#it’s got a nice scaly texture and it felt amazing before I even turned it on

[honey-lemon-halo]

uh oh besties I might be at risk of becoming addicted to this thing

[cofeechocolates]

Embers and Stars Chapter 3

tags: @acourtofme

Feyre sat in her room, poring over the designs she had planned for their new estate. It was mostly done. All that was left were a few finishing touches. It was turning out to be beautiful, mostly thanks to all the help Ressina had provided. She was a really nice co-worker and more than that a good friend.

Feyre stretched her legs and arms on the chair and got up. She had planned on going out to the studio.The time she spent at the art classes was now reduced since they had found more teachers and she was busy designing or helping with the court work, but Feyre still liked to go help whenever she found the time.

The classes had helped lots to recover from their trauma. Some were still coping with it and some just couldn't. Some she had realized, found it easier to simply just talk. To those, she would sit patiently for hours sometimes listening and comforting. She knew they wouldn't be the same but rather different. The war would be marked in each them. It was vital to ensure that they come out as better people and not let the war make a monster of them.

She grabbed her thin, black coat and set outside. The harsh cold had started to turn into a slight chill so she opted to fly instead of walking. The breeze would serve her some practice of fling with illyrian wings in the cold. She could barely tolerate being a second out in the snow with her wings, but this kind of breeze she should be able to manage. She lifted off the ground and one flap was all she could handle before the wind hit her sensitive wings that sent shivers through her. Except she was adamant on her decision. If the guys were able to do it , then she should too. It was unacceptable for her to give up. So she flew all the way to the studio.

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Feyre was barely able to land. She was wrecked. Though, she didn't regret flying up here. It was fun if it weren't for the shivers passing through her right now. Shifting back without the wings, she entered the studio when Rhys's purred through the bond I'm impressed you know

She blushed slightly but shot back I know I'm better than you Illyrian babies

His laughter boomed through their bond, making her toes curl.

Where are you? She asked.

In a meeting. It's boring really, I can't stop thinking about you.

A small smile bloomed on her face but she quickly concealed it lest Ressina start teasing her again.

You can wait till this evening She replied although she reciprocated his feelings.

Azriel and Cassian are coming over he said.

Feyre felt happy at that. What about Mor?

She said she would come tomorrow to visit and be on her way.

She didn't want to show her disappointment at that. She understood why Mor wanted to go but she still wished she would stay.

Amren?

She said she had better things to do than hang out with a bunch of idiots. But I'm sure she'll be here.

How?

I have my ways.

Feyre rolled her eyes. Thought Rhys couldn't see her, she was sure he knew she made the gesture because he sent an image of him sticking his tongue out.

She laughed quietly and said you'll get in trouble if they know your not paying attention.

And just when Rhys was about to make a retort, she shut the bond and smiled to herself.

She walked further into the studio where the painting was being done to find Ressina and Livia- one of the newer faerie teachers that had joined. She assisted the students in sculpting. She gave both of them a small smile and a nod of acknowledgement. A few of the faerie who had been coming since the beginning waved at her and greeted her . She greeted them back. She looked around the studio and set to help a kid when she saw he was having trouble holding his brush. It was just too long and thick to fit in his tiny hands. So she went through the supply of paintbrushes they had - most of them brought in by her and Ressina, while others were donated - to find the right size and it was harder than it should be to find the right size. Finally after five whole minutes of rummaging through all the supplies, she still hadn't found the right one but it was close enough and should work well. She went approached the boy while making a mental note to stock up on more supplies suitable for little kids.

He looked up at her. He couldn't have been more than four years old. He had violet eyes that looked so like her mates but he wasn't high fae she could tell from skin that glimmered like a fishes but absent of any scaly texture. He had an ethereal beauty to him even amongst the faerie and fae.

Feyre handed him the brush telling him how the one in his hands was too big for him. He nodded obediently, understanding and took the smaller one. Feyre knelt down next to him teaching him how he was supposed to hold a brush and how much water he should add in the paints. He listened keenly and learnt fast. Once she thought he had gotten hang of it, she left to look at others but came back once in a while to check on his progress. The final picture was of what looked like a small pond in the middle of a forest. The detail he had added was amazing. Though the picture in itself was consisting of blots of paint in different shapes, you could see that he had painted everything from the large trees to the small pebbles around the pond. He was very gifted there was no doubt in that. With the right amount of practice and guidance he could become one of the most talented artists in Velaris.

                    -----------------------

By the time she decided to go home, Feyre was exhausted. There was a particularly naughty kid who kept making a mess. Just thinking about him made her head ache.

You better get used to it Rhys said.

She blushed a deep red. Bastard

She had let her guard down as soon as soon as she had left the studio. She didn't stop cursing at him all the time it took for her to walk home.

                 ----------------------

Rhys couldn't stop laughing. He was rolling on the floor in their town house. He knew Feyre was probably a minute away from here and if he didn't stop he was going to get in big trouble but he couldn't stop himself.

Like he'd guessed, he heard the door creak open after two minutes. He had successfully managed to school his face neutral. His mate's face was red - either from the cold outside or from what he had said earlier. She removed her coat and threw it on him but Rhysand easily dodged it. She pointedly ignored him while going to the bathroom to take a bath. He followed her to their room and closed the door behind him.

"Feyre darling", he said "I'm sorry for laughing ".

She glared at him and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Ass kisser" she murmured.

"Only yours" he said kissing her deeply.

He was disappointed when she broke it saying she needed to get a bath. He had suggested he go with her but she had reminded him that Azriel and Cassian were coming and he should be there since Elain had gone out with Naula and Cereddwin.

Forty minutes later the house was a chaos, Feyre had come out dressed up to find that everything in the house was scattered around. She had no idea how it had started but the guys were in fight. It had resumed all for two seconds when she had shouted at them. And somehow, later Feyre was also in it. Cassian had broken one of the oldest bottles which he was going to die for when they heard Mor shout. None of them had heard her come in it seemed, since everyone went still. Feyre looked at her once and immediately sensed something was wrong. She took a step towards Mor and asked what was wrong.

Mor quickly explained everything and showed them what she saw. A high fae and another she had said. And a dark hole probably a portal of sort. Feyre decided she and Rhys should go check it out while Cassian and Azriel remained here. She could see the protests that were about to come from the two of them but she gave them a look that dared them to say anything and they yielded however still pissed.She told Mor to take them there and she did as commanded.

A few heartbeats later, the three of them were standing at the place. Feyre sent out a tendril of her power to scan the place for any traces of power but she got nothing. Rhys went next. He sent more then she had almost thrice and said," I can sense it. Although it's very vague almost as if it's trying to conceal itself. It's dark almost if not more as dark as the cauldron's. But it isnt coming from the two.", he said. "It's only the surroundings.I'd say they seem pretty harmless to me." That was enough for her. She walked closer as the injuries and blood loss became more and more evident as well as the manner of creatures they were. "Feyre," she heard her mate call but she was too intent on saving them that she ignored him. A male and a female she realized.Both looked like high fae although she couldn't be quite sure about the female since her hair covered her ears. And with the blood covering the both of them, more so on the female than the male she couldn't scent it either.It wasn't until then that she realized the position they were in - The male's hands were wrapped around the female's almost protectively. She heard footsteps sound behind her when she decided what she would do.