Thrones of Fire and Darkness

Chapter Two

A few hours later, our noses pink and raw from the cold, we stumbled into the townhouse bearing a vast assortment of bags and parcels. "Well, at least we have our Solstice stuff," I panted as I lugged a particularly heavy box up the stairs to the shared room, but Mor just stared at me, wide-eyed. "Are you kidding? These are just the decorations!" I groaned and she laughed. "Come on, Feyre, it'll be fun! Besides, aren't you excited for your birthday?" I rolled my eyes and replied with a short 'no', and she grumbled, "Party pooper. Well, like it or not, you're getting a proper, full-on birthday celebration this time around. There's no hiding from me when there's party planning to be done!" We'd see about that. I'd been quite successful in redirecting the spotlight on Solstice for the last two years. It was an acquired skill.

Mor and I reached the foot of the stairs, departing with a breezy wave and not a small amount of complaining about sore feet. Still bearing a heavy armload of boxes, I made it the last few yards to the room Rhys and I shared. Collapsing on the bed, I sighed and closed my eyes. Rest for one minute, then I'd get up and get ready for the dinner.

Much later, I opened my eyes to find a radiant pair of violet eyes staring back at me. "Hello, mate," Rhys purred. "Finally awake, I see." Yawning, I smiled as I sat up and gave him a quick peck on the lips, then made my way to the bathroom. "When exactly were you planning on telling me that you and Mor were terrorizing the citizens today?" He called after me. I shot him a vulgar gesture over my shoulder and he chuckled. I could feel his smug smirk from here. And just to make it slide off, I said, "Well, with a late night dinner, I suppose we won't have any time in bed." The bed groaned as he stood up, steps near-silent as he crept up behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders and turning me around. "Let go of me," I hissed. "I have to shower." Rhys smirked, a dark look in his eyes. "I had other ideas. To make up for lack of time tonight." I smiled back at him, purring, "I'm listening...."

Hours later, I rolled off the bed, exhausted and yet rejuvenated. Rhys grabbed for me lazily, but I dodged his grip. "I do actually have to shower, you know. Even more so now."

A couple minutes later, I came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around me, feeling refreshed. Rhys' eyebrows raised as he took in the towel, his eyes malicious and suggestive, but I batted away his hand. "Dinner. High Lords." He sighed. "You always ruin my fun, Feyre darling." Ignoring him, I walked to the wardrobe and rifled through the contents. Nothing. Nothing suitable for this occasion, at least. Rhys watched my futile attempts for a moment, then chuckled. I turned to him and he waved a hand.

Magic enveloped me, and I breathed in the bond between us as the towel disappeared and I was clothed in... something else. As the magic (and the tingling that came with it) faded, I turned to see my reflection.

I gasped, turning. "It.... it's perfect." A short, tight black dress, accented with silver and violet veins that formed a pattern of deadly flowers around my waist and up my back. The vine twisted its way up my back, and I turned again, studying the sequined bottom half. Stars Eternal.

I turned to him to find him in a black suit, also accented with thread of the darkest gray. A crown lay on his head, the old one of raven feathers, and it accented the violet of his eyes. An almost-identical one was held in his hands, and he crooked a finger at me. "Come here."

He placed the crown on my head, and it dug into my skull. I couldn't tell if the weight was one that brought joy or despair. Whichever, however, it did bring responsibility, and I felt it settle on my shoulders. "Did you make this outfit?" He laughed again. "Of course not. Nuala and Cerridwen planned it, and I just transported it here." I turned back to the mirror, and he hugged me from behind.

"You look good." I looked up at his face to find him smiling softly. "I'll look better with my hair out of my face. Now go," I said, shooing him away. He obliged, shooting me one last smile before closing the door gently, so at odds with the male he had been merely an hour ago. More animal than male, I recalled, my toes curling slightly at the memory. Shaking my head, I called for the half-wraith twins, and they immediately appeared next to the simple vanity. They exchanged glances, assessing my hair and how it should correspond with my outfit. "Any requests?" Cerridwen asked. I shook my head. "Nothing too elaborate, but do what you do best."