Chapter 38: Thirty-Three

That's Dani's Dress, I don't care if you don't like it. imagine a different one if you want, this is just what I imagined.

Tamlin was called to one of the borders the next day, thank the Mother. I would have been slain by the High Lord if not. My pranks did in fact work and Tamlin may or may not have gotten bitten by a sea snake to the point where his entire arm swelled up until it was near twice the size of normal. It was extremely amusing, though I hope Timmy cools down by the time he's back.

Tamlin had stayed the night away—the first he'd actually slept away instead of returning in the dead of night— and I wondered what God had taken a liking to me. Lucy had informed us that Tamlin was alive—emphasizing the last word enough I knew Tamlin had told him to do it for the sake of my sister.

Over the course of a few short weeks, Tamlin and Feyre's tension was beginning to become unbearable, I wished they'd just kiss and get it over with. I'd rather my sister fall for a High Lord of Prythian.

I'd rather pierce my own eyes with steak knives.

I'd rather jump into a lake filled with flesh-eating fish.

I'd rather eat a bucket of soggy bread.

I'd rather take a bath in worms than suffer through one more millisecond of their tension.

It made me sick just thinking about it.

Despite my troubles, I awoke the morning after Tamlin's departure to the merry sound of fiddling. It took me a moment to process the sound and stop yelling for the fiddle to stop making my ears bleed before I got out of bed to see the cause of the ruckus—albeit begrudgingly, I walked out onto my small balcony and looked down to see the beginnings of a celebration. The garden was bedecked in streamers and ribbons. And on the hills surrounding the manor, I noticed bonfires and maypoles being raised.

Was there a celebration I didn't know about? I'd never attended any in the mortal lands, though other places were a different story. Due to the lack of belief in Gods and Goddesses in the mortal lands, there wasn't much to celebrate besides the occasional birthday, and even that was frowned upon in our village.

I found it so very interesting the first time I traveled, seeing that other worlds didn't have the restrictions we did in the mortal lands, in fact, I went out partying a lot with a group of friends I'd made in Midgard. Though, we were a tad... wild to say the least. There weren't many people to limit me there, so I indulged myself. But after a few hangovers and headaches, I decided I should probably limit myself. Midgard was by far the most party-party world, the others I'd seen wasn't as indulgent but they were just as fun.

Besides the work of course.

I walked from my balcony and into my closet trying to decide what I should wear today, though I couldn't seem to decide on anything.

Sereh came in soon after and helped before she rallied me to the vanity—I think it was her favorite place. I saw the preparations as I looked out the window again and I asked her about the mystery decorations, she simply replied, "It's the summer solstice." She smiled as she brushed my hair, "The main celebration used to be at Summer Court, but more than a few things have changed since then." her smile turned to one of nostalgia, "We have a celebration here as well, you and your sister will be in attendance."

A party? That I was allowed to go to? Have I accidentally entered an alternate universe? Was Timmy actually letting me leave the house?

I couldn't believe it was summer already. I wondered how the rest of my family was doing. Timmy had assured us that he took care of them in the Mortal Lands. If his promises were true I had no doubt Nesta and Elain would be back in the richer lifestyle—well, I had no doubt Elain would.

Nesta had always been talented at hiding her emotions, but underneath her walls, I saw her loathing for the world. I believe that was why I never truly resented my sister. She reminded me of myself. And because of that, I knew what she thought of herself. So, I could never hate her as we did ourselves. I just hoped she didn't hate me either.

I mainly stayed in my room that day, reading up on some of Prythian's prestigious books again while I made a guess that my sister was painting in her art room. Tamlin remained gone for most of the day and it wasn't until late afternoon when we were graced with the High Lord and his emissary's presence once again.

I had no desire to go down and see them, so I stayed in my room. Though judging on the almost sinisterly amused look on Sereh's face as she entered my room not even a few minutes later that I almost wished I hadn't.

Sereh held something behind her back and she grinned at me as she spoke, "It's Summer Solstice." She stated.

"So you've told me." I smiled sheepishly backing up a step or two in the other direction.

"You've been requested at the celebration, so I've gotten you a dress."

