𝒜 𝒞𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝑅𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒮𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓈 | ᴀᴢʀɪᴇʟ

Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Arwen hated Keir. Always had and always will.

Feyre sat on the throne as Rhysand leant against it. The High Lord and Lady argued with the Steward of Hewn City about the deal they made concerning visitation to Velaris. Arwen wandered through the crowd, silent with a high chin. A dress of black hugged her skin, a thick trail of gold winding down like a gilded serpentine. The gold circlet sat on her brows. It was her first return to the Court of Nightmares in her tangible form, and the reaction was like a wave.

Though she walked alone, she knew Azriel trailed not far behind and Cassian would be somewhere near. Slowing, she waited for her mate to find his way to her side. "This is the one place I wish I was still invisible in," she muttered. He squeezed her waist.

"Elain wanted to come," he said. "Asked me about bringing her."

She sent him a look. "Stupid girl. First for wanting to come, second for asking you."

"She was curious. I think she wanted to prove she could handle it." Arwen continued glaring at the court. "Are you upset that I told her no?"

She spun to him, head tilting. "Why would I be?"

He looked past her head, his hands clasped behind his back. "I don't want you thinking that I say no to protect her but happily let you come without a second thought."

"It's not your choice whether she comes or not, in any case," she said, looking back towards the dais and throne. Should she be insulted? "Or whether I do."

He didn't speak for a moment. Rhysand's temper was growing, she could see it in the shadows of his face. "That didn't really answer my question."

Arwen looked back at him with a low smile. "Are you looking to give me an excuse to be upset at you?"

It was not amusement that she expected that she was met with. His hazel eyes flickered past her again, seeking something out in the crowd that she didn't look to find. "No. I'm making sure there isn't one."

She sensed he wanted to say something more, but it was neither the time nor place so they both left it be. "I'm going to join my brother before he murders Keir with his glare alone. Though, I'm not sure how much I would dislike the idea." Without waiting for his answer, Arwen began her cross of the grand hall, her reflection in the polished floor gleaming back at her.

Halfway across, Cassian fell in step with her. "Azriel is in a mood," he said.

"Azriel is always in a mood," she snorted lightly. "It's figuring out which one that's the fun part."

He made a pensive hum. "I see why you're his mate now, if you think figuring out that mystery of a male is fun. I find it utterly tedious."

"Oh, big words, Cass. Big words." Arwen refused to twist her shoulders or move out of the way of the people in her path. At the sight of either or her 6'7 companion, they moved out of her way. "I don't think I've even seen you talk with him today."

His voice dropped. "Yeah, well if his mood has anything to do with me, I'm staying well away."

"What did you do?" she demanded, not bothering to withhold the accusation in her tone.

Cassian did not falter in his pace. "You." She stopped, pivoting on her heels before they could reach the ear of her brother and Keir. "It's just a guess," he added, stopping with her. The seven siphons gleamed like small, beating hearts. "We had a good time."

"We did," Arwen agreed, keeping her voice low and her words purposeful in the crowded room that they were in. "Which is why I'm not sure why he would see it as a problem. Not to mention it was Azriel's suggestion in the first place and you both seemed to agree upon it before I knew what was happening."