A Court of Trickery and Salvation

Chapter Twenty Two

I walk out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped tightly around my body, stopping at the floor length mirror in the room. My eyes roam over the intricate tattoo design down the length of my left arm, reminding me of my bargain with Rhys. It's entirely different now that I know he's my mate while knowing my best friend is in love with me. My eyes move back up to the pointed tips of my ears, sorrow washing over me once more as my thoughts drift back to Jaye. If only he could see me now, he's probably laugh at how ridiculous I look.

"Kayla?" Rhysand's voice breaks me of my thoughts as I wipe a stray tear from my cheek before looking over at him. "Sorry, I didn't know you were undressed." He turns his head away, trying to be a decent male and not stare at an exposed female.

"Oh come on Rhysand, let's not pretend you couldn't see everything in that dress you had me traipsing around in." I tease him, a smile tipping the corners of his lips up slightly. He moves further into the room, effectively sucking the air out with him.

"Tell me about these." His voice darkens slightly as he drags a fingertip lightly over one of the longer scars on my back, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror.

"I-I don't think now is an appropriate time. We have a dinner to go to." I shiver under his touch and it's not just because of the scar he's touching, it's just him.

"I'll reschedule. You need more time to settle in, I don't know what Mor was thinking." The thought of him rescheduling this dinner just to talk about my scars drives me into a panic, the one person who knows the truth about them is dead. It doesn't help that the few scars that aren't from that are from the night I lost Jaye, another traumatic event I don't want to talk about.

"Rhys, I appreciate you trying to give me time but I don't need it. Let's go to the dinner." I turn around to fully face him, his eyes never once leaving mine. His fingertips brush my still wet hair off of my neck to cascade down my back and I shiver again at the contact.

"If it gets to be too much for you just give me a signal and it's over in an instant." His breath fans across my face as he leans his forehead against mine. I can't deny that it feels right but at the same time... Casteel.

"You owe me a conversation Rhysand. You and Casteel. I want to know what happened." The idea seems to irk Rhysand but he concedes and nods his head.

"I'll arrange a week for Prince Casteel to stay. I assume you'll want more than a simple day with him." Rhys' eyes still never leave mine even with me being in only a towel.

"Thank you Rhysand. Now I should probably get dressed if we want to make it on time to dinner." I push gently on his chest with one hand while holding my towel up with my other. He chuckles before leaving my room again, letting me rifle through the closet. Rhysand always looks like he's going to some fancy dinner so basing what to wear off him is pointless. I'm going to be meeting the rest of his friends tonight so I should dress accordingly. A stunning lavender dress hangs tucked in the back of the closet, drawing my attention immediately. I've never been one to wear dresses, only when mother was alive and forced me to wear one. Mother always resented Feyre and I because we took too much of her attention away from Elain and Nesta.

'Are you coming or did you change your mind?' It's okay if you did.' Rhy's concerned voice fills my head again and I can't help but chuckle. He hasn't taught me how this whole mind speaking works yet so I hurry up and put the dress on. I let my hair stay down and loose for once then I inspect myself in the mirror, almost laughing at how ridiculous I look. So many years spent in pants and blouses to match everyone else in my platoon, to try to get Crighton's attention away from me. Now here I stand in this shimmering gown, hair cascading down my back in the Night Court with... my mate. The High Lord of the Night Court. And I'm Fae. Another wave of sorrow hits me but I shove it down and head out to where Rhysand is waiting. He turns with a smile on his face but the second he takes me in his eyes go wide.

"What? Do I look stupid?" I ask as I start picking at my fingernails under his intense gaze. He seems to note his own reaction as that smile returns and he grasps my hands in his.

"You look absolutely stunning Kayla." He brings one of my hands up to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss there. He extends his wings, stretching them as if they've been tucked away which they probably have.

"You're an awful flirt you know that?" I chuckle before taking his hand before he tucks me securely against his side.

"I can flirt with my mate." He chuckles but that word makes my heart do a freaking backflip but not in a bad way. "Hold tight." He says playfully before leaping from the railing, pulling a frightened scream from me.

"Rhys!" I scream as I clutch onto his suit jacket tightly, burying my face in his chest to hide from the terrifying view of the ground so far below. His deep chuckle rumbles beneath my face and it soothes my racing heart just a little.

"It's okay. I'm not going to drop you." I can hear his smug smile in his voice just before we land on solid ground again. "You can stop wrinkling my suit now." He chuckles again and I quickly release his jacket and step away from him, smoothing my dress down. My anxiety tightens in my chest as I look through the open doors where a group of people are already gathered. "Relax, they'll love you. If you get overwhelmed, signal me and it'll be over."

"Thank you Rhysand but I have to meet everyone eventually." I squeeze his arm gently before he leads me inside, my eyes immediately find Mor which eases the anxiety a little for the rest of the night.