A Court of Stars and Memories

7. Tense Agreements

    Lysander squared his shoulders and tucked his wings closer to his back, noticing Mikael and Estelle's approach. Two white haired females shadowed them. He guessed who they were, though he'd never met them himself. "Mitsi Rohese and Natalia, Wynter's sister," Nyx murmured, confirming his suspicions.

    Mikael paused before them and gestured to the two females. "Natalia, Mitsi, I'd like to introduce Nyx, my cousin-in-law, and Lysander, my brother-in-law."

    Nyx bowed his head to the females. "It's nice to see you again, Natalia, and I'm glad to meet you, Mitsi."

    Natalia curtsied while Mitsi offered a polite nod and a timid smile. They turned to Lysander next. "I'm surprised I haven't seen you here before," Natalia said. "Any friend of Mikael's is a friend of my brother."

    "I'm usually kept busy with my duties in the Night Court," Lysander replied. "Nyx gets to handle the diplomatic visits."

    Nyx elbowed him with a teasing grin. "You should get used to accompanying me. It won't be long before my father decides to make this a regular occurrence."

    Lysander grimaced as Nyx shifted his attention back to Natalia, who had asked when he first began taking over courtly duties. Lysander didn't get to hear his response. "Do you dislike social events?" Mitsi asked him hesitantly.

    "It depends on the event. I like going out with my friends and family, but settings like these..." He gestured to the waning crowd around them. "They aren't exactly my thing. I figured that out a while ago."

    "You seem to be doing well enough."

    "I'm glad you think so."

    "Truthfully, I'm not big on parties myself. I was excited for this one for Ellie and Wynter's sake," Mitsi explained. "They're both so proud of Hollis. They were proud of Eliana too, of course. It's just..." She trailed off and averted her eyes, her pale cheeks growing red.

    "Hollis is an Heir," Lysander finished for her. "They have every right to be proud of that." Mitsi nodded, though she didn't meet his gaze. After a moment, Lysander pretended to watch the other guests, but glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

    He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting when he first saw Elodie's cousins, but he had to admit that he was surprised. It hadn't been hard to tell that Mina and Micah were brother and sister, or that they were related to Elodie. They had the same pale skin, thick raven hair, and icy blue eyes, but Mina and Micah's facial features had a more sharp, pinched look than Elodie's.

    Mitsi however, looked more like Wynter and Natalia than her own blood relatives. She had a sweet, round face with soft features. Her skin was pale, like her siblings', but her hair hung in snowy waves down to her shoulder blades.

    Her perfectly bowed lips were a vibrant maroon. Her large eyes were a gentle shade of blue, and there almost appeared to be a hint of silver around her pupils. Lysander didn't dare look closer though. He turned away swiftly as Mitsi raised her head.

    "Here come my parents," she said. Lysander followed her gaze to an approaching male and female. "Adopted parents," Mitsi clarified soon after. "Cyrus and Colette Hawthorne."

    The older couple smiled as they reached the group. "Wynter and Elodie are seeing the guests out," Colette said.

    "Where are Mina and Micah?" Mitsi asked.

    "Tracking down Eliana. They'll join us shortly."

    "I imagine she went out to the stables to see Bruma and Donner again," Cyrus chuckled. "That's always where she disappears to."