A World Away

42. The Dawn Court

Eve and others gathered near the foyer, waiting for their dear High Lord. "Of course, he wants to make an appearance," Eve mused, leaning against the wall. She was clad in an opaque dark blue dress with a design at the bottom that reminded one of flames. She had kept her shoulder length hair open. Feyre chuckled, "let's give him five minutes before I drag him down." Eve's eyes lit up at that making Az chuckle a bit. She had been coming back to life and Az couldn't be more grateful.

Az himself, couldn't stop glancing at Eve every two seconds. She looked beautiful in that dress. And she was smiling- almost everything felt right when she smiled, especially when she was looking at him with eyes full of trust and acceptance.

"What?" Feyre snapped at Cassian who was unabashedly looking at her. "You just look so ..."

"Here we go," Mor muttered from Eve's side. "Official," Cassian said. "Fancy."

"Over five hundred years old," Mor said, shaking her head sadly, "a skilled warrior and general, famous throughout territories, and complimenting ladies is still something he finds next to impossible. Remind me why we bring you on diplomatic meetings?"

Azriel, wreathed in shadows chuckled. Cassian shot him a glare. "I don't see you spouting poetry, brother." Azriel crossed his arms, smiling faintly. "I don't need to resort to it." Eve laughed at that. "Is true, I can vouch for that," she said and winked at Az whose cheeks had tinged pink at the comment. His shadows tittered around him- abashed at the compliment and giddy with joy.

Cassian' expression changed to an awed one as he saw in fascination, for the first time, a shy Az. Mor gaped at the scene.... Until Feyre lightly hit her on the shoulder. Before anyone could make a comment on the pair though, Rhys finally made his entrance.

"High Lord, so nice of you to finally appear," Eve said and bowed mockingly. Cassian chuckled. "You all were just simply early," he shrugged.

"I thought you were leaving?" Nesta' voice cut the group's flickering amusement. Eve's jaws dropped- Nesta was dressed for royalty, meaning she was coming. It also helped that she looked like a fierce lion ready to pounce and win. Everyone watched in silence as she went towards Feyre and said, "You look beautiful." Eve blinked.

"That, Cassian, was what you were attempting to say." Mor said, trying to lighten the tension that could be cut by a knife. Feyre turned towards Nesta again, "Thank you. You do as well. Why are you dressed so nicely? Shouldn't you be practicing with Amren?"

"I'm going with you." Eve straightened at that- so Nesta had taken into consideration what she had said before. The silence that ensued got too much for Eve. Instead of standing like gaping pigs at the scene like the others, she went and offered Nesta her arm who accepted the offer of her companionship. "I am glad," Eve said, smiling broadly.

Nesta didn't smile but instead said, her chin held high, looking at Eve, "I ...I do not want to be remembered as a coward."

"No one would say that," Eve shook her head. She wouldn't blame Nesta if she refused to come- what they had gone through deserved time to heal, it needed time to heal.

"I would," Nesta said and Eve sighed internally, although she was equally proud of Nesta at the moment. "It was some distant thing. War. Battle. It ... it's not anymore. I will help, if I can. If it means ... telling them what happened."

"You've given enough," Feyre said, taking a step towards her. "Amren claimed you were close to mastering whatever skill you need. You should stay— focus on that."

"No." The word was steady, clear. "A day or two delay with my training won't make any difference. Perhaps by the time we return, Amren will have decoded that spell in the Book. You all went off to battle for a court you barely know—who barely see you as friends. Amren showed me the blood ruby. And when I asked Eve why ... she said because it was the right thing. People needed help." Her throat bobbed. "No one is going to fight to save the humans beneath the wall. No one cares. But I do. I do." Eve had never been prouder. Her lioness friend was finally opening a bit. She watched in awe as Nesta smiled at Rhys after she practically accepted the emissary job.

After the betting game was over which Eve had thoroughly judged, Az went to check for traps but not before giving Eve a reassuring smile which she gratefully accepted.

"Clear," Rhys said, his eyes glazing for a bit before returning to their normal violet. Eve gulped- no turning back now.

So, taking Rhys' hand who gave her a small assuring smile, she winnowed to the Dawn Court.

******

Dawn Court was a place crafted from heaven, Eve thought. The skies were golden and the palace' infrastructure was one of a kind. She walked without even trying to remove the awe from her face towards where Az stood with some stranger.

"I might just permanently move here, the sky looks... magnificent," she mused as she took Az outstretched hand. His grip tightened but all he said was, "the Night will miss you then."

The male beside him gave her a smile, "it is a wonderful place to live." He then turned towards Rhys and bowed, "High Lord."

Eve walked with the air of a child discovering something for the first time. The ceilings reminded her of the ancient Greek architecture and the paintings were as if handcrafted from gold itself. She was brought back to reality when Az mummered, "Three others are here already- Helion, Kallias, and Thesan." Eve nodded- The High Lords of Day, Winter and Dawn; their host, respectively. She wondered if anyone else could feel her heart racing- galloping at the speed of a horse.

Taking a deep breath, Eve entered the grand hall. 

Happy reading :)

I overslept, have a deadline coming up and missed my classes. I feel like the dino who just wanted some peace but got hit by the meteor instead, but on a better note.... Taylor's version of Red got released!!!!! 

XOXO,

the amazing author