A Delicate Darkness | AZRIEL (ACOTAR)

vii. all flowers wilt

tw: references to dubious consent, descriptions of graphic violence.

ALL FLOWERS WILT

Over a century later

AURORIA'S STEED SLOWED TO A CANTER as it approached Fall's End - the southernmost village in the court whose water well was mere yards away from Spring's border. Her handmaidens were behind her, canvassing their surroundings. The village inhabitants began to notice the small company of three, all horse-backed and all terribly important. At their helm, the High Lord's daughter, sprouted into a willowy beauty with glimmering eyes and charming dimples.

She slipped off her mount and tied the horse to a post, her steps graceful and long-limbed. Her gaze latched onto the green meadows of Spring on the horizon, perpetually blooming with pinks and reds and yellows, a sigh escaping her lips. Who have you sent my way, Brother?

A limber wood nymph bowed before her - the village chief who had only been a youngling when Auroria first inherited the land and was now a grandfather.

"Reeve," she greeted. "How are the babies?"

"Well, as can be, Lady Auroria. The littler ones love to tug on my ears which can prove to be a bother."

"What is our purpose if not to feed the curiosity of babes?"

Behind her, Orlaith and Willa Fonseca caught up. Willa tucked her gloves into her riding coat as she entertained the village children and Orlaith happily accepted a pastry of apple and walnuts.

"I thought that a sizeable retinue arrived, Chief Reeve?" Orlaith questioned. "There are no mounts in the stables."

"They winnowed at the border, Lady Orlaith. Gave the poor schoolchildren a terrible fright but their leader — a woman — was quick to calm them down. Asked for directions to the Forest House but I thought it best to take her to you first, Lady Auroria. They're waiting in the assembly rooms."

"Wise," Auroria commented. "If Tamlin's reports are reliable then this woman is not here for a meander through Autumn's landscapes."

"Who is she, my lady?" asked Reeve.

"A friend to Prythian, Spring says."

"And the truth of it?"

Auroria's lips pressed into a line. "We shall find out for ourselves."

The village was small enough that every building was in sight from the centre. Villagers that tended to come out and greet their Lady Paramount now remain inside behind shutters. Autumn's people were not easily trusting, especially not to outsiders, and it took Auroria years — nearly decades — to win them over.

This group of unknowns came from Spring, a court whose relations with Autumn were testy at best. Worse still, they were Hybernese. Auroria was surprised that the Lesser Fae of Fall's End didn't attack the visitors as soon as they arrived.

Their leader must be some charmer.

"Willa, keep watch outside."

Willa Fonseca was young, only a few decades old, but one could not tell it from the outset. The girl was all lithe muscles and sharp wit rather than fluttering lashes and gentle song. When her brother Leo came into his title, he of course invited the Lady Paramount to the ascension, an exclusive soiree that celebrated Leo Fonseca's lordship and overshadowed his father's death. Willa, who had been a mere eleven years of age, had approached Auroria with two sets of armguards and awe-struck eyes, and challenged her to a duel. Auroria had beaten the child, of course, but she at a couple of times marvelled Willa's prowess in parrying her flames away with a blade. When Willa came of age and was trained, Auroria wasted no time in adding the girl into her ranks.