#nuala

After the last meeting with the Inner Circle of the Night Court one would think that you would have laid low.

That’s exactly what you didn’t do.

No, to absolutely no one’s surprise really, there were trades that needed to happen, medicine to move from one territory to another, and wrongs that needed righting.

Two weeks. Two weeks was all the time that had lapsed before the Inner Circle was back in Autumn for answers.

Eris was over it. The meeting, the questions, and the fact that you were supposed to be there but very conveniently had other “things” to do.

What in the Cauldron that meant they had no idea. 

“Eris, are you even listening?” 

Eris looked at Rhysand. 

“For the last time Rhysand I have no idea how she got into your townhouse. I was with you the entire time if your memory needs a refresh.” 

Rhys pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“Well where is she then?” 

“My love please, respond I can’t not with these Illyrian brutes any longer.” 

You giggled down the mate bond. 

“Tavern” 

That was all Eris got before you blocked him off. 

Eris rolled his eyes. “Fine she’s at the Tavern.” 

Cassian scoffed. “Seriously, we asked you twice if that’s where she was.” 

Eris only picked the nonexistant lint off his coat before looking at Cassian. 

“My mate does as she pleases, that includes when she decides to respond to me.” 

Az looked almost close to cracking a smile, while the other two shared the a look of annoyance. 

The tavern was somehow louder than the last time they’d visited.

Music spilling through the rafters.

Drunken laughter echoing off worn wood.

Someone losing a fight near the back wall.

Cassian stopped dead in the doorway.

There you were on the top of one of the tables with some of the barmaids, dancing. 

If you were drunk they couldn’t tell. 

Eris only sighed and kept walking in. 

Tugging on the bond to signal  that he was there. 

You caught Eris's eye, before seemingly disappearing again, only to pop up behind the four males once again. 

“Well, well, well, missed me that much?” 

Eris only continued to walk to the bar along the side wall. 

It was only once your small group made it to the bar top that he turned his attention to you. 

“Love, you know exactly why I’m here. Put us all out of our misery.” 

The look he was giving you was one that almost looked like pleading. 

You smiled and hopped up on the bar top and faced Eris. 

“And what is it that I get out of this dear mate?” 

The three males behind Eris didn’t look impressed with your antics, if anything Rhys looked ready to pop at any moment. Az’s shadows were going all over the place and Cassian looked dumbfounded. 

“A chance to have real trade routes in the Night Court.” 

You looked at Rhys who had answered.

Then slowly looked side to side dramatically.

Rhys narrowed his eyes.

“…what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to find where exactly I asked you what I get out of this.”

Cassian barked out a laugh loud enough to startle someone nearby.

Rhys looked deeply unimpressed.

“You are actively exhausting.”

“And yet,” you sighed wistfully, “you continue seeking me out.”

Azriel’s shadows curled violently around him.

Trying not to laugh.

Again.

Eris finally stepped closer to the bar.

That familiar long-suffering expression settled across his face.

“My love,” he said carefully,

“What exactly do you want?”

Your grin widened immediately.

“A dance.”

Dead silence.

Cassian physically doubled over.

Rhys looked horrified.

Azriel outright turned away.

Shoulders tightening suspiciously.

Eris stared at you.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

You leaned forward slightly atop the bar.

“Then I suppose Rhys shall continue spiraling over his wards.”

Rhys pointed aggressively.

“I am NOT spiraling.”

“You questioned three servants and a window latch,” Cassian said immediately.

“That sounds like spiraling to me.”

Eris closed his eyes briefly.

Like he was reconsidering every life decision that had led him here.

You smiled sweetly.

“One dance.”

“…you’re enjoying this.”

“Immensely.”

The tavern music shifted then.

Something lively.

Fast.

You immediately brightened.

“Oh this is perfect.”

Eris looked toward the ceiling like the Cauldron itself had betrayed him.

Then finally, finally, held out a hand.

Cassian nearly collapsed laughing. 

“You’ve destroyed his reputation.”

“No,” you corrected brightly as you jumped down from the bar. “I’ve improved it.”

Eris pulled you into the dance with far more skill than anyone expected.

Which honestly felt unfair.

“You know,” you mused as he spun you cleanly through the crowded tavern, “for someone pretending to hate this you’re remarkably good at it.”

“I hate you specifically.”

You gasped.

Mock offended.

“That is SUCH a lie.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of Eris’s mouth despite himself.

Tiny.

Brief.

You immediately pointed at him mid-spin.

“Oh there it is.”

“Don’t.”

“You smiled.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did,” you sang.

Then leaned closer.

Lowering your voice conspiratorially.

“You’re prettier when you smile.”

Eris nearly missed a step.

Cassians laughing could be heard from the bar.

Rhys looked one inconvenience away from death.

Azriel had fully given up pretending not to be entertained.

When the song ended, Eris and you had joined the three Illyrians back by the bar. 

You finally took pity on them.

“Oh relax,” you said, waving a dismissive hand. “I didn’t break your wards.”

Silence.

Rhys straightened immediately.

“…what.”

You blinked innocently.

“I handed the papers to Nuala.”

The entire group froze.

Azriel actually stared.

Cassian wheezed so hard he had to grab the bar.

Rhys looked deeply, deeply betrayed.

“You’re telling me,” he said slowly, “that my weeks of security concerns….”

“Were caused by your own staff?” you finished helpfully.

You turned to look at him fully. 

“Yes. Yes they were.” 

Eris finally laughed.

Actually laughed.

Low and warm beside you.

And the tavern went quiet for half a second.

Because apparently the rarest thing in Prythian was Eris Vanserra openly amused.