A Court of Shift and shadow

LVII

Kaites POV: 

I could see how my brother talked to guest after guest. He knew what he was doing in inviting them all here, removing tensions between all the courts, building up something new. A world of peace, was that in our grasp? Even if Hybern had done a terrible thing, this might lead to peace. No crisis, no feuds between the courts, no more things to panic over. I leaned my head against Galads shoulder, the cold and hard stone landed on my chin.

"Tired?" He asked. "Is it too much?"

"No, just taking in the moment." His arms moved to hold me closer.

"If things had been different the first night, what do you think would have happened?" He then asked.

"Why do you ask that?" I said back, looking up at him.

"If you didn't come with me, what do you think would have happened?" He moved me back to the dance floor. "If we just speculate."

"I would have been locked up, forced to go to the meeting in my Sparrows form. I would never have learned to use my magic, Rhys Mor..." I started. "Nothing that has been good would have happened."

"That is true." Galad spun me around. "I would be High Lord now, and if the King of Hybern did the same, then Caspan would have come forth as the true Heir and High Lord of Spring. The War might not have been the same, but this Ball might have happened, letting me see you again."

"It almost sounds romantic." I said back. "But I would not be the same. Years Looked up... No scars..." I would probably still be sick, no confidence. No training, the Katie you would have seen would be a husk... If I even would be alive. It sounded so romantik, but those last days, that moment in my room, wishing to leave this world.

"I guess so..." Do you believe that you would have died if you stayed? His eyes became serious.

I would have been married, handed over to Bur, or Revorte. Forced to bear children... I moved my hand to his cheek. I would not have a life that I would want to live. Not like the one I have with you. He kissed my head.

Then it was a good thing that I asked you to come with me then. He took my hand in his.

"Am I interrupting something?" My mother came up to us. Her eyes and smile, a little too offsetting.

"Kind of." Galad said.

"Well, we have some Lord that is interested in seeing the two of you." she pointed to the other end of the dance floor. "You need to go."

What is it? I asked Galad.

Guests that are not invited. Galad said back. "We will." He took my hand and we started to walk over.

Who? I asked, looking at him. Holding my eyes and face in a soft smile.

I don't know... Feyre and Rhys joined us, the same too soft smile on their faces.

"Your brother knows how to hold events." Feyre said to me.

"He does, we all need our talents." I said back. Soon after all their voices were in my head.

Azriel and Vesa are on their way, Caspan is informing the others. Rhys said.

Are we all sure that it is him? Feyre said back. Galds hand squeezed mine.

Yes. Rhys said. Azriel and Vesa have left Velaris. I took a deep breath, and we came up towards the male. Lord Teran stood there in front of me. He had glamured his face, but it was him. His eyes, his crooked grin. The stones on Galads shoulders started to change colours, from the mat black, to the purple darkness.