A Court of Stars and Memories

77. Arrival and Report

    Lysander paced before the front doors of his parents' house, pausing occasionally to glance out the window. He'd arrived in Velaris about thirty minutes ago and had been waiting for Mitsi's return ever since, but so far, there was no sign of her. Mina waited alongside him but she stood beside the window, rather than paced.

    "You know, pacing isn't going to get her here any faster," Mina remarked presently.

    "No, but it helps pass the time and keeps me occupied," he answered.

    "Mother above, and here I thought Corbin was the one who couldn't stop talking or moving."

    "Normally, you would be right."

    But Corbin wasn't the one who'd been away from his mate for five days immediately following a harrowing encounter with her sadistic father. He also wasn't dealing with the effects of a newly formed Mating Bond.

    The Bond was becoming both the joy and the bane of his existence. Lysander had taken Cassian up on his offer to help expend some of his energy and work through his new instincts, and Corbin and Azriel had helped too, but it still wasn't enough.

    The longer Mitsi was away, the more his instincts gnawed on him. Suppressing them was no easy feat and he doubted it would become any easier even when Mitsi arrived. But at least she would be there and he'd have the relief of being able to take care of her himself.

    However, he suspected he now had a small inkling of what he would feel should Mitsi decide to return to the Winter Court and ask him to remain behind. He was not looking forward to it.

    Lysander perked up as two figures appeared beyond the gates of the grounds. Eira's wings vanished and she pushed open the gates, letting Mitsi pass first. He forced himself to wait, despite his desire to run out the door and greet her in the yard.

    Mina watched him with an almost mischievous glint in her eyes. The door opened and Mitsi and Eira traipsed inside. Lysander took a step forward, but Mina beat him to it. He gritted his teeth against a frustrated hiss as Mina wrapped her sister in an embrace. Mitsi giggled, though her gaze shifted to him.

    "You smell overwhelmingly like flowers," Mina said when she released her.

    "And you smell like leather," Mitsi retorted.

    "I've been working extra at Emerie's shop since Micah left. She'd begun to rely on our help, you know."

    "I know. Did you manage to visit the orphanage at all?"

    "A few times. The children were upset that you weren't with me."

    "I'll have to make it up to them." Mitsi smiled, then stepped around her sister and approached him.

    As soon as she was in reach, Lysander drew her against his chest and pressed his nose to her hair, drinking in her sweet scent, periwinkles and hoarfrost. Mina was right, he noticed. Mitsi did carry the floral scent of the Spring Court, and it almost masked her own completely.

    Mitsi laughed and obliged him for a moment before tilting her head back. "You know, I think she did that on purpose," she whispered.

    "I agree." He tucked a finger beneath her chin and lifted her lips to his, kissing her long and deep. Lysander barely noticed when Mina and Eira slipped into the sitting room.

    "Where are Seren and Azriel?" Mitsi murmured when they broke apart.

    "Dad went to the Narrowlake warcamp with Devlon and Mom is in Windhaven helping Jorah."