The youngest rose of the spring court was completely taken by the city of velaris, there was a small sting of regret for locking herself in the spring court for that long. specially when cities like the one she walked through existed across prythian. however all she could do was move forward and change, slowly but surely.

in the pass decade she had come to like painting, knowing that velaris had the rainbow, a hub for the fine arts. it had been the second place she had ran to right after inspecting almost every book in the library of her host. and now she walked with hands full of art supplies, indulging in anything and everything her eyes had landed on.

distracted by the colors, the artist and general splendor of the place around her she drops some of the paintbrushes. leaning down to pick it up and standing too fast without being aware of her surroundings, instantly bumping into someone. slightly disoriented she tries to smile as she finds her words. "my deepest apologies, i seem to be too distracted by this rainbow of street."

 ❝ it seem there is much to do and see within the city, more's the pity it had to be seen under such circumstances. ❞ the idea of the trail seemed like a fool's errand to asril, but he couldn't yet tell who was meant to look like the fool.

Wandering, free of a husband that Hiral was still warming to, being alone in this was quietly liberating. Married out of need, a political match, this was a price paid that one day would be worth it to be places such as this one free from other yokes. To stroll through the art district was freeing in a way that reminded Hiral this was still her skin to exist within and beautiful things in spite of every sacrifice had some place. Turning a ways down steps simply moving and wandering Hiral nearly collided with a familiar face. Asril, the future high lord of winter. Were they friends once, had she known the lover he betrayed, were they the same as they were before all things changed? Was it far simpler than that only knowing of him and never having spoken before- her words betrayed nothing and her action was to carefully dodge. "In quite the hurry I see. You bought someone's work? I did not expect to see you of all people have much of an interest in art but the world is surprising as of late. Be careful" Hiral breaths, hand on her chest eyes glancing to the rolled up masterpiece and the hastily moving high fae of winter.

 ❝ and is that what you find yourself doing around here? ❞ he asked looking back over his shoulder into the art district one last time, unsure when he would return.

in the day court, he felt the proceedings to be tedious and boring. but now? a trial of the high lord and high lady for severe crimes, who were already on the brink of civil war, was certainly an unprecedented event. and history wasn't something isak was keen on making just now. his own worries muddled his mind; now he was meant to witness the possible downfall of the night court.

" i'm sure they have more pressing matters to worry about. we brothers from the winter court can't possible warrant their attention. " isak chuckled a bit. what a strange turn of events this was. " that might not be a terrible idea. perhaps we could get some suggestions from the high lord and high lady themselves. " he reclined on his elbows with a mocking smirk, irritation obvious but directionless. " but haven't you heard? i'm have a betrothed now, and it would be disrespectful to have a wandering eye. "

the blonde turned from his brother for a moment to grab the attention of a passing servant and find out if they'd even been given quarters within the court or not. asril looked back at isak, his heart feeling heavier than it had the day he first asked him. ❝ there is time to break it off. nothing is confirmed until you're married. ❞  he prompted, wanting to be rid of the growing animosity between them never having meant for it to bloom in the first place.

there had been a strain in his relationship with asril since their time in the day court. isak wished to maintain normalcy, some semblance of life before the summit, but something had changed. not enough to grow any true animosity, nothing permanent had divided them, and yet...despite his teasing and jokes, isak found himself avoiding his brother if he was able. an excuse to train, or that he was ill, or had a meeting with their commander. what was it? maybe it was resentment toward the use of his hand as a political bargaining chip. maybe it was isak's own woes ... a growing fear of the betrothal to some unknown lady, a desperate plea sent to the day court lady in haste. he would tell all his anxieties to asril if prodded and, for now, he wanted to keep his thoughts to himself. for both of their sakes.

most courts would go years without meeting like this ; decades would pass without a summit to gather them all. to have two such conclaves in a matter of months was unheard of. the courts had been nervous before, but the tensions would be brimming in the night court. especially now that there was someone to blame - did he believe in their guilt? he wasn't sure. it certainly did put an ironic spin on the conversations he had with both the high ruler of the court of dreams and the commander of the court of nightmares during their last meetings. isak's own innocence was questioned and now a trial was being held in their own lands.

" do you suppose the court of dreams or the court of nightmares will play host to us? i didn't make enemies of either but ... let's say i exchanged unkind words with both during the summit. we may find ourselves in a manor of our own purchase during all this. " he admitted this to his brother in good humor. of course, his temper had gotten them into trouble before, as had asril's. but it was never something they couldn't handle - together. he heaved out a sigh, exhausted from travel, nervous to be surrounded by the other courts, but at peace by his brother's side.

despite how happy he might have been to have once more been home, the last month had been difficult on asril. as much as he didn't want to admit it, he could feel a strain forming on his relationship with his brother. their bond unshaken, but something—something was not right. with each passing day it was as though he saw even less of isak and it pained him knowing he was the cause of it.

