The Prophecy - ACOTAR

Chapter 14

Astrid had slept in the morning they found the severed head. When she had heard the news of who had allegedly done the heinous act, she had to feign disgust. While she did find the action to be abhorrent, she had witnessed and done worse, there was also still that feeling that something was being hidden. Her distrust for the situation wasn't helped by Wrenica's opinions on the matter.

In private her friend had no trouble telling her that this wasn't something Rhys would just do, if he had even done it. He wasn't as cruel as Tamlin was wanting to make him seem. Astrid was happy to take her side on the matter, considering he had helped her escape from whatever horrors lived under the mountain.

The next morning, Alis had dropped off a dress for her, the summer solstice was today, and they were invited. Astrid looked at the dress, it was a pale orange long chiffon dress with small straps to hold it up. If she were to put it on, she knew it would cover her chest area completely.

She studied the dress for a few minutes before pulling it on and grabbing the dagger she had stolen from Tamlin, which she was surprised he hadn't tried to retrieve it yet. She started by cutting off the dress above her knees then moved to cut the fabric down to where her breasts stopped, creating a lovely plunge in the front.

She heard her door open and a gasp, spinning around to find Alis holding a pair of slippers, "Astrid, what have you done to that dress."

Astrid spun, happy with her job, "It looks great now doesn't it!"

"Sit down." Alis muttered at her, moving to take her hair out of its braid, attempting to weave some flowers in.

Astrid moved her hand to stop her, "Can we just leave it down? Do we need to do the flowers?"

"You'll just rip them out if I do, so I guess. You best head down, Feyre and Wren are already down there." She said, a tinge of sadness in her voice.

Before her memories, Astrid would have let Alis dress her how she liked and primped her hair whatever way. But after them, she needed to feel herself, needed to do things her way. She'd never been able to just be her, it was a freeing thing. She made her way down to the Foyer where she saw Tamlin and Lucien fawning over how gorgeous Feyre looked, presumably explaining the solstice to her.

After fire night, Astrid had taken some time to grab a book on fae holidays and read up, Wren taking the book after her. They wanted to be prepared for any more surprises that may come their way.

Wren was the first to see her, bringing her hand up to her mouth as she laughed, knowing exactly what Astrid had done. Triggering the other three to turn their attention to the barefooted female coming down the stairs.

"Astrid, I see you made some alterations to the dress?" Tamlin mused, laughing a bit himself.

"Hated the neckline and figured I should let some sun get to my legs." She twirled around In the dress, eyeing Lucien who was staring at her with his normal lust filled look.

"Well, I'd say there's hardly any neckline now." Feyre shook her head with a grin.

"I'm not complaining." Lucien winked at her.

Astrid saw the tables full of food and all but yanked Wrenica towards them, the laughter of the others echoing after them. She piled mostly desserts on her plate before she heard the music starting, the sound of the fiddle and drums pulling her towards them. Shoving her plate towards Wrenica and making her way towards them.

She was shocked to find Tamlin seated with the fiddle under his chin. She grabbed a glass of wine, tipping it back, needing a bit of liquid courage. The warmth of the drink spread through her, her head feeling lighter and everything around her seemed brighter. She breathed in the air, a smile coming to her face as she made her way back over to Tamlin.