The Whispers of Shadows - A&A One Shots

debauchery in the hewn city

**Knife play

The depths of the Hewn City was cold and dark, and it was time for another check in from the High Lord and High Lady and the heir. Heels and boots sounded in unison, warriors leading their rulers to the decadent onyx thrones. Rhysand had placed a third one for his son, finally choosing for him to make his presence in the debaucherous elements of the Hewn City during his eighteenth year of life. Nyx was now twenty-three.

As her hips swayed and heels thundered against the stone floor, Aurora rose a brow. She always wondered if it was strange for Nyx to see his family in such promiscuous attire. His mother, especially. Though, seen once as the 'whores' of the Night Court, the females were now known as the deadliest of warriors. They lured in the attendees with their visible skin and minimal clothing, but made them cower in fear with their swords in hand. Aurora loved these nights. She loved to receive longing gazes from the males and females beneath the dais, and then watch as fear spread through their bones when they saw the sword on her hip and the look in her eyes.

She especially loved the etchings that had been made in the stone steps of the dais, portraying the lethal beauty of the female warriors that stood around her. It was a constant reminder to the worst of the High Fae that their actions had consequences, normally paid by the females themselves. They were no longer toys preyed upon, they were weapons themselves.

Aurora felt a grim stretch across her blood red painted lips as she marked the male nearest the front. His eyes ran up her exposed legs, to the exposed curve of her rear, the sheer fabric laid across her breasts, and then the bloodthirsty look in her eyes. Her tongue ran over her teeth when she watched his throat bob and eyes lower to the floor.

Aurora stationed herself nearest Feyre's throne, hand resting on the hilt of her sword as her family fell in line with her and then the deadliest of them settled in their thrones. Nyx had become as fearsome as the warriors he called uncles. He never trained in the Illyrian camps, Azriel argued against that, but he trained with his parents, aunts, and uncles. He'd gained that wicked excitement for blood from Cassian's training, and that excitement was evident on his face as he looked over the crowd.

Rhysand began his welcoming speech, followed by Feyre, and then a small insert from Nyx. When their speeches ended and the members of the Court began their drinking and dancing, the warriors began to move. Mor and Elain made their way to the wine, scaring off the fae that were already there. Nesta and Cassian joined the crowd, splitting it down the center so that they could dance. Aurora looked over at Azriel, who was stationed beside Nyx. He sent her a wink, tongue flicking over his lip as he looked her over. He enjoyed these nights, too.

"Aurora?" Feyre spoke, making her eyes turn to the High Lady beside her. She had grown more fiercely beautiful throughout the decades. She'd become more conservative in her gowns at the Hewn City since Nyx began to join, but hardly. She wore a midnight fabric that stretched over her breasts and connected at her navel, flaring out into a skirt with slits up to her hips on both thighs. With her legs crossed, the elegantly created dagger strapped to her thigh was on full view.

"Yes, High Lady?" Aurora asked, sending Feyre a quick wink.

"Would you mind grabbing us some wine? Nyx, too." Aurora gave a small bow of her head, eyes flicking up to Azriel before turning and making her way to the table full of wines, ales, and whiskey. A cold hand slithered across her waist and tugged her rear against hard hips. The shadows that swept across her bare skin gave away exactly who touched her.

"Do you want to sneak away to the chambers behind the alcoves? I'd fuck you in this room but I don't want Nyx to see," Azriel whispered against her hair. Aurora but her lip, focusing on pouring wine into the silver gauntlets.