To The Ones Who Can't Dream

chapter 34 - Calanmai

     Slowly, with the help of Rhysand's magic, Seren healed. She would probably have the scars from that traumatic night for the rest of her life but at least she wasn't in any pain anymore. It had taken twenty three years and 42 days for her wings to completely grow back. Seren marked every day that she was injured.

     Every single time Seren walked into the throne room though, it was a punch in the gut. Seeing her beautiful wings nailed above the throne gave her flashbacks to Amarantha sawing them off. She shuddered every time she entered that dreaded room.

     Amarantha had given Seren five years before she called upon her again. She explained that the five years of not getting to have sex with her was supposed to teach Seren to never rebel again. Little did Amarantha know that those five years had been a blessing. Seren was terrified whenever she got a note saying to meet Amarantha in her bedroom chambers.

     It was the 49th year. Tamlin's time was almost up. Seren had heard that Tamlin had stopped sending out his guards a long time ago. She couldn't help but resent him for it. While they were all stuck Under the Mountain, Tamlin was outside. He was free. And he couldn't even pluck up the courage to sacrifice a couple of his guards for the greater good of Prythian. For all the fae trapped Under the Mountain.

     Seren wanted to yell at him, or punch him in his perfect face. Even when Tamlin is forced to come reside here with the rest of them, he won't be subjected to the horrors of everyday life. Amarantha was too obsessed with him. So he'll get off without any punishments while he sentences the rest of the fae to a long life filled with torture that will eventually lead to their death.

     But Rhys had informed Seren that tonight was Calanmai. From what Seren understood, it was basically a huge orgy for all of the fae of the Spring Court. They all fuck like rabbits and somehow that replenishs the Court's powers? Because that sounded like super realistic and trusty magic.

     She could care less about what the event was or why it happened though. Because for the first time in 49 years, Amarantha was allowing Seren and Rhys to leave. Only for one night, but it was the most freedom they would probably ever get. Amarantha wanted Rhys and her to check on Tamlin, and make sure that he was ready to come Under the Mountain.

     And the best part about Fire Night was that it was a party. A party that wasn't Under the Mountain. Seren wanted to jump for joy when she found this out. She was beyond excited to dress up and leave.

      So obviously, she had spent the past couple of hours getting ready. She carefully styled her hair into soft curls and did her makeup. Finally, she slipped on the masterpiece of a dress she had found in her closet. The fabric was soft and opaque, with the colors red and blue mixed together. It had an asymmetrical neckline and draped around her form nicely. The dress made her look almost like a flame so Seren thought it was the appropriate dress to wear to Fire Night.

     When she walked out of the bathroom, she noted that Rhys was in his typical all-black suit. She smiled, he was always so predictable. Rhys was in the process of picking an invisible piece of lint off his shoulder when he said, "Good, you're ready to go. Let's get out of here."

     He looked up and stopped what he was doing. He just stared at her. Seren cleared her throat, "Um, well then let's go."

     He shook his head slightly before offering his arm to her. As soon as she took it, he winnowed them to the Spring Court. This was the first time Seren had ever visited the Spring Court. Immediately, she was assaulted with flowers. There were colorful plants everywhere she looked.
As she took in the rest of her surroundings, she realized they were standing on the outskirts of a clearing. There had to be hundreds of fae milling about. They hovered around huge bonfires and drank, chatting away. And were those drums playing? She glanced around because she definitely heard drums, but couldn't see them anywhere.

     All of a sudden, her eyes snagged on a small person being crowded by three huge fae. Immediately, Seren started walking towards them. Rhys called her name but she left him to catch up to her, she had to help the small fae that was being taken advantage of. As soon as she was in shouting distance she said, "Julia! Where have you been? You said you were just going to get a drink."

     As soon as the small fae turned her eyes on Seren, she realized that the girl was not actually fae. She was human. What in the Cauldron was a human doing here? Especially on Calanmai. The human eyed Seren warily but thankfully played along, "Oh sorry, I must have lost track of time."

     One of the fae whirled around without looking closely at who Seren was and spit out, "Leave female. We were just getting started and I don't think you'll appreciate what we are going to do to your friend."

     He raised his hand, intending to slap Seren across the face. She braced for impact but felt nothing. Seren opened her eyes to see Rhys standing next to her, holding the fae's hand inches away from Seren's face. The fae looked almost comical with how much fear was etched upon his face when he realized who he had almost slapped and who was now squeezing his wrist tightly. Rhys looked like he was two seconds away from murdering the fae, "I suggest you apologize to Seren. If you give her a good enough apology, maybe she will be kinder to you than I was planning to be."

     The fae somehow managed to stutter out an apology before Seren dismissed him. The fae and his friends walked away so fast it looked like they were running. Turning back to the human, Seren looked at her curiously, "What is a human doing here on Calanmai?"

     The girl stammered, "I, I, wait I mean my friend brought me here tonight."

     Seren chuckled, "Well, whoever brought you here tonight and left you alone is no friend of yours. I recommend going and finding this friend of yours."

     With a quick nod of her head and a 'thank you', the girl left. Seren sighed and turned to Rhys. "Ah!" she practically screamed when she realized just how close Rhys had gotten to her.

     He was staring at her intently, "You are by far the most beautiful creature I have ever seen."

     Seren was suddenly hot all over and felt her traitorous face redden slightly. Hopefully Rhys couldn't see in the dim lighting. The drums seemed to beat to a dangerous tune. She almost reached out to Rhys. To do what, she didn't know. "I need a drink," Seren muttered before turning and quickly going in search of a drink.

AN: Seren's dress