A Court of Stars and Memories

67. Fatherly Greetings

    Lysander stood between Corbin and Nyx, watching as the Exchange group from the Dawn Court arrived. And not a moment too soon. There was a biting chill in the air that was only growing colder with each passing hour. The storm might begin tonight if the temperature persisted.

    Lysander perked up when Theron came sprinting through the crowd of Peregryns and Illyrians. He followed the male's path and caught sight of Eira and Orion emerging from the group. Beside Nyx, Emrys and Lir were already fidgeting with excitement.

    It was clear they'd missed their sister greatly. Nyx gave them a nod and the Twins wasted no time in dashing over to Eira. They tackled her together, but she caught them with a laugh and hugged them both.

    Theron had joined Orion meanwhile and the two were already conversing about something. Orion threw his head back with a laugh and ruffled his brother's hair. Theron frowned, shoving his hand away before saying something else.

    "You know, he's probably talking about Mitsi," Corbin said, leaning towards Lysander. "The poor male can't accept that you two are together."

    "He'll get over it," Lysander replied.

    "Yeah," Nyx chuckled. "Devlon won't let him stay hung up on one female for too long." Corbin and Lysander both threw him incredulous looks, then cast pointed glances at Eira and Orion. Nyx rolled his eyes. "That's different."

    "You should encourage her to give him a chance," Lysander said.

    "She will when she's ready."

    "I've heard some rumors about her and Castiel," Corbin mentioned. "What if she gives him a chance instead of Orion?"

    "Then she does. She has the right to choose either of them, or someone entirely different should they come along." Nyx folded his arms across his chest, watching his daughter with a smile.

    "But I'm not worried. Eira knows what she wants and when she wants it. Right now, she wants to prepare herself for if she ever becomes High Lady, and I doubt she'll choose Castiel since that would mean giving up the possibility of ruling our Court."

    "Does she actually like him or are the rumors just that?" Lysander asked, unable to staunch his curiosity.

    "Ven tells me she's attracted to him, but she doesn't love him."

    "Does she love Orion?"

    Nyx just smiled, clearly unwilling to say more. Lysander and Corbin exchanged amused glances. At last, Corbin stretched his wings with a sigh. "I suppose I'd better get ready to go. Our group needs to leave before it gets any colder."

    Lysander nodded and Corbin set off to gather Windhaven's Exchange group. "So, have you spoken to Mitsi yet?" Nyx asked, lowering his voice so the others around them couldn't hear.

    "Not yet, although I had a wonderful discussion with Micah this morning."

    Nyx grimaced. "What about Mina? Does she know?"

    "Micah said she does, but she hasn't said anything to me."

    "Have either of them told Mitsi?"

    Lysander shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think Mitsi knows, but I could be wrong. She might be waiting to talk about it with Eira."

    "She'll have to wait a few days more then. We're leaving tomorrow."

    Lysander knit his brows, facing Nyx. "Why?"

    "Believe it or not, we've been invited to the Spring Court."