 ❝ i don't think they'll have much of choice, ❞ asril replied with a lazy shrug.  ❝ we're here upon insistence of the king, not either of them. ❞  the blonde looked to his brother giving him a half-smile,  ❝ i would rather an endless stay at a brothel for the entirety of the trail than buy a home in this mother forsaken city. ❞ he couldn't say why but hewn city was not a place he'd ever elected to spend time in. even all those centuries ago when visiting other courts was a thing of ease.

taking a deep breath, delilah bit her lip, sorting through the information she just received. she knew she needed to make sure she deciphered the farewell asril left her with correctly. i've a winter court marriage to arrange. that could only mean for himself, right? isak has made his stance on marriage extremely clear to her. she knew isak would do almost anything for his brother, but would asril even ask his own brother of this? she was certain it was impossible, more so impossible for isak to ever agree to any marriage.

" you will be pleased to know i just had a very telling conversation with the winter court's heir, " she said, her voice soft and low, knowing they were alone in the hallway, but also knowing you could never be to safe, especially in her home. " it seems he is trying to forge an alliance with another court, through offering his own hand in marriage as a means to forge this connection. with whom exactly, i don't know yet. what i do know is that he does not think highly of the king, which leaves us with less viable options for his potential betrothed. "

delilah felt her pulse gradually ease as the priestess before her spoke unfortunately, talia was right- being careless and inattentive isn't smart, especially today, especially at today, especially with the goals delilah has set in mind. while today has been a rather long day for the lady of the day, and the ball instead of providing any solace seemed rather more chaos, especially with the information asril abruptly left her with, she knew those excuses would only seem inconsequential to the women stood in front of her.

" you are right," she admitted, her voice balancing as she caught her breath. " i can assure you, you won't find me in this state again. " delilah brushed a hair that feel out of bun throughout tonights festivities, before she continuing. " i apologize for not seeking you out sooner. determining the opportune moment and setting has been a challenge. "

 ❝ and tell me how you've faired, ❞ the priestess insisted, her tone calm and even. she was vague but sure that the lady of the day court understood her meaning. she hadn't been hoping for much, a juicy piece of information that could be of true value would always the goal, but talia had learned from her past to not let her expectations get too high. and after the events that had occurred, she expected the lords and ladies to be on their guard, defensive even. few would be foolish enough to let something slip they wouldn't want publicly known.

they had witnessed the beheading of their mother by her own mate - their father - standing side by side. he knew what a heavy request this was, to marry one who might betray, to walk into a prison or torment with little hope for escape. isak's fists clenched and the room grew cold once again. did asril know of the one woman he might marry, but whose alliance would be hard won? surely, the day court was not on asril's mind.

he stayed quiet for a while, attempting to keep the ice at bay. " my reputation is no more sterling than - " he began his argument, but he choked up just a few words in. it had never been easy to fight with asril, who defended and protected him without hesitation - it was equally difficult to tell him no, especially if the winter court was to benefit from such an arrangement. " i swore to never marry. you know this. you know why. would you truly ask me to break that vow ? " there was strangled hurt and anger in his voice, but isak knew his own defense was weak. this was the job of a second son, especially one who had spent centuries recklessly taking advantage of the privileges of hiemal. his duty had come and what a terrifying duty it turned out to be.

asril sighed heavily, he'd always known how his brother had felt about such things, marriage, love, mates—all of it. and it pained him to have to ask him such a thing, to ask him to disregard his every instinct for the good of their court. but it was all he'd ever done and the winter lord knew that if this too was something he could do to save his brother, he would.  ❝ i'm not asking you to break that vow, ❞ he said finally finding his brother's face, however difficult it was.  ❝ i'm asking you to help our family. to help our court. ❞

it was wrong to ask such a heavy task of him and it pained asril, but the blonde couldn't help but feel as though their backs were to the wall. and with the loose end of their father's journals now floating around out there, he was determined to gather every assurance of security he could find.  ❝ you don't have to like them, ❞ he reminded his brother lightly.  ❝ by the gods, it might even be better if you hate her. might make life easier that way. ❞ asril added sourly, he shared his brother sentiment on marriage, which made the betrayal of his request cut all the deeper. once a traitor always a traitor, he mused to himself dropping his gaze to the floor.

upon hearing the coldness in his voice, her attention shifted from the party back to the future high lord of the winter court. delilah always found him to be a bit apprehensive, yet tonight his rigidness was at a level she has never witnessed. while it made sense due to the chaos the day has brought everyone, there definitely seemed to be more upon the heir's mind. " i cannot speak upon my father's ambitions and anxieties, " she falsely stated, turning back towards the garden knowing that asril was right. " yet, i do know i am fortuitous position, much thanks to both him and my brother. "

" you don't think admiration holds value ? " she questioned asril, her eyes falling back on his. a slight arch formed in her eyebrow, as she was curious to what else he was willing to share despite the obvious barriers he has up.

