A Court of Surprises and Twists

Chapter 7

Everyone got up and began moving while I sat there, unsure of what I was going to do. I didn't know how to fight; I couldn't help them in this war.

"Fleur, go back to my apartment, start translating the book, it will give you something to do," Amren told me gently, seeing that I was in shock.

"I- I don't," I stammered.

She took my hand and winnowed me to her home before leaving me again.

I saw the book sat at Amren's dining table, an unopened note pad nearby. I opened the note pad and got a pen, starting with page one.

As I wrote I worried for my friends, were they my friends, yes, we were definitely friends.

Would they all make it out of there? If they didn't, what would I do then?

I dove into the work, not paying attention to the time as I wrote out page after page.

It got to the point where I had exhausted myself, I fell asleep on the table, pen still in hand.

"Ava, we need to move you to the sofa," Amren told me gently.

I let her lead me to her sofa and lay me down, covering me with a blanket before I fell asleep once more.

-Amren's POV-

I was the only one of the Inner Circle still in the city, the others all in Summer. I knew they were all strong, but I considered them all children to me, in one way or another.

To take my mind off their well-being I began looking through the notes Ava had made.

She translated almost twenty pages word for word while I had strengthened the wards around the city. She definitely deserved the nap she was currently taking.

In the day I have known her she has stolen my heart, not that she will ever know that, but she achieved it nevertheless. I would give my life to protect her now.

'We are all safe, Hybern's army is gone,' Rhys said into my mind.

'All is well here as well, Ava is asleep on my sofa after she translated nearly half the book in her worry, I'm checking over her work now. Can I tell her you are all ok when she wakes?' I replied straight away.

'Yes, there is no point in her worrying about us for no reason. We will be home tomorrow, Cassian has a limp but other than that all of us are fine,' he told me.

'Don't do anything stupid Rhysand,' I warned, and I could have sworn I heard him laugh before he retreated from my mind.

-Ava's POV-

Someone was shaking my shoulder.

"Ava," they said.

I opened my eyes and met Amren's silver ones.

"What time is it?" I asked with a yawn as I sat up.

"The next morning, you slept through the night, the others are back now but we left you to sleep," she told me, sitting next to me.

"Are they all, ok?" I asked, biting my lip.

"They are, Cassian has gone to Illyria, but the others are in the townhouse," she told me, offering me a tight smile.

"Can you take me there, I don't know the way back," I asked, blushing.

She took my hand and winnowed us outside the townhouse before she winnowed away again.

I knocked on the door and Rhys opened it.

I pulled him into a hug, obviously surprising him but he hugged me back.

"I'm so glad you're all safe," I whispered.

"The others are in the sitting room, probably drinking," he said, letting me go.

I followed him inside and pulled them all into hugs, Az last. I sat next to him, keeping one of his hands in mine, tracing his scars.

"We are moving the meeting forwards," Rhys declared, my eyes snapped to him.

"I know that means less time for you to prepare Ava, so I won't ask you to go if you do not think you are ready." He told me.

"I just need to talk Arabic and listen to what people say around me, how hard can that be?" I asked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"I'm taking you dress shopping," Mor declared.

"Really?" I asked, frowning.

"Of course, it will take your mind off it as well," she said, smiling.

"I'm coming too," Feyre declared.

"Girls trip," Mor said, grinning.

She took me to her favourite dress shop and began pulling out sapphire dresses. Apparently, she wanted it to compliment my vibrant blue eyes, that did admittedly look like sapphires.

After trying on a lot of options I settled on a simple chiffon gown, it had a lace top with a plain skirt, it wasn't too flashy but still formal enough for a meeting like this.