightly from his cape. "This is a sun burst bomb. Filled with day court's magic, strong enough to break wards like cleaving. You can use it to escape...for a deal."

The water surface extended itself forming into a cloaked figure. "You dare...make deals...with a consumer of death?" it spoke with a thousand voices.

Beron seemed unimpressed, "yes I dare and if were you, I'd listen. I know Tamlin intends to betray me and you'll be there when or if it happens. Koschei the deathless, I offer you this deal. In return for this sun burst bomb, for earlier escape you will wreck havoc and avenge me when or if I am betrayed." Beron offered holding up the large cylindrical bomb.

The lake water wrapped itself around the device, "it is a deal... lord of autumn..." the koschei spoke and took the device into the lake.

Beron smiled believing he had control over the situation as is the nature of high fae who believe they're superior than most. The koschei stayed silent watching the high lord leave the land from the eyes of a bird in the sky releasing embers.

End note: Sorry to the reader who likes Keir, I like him but believe me everyone will face their karma here.

200 years ago - Greenwood Manor  (Spring Court)

The sounds of breaking glass, raised voices, shouts. A body being dragged across the parquet floor. An inconsolable newborn. A wail, a plea. Tamlin ran, traversing the rooms of the manor, he only had to follow the sounds. The smell of blood.

Every door he passed was shut tight, the staff gone to ground like animals before a storm.

The double doors were closed, locked by a magical seal, but it took him only seconds to open them. He drove his shoulder and all his strength against the door, shattering both the spell and the wood. His father stood there, in the middle of the room. In the middle of his room. Of their room. Lita was on the floor. 

Her white nightgown, still stained with the blood from childbirth, was torn. She was crying. She was pleading. And the Spring Lord was there, a knife to her throat, his eyes darkened with rage.

The room smelled of blood and candle wax and ink, and something sweeter beneath it all, milk, newborn skin, which made it worse.

"Let her go!" Tamlin ordered, with a conviction he didn't know he possessed. "Now!" He advanced with a determined step, the knife he kept tucked into his boot 'just in case' in his hand, threatening his Lord Father so he would release the young mother.

A sneer came from behind him.

"Looks like your balls have grown, little brother. A bit late, though."

Tamlin whirled around, facing his oldest brother, baring his fangs menacingly.

"She doesn't know anything," he told him, then, to his father, "Let her go. Let Lita go."

His father grinned, a cruel grimace etched on his features, as he pressed the blade slightly against Lita's frail throat. He held her wings with one hand, preventing her from moving, pinning her to the ground. His hands were steady. That was the worst of it, but the steadiness, the absence of any trembling in the hand that held the knife, as if he didn't care about Lita at all.

"I don't know where my brother is, High Lord, please," she whispered.

But he didn't believe her. Or perhaps he enjoyed toying with her? A thin trickle of blood ran down her collarbone, beneath the neckline of her white gown, and Tamlin lunged forward. He poured all his magic, all his strength, and rushed at his father, shouting.

However, the Spring Lord was fast. And so were his two eldest sons. Three against one, Tamlin would never gain the upper hand, but if only Lita had time to grab their daughter and escape, she could get to safety. They could get to safety, and that was all mattered to Tamlin.

A flash of green and gold illuminated the room for a moment, a flash of blood, of pain, and Tamlin landed on the floor, kneeling before Lita, a dagger embedded between his ribs. He raised his hand to her, caressing her cheek in a silent promise, and shook his head as his eldest brother plunged another knife into his thigh. 

"I'll tell you," he whispered to his father, "I'll tell you where Rhysand is. But you must promise to let Lita leave the court. Please."

The patriarch's grip tightened on the Illyrian's wings, but he nodded, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Very well, son. We have a deal."

Tamlin swallowed, pleading for Lita's forgiveness with his eyes, and spoke. He said all he knew; if there was any chance of saving the female he loved and their newborn daughter, it was this. His father would leave nothing to chance. He knew, even as he opened his mouth, that she would hate him for this, if she lived, she would hate him, and he was choosing that over the alternative, because living without her was not a possibility. 

