𝒜 𝒞𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝑅𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓈 | ᴀᴢʀɪᴇʟ

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Now dressed, Arwen adjusted the silver chain around her neck with a teardrop diamond. It was no surprise at the light shuffle of a new pair of feet at her door. Rhysand smiled, hands deep in the pockets of his pants. He was dressed impeccably, with a black tunic with silver tendrils at the collar and trimmings, his trousers the same shade.

"We're matching," Arwen mused, deliberating whether she should put on earrings as well. She had shoved thoughts of certain people out of her mind, determined to enjoy her night as Mor requested her to. "It's embarrassing. Go change."

Rhysand scoffed and moved beside her so she could see him in the mirror as she hooked the earrings that matched the necklace into her earlobes. "And here I thought we looked cute."

Arwen hummed in amusement. "I'm coming down in a minute. Tell Cassian if he's that impatient he can meet us there."

"I let him visit my wine collection to mull him over," he said. "Take as long as you need."

Leaning back straight, she shrugged. "I'm done now."

Rhysand leant closer to her ear, winking softly. "Almost. I haven't given you my present." He extracted his hands from his pockets, one tightly furled to hide whatever was inside. "Well, I can't say it's entirely from me as it was never mine to give, but I did spend over a year trying to track this down for you."

Arwen's lips parted, a sudden swell of interest not letting her eyes move as his hand stretched out closer to her. His fingers unfurled and what they revealed had air catching in her throat. It was a silver chain. It was long, not linked as a necklace would be. Every inch along it were silver leaves hanging in a way that made it look like a vine.

It was her mother's. Given to her by their father soon after the completion of their mating ceremony. Over the years, she had worn it less and after she died, Arwen couldn't find it anywhere. "For me?" she could only croak.

Rhysand chuckled. "I did try it on, but I don't think it suited me."

Arwen shook her hands, not yet taking it from him and turned back around to the mirror. She divided the hair that had been hanging over her chest into three sections. Taking the chain, she weaved it into two and braided her hair.

"I know it's small," he said as she tied off the end. "But—"

"It's perfect."

He stood just behind her shoulder, their smiles mirroring in the reflection. Her braid had the thin chain threaded throughout, the small leaves a vine of silver. "You look like her. I think that every time I see you."

Arwen's tilted her head. "I'm sorry to be a reminder."

He smiled wider. "A good one. Come on, no doubt the night has already started without us."

The partial Inner Circle, including Amren, strode through the city of starlight under the blanket of its namesake. Arwen prodded them with questions but her only answer was that she would see it soon enough. They walked through and past many places that she considered—restaurants, theatres, clubs. They kept walking across to the far side of the city to...

To the Rainbow.

Arwen heard the music before she saw it all. It was the light, quick music meant for dancing and celebration; merry and wild. The Rainbow was always open into the night, as all parts of the city were, but never quite like what lay before her.

It was a festival, with dancers, musicians, artists, faeries of all kinds roaming the Rainbow. Coloured faelights were strung, staining the walls in different shades. Market stalls were sprawled along the streets, artists selling wares, jewellers showcasing their latest designs. A serving boy served her wine who seemed to have a never-ending supply of it, others walking around with treats and delicacies on silver platters. Children ran between legs, chasing each other with streamers on wands.