𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 - 𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙧.

༄ؘ 𝘰𝘯𝘦.

"a certain darkness is needed to see the stars."

    The sound of the crackling fire filled the silent room as I stared at the boiling kettle of tea. An untouched plate of veal sat beside me, the knife and fork burnt to cinders. Lizzie sat to my left, a steaming cup of jasmine liquid clutched between her pale hands. News had arrived only an hour ago, and my very blood still boiled at the thought of it. My skin crept with the thought of those disgusting hands touching me, touching Lizzie.

    "My lord," Lizzie deadpanned, my pale dress pooling at my feet as the two of us bowed into a curtsy. Eris, draped over his newly-claimed throne, merely threw a 'dashing' smirk at us, and gestured to a mass of shadows in the left-hand corner of the room

    "Rei, come," the raw command in his voice sent shivers down my spine.

    A dark-skinned male emerged from the shadows, and my blood ran cold as ice as I took in the batted wings he bore. 

    Illyrian. He had to be.

    But why would an Illyrian come here, much less be summoned to us nobles?  But every thought stopped eddying from my head as I heard three words:

    "Pack your bags. You're being sold to the Night court."

    I ground my teeth, the scent of Liz's salty tears lingering in my senses. I couldn't remember what happened after that. I didn't want to remember. I could still hear Liz's echoing screams, and still saw red at the thought of Eris. I gripped the teacup I held in my hand, invisible claws of starlit-fire threatening to obliterate the delicate porcelain. Suitcases of various sizes were already full and scattered around the entrance hall of our shared manor. 

    "Do you think.. do you think we'll be there forever?" Lizzie blurted, her voice quavering. I'd never heard her sound so.. meek.

    All I could do was nod. Nod, to keep those harsh, rageful words from pouring out of my mouth. Had I not have been in such a sullen state of mind, I may have found Liz's viper-tongue amongst the Night Court to be amusing. 

    But some part of me wondered. Maybe.. maybe facing Lord Rhysands' inner-circle is better than staying in this empty hell-hole. But I had heard the stories. Stories of the clawed, dark prince and his queen. fear ebbed through me and I get again dragged my gaze to the female beside me. Her green eyes looked as empty as I felt. 

    A writhe's sweet voice called out to the two of us, the supple form of fire appearing in our doorway. "My ladies, we have prepared your vanities."

    I could never get used to that voice; it seemed like three people, entwined in one, their voices an eerie melody. I had always wondered what their story was. I opened my mouth to speak, but Liz's cold voice rang out instead. "We shall come in our own time."

    "It is not your choice, my Lady," the writhe barked, flames flashing brighter. "If we must, we'll winnow the vanities and dresses to this very room."

    I sucked in a breath, pulling all my effort to gracefully rise to my feet. I merely held a slender hand out to Lizzie, a silent offer. 

    Together. We could endure it, together. My breath caught in my throat as she rose, taking my hand. I could feel the fear drenching her scent, as much as it was mine. 

    But as we strode through the doors to our vanity room, I beheld the ebony dresses, the linen and jewels. I blinked, a sight even I wasn't accustomed to. My friend kept her composure cool, but I knew her. I could tell she was in a state of awe, as well. How many times had me and Lizzie frilled around in the silly dresses of this very closet? And yet, these dresses were so very different from the ones we formerly beheld. "I can't wear that," I blurted, advertising my eyes from the void-like strip of fabric.

    The fire writhe; Annithe, pointed a slender, lit finger at me. "It's not your choice, girl. Lord Rhysand sent these from his very own trove."

    I felt Liz stiffen next to me. "Why.. why would the Lord of Night send dresses for two lowly nobles?"

    Annithe's feral smile grew. "m'lord did not tell you, I suspect."

    "Tell us what?" The former hissed through clenched teeth. 

    "That you have the honor of being sold to Rhysand's very own inner circle."

    The world around me stilled as the words sank in. Rhysand's inner circle. His inner, fucking circle. Annithe must've scented my shock, because she let out that siren's laugh, and added, "your mothers' couldn't care less, either. You were sold for five-thousand gold marks." No wonder my mother didn't protest; she could gamble to her heart's content with that kind of cash. And Liz...

    My eyes settled on her own expression; the sickly fear and sorrow etched into those deep eyes. I squeezed her hand once. Twice. Then let go, breezing to the two dresses; one void black, and another starlight white, both with beautiful embroidery of matching lace and diamonds. The material was heavy, smooth, and soft as velvet.

    I gently took the black material from the rack, hands quavering, and presented it to Lizzie with a faux, sweet smile. "This would look lovely on you," I murmured, laying it upon her duvet. Another silent promise of help, and healing.

    I stepped towards the white pair, drawing it towards my chest, examining the beautiful stitchwork. My dark eyes met Liz's as she said, her voice unwavering, "let's rain hell upon the Night Court."

༄ؘ

    We emerged only moments later. I could feel the material clinging to every curve, before falling to a lovely, long, pool of material at my feet, A train of white and crystal followed behind me. I turned to gaze at Lizzie.

    She looked like death incarnate.

    Her upswept hair defined that defined jaw, the sweep of liquid kohl enhancing her emerald eyes. And her lips...

    Her lips were painted a dark, blood red. She smiled at me, showing off her pretty, white teeth. But she paused, jerking her chin to the mirror as if to say look. Look at yourself.

    And so I did. I turned on my heeled feet and looked. 

    Standing next to Lizzie, we looked like twins of Life and Death.

    Where my friend was cold, beautiful fear, I was soft, shining grace, like a rosebud. My own lips had been tinted with a coral-red dye, my own honey eyes lightly swept with that same kohl, rosy cheeks right under them. My hair fell in long waves, stopping mid-back, with my bangs gaming my decorated face. I looked... almost innocent. Sweet.

    My mouth went dry as I took us in. Liz echoed my earlier thoughts. "Life and Death; twins from the same kin, yet wholly different."

    Together, we were confident. As sturdy and brave as a wall of steel. I offered her a small smile, holding out a painted hand. "Shall we?"

   She nodded her head, careful of the braided cornet, and shot a feral grin to Annithe. "Don't wait up; we'll be a while."