Solstice Celebration
"Then we will look forward to seeing both of you in Summer six months from now."
Rhysand wrapped his arm around my waist. Normally, I would melt back against him, but saying farewell to Tarquin and Cresseida at my formal birthday celebration thrown by my mate, it was best to stay in full High Lady mode. I stood tall and thanked them both for coming. Tarquin had made a show of stating only he and Cresseida were leaving, which was no doubt a relief to Varian. Now he could turn his full attention to Amren.
I kissed them both good-bye on their cheek and watched them leave. The party hall Rhys had rented in the middle of the Rainbow was almost empty. Staff was already cleaning off tables. Rhysand had made the celebration a luncheon so that we could all be home and together by evening. High Lords, or an emissary, from each court had attended along with many Velaris residents. Rhysand had covered his surprise better than I when a tanned blonde male had arrived, sending regards from the Spring Court. He had not stayed to eat. It was good though. A sign Tamlin was rebuilding his court and hopefully had some interest in being cordial.
"I can't wait to get you home and give you your presents," Rhysand murmured in my ear.
I gave him a wicked grin.
"Thank you. Truly. I didn’t need a party, but this was nice."
His violet eyes sparkled. "Did you enjoy it?"
Before I could answer, the door to the hall opened. Two red heads and dark haired man entered. My heart rose slightly. I had been a little disappointed Lucien hadn't come. Better late than never.
Jurian’s eyes scanned the hall, taking in all that was left of the party, ever the general. Vassa stood, head high, and seemed to spread out into the spaces around her. I wished again that I could figure out how to break the spell cursed upon her. Rhys sensed my discomfort and rubbed his hand up my back.
"You're doing your best," he whispered.
I flashed him a grateful look before stepping towards our new guests. Vassa said something quiet to Lucien that caused him to roll his eyes. I saw the corner of her mouth tick up ever so slightly, entertained. He turned his head and looked straight to me, no search for his mate. My heart ached. I wished Lucien and my sister could find some resolution. I shook my hair back and headed his way as he headed mine.
Lucien held out a hand, but I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers sliding past his long hair. He squeezed me close, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
"Happy Birthday, Feyre," he nodded a greeting at Rhys. My mate smiled at him. We turned to greet the remaining members of Lucien’s Band of Exiles.
Jurian bowed, and I felt Rhys tighten. It was never easy to tell if Jurian was mocking you or not. I decided to curtsy back to him and Vassa to diffuse the situation before it could start. She extended a hand and when I put mine in hers, she squeezed it.
"We were so happy for the invitation, Feyre Cursebreaker. We have many things to do today, but we wished to stop by and wish you a happy day," the words rolled off her tongue in a way that made me wish she had more to say.
She handed me a small box, wrapped in glossy, navy paper. I gave her a questioning look and she smiled. Looking first to Lucien and Jurian and finding no objections, I slipped my thumb under the edge of the paper and tore it open. A small white box opened to reveal two gorgeous earrings, deep blue flecked with white. Like a night sky.
I pressed a hand to my chest.
"They're gorgeous. Thank you."
Vassa smiled. "They're called sandstone. We hope you enjoy them."
She leaned forward and gave me a warm hug. An obvious good-bye. Jurian threw a thin lipped grin to my mate. I turned to Lucien.
"I'm happy you stopped by," I said to him. I meant it too.
"Good-bye, Feyre. We have some things planned for this evening. I'm sorry I won't be joining you," his mouth tightened. "I hope you have an enjoyable Solstice. Perhaps I can join you another time."
I understood. He'd told me. It was too much. It didn't mean I liked it, for him or for my sister. Once again, I wondered why they'd been made mates. I kept my face neutral.
"Of course," I replied.
I watched them turn and head for the door. I wondered what strength it took for him to come here time and again and leave unacknowledged by his mate. It hadn't escaped me that for once, he had brought no Solstice gift for her. I hadn't seen him look for her once. Perhaps he was giving up.
They were almost to the door when Elain appeared by my side, Nyx on her hip. She'd entertained him most of the party so Rhysand and I could mingle with guests.
"Feyre, would you take him, please?" she handed my son to me. He reached for me with warm, sticky fingers. I'd never known love could feel like this until Rhys and I had been blessed with Nyx. I took my son and kissed all over his face. I twisted into Rhys's arms, as he kissed both of us on the top of our heads. My family, perfect.
It was the way Rhys's body jolted, small enough I could only feel it, I would have never seen it, which caused me to look up. He was staring, a look of disbelief crossed his face before he turned to look at the table where Nesta and Cassian sat with Azriel and the rest of the Valkyries who had left the library to attend today. I turned my head to see what had surprised him.
Elain had followed the Exiles. Had stopped them. My eyes widened and I also looked to see if Nesta was watching. Nesta was. In fact, Nesta was openly staring. I guess Elain was shocking us all.
Before, as a human, they would have been too far away for me to hear. Now, as a fae, it was unavoidable. I couldn't have even pretended not to listen, as Elain’s voice spread softly through the room, clear and song like.
"Lord Lucien."
He faltered, froze momentarily, and then bowed to her.
"My Lady, please. Lord is the name for males of status. I'm currently far from any such thing. Lucien will suffice."
My sister bit her lip uncomfortably.
"You didn't respond to my sister's invitation to join us tonight for Solstice."
Jurian and Vassa traded a look before stepping closer to each other and farther away from my sister. Lucien paid no notice.
"No, my Lady," he swallowed. "You will not see me at Solstice this evening."
He bowed to her and stepped back. Pain not present when he spoke to me etched his face. He started to turn to Vassa and Jurian. Vassa even held out her hand. I wasn't sure if I should be grateful Lucien had her for support or if I should hate her for her clear disdain of my sister's interference of their leaving.
"Lucien," my sister choked on his name. "I brought this, in case you came to the party. It's for you."
She pulled a small satchel from pocket and handed it to him. The satchel was forest green with orange strings. He took it, his eyes searching her face. She gave no answers. Lucien pulled the strings loose and reached in, pulling out several long, thin strips of leather. He twisted them in his hand, threading them through his fingers. He stared at the gift from my sister.
I found it hard to breathe watching them, the sharp unspoken hurts bouncing inbetween them.
She frowned, "To tie your hair back. If you want. It falls in your face sometimes," her face was turning pink. She looked past him to where Jurian and Vassa looked on. She held Jurian's eye for only a moment and then curtsied deep to Vassa. She rose and turned towards Lucien, not meeting his astonished gaze. "Happy Solstice, Lor-, Lucien."
And then she left. She walked off, not to Nesta's table, but back towards the kitchen where Nuala and Ceridwen were getting ready to leave no doubt. Lucien stood oblivious to most of the room staring, watching as she left until Vassa gently pressed her hand to his back and whispered in his ear too softly for me to hear. Jurian threw a last look at all of us, and they slipped out the door. I looked back to Rhys and he shook his head, a suggestion to stay out of it. He left my side to go sit beside Azriel, who glared openly at my mate. I watched as they began talking, looking as though they were disagreeing about something and wondered if I could sneak into Rhys's mind to see what they were saying to each other. But then Nyx pouted for a snack, so I allowed myself the space to not think about my sister and her mate, nor mine and his dear friend. I pushed all worries aside to take care of the need that I could, and plucked a sliver of cheese off a tray for my son, savoring his pleased smile.
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