Throne of Roses

Chapter 20

Mor wasn't convinced as to Aelin's true intentions by the end of their visit in Terassen the next evening. She was sure of the Queens love for her people, that much was clear. The whole time they were in the streets of Orynth she didn't see a single homeless person, Aelin's people seemed happy many walked up to their Queen some hugging her while others conversed with her about their personal lives. And the Queen, she knew all of them by name, knew the names of their families and even pets, she knew her people and their histories. But all of them looked... worried, in a similar way that Elide looked at Aelin, like she would disappear at any moment.
And the way Aelin looked at her people was full of love. It was a look that Mor often saw on her cousin and Feyre when they were in Velaris.
The city of Orynth was mesmerising, the streets clean and decorated with flowers and trees and new lights some shining with white light, others smaller ones shone with all colours of the rainbow. Many of the shops and homes looked newly built too.

When they finally got back to the castle Mor was eager to go back home the visit to Orynth wasn't quiet as bad as she thought it would be but she wanted to get away from that bitch of a Queen nonetheless. Mor didn't want to push their luck. She watched the Queen very carefully as she cut her palm and drew symbols on the wall. Aelin seemed to grow tired with every symbol and Mor figured they must take up a lot of energy and that Aelin was probably more powerful than she let on.
Finally a portal opened and Mor could just see a faint outline of the sitting room in the River Front Estate. They all said their goodbyes, though they felt like ash in Mor's mouth and made their way out through the portal and to the sitting room where Amren was waiting for them.
'How did it go?' Amren asked as soon as the portal opened.
'It went well, we were invited to celebrate Yulemas in Terassen.' Rhys said excitedly.
'I got to play with Nehemiah and Sam and all of the other kids.' Kaden said practically jumping up and down in happiness.
'What about the blood oath?' Amren asked now looking confused at their happy expressions.
'Aelin broke the blood oath but she told us that it would be better if we didn't tell anyone in case they think we knew of her plans from the beginning.' Feyre said.
'How did she do that?' Amren asked.
'She said something in the old language,' Rhys said and went into Amren's mind to show her what exactly Aelin said. ' and then told us to spill some of our blood.'
'Did you figure out yet what she said when they swore the blood oath to her?' Mor asked Amren, she was the only one still looking concerned.
'She said 'Do you swear that you and your people will defend Erilea and its people. To not hurt any of them no matter whether they are human or ferie or witch or any other species. To give them shelter when needed, feed them when they are hungary. To go to war if the need will arise. To do whatever I or any of the others from my world that are present here and our bloodlines tell you to do.' And she told you to say 'I swear on my life, on my bloodline and my people's lives.'' Amren said.
'Do you think she really broke the blood oath or that she only lied.' Mor asked.
'From what she said it seems like the blood oath is truly broken.' Amren said no doubt in her voice.
'The High Lords invited you and Feyre to a meeting tomorrow morning in the Summer Court.' Amren informed Rhys.
'About?' Rhys asked.
'Aelin and how to take her down.'
'We can't let that happen.' Feyre said slightly afraid.
'Why not?' Mor asked with only a shred of remorse in her voice.
'Because Aelin is not our enemy.' Rhys replied sternly giving Mor a pointed look.
'She...' Mor started but was cut off by Feyre.
'She has been through a lot and her people don't need to fear for her anymore than they already do.' That seemed to be the end of that discussion as Rhys told them to prepare to leave for Summer court the next morning. This time Rhys, Feyre, Kaden, Amren and Azriel would be going for the meeting. Mor and Cassian would stay to protect Velaris and run things in the Night court.