A court of love and secrets

9

The sound of heels made every hair on Lilith's body stand up. From her arms, to her back and even those between her legs. Lilith rose her head and saw High Lord Nicole Van Rosenburg walking towards her, a small smile on her face. She wore a suit with a wavy black trousers and a corset that was mostly see through yet covered what it needed to. She wore black heels the same colour as her jacket, she held her hands in her trousers.

"Lilith," the lord of Scalswind said. Lilith felt herself blush as Nicole said her name. The way it rolled of her tongue. "I would say welcome however, if seems that you have been here for some time. I hope my mother had treated you fairly."

"The Lady has." Lilith said slowly. "However—"

"You cannot go down below." Nicole said sitting on her golden throne. "I'm aware of that."

The throne room of Scalswind was beautiful. With wooden floors and real gold around the large windows of the right wall that looked over the even larger village. Nicole's throne was created with real gold, so large and beautiful that Lilith half wondered if it was possible for it to be moved into her own room in the Night Court. To Nicole's left was a female, fae. With blonde hair and blue eyes. Lilith did not know her name, but something about her seemed familiar.

"And you cannot stop it?" Lilith asked. "I'm not here for pleasure. I'm here to find Savanna. You meet her."

"Yes. Azriels daughter." Nicole said crossing her legs. "However, I am a woman of my word. You cannot enter my village."

"Do you have no heart?" Lilith cried. "Savanna is missing. Probably dead. And the last place she was seen alive was here. Forget about whatever deal you made with my grandfather! I need to find Savanna."

Nicole looked Lilith up and down. Lilith's cheeks wet red. The female from before and whispered into Nicole's ear. Nicole shock her head.

"Forgive me, Lilith." Nicole said. "But I cannot. A deal is a deal. And it was made truth by a magical bargain. Besides, you know the side effects of breaking a magical bargain. I shall die and while I love my son, he is to young to rule our people. You may be allowed in my house, to stay in my house while you try and find your friend. Miss Theodora can look down below while you look here. I have many servants, some may know something."

"And the temple." The strange female said.

"Yes." Nicole said. "And the temple down below. Religion should be allowed to anyone. Regardless of origin."

"So while Theodora is allowed into Scalswind, I am under house arrest?" Lilith asked.

"When you put it that way, yes." Nicole said smiling. Her red lipstick glowing under the candles. "Theodora may question my people down below with my blessing, she may walk among the people. You, Lady Lilith, can stay in my beautiful house. Question my servants, something I never allow, and you can go to the temple and question them."

"I suppose I can do that." Lilith said. "Am I allowed in the gardens?"

"Yes." Nicole said rising from her throne. "My house and gardens are for you. The streets are for Theodora. But, I do ask of you to start your questioning tomorrow. You are tired and besides you need a t—" Lilith looked at the female again. "Is something wrong, Miss Artemis?"

"Sada!" Lilith yelled looking at woman. "Your Sada. As in the writer, Sada Qwins."

"I am." The blonde haired female said smiling.

Nicole looked between the two females. Her red hair colour was the same as her mothers and younger sister. Her eyes black like all the Van Rosenburg's before her. She rose an eyebrow in question.

"My mothers oldest sister, Nesta. . . um. . .reads your books." Lilith said.

"Oh." Sada said smiling, then her face dropped as if she remembered what exactly was in her books. A deep red blush went across her already rosy cheeks. "Oh."

"Yes. I love chapter 29 on the throne the best." Lilith said smiling. "However, I was under the assumption that Mona and Lala would fuck on it."

Sada blushed more, her face turned as red as Nicole's hair. "Well yes, Mona and Lala did know that they where mates in that moment but wanted privacy before they took each other—" Nicole left out a small laugh. "Nicole I must find my mate." She kissed Nicole's cheek. "I will see you later."

"Of course." Nicole said smiling as she watched Sada walk out. Nicole then turned her black eyes towards Lilith. "Might I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Lilith said.

"I was led to believe that Savanna was the Keeper of books of the library under the House of Wind. And that she could not leave." Nicole said. "Why as she come across the world?"

"Savanna is." Lilith said. "Before Verna's crowing this last spring, my father gave Savanna permission to travel the world before she came back the night court. Two weeks ago we lost communication with her, I have been sent to find her."

"How is Verna?" Nicole asked.

"The High Lady of the spring court is well, as is her child." Lilith answered.

"And my sister?" Nicole said. "How well is she?"

"Circe is. . .Circe." Lilith smirked.

"Indeed she is." Nicole replied. "Your room of on the fourth floor, to the left of the stairs. Second door. If you need help finding it ask a servant, you and Theodora are my royal guests, they will answer to you."

"I might need a tour at some point." Lilith said.

"Of course." Nicole said smiling. "My rooms, as well as my kins and the dragons bed chambers are on the top floor. Guest rooms are on the fourth and third. The Lady's rooms are also on the third floor, if you wish to speak to my mother you will find her there or in the gardens most days. On the second floor is the public library and other rooms for my court's personal use—"

"Where is your court?" Lilith asked.

"My government stays in their own homes nearby. However the second floor is for them and their children if they wish to use, you and Theodora may as well." Nicole said smiling. "The first floor is where we eat. And the floor we currently on. My servants live under the ground in their own homes and apartments."

"You said I may go to the temple."

"I did." Nicole said. "The temple is a blessed place, I would like you to treat it with respect. Thought I'm sure you don't need lessons in respect."

"I don't." Lilith said. "May I also use the public library down below?"

"Of course." Nicole said. "In Scalswind we believe that everyone has a right to a education and religion. As well as religious freedom. You may go to the temple and the library as many times are you wish."

"Milord." Lilith said bowing.

Nicole bowed her head, "daughter of night."