A Court of Fire and Starlight (ACOTAR Fan Fiction)

Aftermath

ASTRA

Astra hadn't intended for her hand to be painfully crushed when she reached out to place it within Eris's larger hand. Tense – he was so incredibly tense, waiting to launch himself at anyone that dared to pick their weapon back up.

His smile was deceiving. Though it was broad, showing off his dazzling teeth, it was sharp like that of a predator finishing a filling meal. Lord Thurantharaxus's death evidently pleased him on a primal level.

Astra wasn't sure a hammer to the head was the best way to end his life, but it wasn't her he had wronged – wasn't her kin or friends he had ruthlessly thrown from the bridge.

Several species of lesser faeries were rallying around Struq, cheering for the satyr that had solidified himself as a leader amongst them. Blood coated his curled horns and bits of flesh stuck to his straggly brown hair, making Astra assume he had rammed several foes with his skull.

She wasn't entirely sure if Eris were capable of speaking at the moment, but his attention fell on her after she let out a low hiss of pain when her knuckles could no longer withstand his tight grip. Her watering eyes brought him out of whatever daze he'd been in, and he immediately loosened his hold to apologetically bring her hand to his lips. "Forgive me," he murmured into her skin as he kissed each knuckle.

The feel of his warm lips on her skin was pleasant, but she pulled her hand away and rolled her eyes. "There are many others around us that are clamoring for your forgiveness."

His smile turned impossibly colder than it already had been as the edge crept back into his muscles and voice. "They will not get it."

"Eris, don't be cruel. They stopped their assault on you and let their weapons clatter to the ground."

Little fires ignited in his eyes. "And?"

Astra sighed and gave him a matching, forced smile of her own. "Showing mercy can induce loyalty."

"Their weapons were aimed equally at you." His lips thinned and he must have had something more to say on her presence, but Kane moved closer and stuck his face between them. "Watching you two bicker is amusing, but they are waiting for you to announce what's to be done now Eris."

When Eris's narrowed eyes slid to Kane, who was close enough to share both their breaths, Astra thought she was going to have to step in to save his life. On edge didn't even begin to describe Eris's demeanor. "Step back, brother," he gritted out through his sharp smile.

Kane didn't balk or cower away, merely raised one bushy brow at the deadly tone. "Relax and compose yourself or the next thing I'm doing is swinging my axe between the two of you."

Astra took the liberty of stepping back herself until she was bumping into Rikoh. Eris took a steadying breath and rolled his shoulders back before spinning around. Astra tried not to stare at the lean muscles of his legs as he took long strides that thundered, footsteps cracking the first layer of bricks beneath his boots. The night air heated once more as his flames turned back to a brilliant blue and white hue.

"I am honored to have received aid tonight from not only my family, but from you all," Eris said with a booming voice to Struq and the other gathered faeries. "Some of you may have known my father and you all lived under his rule, so I want to assure you that I am not him. I see beyond the siloed species and will enforce the new laws that are just the first step toward equality."

People's mouths fell open as he spoke and they gazed upon him like he was their savior, rather than the other way around. His tone was charismatic, crafted over the centuries he spent as a courtier. Astra found herself impressed along with everyone else by his royal poise that appeared welcoming. He was a master at conforming himself to the situation and donning whatever mask was required of him.