A Court Of Storms And Death

chapter 5

Aurora.

Such a stunning, murderous little creature.

She looked like a princess stepping out of a fairytale, only after brutally murdering everyone in it.

Even covered in blood and grime, her hair, which I originally thought was white, but was a refined shade of silver, glinted like an Illyrian blade against the rays of the sun glaring through the windows of the river house.

Her eyes were what startled me when she kicked my ass and paralysed me in place though. It wasn't the icy blue of my mother's or even Aunt Nesta's.

It was like tendrils of turquoise lightening around a ring of flaring gold, like a young god shaping their wrath, and imbuing it into her eyes.

I don't think even a thousand years would be enough to paint it right.

Though a nonchalant smirk played on her lips, her remarkable eyes constantly scanned for any signs of danger, as we walked to where my parents and the rest of the Circle were waiting.

I had already filled them in on the bare details, and everyone had deemed her dangerous and unpredictable.

After all, she slaughtered a dozen naga and even if that asshole had it coming, choked the air from a highly trained lord without a thought. So my little sister and a heavily pregnant Aunt Elain were asked to stay out of sight until we figured if she was a threat or not.

I tried to ask her something but she was determined to ignore me.

I studied her, the way she walked and carried herself, the tilt of her lips and her proud stance.

I had never seen someone so beautiful.

Everyone always told me I had a way with words, and I know I did too. But looking at those remarkable eyes, I certainly didn't feel like that now.

Her mental shields were still up. I knocked on it lightly, trying not to wince. Her shields weren't like adamant or a fortress. It didn't even look like a shield.

It was a living thing. Like a raging storm that burns and freezes and drowns, lashing at anything that came through its path.

She turned toward me with wide eyes and bit her lip, hesitating. My traitorous eyes -damn me- followed the movement. She had a tiny little scar near the bow of her lips.

After a moment of silence, she let me in.

Is there something you wanted?

A cool, commanding voice. This girl could snap my neck without a second thought. The thought shouldn't have thrilled me as much as it did.

You know princess, you still haven't thanked me for saving you earlier. I mean it's the least you could do after stealing my hand in marriage and not even having the courtesy to romance me.

She cringed and halted where we stood. "I..."

I was hoping you forgot about that little tidbit.

I grinned. You know there are other ways to get my attention, 'wife.'

Yeah well, it was either scandalizing your name or getting groped. She shrugged. I apologize for any inconvenience it caused.