Fallon was gliding through the air, her wings spread and the wind blowing in her hair. She could hardly believe she was flying to Velaris, the City of Starlight.
She tired to imagine it from what she'd heard about it, although she knew it would beat all of her expectations.
That turned out to be true when she got her fist gaze of it as she flew through the shield surrounding it. The Sun kissed her face and the view of the sea left her speechless. Everything here was so pure, so untouched, so stunning.
She was so busy admiring the city that she almost crashed into Cassian who'd come to greet her and show her the way to her new residence.
"Welcome," he said, returning her bright smile.
It was a lot to take in. She would never have thought the High Lord of the Night Court lived in such a place. But people were full of surprises and maybe this place was what'd kept him sane during his rule.
Fallon knew she was here because many of Cassian's friends were gone for the time being.
"This is incredible," she said to Cassian as a hello.
He only winked at her and led the way for her to follow. They flew over colourful streets, full of laughter and life. This was indeed a gem that had to be kept from the destructive hands of others.
They landed on a balcony of a giant house located high up. There seemed to be thousands of stairs leading to it and flying was the preferred option to take to reach it.
Fallon turned to face the city once again before Cassian got her attention, "The house is emptier than usual, but-"
He was cut off by a beautiful blonde striding out, "Hey, Fallon," she came closer and Fallon could see the spark in her brown eyes. "Wow, you're just as stunning in person," she said as she hugged Fallon.
Fallon sent out a help me look to Cassian who only shook his head, smiling.
"I'm Morrigan," the captivating blonde said once she stepped back, "but you can call me Mor."
Fallon nodded, not used to the care, or any kind of physical attention for that matter.
"Mor, meet Fallon," Cass said, seeing how flustered Fallon was.
"I can't believe I'm actually meeting the girl who kicked Azriel's ass," Mor laughed, her head turning toward the door where Azriel was standing.
Fallon hadn't noticed him earlier and he only gave her a small nod as a greeting.
Past him, a small figure appeared. She was walking toward Fallon, her short black hair swaying with each step. Her silver eyes narrowed when she reached Fallon, her hand stretched out, "Amren."
Fallon took her hand, "Fallon." It was a brief meeting, fellow soldiers getting acquainted.
Amren gave a nod of approval to Cassian before facing Fallon again.
"You're called Fallon, but is that your real name?" Amren inquired, her head cocked to the side.
"Actually, my name is Vivienne, but I go by Fallon," Fallon liked her name, but she had to admit it wasn't as powerful and warrior-like as Fallon.
"I like Vivienne better," Mor mused before grabbing Fallon's hand and leading her inside to show her around.
"This is going to be interesting," Fallon heard Amren say before they left the balcony.
---
The inside of the house was not like Fallon had imagined it. She'd thought it would be dark and cold, but this house was the exact opposite. It was cozy. Even her new room felt homey, even if it was so so big that Fallon's eyes spread wide when Mor had shown it to her.
A giant bed was set up in the middle, big enough to accommodate her wings. There was a door to the bathing room and a closet filled with Illyrian leather. Mor promised Fallon to take her shopping for some "real clothing."
On the table next to the bed was a letter from Rhys.
Welcome, Fallon.
I hope you find this room to your liking, as for the other residents... Mor gets excited sometimes, and from personal experience, it's best to let her take you around. Don't mind Amren's side comments, you have my permission to push Cassian off the balcony if he annoys you, and as for Azriel, I believe you can handle him just well.
We are glad to have you as a part of our team,
Rhysand.
As soon as Fallon was done reading the letter, Mor dragged out of her room to show her the city and maybe get some new clothes before dinner.
In the hall, two figures - although they were more like shadows - greeted them. "Nuala and Cerridwen," explained Mor, "they are maids, but also Azriel's spies."
Fallon explained to Mor that she didn't need maids, that she could take care of herself alone and Mor only nodded, promising to tell them that.
---
The streets of Velaris were lively and busting. After having lived in the Camp for so long, Fallon couldn't stop staring at all the shops they passed and at how at peace people seemed here.
"In here," Mor mused and led Fallon into a shop. It was so stunning that Fallon froze in her step at the entrance.
Hundreds of dresses, shirts and shoes were lined up all over the store. From velvet to silk, from long gowns to too short dresses. This shop had everything.
Mor watched her new friend with a smile on her lips, and Fallon finally pulled herself together enough to stop in front of a rack with dresses. Not those fancy gowns that seemed more suffocating than useful. How could anyone fight in that if need be?
No, these dresses were from just one layer of fabric, in different colours.
"Pick whatever you like," Mor said, coming to Fallon's side who looked at her doubtfully, "consider it your welcome present." Mor stalked off to the shoe section, her silky blond hair swaying with each graceful step she took.
Deep down, a tight feeling clenched Fallon's stomach. She'd never be as jaw-droppingly beautiful or as effortlessly graceful. She knew that the Morrigan was a warrior, while she could only dream of being more than a common soldier.
She turned away from her new - friend? colleague? - and once she did, Fallon couldn't keep her eyes from those dresses. In the back of her mind a voice kept reminding her she wouldn't have anywhere to wear them. But things were different now. She could wear a dress and not be ashamed for wanting to put effort into her appearance.
She chose a mahogany red dress, so dark it was almost black. It had a tight bodice, a v-cut with long sleeves and a velvet skirt. Mor gave her a nod when she'd shown it to her.
Fallon's next pick was a dark blue dress that matched her siphons. The neckline hugged her neck, while her shoulders were exposed. She picked out some more causal looking dresses, one in emerald green, one in black and another red one.
But Fallon couldn't get one particular dress out of her mind. It was honey yellow with light, flowy, layered silk skirt and tight bodice that ended off her shoulders.
"What are you waiting for?" Mor's voice sounded from behind Fallon, who'd been looking at that dress for ten minutes. "Take it and let's go."
Fallon smiled at her new friend. Why was she having such a hard time deciding? Fallon rolled her eyes at herself and bought the dress. The dress that would always remind her of this day - the day a small spark was lit inside her again.
---
Azriel looked up from his plate at Cassian's whistle.
"Good evening, ladies," Cassian cooed from the dinner table.
Amren was already seated next to Azriel when Mor and Fallon walked in. He hadn't spoken to her at all today, but there hadn't been many opportunities since Mor'd decided to show Fallon around.
And show her around she did. No more Illyrian leather for Fallon as she walked in. Azriel's eyes immediately raked over her body, and the red dress she was wearing made his breath hitch.
He forced himself to greet Mor, who looked stunning in her white dress, but his eyes didn't linger on her. She didn't make his heart beat faster or make him stumble for words.
Not when all his attention was on Fallon.
That went on for the rest of the dinner. Every time Fallon laughed at something Cassian'd said while they were catching up, the coldness in Azriel's heart warmed. He couldn't understand how she could be making him feel this way, not when he'd known her for just a few days.