Everything about this stranger radiated sensual grace and power. Lots of power. I could feel it rolling off him in deep waves. His short black hair gleamed in the light of the bonfires, offsetting his pale skin and seemingly violet eyes. They twinkled with amusement as they beheld me.
I noticed he wasn't wearing a mask. Not from Spring Court then. The night seemed to hover around him. He had to be from the Night Court with his black hair and skin that glowed--- he seemed like he used to be tan from the harsh sun.
"You're welcome," He claimed, only feeding my growing irritation.
"Do you know what you've just cost me?" I hissed as I regained my bearings and glared at the man. His eyes held a sense of curiosity and amusement.
"So you planned on getting dragged away by three faeries from the everlasting festivities?" He said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
I scoffed in return, "Did it ever occur to you, in your teensy-tiny male brain, that I let them drag me away into the woods so we were further from the crowds and I wouldn't draw unnecessary attention to myself?"
The man seemed a tad skeptic and held a small amount of surprise, "And you thought you could overpower three faeries by yourself? Let alone High Fae?"
A smile curved its way onto my lips, "Shall we test the theory? You cost me my hunt, you could always volunteer to replace them." I crossed my arms as I walked around in circles around him like a predator would with prey. Though based on his body he might be able to overpower me with magic, without it might be a toss-up depending on his skill level. Based on how toned his body was, I'd say he was experienced... in more ways than one.
A half-smile played on his lips as he tracked my movements, "What's a mortal woman doing here on Fire-night?" His voice was a lover's purr that sent shivers through me.
"Enjoying the Rite, of course, my friends brought me," I replied casually as I recited what I had heard many others say around me.
I looked him up and down, sizing him up even though he had a good few inches on me, he was clad in black, and if his features didn't give him away as a Night Court citizen, his clothes sure weren't subtle.
A knowing smile crept onto his lips, that'd be a first, "And who are your friends?"
I hummed, "Wouldn't you like to know? Looking for some female company on fire-night?" I purred back.
When it became clear I wouldn't answer his question he scoffed, turning in the direction I was while I circled him.
"Strange for a mortal to be friends with faeries," He mused as he began circling me as well, causing us to go around each other as if we were a whirlwind, "Aren't humans usually terrified of us? And aren't you, for that matter, supposed to keep to your side of the wall?"
"I've grown up with faeries, I occasionally visit with them on holidays though it's rare. And, for that matter, I have no reason to fear your kind." Not a lie, but not the truth either. The night court is infamous for its trickery, it would be foolish to lie in front of him. So I offered the best amount of information I could.
He stopped circling me and paused between me and my exit, no matter, a good assassin always has a backup, "And yet your friends brought you to the Great Rite and abandoned you?" He asked with a smirk playing on his features.
"They went to mingle for a moment, get refreshments, I'm sure they'll be back soon," I explained, That's what everyone else was doing.
The man's smile grew, and it gave me a strange feeling. Though, whatever I had just said had most definitely given me away. I registered in the corner of my eye refreshments being taken away somewhere and mentally cursed myself, all while never breaking eye contact with this mysterious stranger.
The man smiled for a heartbeat longer. Cauldron damn me, he was handsome. I'd never been one to swoon for a man at first glance, but maybe just once...
Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. I hate that that thought had even crossed my mind. Prythian was doing something to me.
"I'm afraid the refreshments are a long way off," He said as he came a bit closer, but still I didn't back away, I would never yield to a faerie, "It might be a while before they return. May I escort you somewhere in the meantime?" He removed a hand from his pocket as he offered his arm.
A sinister smile found its way onto my face as I looked at his arm and back to his face, I hummed, "I'm sure I can manage."
His smirk didn't falter as he waved the hand he offered towards the drums, "Enjoy the Rite, then. Try to stay out of trouble."
"Maybe it's you who should try to stay out of trouble, Oh, Noble one." I paused as the man turned away. I hated to admit it but this was fun. I cocked my head at the man, my dreaded curiosity taking over my mind, "You're not from the Spring court." a statement.
The man turned back to me, the movement smooth as silk. I kept my chin high as he gave me a lazy smile, "Do I look like I'm from the Spring Court?"
I snorted as I cocked my head to the side, "Do I look like a fool? You are obviously not from here, anyone with a pair of eyes could see that. I'm just simply trying to confirm a suspicion or two."
He laughed under his breath, "No, I'm not from the noble Spring Court. And glad of it." he answered as he gestured to his face where people from Spring held masks.
"Why are you here, then?"
The man's eyes seemed to glow with deadly intent and I grinned, maybe I'd get that fight out of him after all, "Because all the monsters have been let out of their cages tonight, no matter what court they belong to. So, I may roam wherever I wish until the dawn."
"How poetic," I crossed my arms. And though I didn't let it show, I partly meant it, "Enjoy the Rite," I smiled shortly before I parted.
