A Storm of Flames and Deceit

16. Kid in Love

Eris

Nephele finally comes skipping down the stairs with Cressida on her arm. Damn the heat for bringing her to wear such a short gown, even shorter than the nightgown she dawned last night solely to infuriate me. This dress hugged her body much tighter, a pearly shade of lavender that clung to her bust in shimmering iridescence, the neckline scooping low against her breasts as she bounces down the stairs. I have to look away before the blood rushes to my groin.

"Have the servants rung us for dinner yet?" Cressida asks Tarquin, plopping into one of the ornate chairs. Nephele sits beside me, stealing a sip of my drink, the taste making her make a face of disgust and immediately shove the glass back into my hands. I chuckle under my breath.

"It should be ready soon," Tarquin answers. "We're still waiting on a few guests."

"Guests?" Cressida frowns, Nephele gazing up at me curiously, sensing that I know.

"I invited Tamlin to have dinner with us tonight," Tarquin mentions casually, the devious younger cousin first, High Lord second. "You two did get along so well at coronation-"

"You're joking," Cressida interrupts flatly.

"I don't think he is, Cress," Neph warns her best friend warily. Cressida's eyes go wide before she darts back upstairs, stammering incoherently about her hair as she takes the steps two at a time, Tarquin's chuckle rumbling across the room instrumentally.

"That wasn't very nice, Tarquin," Nephele crosses her arms as she gazes over at the High Lord of Summer, having a difficult time restraining the laugh on her lips.

"What?" Tarquin shrugs helplessly. "I got sick of her insisting that she wasn't interested."

"That and you wanted a reason to invite my brother over," I add, smirking as I take another sip of my drink.

Tarquin gasps, scandalized. "What are you insinuating, Eris?"

"That you've been grilling me all afternoon in pursuit to try and understand Lucien," I reply, Nephele laughing beside me. "The best I can do for you is to wish you good luck."

"I seldom need luck," Tarquin replies, leaning back in his seat. "But I certainly appreciate the sentiment."

...

Lucien and Tamlin arrive not five minutes later, both greeting Nephele by hugs before she retreats back beside me, happy to just observe tonight. When Tarquin suggested that he invite my brother and Tamlin to dinner tonight on a whim, I encouraged the idea, hoping that I might allow Nephele have a bit of fun watching it all unfold. Tarquin and Lucien's incessant bickering. Cressida and Tamlin's skinny love. I know she found it just as entertaining as I did.

Cressida fumbled down the stairs quickly after, wearing an entirely new gown in a dusted rose color, her hair pinned away from her face softly as she wore a breathless smile, greeting the High Lord of Spring. Nephele and I shared a smug look, holding closer to each other as we found our way to the dining room.

"Lucien explained to me what incurred the morning after your coronation in the throne room," Tamlin says sympathetically to me and Neph. "If there's anything I can do-"

"We appreciate it Tamlin," Nephele interrupts, smiling kindly. "You'll be glad to know that we already shook down Rhysand and Feyre for several companies of Illyrians to accompany our men in transport."

"I'm just glad to hear that the almighty Night Court can be shaken at all," Tamlin takes a sip of his wine.

"They're not that bad, Tam," Lucien puts in, sat beside Tarquin himself. The High Lord rolls his eyes.