My eyes widened. As I said, I didn't mind dresses really, I just minded the pastel flower-crowny dresses that were loved so dearly in Spring Court. They were too frilly and covering for my taste. If I was going to wear a dress, I'd better look like a damn goddess.

"I'm ok, thank you."

Sereh rolled her eyes, "Before you tell me no, I know you don't like the traditional Spring Court attire, so I've brought you something a little more...you." She laughed a bit, "I couldn't go too dark—this is the Court of Spring after all, but I do believe you'll stand out in a crowd."

Just how I liked it.

I furrowed my brow at my friend taking a few steps towards her instead of away. Sereh pulled the dress from behind her back. The dress was...beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. It was quite revealing, but I wasn't one for modesty anyway.

I stepped closer holding out my hands to run them along with the fabric and inspect the dress. The neck was a specially low cut v-neck, The skirt had two slits revealing both my legs yet still covering most of my lower body. The straps were thin and the waist was sinched so it would practically stick to my figure.

It was very me.

The only problem was that it would do nothing to hide the various scars that littered my body. The only people here who had seen them were Sereh and Feyre. The small dosage of Zilaine I'd had stuffed in my pocket had worn out a few weeks ago, and my scars and tattoo were on full display now. I did as much as I could to cover them in the presence of the High Fae I now live with, though I knew my attempts wouldn't last long. I guess tonight would be that night.

I never really cared about my scars, it's not like I was ashamed of them. They were signs of my triumphs and stories. And my losses. But not everyone agreed. I learned very quickly that many people saw scars as a sign of weakness. People assumed that because my skin was marked, it was because I was incapable of fighting my own battles because if I had one I would have come out unscathed, right? But they didn't know that there wasn't one scar on my body that I'd earned, and that I'd conquered.

And what better time than now to show them?

I looked over to Sereh and gave her a smile as I nodded, "Thank you."

Sereh snorted, "Don't thank me yet, we've still got to get you ready." She herded me over to my vanity and sat me down as she began her work.

Sereh applied some light makeup on my face and did my hair into two braids that swept to the back of my head and combined, creating a half up half down hairstyle. And I dare say I looked quite good.

Sereh was applying Kohl to my eyes as I asked her, "So what exactly does summer solstice entail?"

Sereh hummed, "It's really just a giant celebration, we all dance. There's music and wine, all the things for a good party."

I nodded, It had been a while since I'd indulged myself, maybe I'd let loose a bit at this party. Though, even as I entertained the idea the thought seemed rather foolish.

I had been herded out the door of my bedroom. Finally, I'd get to show off this dress. I had been dressing so drab Spring Court trying to think about threats and danger, all that, maybe it's about time I showed off my assets.

Sereh had left me on my way to my sister, Lucy, and the misogynist to get ready for the celebration as well. I had rounded the corner to the dining room where Sereh had said I was to meet them. I entered the room, and looked around for them, I spotted them at the far corner of the room, already looking at me.

They were all staring, I wondered why.

"See something you like?" I questioned the Fae males as I walked over to them.

The two cleared their throats and Lucien spoke first, "Cauldron boil me," He spared me a feline smile, "you clean up well."

I looked him up and down and shrugged.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Tamlin looking at my dress before he spoke, "Don't you think the dress looks a tad too... revealing?"

I smiled innocently at the High Lord, "Does it look like I care?" I paused for a second before asking, "You're in charge of this whole thing right?"

Tamlin nodded, "yes."

I smiled sinisterly at the High Lord, "Then where is the wine?"

Tamlin looked out at the celebration and pointed towards a small stand a few yards away before turning back to me, "Wonderful." I took a step trying to walk past the faeries and my sister and towards the celebration that seemed to call me.

But Lucien's voice rang out again, "they only have faerie wine."

I turned back towards them, "Marvellous. Do they have the one from Dawn Court? They make it best there."

The two males made extremely confused faces but I only waited for an answer. Tamlin recovered first, "No. only Spring Court."

I rolled my eyes at the small inconvenience. I suppose that would be

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A/N: Sorry this took a while, I've been binging the Devils Night Series by Penelope Douglas, and couldn't focus and write until I finished KillSwitch. Btw if you've read it, you have great taste.

i'm also simping for Damon Torrance right now, and I'm considering writing a fanfic abt him.