A court of Autumn and Dreams

Chapter 2: City of Night and Flames

Aera

Velaris was beautiful – especially by night. Moon and stars sparkeled above us, and several fae lights iluminated the city in a magical shine. Lucien hadn't promised to much.

I was riding on horseback, close by his side, while we passed a sprawling bridge leading us over a river. Water, darkened by night like black satin. I wasn't able to see it in the dark, but the purling sound filled my ears and heart with inner freedom.

„It's called Sidra", Lucien nodded aside. He smiled at the moment when he saw me speechless gaping while watching the nightlights and scenery around us.

„You seem to like it here, Aera." The sound of my name on his lips caused a shiver running down my spine. „It's a shame you havn't been to Prythian before. There are more places around you would love. Not only Velaris." He bend his torso out of the saddle, grinning brigthly at me. One strand of his ginger hair floated into his face, hiding his scar and the golden shimmering metal eye.

„Well, you can show me later. That's the reason I came with you." I beamed a smile at him back. „What about the autumn court? The place you've been raised up. Can we visit there too?"

Luciens brows narrowed and his russet eye scowled. „No way. You know, I won't go back there. Don't wanna deal with that family anymore."

„I'm sorry." My voice lowered – ashamed of my own forcefullness. „But what about your mother? I know you love her. Don't you want to see her again?"

„I do." His voice became soft again when he saw the compassion in my eyes. „But there's no way back."

We entered an alley, surrouned by stone houses. When silence covered us for some minutes to long I mentioned more cheerfully: „By the way – I'm glad to escape a while from our manor house at the human territory. I like it there, but ... Vassa can be really annoying at times." I narrowed my brows, thinking at the bantam queen – our selfappointed leader of our „Band of Exiles".

Lucien roared with laughter, throwing back his head. „Yeah, she can be a little bossy."

„A little?" I flared my nostrils, snorting. „You downplay things, – don't you, Luc?"

„Sure, lovely!" He gave me an impish wink, and then we laughed in unison. Damn, we got along so well with eachother. From the first moment we met.

Lucien kinda saved me when I got harassed by some guys at the tavern I used to work. When I first saw Lucien Vanserra I got secretly attached to him - which wasn't hardly surprising as he's handsome, kindhearted and witty. And above that: brave! His scar and the metal eye made him even more interesting to me. Dangerous! Though he wasn't that vicious.

Of course he had no idea that he meant more to me than only a friend – an ally.

I soon became part of their exiles circle, meeting Jurian and Vassa. And surely – I learned to love them all in a different way. They got my family at my worst times, when I got no one else. My parents both passed by long ago when I was a child. So my oldest brother, who also died in war not long ago, raised me up. I was the third child of four – and the only girl in my family. The other brothers both left our home years ago, and I never knew where they went. Never saw them ever again since then. When I suddenly had to live on my own – an unmarried, young woman – I started getting in trouble more and more. The Band of Exiles was my rescue from this rough world. So yes, I owed them a lot. Especially Lucien, my saviour.

„Aera?" His voice was breaking softly through the walls of my mind.

Torn from my thoughts I looked up. „Huh?"

„Are you okay? What are you thinking about?"

„It's nothing. I just was distracted from the setting. What did you say?"

„I was mentioning that Jurian is pretty happy about being alone with Vassa for a while. I think he's in love with her."

My brows lifted. „Jurian is in love with ANY coat-tail! He even flirted with me at the start."

„Yes, but I think this time he's serious about our queen", Lucien replied. I felt his glimpse lasting on me. „And honestly – it's not surprising he was flirting with you. You're beautiful, Aera. A very pretty young woman."

I held my breath when his words slowly reached me. Me and my pounding heart. Was he saying I was attractive to him? Never ever! My cheeks blushed deeply red – and I was glad he couldn't see it in the dark. Well, I guess he might not... Reminding myself he was a High Fae who indeed could do anything impossible – also seeing clearly in the dark - I looked away. „I'm not that pretty." I shrugged his compliment off, bashfully smiling, and throw back my moonkissed braid. „Possibly for a human. But never compared to the fae."

„You are," he insisted. „Mortality is something fragile and precious to immortal creatures. That makes you even more attractive to us. Never forget that!"

I chuckled, shaking my head. „Now YOU are flirting with me!"

„Shame on me!" His voice teased me – playfully. I knew he was only kidding in his sarcastic way. Anyway, his words encouraged my feelings like hot burning flames. If he only knew ...

Suddenly he stopped his horse in front of one of the town houses. „Here we are", he said. „Allow me to introduce you to some friends of the night court."