A Court of Legends and Myths

Chapter 36 - Sooo, we're in the Night Court

Rhys's POV

I have been having a shit day. First Keir demands to know what the hell the magic was. Then he wants more time in Velaris. Then he demands another residence closer to Velaris. Maybe I'll have Aelin pay him a visit, just to see if she can scare him into behaving.

I winnowed to my home on the side of Sidra, it was time to meet with the others and get their debriefs. As soon as I winnowed in I heard the sound of a pianoforte. I didn't know the pianoforte we had actually worked. I just thought it was there for decoration, it seems it does work and Aelin can play it rather well. I wasn't the only one who thought so, the rest of my family was huddled around her and the pianoforte listening to her play. I walked up to my mate — who had left the Hewn City with Mor, about an hour ago — and pulled her close to me. I reached my magic out and scraped talons down her mental barriers, asking to be let in. "How long has she been playing?"

"Since before Mor and I arrived. She plays too beautifully to get her to stop" Feyre answered.

The song continued in rapid short high keys, before having longer lower keys incorporated into it. Then it returned to the rapid short high keys, with lower notes here and there. Aelin played high and low notes simultaneously, in such a harmonic way before coming to a sudden halt. She looked up and smiled, silver lining her eyes, "that is one of Rowan's favourite pieces, it's called "How To Train Your Dragon", it's an ancient song, composed nearly two millennia ago, from a time when dragons still roamed our world. The songs I played earlier were "A Window in the Past", "Across the Stars", "Sadness and Sorrow", "Duel of the Fates" and "No Time to Die"." she said.

"It was beautiful" I told her, it was true.

"Where did you learn to play so beautifully?" Elain asked softly.

"Rifthold. My old master said that I should have at least one refined skill, other than ending lives, and so he ordered me to learn to play the pianoforte". Aelin answered.

"Do you know how to get your magic back? Is there anything we can do to help?" Mor inquired.

"Well, kinda", Aelin responded.

"What do you mean "kinda"?" Fenrys approached cautiously.

"What I mean is that yes I found the spell I need. But I may have overlooked one slight, and important variable." Aelin told him.

"And what variable is that exactly?" Now it was Endymion who was cautiously speaking.

"That magic might be slightly different here. Which it is. Have you not noticed how the magic here doesn't feel so alive, so wild?" Aelin responded. No one answered but Borte did ask if her spell would still work.

"It should. I just need to get a better feel of this world. And adjust one wyrdmark in the spell. Do you have any libraries where I might find books on ancient magic?" Aelin answered, asking me the last part.

"The Library under our house should have some. I could ask the priestesses to grant you permission." Nesta told Aelin. Aelin just nodded.

"Sooo, we can just explore now, and look around. That way Aelin can get a feel of this world's magic. And Enda can learn about whatever he wants too for Sellene." Borte exclaimed excitedly.

My mate turned to me with a questioning look. "I don't see the harm in showing them around a bit. What can they possibly do, right?" I said into her mind.

"A lot, they can do a lot. Especially Aelin. Did you not learn anything while I was at the museum? But I agree, they'll be supervised." She said back.

"Ok, we can show you around the city a bit." My mate said turning to look at our guests.

"Yes! Great! Borte I need you to teach me how to play that game you were playing in the air!" Cassian exclaimed. Borte shrugged, then grinned. "I'll try, but I don't have Arcas with me, or the correct equipment." she told him.

-------------

Aelin's POV

Velaris was beautiful, it kinda reminded her of Withost — a small town high in the Staghorns, situated around a lake, which drains from a waterfall into the Florine; in the spring months the night sky is lit by colorful lights "The Northern Lights" there called, the same thing happens in the south..

Aelin was marveling at the beauty of what was called the "Rainbow", the artist quarter of Velaris. It was beautiful and sounded amazing with all the music in the streets. They were turning a corner when she smelled something amazing.

Chocolate

She must've mumbled aloud because the company, including her escorts, stopped. Mor turned to her and asked; "you like chocolate?" Aelin grinned, she was going to say something but Fenrys beat her to it.

"Aelin loves all things chocolate. Especially chocolate cake. You want to get on her good side, give her a box of chocolates and you'll be her best friend. At least that's what Lysandra did, from what I've heard, that is. She might even trade you her kingdom for a box." Aelin slapped a hand to her chest, and pulled up the most horrified, and insulted face she could. "How dare you! You wound me." She pouted. Fenrys just shrugged, "It's true".

"Of course it's true. Well most of it I love you two too much to give up my kingdom. Besides, Rowan already brings me chocolate, and chocolate cake, without asking me to give up my kingdom. He just asks me to change into more appropriate clothing, before leaving our chambers." She quipped, jesturing to fenrys and Connal. And adding a wink at the end. Some had the good sense to look disgusted, others weren't phased by that remark. And Borte, she was grinning like a mad male. Borte knew exactly what Aelin meant by change into more "appropriate clothing" , after all, Aelin did give Borte a special little nightgown of her own for her wedding, she actually gave one to all her girl friends. Borte got a blush one, Lysandra's is deep emerald green, Nesryn's is mulberry, for Manon a ruby red one, Ansel got a wine red one, Elide dusk blue, and for Yrene a purple one. Sellene will get a silver one when she marries or mates. She would have given Hasar and Renia each their own, but Aelin felt she didn't know them well enough.

"Well I'm not going to ask either of you any of that. You're coming with me and we're going to the best chocolatier in the city, you three too, we're having a girls day out. " Mor said, grabbing onto Aelin and Borte's arms, and gesturing to the other girls. The boys were going to follow but with one glare over the shoulder from Aelin they fell back.

A/N

Sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter up. But now all my first semester is finished and now the new semester has started. So I have a lot less work. Also to make up for the long wait, I'll have another chapter up by tomorrow nigh (by 10 pm PST (Pacific Standard Time)). 

Also to give credit where credit is due

"How to train your dragon, main theme"  composed by: John Powell

"A window in the past"  composed by: John Williams

"Across the stars" composed by: John Williams

"Sadness and Sorrow" composed by: Taylor Davis

"Duel of the Fates" composed by: John Williams

"No Time To Die" composed by: Billie Eilish and FINNEAS