"Well, there you have it," the Spring Lord said, "it wasn't so difficult, was it?"

And Lita's scream ripped through the air. A pool of blood formed around them, and the father tossed the young mother's wings to his eldest son with a satisfied chuckle. "They'll look just fine in the library, don't you think?"

Tamlin didn't have time to react, to recover from his shock, before his father plunged his knife back into Lita's throat. Tamlin screamed, but it was too late. Life left the purple eyes of the female he loved, her beautiful mouth frozen in an expression of terror. He lunged forward, but the pain prevented him from reaching his father. Instead, another blow froze him, pinning him down, a soldier unable to fight.

"You should have told me everything from the start, Son. You're nothing but a disappointment. An Illyrian bastard as the mother of my only grandchild? I might have let it go if she'd been more...cooperative, for the sake of our family. Well, in the end, she'll leave this Court just fine. I just didn't specify 'alive' did I ? I'm sure Rhysand will love the sight of his beloved sister's head down the stream of the river."

Tamlin didn't answer. He could barely hear. He was in a fog without beginning or end, in a bottomless, black sea. Lita's blood ran down his fingers, his wrists, soaking the carpet.

He tried to rise and couldn't, and that was when he understood what the rest of his life would look like.

And their daughter, their beloved daughter, cried in her crib, as if she knew what had just happened in her parents' room, as if she understood that her mother would never hold her again. The baby's cries didn't stop. Tamlin's world had ended and she was still crying because she was hungry, because she didn't know, because she was three hours old, and she would never know her mother.

Now - Velaris (Night Court)

Lucien's eyes snapped open. He sat bolt upright in bed, his legs becoming entangled in the sheets. He was in his room in Velaris. The light of the Night sky filtered through the shutters, illuminating the armchair where his belongings lay. In a single bound, he grabbed the shirt he'd left behind when he went to bed, pulling it on with a speed and dexterity driven only by the pain in his chest.

Elain.

Elain was aching; he could feel it. He could feel her heart pounding, with panic, with pain; he could feel her apprehension, her anxiety.

With a heartbeat, he rushed into the corridor, the dagger he'd placed on his bedroom dresser in his hand. He tried not to think that this dagger had been given to him by Tamlin, many decades before, when everything was still simple. He crossed the corridors, reaching the door of Elain's room, the carpets absorbing the sound of his bare feet striking the floor at an inhuman speed.

He opened the door with a swift flick of his fingers, his magic gleaming in the darkness of the room, and rushed inside, ready to save his mate.

Elain.

Lucien stopped dead, his eyes widening. His fingers fluttered in surprise, in astonishment, his dagger falling to the floor with a thud.

"Elain?"

She was there, she was really there, but Lucien had been mistaken. She wasn't afraid. She wasn't panicked. She wasn't in pain. Quite the opposite.

Elain sat on the bed, the sheet pulled up to her bare chest, concealing little but enough. Beside her, and having already drawn his sword, stood Azriel, half-naked, who, after the initial menacing glance he'd managed to throw at the intruder, now seemed rather genuinely sorry.

Lucien swallowed. Painfully. His heart was still hammering with a desire that wasn't his own, the bond singing a wrongness through his ribs even now.

Elain tilted her head to the side before spitting out, in a tone more venomous than he'd ever heard from her: "What do you want, Lucien?"

The emissary shook his head, closing his eyes, as if to erase from his memory what he had just seen. "I... I thought something had happened to you, I... the bound was just... I..." he stammered, searching for his words, as he almost never did. He had only lost his words twice: when Jes had died and when Tamlin had-He didn't let himself finish that thought. He never did. Not when it came to Tamlin.

"Yes, well, I'm fine! So you can leave now," she ordered abruptly. 

The room smelled of sweat, candle wax, and worse, love. It wasn't lust that existed between them, and Lucien saw it, smelled it, felt it. He knew that scent. It was feelings. Feelings Elain would never have for him. He felt, for one absurd moment, like a child caught somewhere he shouldn't be, though he was the one who'd been bleeding through a bond no one else could feel.

