A World Away

17. Meeting Rhysand....Formally

"So this occurrence, is it possible that it will happen again?" Rhysand asked after Amren finished explaining how the two humans had ended up in Velaris of all places. Amren shook her head, "it happens but it's a very rare occurrence. One that probably won't happen for a long, long time." Rhys nodded, sinking in the information. For him, this was another blow of how many years he had remained away from his family, in Amarantha' service.

"How are they?" He asked after a pregnant pause as everyone observed his reactions. "They are good people." Az replied, his shadows confirming what they all knew- Rhys felt angry at himself, at Hybern, at the years gone by. "Eve and Mike are best friends, as close as we all are. You will get to know them soon enough, Rhys," Mor said.

Rhys nodded, "I choked her." "What!" "Is she ok?" The outburst happened. Rhys nodded, "Az finally stopped me... I became a bit paranoid," he hung his head in guilt and shame. "We understand," Mor said softly. "Will she?" Even if Rhys didn't know Eve, she was an innocent human he had hurt. "She will," Az confirmed, others nodded.

"Get some rest Rhys," Cassian told him softly, noticing the tiredness in his brother's eyes. Rhys nodded and left, parting for the night. The others soon followed.

******

"Today sucks," Eve grumbled as she sat on the dining table. "It's barely started," Mike rolled his eyes. "And yet, here I am, eating this disgustingly sweet chocolate pancake with you in a Fae city, far away from the comfort of internet after being awakened by the sun's mean rays. And as if all this wasn't enough, I have to be alive and be expected to live today," Eve rambled. She hadn't gotten much sleep last night and everything seemed dissatisfactory at the moment.

"Today will be great! I promise you," Mike said, before stuffing his mouth with cereals. "Mike, I love you but, please shove your optimism up your ass, let me remain in my depths of misery," Eve pleaded.

"That is an unusual request," Cass said, leaning against the doorway. Eve groaned. Yay, more people to deal with. "How long have you been eavesdropping?" Eve asked. "Long enough." Az, Mor, Amren and Rhysand came into view- the latter looking a bit guilty.

"Hello, I am Rhysand." His eyes twinkled violet, Eve noticed with interest. "We know," Mike drawled and Eve let out a huff. "I am sorry for how we met yesterday," Rhys said, unfazed. "Eh, it's alright," Eve brushed him off. She had reached her optimism levels and needed some calm- which meant some alone time. She rose only to be stopped by Rhys saying, "how about I make it up to you?"

"No need for that," Eve smiled politely. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have to take a bath," she said and hurried off. "Which translates to stay the fuck away from me," Mike mused, sipping his tea. "How do you know?" Rhys asked, blinking. It was not everyday people brushed off the High Lord of the Night Court.

"Oh, other than the fact that she already took her bath? I know her best," Mike said, not noticing how Az stiffened a bit on hearing that.

Rhys pried a bit into Mike's mind. It was unethical and went against him but no matter what the Inner Circle said, he had to make sure. He will not lose his home again.

Eve had shelves in her mind dedicated to keeping her emotions in check. Her self-loathing was kept on the furthest shelf- though that had decreased now, her anger towards the world in general was prominent though. She remained sarcastic and funny and uncaring. And yes, she was like that naturally but she was also sad- something she never showed anyone. Vulnerability was a stranger she did not wish to be acquainted with. It wasn't she had faked the past year- no one could be that great at acting- but for her, every upside had always been followed by some downside. It was the way of life. She loved Velaris and its people but she still missed home; desperately. He did too; in this world, he felt like an ant among elephants. He would probably go after her in the evening or so.

Rhys reined it. It was enough- they meant no harm. "She does forgive me then?"

"She understands," Mike replied and Rhys nodded.

Breakfast and lunch was thus spent without Eve. Rhys found out he did not mind Mike and in fact, liked the fellow. He had faith and was caring- it didn't suck that he was damn talented either. Their world seemed fascinating too.

******

Az was all but ready to go find Eve when it felt like she was not going to arrive for dinner either. As he opened his mouth to excuse himself, Eve strode in. "Sorry, got held up," she muttered and sat beside Mike, not even sparing Az a glance much to his irritation. He wanted to talk with her, he wanted to kiss her again but mostly, he just wanted to be with her.

"It's alright." Rhys said and the conversation came to an awkward standstill. No one knew what to say and Eve was perfectly content to leave it that way but Cass had to butt in.

"How was your sleep Eve?" Cass asked, pointedly looking at Eve's rumpled clothes and hair. "Who said it's from sleeping?" Eve asked innocently. Cass chuckled while Az' let his shadows encase him further.

"Ok, traumatize me later, I am eating right now," Mike said making Eve grin wickedly. "Ok, you get an hour's pass," she said. Mike gave her a semi-mock bow and went back to his food.

"I am again- sorry for choking you, I-" Rhys said. "For God's sake, how many times will you apologize when I told you, it's water under the bridge!" Eve exclaimed. Rhys smiled apologetically before going asking, "so, how are you finding this new realm?"

"It's... cleaner." Eve said, the first thing popping into her head.

After that, the conversation soon started again and by the end of it, Rhys came to the conclusion that he indeed liked the pair. Especially after Amren had a chat with him that afternoon and told him how they had helped the past year or so in making the Inner Circle's life better. The prank wars seemed fun... maybe this year he would pitch in too. 

Happy reading :)

XOXO,

the amazing author whose vacations started today (yayyy)