Aelin
I was somehow miraculously able to escape the little confrontation with the overprotective bastards quickly, claiming that I needed to ensure that the cell was capable of holding a Valg. I convinced them that only Azriel needed to accompany me, who was mercifully quiet and I was easily able to avoid his looks of censure.
For the next few days, I did my very best to avoid all four fae males, spending my mornings exploring Velaris with Mor and my afternoons and evenings with my nose buried deep in various volumes of the realm. My excuse that the High Lords meeting was quickly approaching was true; but I also couldn't allow these males any deeper under my skin than they already were.
By the frustration in Cassian's eyes, Rhysand's clear disappointment, Azriel's quiet displeasure and Rowan's growing ire, they all knew exactly what I was doing. Thankfully none of them had called me out on it. I didn't know what my excuse would be except that they were all my fated mates and there was no way it could ever work out with us.
They all seemed to want to dig further under my skin, and I couldn't allow that to happen. I could, and had, handle a lot. Having all four of your mates reject the bond? I don't think there was anyone who could survive that, and I had to survive. I had promised Nehemia that I would save her kingdom and avenge her. I refused to leave these worlds before I upheld that promise to my friend.
One of those afternoons, Mor found me deep in another history book of Prythian. We had become fairly close over the past few weeks, so I barely stirred when she settled gracefully next to me. I looked up to see her watching me with a sense of contemplation. I raised my eyebrow at her and she asked, "Aelin, have you read any of my personal history yet?"
I snapped my book shut, sensing she was going somewhere with that rather leading question. Even knowing Mor for as short of a time as I had, I know I would not be escaping this conversation without her getting the answer she was looking for. I cleared my throat, "You are the Morrigan; your power is truth."
She hummed and I almost wanted to roll my eyes, wishing she would just get on with it. Her eyes pinned me, and I regretted my thought immediately with her next words, "So you shouldn't be surprised that I know that you are hiding a large truth, and I am fairly certain I know what it is."
She looked pointedly at my tattoo, and I groaned; cursing the gods to Hellas and back. At my obvious aversion to this subject she continued before I could speak, "I swear to you that I won't tell anyone outside of the two of us, but I think this is something you need to address. You are very clearly just ignoring it, and that won't work for the long term."
I really hated that she was right. Maybe if I just got some confirmation that I was right I wouldn't have to deal with this like the coward I was. I trusted Mor enough, and frankly I was desperate for some advice at this point. She was unfortunately right, I couldn't avoid this truth forever, however much I wanted to. I shallowed roughly before saying, "The Bone Carver told me that I have mates...as in multiple."
Although I'm sure she was expecting it, her eyebrows still rose at that. "I'm assuming I know who these males are?" At nod, she pursed her lips and hesitantly asked, "Is it because there are four of them...or do you not want all of them?"
I laughed hoarsely, "It's not a problem of me not wanting them as mates, but it has everything to do with me. I ruin everything Mor. Every single person who has claimed to love me has left me, and I just - I can't handle that in three more of my mates. I won't survive it."
Her eyes flared in understanding, realizing that of course Rowan was supposedly my 'mate', and the male hated me. I was relieved that she didn't seem to hate me for subjecting the males of her court to a mateless future. If anything, the understanding in her eyes told me she knew a thing or two about avoidance.
With gentle eyes and a soft tone, she urged me, "I understand the fear of rejection, Aelin, I really do. But I think you should give them a chance. At least tell them what the Bone Carver said. Even if they don't want to pursue your connection, it will be better to know for sure."
I nodded absentmindedly, she did have a point. Half the reason I was hidden away was because I had no idea what there reactions would be. Hell - fae males were known to be territorial so there was a good chance they would try to kill each other if they found out there were four of them. But my relationship, or non-existent relationship issues were not a priority right now.
"I'll think about it. I need to get through this High Lords meeting first, but I promise you I will figure out how to tell them," I swore.
She nodded and pat my hand comfortingly, conjuring some sweets and I went back to reading in preparation for the High Lords meeting. At least there was something productive I could be doing. I was beyond thankful for her in that moment.
I just needed a brief respite. A short amount of time to focus on a singular problem without the rest of my life going to shit along with it. Those moments were few and far between.
Rowan
I was pacing around the living area of the House of Wind, alongside the males from the Inner Circle as we anxiously awaited Mor's return from the library. We had all noticed the change in Aelin following her meeting with the Bone Carver. She had withdrawn further into herself, and strangely, the little adventure with Cassian had been a bright spot. Sure, I was furious that she had put herself in unnecessary danger without letting anyone else know, but she had seemed more like her usual mischievous self.
Afterwards, though, she completely shut herself off from everyone else except for Mor. It pained me to say it, but over the past several days I had actually found solace with the other males. It was painfully clear that she was studiously avoiding all of them - and they had no idea why.
Even when Rhysand and Cassian had admitted to kissing her - a fact that made Rowan want to throttle them - they couldn't determine if that was why she was shutting them out so completely. Rowan had even reluctantly shared the time he had bitten her during training. That had been much more invasive than a simple kiss and she had responded fiercely and boldly. It didn't make any sense that two short kisses would make Aelin run and hide, it seemly wasn't in her nature.
Eventually, we all grew desperate enough to beg Mor to figure out what was wrong with her, and now we were all anxiously awaiting what she could tell us. As the time dragged on, I felt myself grow more and more agitated. I snarled at the other males, "I swear to the gods, if she shut herself down because you two bastards kissed her, I'll rip your rutting throats out."
Cassian growled back, "For all we know, she could have figured out that you think you're her mate and decided to hide away instead of facing that miserable reality. Shut your mouth before I shut it for you."
