A Court of Fire and Sun

chapter three

Helion

This female would be the death of me. I wasn't sure how long she cried for. I honestly felt bad for her. Whatever it was she had been through, she hadn't cared to share and I wasn't going to pressure her. I knew it was bad so I left her alone. Even from room on the other side of the castle I could hear her sobbing.

Early into the morning it ended and I finally found sleep; only to dream of her mother.

"You have to help her." It was Esmarilda. She was standing before me in a flowing orange dress that brought out the flames in her eyes. It was the last dress I had ever seen her in alive. They were high fae born into the Autumn Court. "My sister has let her down and she has no where else to go. Please don't abandon her."

"Esmarilda, I would never do that. For you." I offered flatly.

"For my sister," she encouraged.

"Es-" she interrupted me after I started.

"You know what she is? You felt it?" Her voice cool as steel in winter. She had always been so level headed.

I shook my head. Denial. Having a mate was rare. I wasn't one of those people. I enjoyed being someone who slept around. It was fun. "No."

"Do not be dense. I seen it. She took some of your light the moment you grabbed her arm to winnow her into your home."

"What do I do?" Now I was pleading. I had no idea what any of it meant, how to even be bonded to another.

"Let her stay. Take care of her. She's a strong fae who doesn't need another person she thinks. Everyone gets lonely, even you, Helion. The time with my sister is over. Accept the bond."

I snickered, "Esm-"

"Helion." Her tone sounded quick now. "That's why you cared for us so much. We share the same blood. Your mates blood. Accept her."

I woke up with a startle, there was a small, soft knock at my door. I knew it wasn't one of the servants. All of them just bursted in and yelled. It had to be Esther. I wrapped my sheet around myself. "Come in."

Esther pushed through the door and my heart rate sped up. Had I really seen Esmarilda in my dreams? Or was it just that, a dream? She was wearing a black slacks and a soft gold blouse that hugged her chest and had a deep cut 'V' that showed off her cleavage. I felt a flicker of heat surge through my body and I was thankful I had threw the blanket over me. "Uhm, good morning. I wanted to ask if it was okay if I uh- took a couple books from your reading room." The room I forgot to show her yesterday but she managed to find it. "Taryn showed me when I asked if there was any reading material." She must have read the confusion on my face.

"Oh. Yes that's fine. You can take whatever you want to read." I stifled and a yawn and stretched. The sheet fell down and Esther stared at my bare chest and abdomen, her cheeks turned red and I couldn't help but grin. She turned her head quickly and reached for the handle.

"Taryn said to also let you know breakfast is ready." She stopped, still facing the door.

"Will you be joining me?"

The door opened, "I've already ate." Then she was gone.

The room felt more empty than it ever had. As if her presence took a lot more than just herself when leaving. I sighed, rolling back over. It was time to get the day started, I needed to get up. We had to look for an apartment. I thought about just offering her to stay here but I honestly didn't know if I could do that. Even if she was my mate, neither of us accepted the bond yet. And who's to say she even would? Maybe separating now would do us good. She would be safe here, even if she lived in the village. So I would make good on my word to Esmarilda. If that even was Esmarilda.

Breakfast was the usual. A variety of pastries, breads, some breakfast meats and a few different roasted vegetables. After I ate alone, I was shuffling through some documents from the village. I noticed a dark black shadow enter the study and I glanced up. "Azriel."

"Helion," he nodded, the shadows slithering behind him.

"To what pleasure?"

"Rhysand needs your help with some things. In Velaris."

I didn't waste any time. I was in my room and changed within minutes. After I made it to the library room and seen Esther perched by the window with a book in hand. "Are we leaving already?" Her expression dropped quickly. "Azriel.." she seen him behind me.

"Esther," Azriel's tone sounded confused but I waved my hand.

"Our trip to the village will have to wait until I return. Until then make yourself at home. If you need anything just ask Taryn. She knows I'm leaving."

Esther nodded, and pushed her red hair out of her face and behind her. "Goodbye?"

I only nodded and left the room.

With Azriel being a shadow singer he seen himself to Velaris and I winnowed in. After my first time coming Rhys had allowed me the jurisdiction to do so here. The moment we were at the river house Azriel grinned, "Harboring a fugitive? Is that your style, Helion?"

I rolled my eyes and Rhys whipped his head to us as we walked into the large dining room. "What?"

"Esther is at the Day Court." Azriel shrugged.

"I had no idea Esmarilda had her. No one told me."

"We didn't know until recently. And now she's on the run."

"She's fine. I'm keeping her."

"Keeping her? Is she some sort of pet?" It was Cassian that spoke now. "Or is she your pet?" He was grinning now.

I rolled my eyes. "It isn't like that."

"No, it isn't." Rhys tilted his head. I knew that he knew. The damn mental shield. I came in with it so far down he had seen everything. "You seen Esmarilda?"

"It was a dream." I took a seat in a chair at the long table. The three joined me. Drinks appeared from thin air and I took a glass of the wine. "Best part of this place," I raised the glass.

"No. She visited you. By the cauldron... Esther is your mate."

Azriel and Cassian both spit their wine and their eyes grew ten times in size. "Oh shit." Cassian blurted.