Worlds Splitting

You don't remember Me?

Aelin was not happy at being woken this early. Aedion was perfectly capable of dealing with a couple of rouge fae by himself. Yes, the message had said something about it being important, but was it more important that her sleep? Aelin doubted it. 

Evergreen garlands intercepted the summer glow floating through the open windows high above the throne room. The day was beautifully warm, and Aelin was able fully bask in it thanks to the cooling breeze Rowan had bestowed around her. Her king was waiting at the dais. She knew he disliked this part of his job. He would much prefer to be helping with the rebuilding still taking place than having a stern conversation with some fae males who'd gotten a little too rough with Aedion. He said as much to her as she reached his side and settled onto the antlered throne, still half asleep, with her crown askew of her forehead. 

"Apparently it's important that we talk to then." Was her answer to his whining.  

"Why can't Aedion talk to them? The males were found in Caraverre, they're their responsibility."

"I know as much as you,  you buzzard. Now be quiet, I want to see if I can get a few more minutes sleep before they arrive." Aelin curled into the corner of the throne and shut her eyes, ignoring Rowan's purposefully audible sigh.  

"Yes your majesty." 

Aelin might have just begun to drift back of to sleep when there was a load bang as the doors were thrown open with unnecessary vigour. She jolted upright and tried not to laugh at Aedion's obviously infuriated face as he stalked into the room. Two males entered behind him.

One wore fighting leathers that fit just a bit too tightly over his muscular body and glowed with seven red stones. His dark hair was long and wild, as was his face which bore a smirk that made Aelin pretty sure it was he who had gotten Aedion so angry. The stunning thing about the male, however, was the giant membranous wings tucked loosely behind his back. The tips of them towered over his shoulders and, despite the wings being folded behind the male, Aelin could tell that, when fully extended, they would be several meters long. 

"I think he beats you in the wing span area." She murmured to Rowan who stood glowering beside her, Goldryn half drawn. He answered with a snarl. 

The other male had his face turned away from her. He too was muscular to the point of looking like he might be made out of rock. He wore a loose black tunic with an upturned collar which resembled something Dorian might wear. The male was examining the iron chains wound round his wrists . The sight of the iron made Aelin shiver internally, but she pushed the feeling away. Instead, she wondered what had compelled Aedion to put the chains on the stranger. The winged male wasn't bearing them, and, to Aelin, he looked to be the more threatening of the two. 

But then the male looked up and met her Ashryver eyes with his own. He was probably the most beautiful thing she'd ever laid eyes on. His dark, feathery hair feel carelessly over the crown of his forehead and his cheekbones and jawline were so defined he looked more like a fine painting than a person. His eyes were like great amethyst jewels reflecting a starry night.  And those eyes were boring into Aelin's with such scrutiny that she felt as though he was looking right into her mind. The corners of his mouth tugged up in what appears to be a smile.

"You don't remember me?" His voice was a smooth pur that sent goosebumps shivering up Aelin's spine. 

At the remark, Rowan took a step forward, half obscuring Aelin from the male's view. 

"Wait, Rowan." Aelin got to her feet and side stepped her mate, not taking her eyes from the beautiful stranger. "Who are you?" 

As if in answer, gentle power surrounded her. It was darkness and shadow and night. It was both warm and cold and old and new. It was all around her and inside her. The power was answer enough. The male from the mountain. The male she'd fallen past and she'd walked through worlds and whose dark power had stopped her fall. 

"You." She managed to splutter, trying to piece together the memory, "What are you- how are you here?"

The winged male turned towards beautiful one, his face lined with questions. Rowan turned to Aelin, his own expression demanding answers. Aedion's face turned as well, waiting. 

"Well," the male drawled, tilting his head to one side. "I was hoping you would know the answer to that."