A soft clearing of a throat stole our attention from our brewing fight, and we all jerked our heads towards the doorway, where Mor was standing. Censure was clear in her gaze, but I couldn't summon an ounce of shame. My entire being was focused on what information she had gleaned from Aelin.
The other males were similarly focused, and Rhysand jolted forward, uttering out, "Well? What did you learn?"
Mor seemed hesitant, and I was instantly on edge. Just how bad was this? Thankfully, Mor finally spoke, "She is fine. She is not in any kind of danger. She just... she needs a breather. The Bone Carver told her something and she needs time to come to terms with it." She raised her hand, as if anticipating the barrage of questions that we were begging to let loose. What could the Carver have told her the had this big of an impact? Why did it take so long to affect her in this way? Mor continued, "I cannot tell you anything else except...give her time." She turned censure filled eyes towards me and said, "She has had enough rejection and pain in her short life, and she isn't sure if she can handle any more. I beg of you all to be cognizant of that. She will talk to you all after the High Lords meeting."
With that final statement, she gracefully turned and left the rest of us to gape at her words. I felt shame fill me at her parting words, I knew that I had handled my relationship with Aelin poorly, but hearing it laid out like that, fuck. I felt like nothing more than the scum of the earth. I sank into a chair, rubbing my hands over my face. The only thing I could do was make her feel as treasured as she really was from now on.
Cassian sounded as helpless as I felt when he asked, "So what do we do now?"
Rhysand sighed, "The only thing we can do. Give her space, and when she does finally talk to us, we can't let emotion drive the conversation. We have to protect her above all else."
I hated that I was agreeing with him, but I nodded my head. Aelin was the singular most important thing in my life, and I couldn't afford to fuck up anymore than I already had. If that meant working with these other males, then so be it.
I would hate every second, but I would do it, do anything, for Aelin.
Aelin
The day of the High Lords meeting had finally arrived. I had dressed in an opulent gown, a mixture of Night Court style and the colors of Terrasan. A glittering, gem studded gown of the deepest green covered me from the hollows of my throat to the ends of my wrists. Although it didn't show any skin, it clung tightly enough to my frame to put every curve on display. A small crown graced my head, the only indication of royalty I would allow. My hair was swept back, displaying my very human ears.
We had determined that I would go in my human skin, and only reveal my fae form if vitally necessary. In the same vein, we had decided that Rowan should stay behind, since Tamlin had already put the word out about him breaking through the barriers of the Spring Court. Rowan was not happy about that decision to say the least, but he had finally agreed when I told him it would keep questions about my appearance to a minimum, and therefore keep me safer. He still joined the rest of the court as we gathered at the House of Wind, prepared to winnow towards the meeting point.
All of the court was dressed in their finery, Mor in her typical deep red gown with daring cut outs, looking gorgeous as usual. Amren wore a slim fitting silver gown, with gems dripping off of her. Cassian and Azriel dressed in formal versions of their Illyrian armor, looking absolutely mouthwatering. Rhysand looked every inch the High Lord, in an onyx black outfit and a fine jacket overlaid. I noticed that his wings were tucked away and noted that in the back of my mind. His wings were not something he wanted the other Lords to know about.
I wouldn't lie, seeing all these males in their finery had just about stolen the breathe from my lungs, but I was still in full avoidance mode. I could face it, would face it, as soon as we got through this meeting alive. At least that's what I told myself as I tried to ignore the pure hunger that lit in each male's gaze when they saw me in my new gown. I mean I knew I looked good, but damn.
We were all preparing ourselves for the meeting mentally when Cassian took it upon himself to break the tension, because, of course he did. "Twenty marks there's a fight in the first hour."
Mor snorted, "Thirty, and it has something to do with Aelin being a human."
Surprising me, Azriel joined in, "Fifty marks, and I say within thirty minutes. Started by Tamlin."
Rhys rolled his eyes at his court, "Please try not to be so obvious about the gambling this time." He shot Cassian a pointed look and added, "And no cheating by provoking fights." When they all responded with smug grins, he sighed, " A hundred on a fight within fifteen minutes."
A snort came from Rowan, and I was beyond shocked when he joined in, "A hundred and fifty that Aelin starts a fight within ten minutes."
The rest of the court raised their eyebrows and I scowled at him. "I resent that buzzard. I can be perfectly diplomatic when I need to be." All I got was a raised eyebrow in return. Annoyed and flustered, I turned back to the rest of the court who were watching with varying degrees of amusement. They paused, apparently waiting for me to weigh in on this little wager, and I rolled my eyes. "Two hundred on me stopping a fight." They all snorted at that and I narrowed my eyes, judgmental dicks.
Rhysand held out his hand and I steeled myself, placing my hand within his as he winnowed us out. The last thing I saw was Rowan's eyes, so full of an intensity that I couldn't read.
Next thing I knew, we were in the entryway of the Dawn Court. I had read about what to expect, but it still stunned me in its beauty. It was surrounded by enormous, fluffy clouds and built out of this glorious golden stone that seemed to emanate the bright rays of the sun. There were hundreds of steps, balconies and verandas linking the stunning palace on the top of a mountain. I couldn't stop the pure awe on my face and could have sworn I heard Rhys grumble something about redecorating.
A slim fae attendant awaited us at the end of veranda, bowing as we approached. He bowed, and turned to lead us towards the meeting. I trailed slightly behind Rhysand as the attendant led us through the sun-soaked palace, followed by Cassian and Azriel as if I was a precious treasure that needed to be guarded.
We approached an open-aired chamber at the top of tower, hearing the soft murmurings of voices within. We exchanged quick glances, and I steeled myself. No matter what happened I wouldn't - couldn't - let Rowan win this gods damned wager.