To The Ones Who Can't Dream

chapter 89 - Your Face Looks A Lot Better

     A lot has happened in the past week. Feyre had come back from the Spring Court, with news that Tamlin's court had practically been destroyed by her. They had all agreed that it was important for all of the High Lords to have a meeting, in order to present a united front against Hybern. And it had been decided that they needed to recruit the Bone Carver for the war.

     Cass and Feyre had gone to see him and he had offered his help in exchange for the ouroboros mirror. And of course, because nothing could be easy, the mirror had to be at the Court of Nightmares. So they were back there again, readying to go in and she knew she'd have to possibly talk to Keir again. Seren had to admit, she wasn't excited for that part. They weren't exactly on the best of terms as of their last meeting.

     But nevertheless, here Seren was, standing outside the Court of Nightmares with the Inner Circle yet again. At least they had invited Eris to this party, so it would be interesting to see how that meeting goes. She wanted to know if he managed to heal his face after the state she had left him in.

      Seren was wearing a black dress, per usual when it came to the Court of Nightmares. But she honestly didn't mind it. She always looked good in black anyways. She wasn't exactly sure what they were supposed to be discussing with Eris, but it probably had something to do with the war.

     Rhys and her were keeping their distance after their conversation the day she had gotten back from saving Feyre and Lucien. They weren't avoiding each other, that would be impossible seeing as Seren was his second-in-command. But they were being overly formal and polite whenever they had to interact.

      She knew she had hurt his feelings. That she should apologize. But she had never been good at apologies. She couldn't or maybe just wouldn't find the words to express all of her concerns, frustrations, and fears. It was better to push him away than open up and become vulnerable for him.

     Yes, they had gone through so much together. And that was partly why she was so scared of him. He knew her extremely well, probably better than anyone alive.
And he had the power to damage her beyond comparison with a couple words.

     So when the group made it to the doors that led into the ballroom, Seren had to physically make the effort to turn to him and offer out her arm. After all, it would've been quite the statement if they didn't walk in together. It was painful, this tension between them. But she didn't know how to mend the broken pieces that were between them. After everyone had entered besides the two of them, Rhys leant down and quietly whispered, "You look beautiful tonight Seren."

     Before she got the chance to respond, he was opening the door and they were both entering the room. At the appropriate time, she let go of his arm and dropped to a knee in front of his throne as he continued on, by himself up the steps. "Rise," he commanded the crowd.

     And just like a switch had flipped, chatter started throughout the room, music started up, and everyone went back to having a good time. Seren rose and walked up to Rhys before sitting on one of the armrests. She let her muscles relax slightly, pretending that this wasn't one of the last places she wanted to be right now.

      It was important, especially with the war coming, that the Inner Circle appeared as united as possible. And that included Seren and Rhys getting along. So Seren bit her tongue and sat there like a good second-in-command. Just then, a flash of red hair appeared in her peripheral vision. She turned her head to witness Eris walking up to the throne. "High Lord Rhysand," Eris greeted as he dipped his head in acknowledgement.

     He turned his gaze to Seren and fire burned in his gaze, "Seren."

     Seren smiled sweetly at him, "Eris, it is a pleasure to see you again. And under much better circumstances. Your face, for example, looks much better than the last time I saw it."

     "Thank you, Rhys, for inviting me to join you this evening," Eris said, not taking his gaze away from Seren.

     "Well, thank you for giving us the pleasure of your company this evening. I must admit, I was hoping to discuss this upcoming war with you," Rhys said, an underlying current running through his tone.

     "What makes you think there is an upcoming war?" Eris questioned lightly.

     Seren snorted, "I'd say it's pretty obvious if you have any common sense. Hybern has already moved against the human realm and is now at the wall. They intend to conquer all of Prythian. What remains to be seen is what Tamlin will do, with his Court bordering that wall. And of course, what your Court will do."

     Eris raised an eyebrow, "My Court?"

     "Is that what you want? The Court to be yours?" Rhys asked curiously.

     "Maybe," Eris evasively said.

     "Well, we could help you stand up against your father if that is what you wished, in exchange for your help in the war of course," Rhys said thoughtfully.

     Eris nodded carefully, "Well you have certainly given me a lot to consider tonight. I'll take my leave now."

     And just like that, he was gone. "Do you think he'll take us up on the deal?" Seren whispered into Rhys's ear.

     "I don't know, but we have surely tempted him. Someone with that amount of power won't be satisfied with staying on the sidelines and we make powerful allies"
Seren hummed in the back of her throat, "I'm going to go get a drink, would you like something?"

     Rhys nodded and gave her a small smile, before she had turned away and stalked towards the drinks table. She passed Keir on the way. She smiled viciously at him, "Keir."

     His face turned even more pale than it already was. Well, at least she got to see Keir terrified. Maybe tonight hadn't been as horrible as she had originally anticipated.

AN: Seren's dress