A City of Starlight and Ash

Chapter 1

Aelin

"Someone's out of shape," Fenrys mused, as Rowan thudded to ground, Aelin standing over him pointing Goldyrn to his face.

"I've been busy," Rowan grumbled as he pushed himself off the sparring ring, waving off Aelin's sword.

 Aelin smiled as Rowan rubbed his head where it hit the hard ground. His shoulder length white hair was pulled back into a braid--that Aelin braided--as he walked over to pick up his sword that Aelin had knocked away.

"You just got your ass handed too," Fenrys commented, watching Rowan sheath his sword to his side. "You've got centuries under your belt, yet Aelin, who isn't even 25, was able to beat you." 

Rowan just frowned at Fenrys's sly smile. Fenrys had his own sword strapped to his side, despite only wearing a basic white shirt and pants. His long blond hair glistening in the morning spring sunlight.

It was hard to not notice the twin scars that now ran from his brow to his jaw that Maeve gave him. 

"Again, I've been busy recently," Rowan told him, eyes locking with Aelin's. Aelin just gave him an unapologetic smile for beating him. "And don't you have something better to be doing than watching us spar?"

"I'm sure there is something that I'm supposed to be doing. But I will always make time to watch Aelin kick your ass," Fenrys remarked as he stared down into Rowan's narrowed eyes. 

Aelin couldn't help but grin at the unofficial glaring contest they were having.

"I'm able to beat you even when you are practicing," Aelin mused, as she sheathed her own sword to her side.

"That much is true," Fenrys said with a smile. 

Rowan's frown deepened as Rowan said, "I dare you to go against Aelin."

"Oh I know that I would lose. I'm just saying, you're supposed to be the most powerful Fae male in the world. You would think that you could last longer than two minutes against your mate," Fenrys said with a smug smile.

Aelin smirked, "You would think."

"I hate you both," Rowan grumbled.

 Aelin just grinned at Rowan. 

"You hear that Fenrys, he loves us," Aelin cued.

"He practically says it everyday. You just have to read between his glares and growls," Fenrys added.

"Do you really not have something better to be doing?" Rowan said to Fenrys as his eyes shot him daggers. 

"If you would also like to kick Rowan's ass, go right ahead," Aelin said to Fenrys. Fenrys looked at Aelin, who was wearing one of her specially made assassin suits, fit with more concealed blades than Aelin could count.

Fenrys said, "Despite how much I would love to. I am currently hiding from--"

"FENRYS!" Lorcan bellowed, from the palace. They were currently outside of the royal castle in Orynth. They were standing within the palace's perimeter inside the training ring located in the garden. Which also happens to be rather close to one of the entrances to the palace.

"Shit. That's my cue to go," Fenrys said, as he started to sprint away. "If he asks, I was never here," Fenrys called back as he bound for palace gates, mostly likely to escape into Orynth.

"I can hear you, Fenrys!" Lorcan shouted, as Aelin turned her head to see the Fae male stand up the western doors of the palace. His black eyes looked furious as Fenrys disappeared into the city below. His shoulder length black hair shined in the morning light, and the all black attire he was wearing did not make look any less angry.