 ❝ not in the ways that matter anymore. ❞ there were those who did still hold value in such a thing, but it could only get one so far. hardly a foot in a door, so to speak.  ❝ power. fear. strength. ❞ he emphasized each word, as if they each had an different or secret meaning behind it.  ❝ theses are what hold value under our high king's rule. ❞ asril couldn't stop himself from practically spitting the words, unable to quell the anger that was bubbling inside him.

her gaze followed his head nod, to their siblings on the dance court — and suddenly, aurora saw the vision he was attempting to paint. she watched them for a moment as she listened to his reasoning. it would be a lie to say she didn't understand the feeling, if she could leave her sister with some sort of security — she would. would a marriage to winter ensure that? she wasn't entirely sure. however; she didn't deny the winter court had it's own charms, it's army of what the winter court deemed lesser fae being one of them.

the high lady brought her attention back to the winter fae before her. he truly cared for his brother, she could see that. " i'm surprised you think that of spring. " aurora said, a bit of a puzzling tone to her words. she was certain rumors were spreading even now of her weakness — that was what she thought, anyway.

" but — that being said, you might have a point. do entertain me, though, what benefit would spring have with an alliance with winter? " she had her own thoughts on it, but wanted to see what he had come up with to solidify his proposition.

the blonde learned backwards casually in his chair, as though what he spoke of wouldn’t cause a stir among the other courts and perhaps even ruffle a few feathers. but it was exactly what asril wanted, to remind them all that they wouldn’t be taken out of the game quite so easily.

he wasn’t wrong — her court was one of many who couldn’t be carefree on most days, let alone now at a summit such as this one. but kalyen, she paid no mind to the political games her brother was a part of, at least not for tonight. she didn’t know the stress of being high lord of a court, responsible for lands and the people who inhabit them — she knew she didn’t want to know such stress. “ you’re right. “ kalyen mused softly, “ — which is why i’ll take the chance to be such while i can. “

at his denial, the summer beauty frowned. she didn’t expect rejection and she couldn’t hide the surprise then displeasure that crossed her face as she processed his words. perhaps she had misread the other evening, for she thought they had gotten along far better then she had with any other from the courts so far — but kalyen was starting to think she got ahead of herself and just put her foot in her mouth. “ forgive me, “ kalyen started, eyes glancing around the room, “ —i was under the impression we got off well the other evening, “ she remarked, not necessarily in a kind manner. 

his jaw went slack, almost in shock at the shift in her demeanor, he hadn’t meant any offense having rejected the dance, but it seemed the damage was already done. and perhaps he’d be able to use this to advantage, to make her see that a friendship between them simply wouldn’t do. that he was not worthy of sharing a dance with her let alone a place within her life. asril’s jaw clenched tightly for a moment as he swallowed hard and his back stiffened. ❝ i suppose that’s the beauty of politics, ❞ he replied cooly, his crystal gaze unable to meet her face, worried he might falter should he see her unnervingly deep blue eyes again. ❝ getting on well doesn’t always mean you have to like a person. ❞ part of him longed to be honest with her, not to put up more walls and push another potential friend away, but every other instinct told him this is what he must do to protect himself. to protect his heart. 

His laughter made echoes of feelings in Rhyn come to life, and he wondered what he would have to do to make them never rise again but stay in the dark and hidden spot he'd kept them for so long before he saw the face of a ghost. The distance between them suddenly bothered him because instead of backing away, Atlas kept his ground. Grinding his teeth together, he listened to the stranger before him, wondering how he could speak as if he didn't remember him. It seemed he recalled the moment he had referred to, but it was as if he'd made Rhyn disappear from every aspect of his life. Was that what he'd done? Been a coward too scared to face the consequences of his actions?

At the mention of seeing Tahir, however, Rhyn couldn't help the wide eyes at the front man. Was he insane? What on earth was he thinking? Why would he ever let the Hybern prince near his brother? Rhyn nodded gently and clicked his tongue before going alarmingly close to Atlas. "Fuck no," he replied and smiled, cocking his head to the side. "There is no way I am letting you anywhere near my brother. If you truly wish to see him, you need to kill me first because you do not even have the right to ask such a thing." the anger in Rhyn boiled, and soon enough, his fingertips turned warm, spiked with the rising temper running from him. "Leave him alone, or I'll ensure you never leave the day court."

atlas' gaze snapped back up, to the autumn lord, a sort of indifference glinting behind his eyes. thanks to his father and his desire to know all about the lesser fae that inhabited prythian, atlas had been responsible for hunting them down and—researching them. as many as he could. it was long ago, but the things he'd learned had stuck with him. the brunette sighed, a heavy truly sound, ❝ you may be grieving—upset, but do not think it permits you to threaten my life. ❞ his face was hard like stone and his eyes cold like ice, but inside the prince was hollow, feeling nothing but an empty rage. ❝ do so again and i'll have your head. i'd hate to damage one so pretty. ❞