I began to walk lazily back to Amaris when I suddenly felt another presence at my back. Really? Three times in one night? The person reached out to grab me but I side-stepped and instead grabbed their arm and yanked them forward and onto the ground. Instead of the random stranger I'd been expecting I noticed a man with bright red hair and a scar along his face.
"Don't you know it's impolite to sneak up on a lady, Lucy?"
Lucien looked at me with such surprise that I laughed at him, he was quick to get up after that and immediately did his whole disappointed in my actions thing as he crossed his arms.
"Have you lost your senses?" Lucien shouted over the drums that seemed to be getting louder, "First Feyre now you." He mumbled, "When will I ever get a break?" He ran a hand across his face.
"Wait, Feyre was here?"
Lucien groaned, "Yes, I found her before she got anywhere near the celebration and sent her off, she's fine." I nodded in thanks and he dipped his head. I honestly think this is the most civilized conversation Lucy and I have ever had.
Before we could continue our now civilized conversation Lucien groaned again and began pacing as if remembering that I'm out here.
"Didn't Tam and I both tell you to stay inside? Both of us!" Lucien snapped and I snickered.
"Lucy, we haven't known each other that long but you should know by now that when you tell me not to do something, I'm gonna do it anyway. And so what, it's just some weird party in a cave." I shrugged.
"It's the Great Rite, Cauldron boil me! Didn't anyone tell you what it is? I had to explain it to your sister, once is enough."
I gave him a look that told enough, "No, because you and Tamlin with your creepy secrets decided to just say 'don't go outside, because we're too cool to share our faerie secrets with you.'" I said imitating Lucien's voice.
Lucien looked at me incredulously, "I do not sound like that." I told him that wasn't the point, "Fire night signals the official start of Springâ in Prythian as well as the mortal world. Here the crops depend upon the magic we regenerate on Calanmaiâ Tonight."
Yes, I knew that, and I knew there was more so I gave Lucien a look to continue. Lucien shuddered as if shaking off an invisible touch. "The magic will seize control of Tamlins mind, his body, his soul, and turn him into the Hunter. It will fill him with his sole purpose: to find the Maiden. From their coupling, magic will be released and spread to the Earth, where it will regenerate life for the year to come."
I struggled to hold in a laugh until I couldn't do it anymore, I quieted down when I realized he wasn't done.
"Tonight, Tam won't be the faerie you know," Lucien said, "He won't even know his name. The magic will consume everything in him but that one basic commandâ and need."
"And who will be this lucky girl?" I spoke sarcastically, I was mainly asking for Feyre, don't think I haven't noticed her little crush on him.
Lucien snorted, "No one knows until it's time. After Tam hunts down the white stag and kills it for the sacrificial offering." so I did get that right! "He'll make his way to that sacred cave, where he'll find the path lined with faerie females waiting to be chosen as his mate for the night."
My body physically shook with the effort it took to keep from bursting out laughing again.
"All those female faeries around you were females for Tamlin to pick. It's an honor to be chosen, but it's his instincts that select her."
I asked purely out of curiosity, "And the other faeries? What do they do while Tamlin is completing this Rite?"
"Ah." Lucien chuckled, "Well, Tam's not the only one who gets to perform the rite tonight. Once he makes his choice, we're free to mingle. Though it's not the Great Rite, our own dalliances tonight will help the land, too."
I couldn't hold it in any longer and tipped my head back to the sky and laughed, I had to brace my hands on my knees because of how hard I was laughing, "I'm sorryâ I'm sorry." I spoke in between laughs, "So-So you're basically saying this is one giant orgy?"
"Basically." Lucien stated with amusement and I burst out laughing again, "You and your sister are so different." referring to when he ran into her earlier and most likely explained all this.
Once I had finally gained my composure again I looked at him, "You could have just said so in the first place, I would have been much more understanding and let you guys have your fun." He rolled his eyes and a smile spread on his face but he looked more serious after a second.
"Make sure Feyre stays in her room tonight and stays away from Tam until morning." He warned that sobered me up quickly.
"Why?" I questioned.
"You know Feyre and Tam's thing, right?"
"Obviously. I'm not blind."
"Feyre's scent is near the celebration, Tamlin will smell her." I already knew where this was going, "He would have claimed her. It wouldn't have been him, but the instinct is still there."
I nodded in confirmation.
"I should go and make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."
Lucien looked like he was contemplating something, "You seem oddly comfortable with all this."
I debated with myself on how much I should reveal, "Feyre and I may have grown up together but we had very different childhoods, Lucien. It would be best if you didn't forget that." was the last thing I said before I walked through the forest to Amaris and rode back to the house.
âââ · ãï¾â: *.â½ .* :âï¾. âââ
A/N: AHHHHHHH, I'm so happpppyyyy. I hope I lived up to your expectations. ð