A Love From A Different World

Chapter 57

Aelin had somehow managed to collect herself by the following morning. After countless hours of crying into her pillow, she had no more tears to shed. The assassin had tried her best to be quiet, not wanting the others to hear her. The humiliation of collapsing in front of all of them yesterday was still haunting her.

Today was a new day, and Aelin needed to be put herself together because today they would be going somewhere. She did not know where or why. She was sure that there had been a brief explanation but Aelin could not find herself caring enough to actually listen.

She was dressed in whatever garment that had been ceremoniously laid out by the maids. Two of them, who she never saw or heard, seemed to live in the shadows, much like Azriel.

When the princess was dressed she found herself in a lovely sleeveless lilac dress, loose skirts draping over her, with the neckline dipping down, putting her impressive cleavage on display. A silver and pearl belt resting on her hips, lavishly accentuating her curves. Her golden hair had been curled, with most of it loose down her back while silver and pearl flower combs swept some of her locks out of her face.

She looked beautiful, no doubt. But utterly different than usual.

Aelin had always dressed sexily, with dark colors. Here she looked sweet. It felt odd.

The human did not care enough to question it more so she promptly left and descended down the steps. At the entrance, she found Rhysand, Amren, and Cassian. Mor and Azriel were nowhere in sight. She pretended that she did not feel a pang of disappointment that the latter was absent.

Naturally, they all turned to her.

"Aren't you lovely," There was bite in Amren's words and Aelin answered back with the very same tone.

"I'm always lovely." She looked at what the female was wearing; shades of gray— loose pants cut to just beneath her navel, the billowing top cropped to show the barest slice of skin along her midriff. Nothing impressive.

Rhysand, on the other hand, was the picture-perfect of handsomeness. In head-to-toe black accented with silver thread —no wings. Aelin tried not to look at him for too long, because if she did she would be thinking of him, and of yesterday and that was not a very good idea.

They had yet to talk about what transpired between them and her confession that she was indeed working against them. He had not kicked her out of the manor, had not interrogated her yet, had done nothing but allowed her to go to her room and cry. It was possible that he felt sympathy, for how devastated she was to have seen Sam, or grateful that she offered some truths to the Bone Carver instead of him. Whatever it was that was keeping him from confronting her was a blessing. But it was stupid too. It told her enough about him and how he felt towards her. It told Aelin that his thoughts were clouded when it came to her, and told her that she came before his court. And that was very dangerous. But not for her. Because she was able to manipulate him and that might very well be her ticket home.

Rhysand looked at her, his eyes revealing more than he knew. "Ready to go on a summer holiday?"

Oh, right. That's where they were going; the Summer Court. This had been planned a while ago, but Aelin had effectively forgotten about it. She silently chastised herself for being so absent-minded as she recalled why they were going there- because one the halves of the Book of Breathings was stationed there. And they were going to steal it.

Realizing that the High Lord was still waiting for an answer, Aelin gave him a nod.

"No clever reply? Color me surprised."

Truthfully, the assassin was much too preoccupied with her thoughts of how she was going to steal the book from the Night Court after they steal it from the Summer Court to entertain the male.

"Apologies," she responded sarcastically.

"Come on Rhysie," Drawled on Cassian after quietly looking between Aelin and the Lord.

Rhysand was already shaking his head. "I'm only taking Celeana and Amren."

"The Summer Court is full of hot headed fools and arrogant pricks," he warned. "I should join you."

"You'd fit right in," Amren crooned. "Too bad you still aren't going."

Cassian pointed a finger at her. "Watch it, Amren."

She bared her teeth in a wicked smile. "Believe me, I'd prefer not to go, either."

Aelin tried not to smile, remembering how Aedion and she had fought similarly.

Rhys rubbed his temples. "Cassian, considering the fact that the last time you visited, it didn't end well—"

"I wrecked one building—"

"And," Rhys cut him off. "Considering the fact that they are utterly terrified of sweet Amren, she is the wiser choice."

Aelin could not control the scoff that slipped through her lips. The three of them looked at her again.

"Something to say, girl?"

The assassin locked eyes with the female, staring down into those silver flames in her eyes. "You? Terrifying?" Aelin cocked her head to the side, "You remind me of a chinchilla,"