A Court of Stars and Memories

8. A New Destination

Mitsi pulled multiple dresses and jackets out of her closet while Colette folded them and set them in a large trunk. Mitsi had protested the use of the trunk at first, thinking it impossible to take to the Night Court, but Lysander had assured her that he knew an easy way to get her belongings safely to Velaris.

Mitsi still wasn't convinced, but she didn't argue. The last thing she wanted was for the members of the Night Court to have to provide basic things like clothing for her and siblings, in addition to housing, feeding, and protecting them. She was even taking all the money she'd managed to save so that she'd be able to buy anything else she might need. She hoped Mina and Micah were doing the same.

"Are you nervous?" Colette asked quietly.

Mitsi nodded. "I've never been outside of the Winter Court before. Have you?"

"Just a few times, when Wynter was young. Cyrus was usually one of the guards asked to accompany Kallias and Viviane on diplomatic visits, and I went along to look after Wynter if they decided to bring him."

"Where have you gone?"

Colette thought for a moment. "I've been to the Dawn Court twice, the Day Court once, and the Autumn Court twice."

"You've never been to the Summer, Spring, or Night Courts?"

Colette shook her head. "Kallias usually went to the Spring Court on his own, and he and Viviane didn't take Wyn to the Summer Court until he was older. They thought Tarquin wouldn't have much patience for his antics."

"And the Night Court?" Mitsi urged.

"Rhysand very rarely invites others to visit the Night Court. He usually goes to the other Courts if there's meetings to attend. I've always wanted to visit though, so be sure to send me plenty of letters and tell me what it's like." Colette gave her a warm smile.

"I will," Mitsi promised. "Mother knows you can't rely on Mina and Micah for that."

Colette's smile shifted to a grimace. "Very true. Keep an eye on your brother and sister, Dear. Make sure they don't cause too much trouble for those helping you."

"I'll try, but I'm not sure how much use I'll be."

"More than you think, I'm certain."

They both turned as someone knocked on the doorframe. Lysander stood there, the seven emerald gems that accented his leathers glittering in the light streaming through an open window. "Nyx said he's on his way with the others," he reported. "Are you ready to go?"

Mitsi glanced over her shoulder to see Colette closing the lid of her trunk. "I suppose so."

"Is this everything?" He tipped his head towards the trunk. Mitsi nodded.

Lysander entered the room and lifted a palm. Mitsi watched curiously as the gem atop his hand lit up, green magic coating his skin. With a flick of his fingers, the trunk vanished. Mitsi gawked at the empty space. "How did you do that?"

"Mikael taught me how to teleport non-living things using magic," Lysander answered. He tugged gently on his earring, then crossed his arms. 

"Can you winnow?" She asked curiously.

He shook his head. "That's why I can only use this magic on non-living things. If I tried it on a person, different parts of them would wind up all across Prythian. Ask my cousin Corbin."

"The way you said that makes me almost afraid to."

Lysander grinned. "He got a bit ahead of himself while we were still learning this and accidentally teleported half of his left ring finger to a shop in Windhaven. A shop belonging to a family member, of course."