A Court of Stars and Memories

10. Unusual Mornings

The artwork above is not mine.

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    Mitsi's first night in Velaris was less than comforting. She'd gone to bed immediately after helping Seren clean up the dishes after their meal, and hadn't bothered waiting around to meet the female's mate. She was already too nervous and high strung to consider being introduced to the Spymaster of the Night Court.

    Luckily, Seren seemed very understanding and hadn't pressed for her or her siblings to linger. All three of them had hidden themselves away in their rooms for the rest of the night. Mitsi tried to sleep at first, but restlessness soon settled in, leaving her tossing and turning until she had no choice but to get up.

    She'd finished unpacking completely, then pulled an unfinished quilt out of her trunk and worked on it by the dim glow of the faelights hanging around her room. Gradually, exhaustion coaxed her to sleep right in the chair she'd perched in.

    That was where she woke the next morning, her body already aching from the awkward position. Mitsi stood shakily and stretched her arms over her head, bending from side to side in an attempt to ease some of her soreness. She smothered a yawn and turned to fold up her quilting project.

    Once it was neatly folded and left on the chair, Mitsi selected a dress from her wardrobe and slipped in the bathroom to change. She grimaced, catching sight of herself in the mirror. Her lack of sleep was made evident by the dark circles under her eyes. The paleness of her skin only accentuated them.

    Mitsi sighed and dressed quickly, then combed her hair into a simple do, tying half of it up and leaving the rest to hang down her back. She left her room just as Mina emerged down the hallway. Micah wasn't long in joining them.

    "You look awful," he remarked, looking Mitsi over. "Did you sleep at all?"

    "A little," she mumbled.

    "You know how she gets when she's nervous," Mina said to their brother. Her gaze shifted to Mitsi. "Maybe you'll be tired enough that you'll sleep tonight though."

    "Maybe." Mitsi led the way down the stairs and tried to blink the remaining grit of drowsiness from her eyes. They were greeted by the warm scent of breakfast when they reached the main floor of the house.

    Seren's dark head poked out of the dining room and she smiled. "Morning! I thought you might want something to eat before leaving. I think Lysander and Corbin are supposed to show you around Windhaven today."

    Mina arched a brow, her lips curling in a skeptical frown. "That warcamp? Why would they show us around there when we're staying in Velaris?"

    Seren shrugged. "It's something to do, and they can attend to their official duties at the same time. I'm sure you'll be shown around Velaris soon enough though, don't worry. I can always take you myself if you like."

    Mina just sniffed disinterestedly and disappeared into a sitting room, where she began browsing through the books set on a shelf. Mitsi pursed her lips and followed Seren back into the dining room.

    "I'm sorry about her," she said, taking the seat Seren gestured to. Micah sat down beside her. "She's just..." Mitsi trailed off, unsure of what to say.

    Seren waved a dismissive hand and began passing food to her. "Don't worry. I can handle her moods. Mother knew Estelle went through plenty of her own at that age."

    "I'm sure she'll come around eventually. She's just upset about having to leave the Winter Court."

    "With good reason," Micah answered. "We have responsibilities of our own and it seems stupid to pack up and run just because of two males."