Azriel moved closer to her, caressing her hand with his fingertips. "Elain, he's your mate, he-"

"I don't care, I didn't choose him," she turned her gaze to Lucien. "I didn't choose you, Lucien. I don't want you." He thought of all the nights he'd lain awake feeling her sadness as his own, and wondered, distantly, if she'd ever once felt the inverse.

He didn't answer for a moment before murmuring, "I didn't choose you either, Elain. I didn't ask to-"

"Go!"

Suddenly, as if he'd regained his senses, he raised his head, running a hand through his red hair. He picked up his dagger and turned on his heel, walking purposefully. In the corridor, he passed Feyre, Rhysand at her heels, who had been drawn by the shouts.

"What-"

"I resign," Lucien declared, his tone calm, far too calm. Cold, far too cold. The corridor was cold against his bare feet, the Night Court silent in that deep hour when even Velaris seemed to be holding its breath.

"What, but-"

"Feyre, I said 'I resign.' Find yourself another emissary."

Lucien entered his room. He grabbed his leather bag, in which he carried the few belongings he truly cared about, and placed it on his bed. Inside, he put the book that had been on the bedside table, an old copy Tilly had lent him before leaving, and which he had jealously guarded. He also placed the bottle of perfume that smelled of tarragon and morning dew, which he had worn ever since he discovered it in a small shop in Greenwood while looking for a birthday present for Tam. His razor, and the few clothes in the wardrobe. Somewhere below, the city's lights still glittered through the window at the end of the hall, indifferent to what was happening inside it.

When he turned around, Rhysand was leaning against the doorframe. His expression was almost unreadable, but Lucien didn't need to know what he was thinking to understand that he was unhappy with the situation.

"Lucien, whatever happened with Elain, I'm sure it can be discussed."

Lucien ignored him and left the room. In the corridor, Feyre held Nyx in her arms, the little boy having clearly been awakened by the commotion. Beside her, Elain, an indescribable expression on her face, held Azriel's hand tightly, as if afraid he would be taken from her. The master spy, for his part, stared at the floor, as if ashamed of having been caught red-handed.

"Where are you going?" Feyre asked, her tone almost too gentle to be honest.

"I'm leaving, I told you, I'm resigning."

"But you can't! We're your friends, your family, Elain is your-"

Lucien raised his hand, interrupting her. "Elain?" he asked to get her attention. "You want me to leave?"

The young fae's eyes fell upon him, and for a heart-wrenching moment, Lucien thought she hesitated. But there was no hesitation in her tone when she answered in the affirmative.

He set his bag down, mechanically adjusting his jacket sleeve before apologizing. "This is going to hurt."

She looked at him, lost in incomprehension, as he placed his hand on his heart.

"I, Lucien Vanserra," he began, "renounce the bond of blood, magic, and love that ties me to Elain Archeron. I reject all attachments to her, whatever their nature, and I renounce, before the Cauldron, the Mother, and the Gods, any further relationship with her."

He had barely spoken when a pain shot through his heart. He gritted his teeth, and, looking up at Elain, he understood that she felt the same. The pain of a bond breaking, tearing, shattering. He exhaled deeply, the pain coursing through him temporarily blinding him, making white stars dance before him. He felt as if his agony would make him lose consciousness, but his will was stronger, and, as Elain wept in pain, clinging to Azriel, he descended the marble stairs.

Rhysand ran after him as he pushed open the door, but no sooner had Lucien crossed the threshold than he winnowed far away, as far as possible from the source of all his pain, to a place where he could forget he was hurting.

A few weeks later - Somewhere off the coast (Spring Court)

It was a goddess day. All the important things in her life happened on a goddess day. She was born on a goddess day, and subsequently, her mother died on a goddess day.

On a goddess day, a week later, her grandfather killed her other grandfather and her father became High Lord, and subsequently, she became Princess.

On a goddess day, she was woken in the middle of the night by her father and shipped off to the continent, practically by force. And on a goddess day, fifty-five years later, she was returning. 

Land was in sight. Home was in sight. Her home. 

Fifty-five years was long enough to learn a new language, bury a continent's worth of grief, and still wake some mornings reaching for a home that wasn't there. She had stopped counting the goddess days somewhere around year twenty. It hadn't helped.

