A Court of Fire and Starlight (ACOTAR Fan Fiction)

An Earful

ASTRA

Making Tarquin see reason had been easy compared to making Eris see the error of his ways.

The High Lord of Autumn glared at her with his arms crossed while he sat in a sunken tub big enough for several people to fit comfortably. It was so large, she considered it to be a small pool.

He'd been adamant that she at least let him wash the salt coating his skin away before she scolded him though he'd actually looked nearly impeccable since he could dry himself at will. Astra had disregarded his request and growled obscenities at him as he led her through hallways to a bathing chamber she hadn't been in before.

The gaudy, antiquated décor wasn't Eris's style, which led Astra to believe they were in Beron's old suite. Eris had never moved into the quarters designated for the High Lord and Astra hadn't asked about it, though they were much more spacious and ornate than his own.

Beron might have been horrible, but his marble bathing pool that heated with magic was luxurious. A cabinet filled with scented bubbles was placed against a wall, though none of them looked used. Maybe Autumn Court males were too uptight for bubbles.

A large hearth warmed the room and cast an orange glow across the dark marble flooring streaked with flecks of gold. The walls were covered in vines with blooming, crimson flowers.

Unable to resist the curling steam rising from the water that smelled of tangy cider, Astra stripped out of the dress she had borrowed from her mother's closet. Though it was too large, Eris couldn't keep his eyes off her. His gaze briefly caught on the fresh scar between her breasts but didn't linger for long.

Flames danced in his eyes from where he watched from the far corner of the pool as it slid down her body. Astra clamped down on her arousal as she slowly walked down the steps that led into the heated water. Nothing more than a weapon to be used against you, she tried to repeat to herself, seeing that Eris truly was using his sexual appeal to prematurely end their terse conversation.

Settling into a built-in bench in the opposite corner with water up to her shoulders, Astra crossed her arms, mimicking Eris.

Not for the first time, she snapped, "You should have left Varian alone. Tarquin was within his right to execute you or turn you into an ocean bottom feeder for the next century."

Eris tipped his head back and closed his eyes before replying. "I am aware that my actions were unwise, but that little snake purposefully provoked me."

Astra clicked in her tongue in disapproval at his name-calling. Amren would eat him alive if she heard him. "That little snake is second in command to my parents and should not be crossed if you wish to continue breathing."

"I want her dead."

"Not an option. Besides, Amren seemed rather impressed you actually stormed the palace in Adriata to brawl with Varian. There was a wicked gleam of approval in her eyes when she told me of it."

One of Eris's eyes popped open, and his brow rose while he straightened his neck to look at her again. "Are you impressed?"

"Do I look fucking impressed?" Astra snapped, venom dripping from her overly enunciated words.

"I suppose not," Eris grumbled as he reached for a bar of soap that smelled of honey and pine. "You do, however, look rather lonely by yourself over there."

It was an effort not to snarl, but Astra maintained her cool demeanor as she smoothly said, "Not interested."

"Hmmm," Eris hummed. "Your tantalizing scent implies otherwise."