A COURT OF PAIN AND SORROW (ACOTAR FANFIC)

A High Lady

Verna Tansmia had only been to the Capital of the Spring Court—Called Wstava, after the House Westa when they ruled before the Tansmia's came into power—once in her long life. And that was when the female sitting opposite her was crowned the official High Priestess of the Spring Court. Due to rules around Crowings and the spells around Wstava, they could not simply winndow to the capital. They had to take a carriage. Which meant eight hours stick in a small moving box with Julian, Circe, Lucian, Nicole and Nyx.
Nicole had come after she said she wished to see more of the Spring Court. It seemed Verna was right and that the female did love to travel. She had pointed out more things about Verna's own court that she had never seen before. The way the river runs threw the rocks and the way the willow tree danced in the wind. Thankful the dragon did not also fit into the carriage and had to go with the Artemis family.

"Look," the Lord of Scalswind had said pointing to the willow. "Is it not just beautiful."

"It is." Julian had replied. "H-how is your grandmother and mother?"

"Why would you want to know?" Nicole had replied with an raised red eyebrow.

"Because I knew them. Katarina was only a girl of five but still, and Margarita won battles in that war long ago by my side. You look so much like Katarina," he had told Nicole and then his eyes turned to Circe. "And you, Margarita. Though I suppose it's a shame you keep your hood down now." To cover up the scars that Verna's father had left there. While Verna might always mourn her father, she would never forgive him for that. Nor trying to kill her mate. "I also know why you find everything here beautiful."

Nicole placed her hand under her chin, her head turning to the side. Verna had seen animals back in the woods do the same movement when they looked at their prey.

"Because we are daughters of the Willow. We have Spring Court blood in our veins threw our great-grandmother, Lottie." Nicole responded. "It was a shame Freya did not fit. She would have loved to see this much of her homeland. Yet again she does not see it as such."

"I'm thankful." Said Circe. "I remember trips we used to do with Papa. She would always talk or read her book with her legs all over us."

Nicole laughed, "indeed. And Mama hitting them off."

Verna could only laughed to Nicole's answer. She had smiled. And now thankfully, the Lord of the mortal town was asleep. Resting her red haired on Lucian's shoulder. Even in his sleep the male looked scared on having her head there. Nyx opened the curtain, allowing the dark air to kiss both their cheeks. Verna only saw the candle burning in the candle holder above the door and the small lights of houses as they passed by the riverbed. Soon they would be passing Sage's home. The sound of the wind hitting the flags made Verna jump every time. On the flag was the Tansmia royal seal. The cherry blossom tree. Behind her carriage, was the Artemix royal carriage. Which, Verna knew, had the High Lord and Lady along the heiress, alongside the dragon. Their own royal family flag blew in the wind. Behind that was Helions and Tarquins. Four royal carriages, ran throughout the Spring Court countryside. Sometimes, Verna heard people stop and look at them. If they knew who was really in the carriage she did not know. They passed Sage's house. Outside, the witch was looking after her garden, she rose her dark hair and smiled as the carriage went past. She then bowed. She had only bowed her head to Tamlin, but now, she was bowing her whole body.

***

"I'm going to be sick!" The dragon yelled in the carriage for the Artemis royal family. Lilith jumped up before she hit her head of the roof. "I feel like I'm going to die!"

"I forgot how dramatic you are." Rhysand said with a small smirk.

"I get it from you." Freya said. Rhysand blinked before lowering his head down. The dragon laid down, raising a hand to the roof of the carriage. "I see a bright light."