Velaris Archeron was the light in her three older sisters' dim life.
When their life is threatened as war approaches, Velaris and her sisters' life will change forever.
When her true identity is revealed, will Velaris' light be ruined by darkness? O...
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Velaris Archeron learned one imperative thing throughout her teenage years.
Men stop growing up at eight years old. The only thing that changes is their toys.
At twelve years old, it's a makeshift wooden sword.
At eighteen years old, it's their dick.
At thirty years old, it's still their dick, a different sword and alcohol.
But at a few hundreds years old?
It's all of that and worst. When did Velaris learn what a man's toy is at hundreds years old, you may ask?
The summer court's rulers and Velaris were sitting around the dinner table, eating dinner after the hardest day in their lives when all of a sudden Varian deemed the moment suitable to throw a cherry at Tarquin's eye.
Tarquin then proceeded to throw a cake at Varian.
It continued to be a full on food fight.
Between two men older than her in hundreds of years.
Now, some may think she should've stopped them.
Some were wrong.
Because as Cresseida and Velaris opted to sit back and enjoy the show, Velaris realized that sometimes it's good to have childish men around.
Today was an awful day. One that she will never forget. Velaris' first battle was by far the most brutal that the Summer Court has seen in years.
Varian and Tarquin were worried to say the least. Her first fight should have been softer, easier. Not straight up war against Hybern. And when Varian and Tarquin decided to play a little to put a smile on the young girl's face, they decided it was the best decision they made when they heard her soft giggles and watched the shadows clear from her eyes.
Tomorrow, they'll need to take care of the damage done to the city and the borders.
Then, they would all sit down and choose together what the Summer Court's role shall be in this war.
Tomorrow will be worse.
But they were ready for the change.
Ready for the fight.
—
"I think the best course of action right now is to accept the offer. We owe it to our people," Tarquin said as the four of them sat in the sitting room.
"A High Lords' meeting," Varian mused, his eyes glinting, "I bet you fifty gold marks a fight breaks out between Autumn and night."
Cresseida snorted, "I bet you a hundred on Spring and Night."
Velaris shifted uncomfortably at the mention of the Night Court, nervously biting her lip at the thought of seeing the High Lady again.
Tarquin, noticing the shift, placed his arm around her shoulders, his fingers playing with her soft hair as she leaned her head on his shoulders and curled up against him like a kitten.
Cresseida and Varian looked at each other but remained quiet.
"Velaris, you have become a big part of our Court, and the three of us wanted to say we'll be delighted if you choose to come with us to the meeting and represent the Summer Court with us. Only if you feel comfortable and ready," Cresseida declared.
"Fair warning, this meeting will be intense and...unpleasant," Varian grimaced.
Velaris stared up at the high ceiling, as she always did when she thought hard about something.
"Vel, I think you can handle it and much more. It's your call but do not underestimate yourself and your capabilities," Tarquin whispered against her hair.
Things changed between the two.
A first seemingly friendly love seemed to stretch the limit to the romantic side. Velaris didn't know if she was ready for any romantic relationship, but she did know Tarquin made her feel safe, comfortable, and excited at the same time. Things were never dull in the palace as they seem on the outside and Tarquin is much...darker and deeper than the Night Court Inner Circle has described him. He went through a lot, and he was not a young dreaming fool, but a powerful Lord willing to do anything to protect his own and at the same time demanding change for the better.
Velaris liked him.
Velaris loved him.
But she wasn't ready and they both knew it.
And one thing Tarquin was sure of? He would wait for his mate to be ready for as long as it takes.
He just wondered when will she figure out the mate bond she lied to herself doesn't exist since the moment they met.
A/N:
Hey guys! My grandfather died a month ago and I'm still recovering so I'm sorry for taking so long and giving you such a short chapter but it's the best I can do today. Tomorrow it will be longer. I stabby swear
