The Whispers of Shadows - A&A One Shots

a trip to the summer court - pt. 1

"Oh, come on!" Cassian exclaimed from his seat at the dining table. Rhysand responded with a sharp look. "It was one building! And an accident!"

"Nothing you do is an accident, Cassian," Rhysand scolded, shooting another look at him before returning to his food.

"Well, I'm excited," Mor sighed, leaning back in her seat. Cassian bared his teeth at her and imitated her posture, but his looked more like a pouting child. Nesta laid a hand over his arm, but didn't try to hide her eye roll.

"Can I at least just come with? I mean, I can stay by the guards," Cass argued, shoving himself forward in his seat. Rhysand let out an exasperated sigh and dropped his silverware onto his plate with a loud 'clink'.

"I will ask Tarquin if you can join us, but do not throw a fit if he keeps you in the palace," he snapped. Cassian shot him a wide grin and settled back in his seat to continue eating. Aurora fought her smile as she sipped her water.

She was excited for the trip to the Summer Court. She had only ever been along the edge of it, but she's never seen the sea. Feyre had decided this winter was far too dreary to stay bundled up in the estate. She voiced her idea of going to the Summer Court for a few days, and Rhysand agreed. Tarquin had agreed as well, on the conditions that Cassian was to remain home and the entire group was under watch of the guards at all times, unless in private rooms, which were to be guarded from outside.

Azriel pressed his lips to her temple, bringing Aurora back into reality. She daydreamed of the sea since Rhysand had brought up the trip, and now, after breakfast, they were going. Their bags were packed in the entryway. His warm breath brushed against her skin and Aurora leaned into the touch.

"I can't wait to see you in one of those dainty swimming outfits," he murmured, making heat rise throughout Aurora's body. With her cheeks flushed, Aurora playfully shoved him with her elbow. Those 'dainty swimming outfits' had her terrified. Mor had let her borrow from a variety of outfits she had, all of them covering no more than provocative lingerie. Aurora wasn't uncomfortable with her body, especially with the gowns she wore in the Hewn City, but never had she been so close to naked in front of everyone.

As breakfast came to a close, Rhysand winnowed to the Summer Court to inquire about Cassian's joining with them. When he returned, Cassian let out a flurry of hollers and whoops after hearing that he was allowed to join, only to leave his room with full guarding and to not leave palace grounds unless with the group.

"Is everyone ready, then?" Rhys asked as the table was cleared and everyone gathered in the entryway. Everyone grabbed a bag and a partner to winnow, and the world went black for a long while. It was an effort for everyone to go at once, but soon enough, they were standing beneath a raging sun and just below the steps of a magnificent palace. Sandstone and white marbling made up the entirety of it, a long staircase rising to the massive sand colored doors.

As if sensing their arrival, the doors swung open and a rush of guards stepped out. Their white thin pants billowed over their legs as they climbed lower, one guard on every other step. Aurora instinctively stepped closer to Azriel, eyeing all of them. Rhys gave them a nod and began the climb. The group followed in silence, save for Cass who muttered under his breath at certain people he recognized.

As they reached the peak of the staircase, the guards began to climb behind them. Azriel placed a hand on Aurora's lower back when he noticed her stiffen, urging her to continue. The receiving room was just as grand. It was open, no walls, only columns of marble that framed the view of the sea. The salty breeze was cool against Aurora's hot skin and she closed her eyes to take it in for just a moment.

"Rhysand," a voice beckoned from in front of them. Aurora's eyes snapped open to see Tarquin, High Lord of the Summer Court, walking toward them. Aurora had never met him, but the whispers of his beauty from Feyre and Mor was no lie. His deep toned skin glistened beneath the golden sun, his pale hair a complete contrast. He, too, wore billowing pants but these were dyed the color of the bluest sky. His top was only that of a similarly colored fabric draped over one shoulder. Around his bicep was a gold cuff, a simple turquoise gem in the center.