A Love From A Different World

Chapter 5

Lounging at the dining table after a very satisfying breakfast, Aelin observed her new lodge mates. She gave a smile; they were still awkward and on guard with her. Morrigan was the first to speak.

"Why don't I get you something to wear?"

Aelin looked down at herself and then back up with false confusion. "Aren't I dressed already?" No one made a sound. "Do you not like what I'm wearing?"

Not for the first time that morning, Cassian coughed. Morrigan tried again, "Wouldn't you rather something more...comfortable?"

Aelin gave her a grin. "Isn't lingerie comfortable?"

"Aren't you chilly?"

"I'm rather hot, actually," Aelin flung her hair behind her shoulder. "But then again, I usually am."

Rhys had never seen someone so confident and full of themselves, much less this little girl. "You are very much in love with yourself, aren't you."

Celaena narrowed her eyes at his statement and then dragged her hands down her body. "If you looked like me, you would be, too." At that, Rhysand could not argue.

"I'm just kidding," She clarified. "I'd rather wear something more...practical."

"Is a nightgown not practical?" He teased, enjoying their banter.

"Oh, it most definitely is," Aelin started, liking their exchange. "For bedroom activities, that is."

No one said anything as Celaena followed Mor out of the room. Rhys watched her leave with interest, his eyes following her body until she disappeared down the hall.

Cassian finally relaxed. "Well shit."

Azriel laughed at his brother, clasping him on the shoulder. "Was that the longest you've gone without speaking?"

The more outgoing of the two scowled, "I still can not believe what just happened."

"She's something alright," Agreed Rhys, earring a certain look from his second.

"Don't do anything stupid, Rhys," Warned Amren, refocusing everyone on her. "We don't know her."

"Yes brother," Agreed Cassian laughing, "Don't let your cock think for you."

"Why did you really let her stay?" Asked Azriel.

"There's something strange about her," Rhys explained. "A human breaks through the barrier and doesn't know how she got here, much less uninjured?" He shakes his head. "I don't believe it."

"You think she's a spy?"

His brother nods his head. "I've thought about it,"

"What court would send a human to spy for them?" Questioned Cassian. "She would be completely defenseless here."

"Unless they are shielding her mind..." Connected Azriel. "That might be why she's untouchable."

"You think they used magic to make her stronger too?"

"I've never seen such magic before."

"Whoever shields her mind controls her," Mused Rhys, his chest growing tighter and tighter as he spoke. "She might not be here on her own volition."

"Again the question remains," Cassian tapped his finger on the table. "Who's behind this?"

"Now would be the ideal time to attack," It was true too, thought Rhys, now that the days under the mountain were over, everyone was getting back to their old lives. Everyone would be too preoccupied with building back their lives to see an attack like this coming. "But why would they attack the Night Court?"

"Exactly," Said Cassian, "Rhys was the one who killed Amarantha, he's the reason we were freed."

"Someone who has a vendetta against this court."

"Tamlin?"

Amren scoffed, "That idiot isn't creative enough to do something like this."

Rhys turned towards his brother, Azriel had been quiet for some time now. "What are you thinking?"

"The King of Hybern." The room went quiet as the possibility hung in the air. "If anyone has that sort of magic, it would be him."

"I wouldn't put it past him, either."

"He's always wanted to reclaim the human realm," Rhys said once he found his voice again, "Amarantha was just the beginning..."

"So, what do we do about the girl?" His second asked, "If she really is under his control, she is a liability."

Rhysand turned towards Amren, "If she really is under his influence she is blameless, what human would willingly become a pawn in this game of thrones?"

"You want to protect her?" Cassian looked incredulously at his brother.

"I want to watch her," Corrected Rhys, "If she is a toy, she doesn't know that she's been made. We could use that to our advantage."

"It's all hypothetical, though," Reminded Azriel, "We shouldn't jump to conclusions right away."

"Whether or not she is a spy doesn't matter," Argued Amren, "Her story is suspicious, we'd be idiots to trust her."

"No one is trusting anyone," Reassured Rhys, "But, until we know for sure who she is and why she's here, we stall her departure."