She breathed deeply, the sea spray that had seeped inside filling her lungs, the unmistakable magic of her Court vibrating beneath her fingernails, in the hollows of her palms. In the canvas satchel on the bed, she had packed all her belongings that she had managed to scatter. A week-long crossing was a long time, and the captain had been kind enough to let her keep her cabin, so she had made it her refuge, at least for a while.

The wood of the ship groaned beneath her boots, the same way it had groaned every morning for seven days, a sound she'd already grown tired of.

The small bag, worn by time, contained everything she had taken with her when she left Greenwood decades before: the dagger her uncle Lucien had given her when her father had named her General of the Spring Court Armies, her late mother's engraved silver comb, her favorite book, a silly adventure novel she knew by heart, and a toiletry kit that had needed replacing over the years.

She closed the flap and put on her canvas uniform jacket, which she too had taken with her the night she fled. Magic had protected the fabric, making it look brand new, freshly sewn by a tailor. The rank insignia on her military jacket was still visible, gold on the dark green lapel, but she no longer wore it as she used to. She had grown accustomed to simply wearing it open, a far cry from the military rigor she had once imposed upon herself.

She was a General without an army, after all. A princess without a land. An exile without a home.

Without giving it much thought, she sheathed the sword she had sharpened the previous evening and left the cabin, the weight of the weapon she had carried for so long settling her thoughts.

The smell of salt and sea grew stronger on the deck, and the sun shone with an almost blinding light. Gulls wheeled overhead, their cries sharper than she remembered Spring's gulls sounding, or maybe she'd simply forgotten.

She approached the railing, against which Jojo was leaning. Old Jojo. If he had been human, he would have looked to be around sixty. But he wasn't, which implied that his age must be measured in tens of centuries. Long enough to have been the protector of the Spring family for three generations. He had protected her grandfather, then his sons, especially the youngest, and now he was protecting her. For 200 years. Jojo had a way of saying nothing that somehow said everything; this silence, she knew, meant he agreed with her more than he wanted to admit. He'd taught her to hold a sword before she could properly walk, and some nights she still heard his voice correcting her stance.

She leaned against the railing. The horizon had been empty for so long that the dark smudge of land felt almost unreal, like something she might blink and lose.

"Happy to be home, old man?"

He grimaced. "Well? What's the plan? We dock and you winnow to Greenwood, pup?"

"Why, are you in a hurry to get home?"

"Aren't you?"

"I was thinking we could take some horses and ride to Greenwood instead."

Jojo sighed, making it clear that he wasn't thrilled about the idea.

"It'll take at least a week."

She shrugged. More than that, probably. She wanted to stop everywhere. Talk to everyone. She'd missed home. She'd missed Spring. She wanted to see, to understand what she'd missed, what was missing from the reports Kat, her father's spy-mistress, had been sending her to keep her informed of the situation since her father had stopped doing so himself. 

"Two weeks, maybe," she finally said, before adding, faced with Jojo's dark glare, "We won't be sleeping under the stars, I promise. I'm sure we can get invited by all the nobles along the way. Or to any inn." Two hours. Two weeks. Fifty-five years. Time had stopped meaning a thing to her a long time ago.

He bit his lip, staring at the horizon.

"Spring may not be what we remember, pup. Your father may not be what we remember. So much has happened; it changes a male. It changes people."

She didn't answer, watching the approaching land, pondering Jojo's words. She unconsciously gritted her teeth. She knew everything. She had read the reports: about Amarantha, about the war, about Feyre Cursebreaker, about her uncle Lucien. She had read her father's letters, which had been infrequent under Amarantha, then frequent when he was happy to be about to get married, and when he stopped writing altogether. She had read Kat's missives, the acerbic comments she had added in red ink to the spy reports she sent her, the sarcastic remarks. 

Kat had never been one to mince words, but it had gotten worse since her father had withdrawn into himself.

"Princess Tilia? Your Highness, we should be docking in less than two hours," a sailor told her, bowing to her. She nodded, thanking him with a gesture, then smiled at Jojo.

"Time to get back on track, soldier."