Aelin studied the crowd gathering around the tale minder. Her head tilted to the side as people mustered around the old man, whispers, and coins clanking sounding in the air.
The wind lifted her braid, its softness poking her skin as she stood in the shadows of the street and watched as the tale minder cleared his throat.
Tale minders. The name was famous amongst every kid, elder, soldier there was, Fae or no. They were a group of people who were said to be half-bloods, children of fae and humans, carrying with them stories from the earliest of times when mortals had first been born. There was no story they didn't know, from kingdoms of the most ancient of times to the gods and goddesses that once walked Earth.
"Tell us about the tale of Estella!" a kid chirped from the crowd.
The old man let out a lazy laugh, his voice rumbling along the stones in the street. Unlike war masters, tale minders were simple, wise beings that traveled around the world, bearing the knowledge and wisdom from their time on Earth.
This one was no exception. His long, silver hair was braided casually, gleaming in the sunlight. His beard fell to his abdomen, rough while the wrinkles and marks on his face became clearer as the sunlight fell onto his gracious face, dark brown eyes crinkling in the light. While his body was flared in a long, plain robe that was gripped around his waist with a red sash, it still looked finer than most clothing she'd seen other tale mindes wear.
There had been ones in Tropilus, they'd make their yearly visit and were rather famous around the city slums, but Rick would make sure she had been occupied with a long, tiring job that would keep her busy for the whole day. Bullshit he had called it. Stories that were nothing but rumors that carried stains and embarrassment of mortal downfalls.
She embraced herself, leaning against the stone wall as she watched with interest, excited at the tale that was about to unfold. She had heard about Estella and its salt mines. The city had been raided by the king of Belarus after he killed its royals and transformed it into slavery mines. Where rebels and Fae were tortured, butchered, and put to work. But it was its name, before all the city of scattered stars, that grasped her attention.
She had grown quite fond of stars.
"A long long time ago," the tale minder started, gazing at the crowd as his attention snapped between each member of the crowd. Aelin sunk deeper into the shadow's embrace to avoid his stare, which she knew would gaze his attention considering they were quite sneaky bastards.
His voice was deep and hauled, throat bobbing as he continued, "Estella was called the country of scattered stars. You see when King David mated with Seraphine, beloved goddess of the sun, and blessed him with a child, she swore to protect them from her place in the skies, keeping a watch over her love and her daughter, Queen Verena. What most people don't know is Asteria, the goddess of Stars and Beyond was so touched by their love that she swore to Seraphine in the dark times of the Cramoisan war that she would watch over them when Seraphine attuned to the battles with the other Gods. So to fulfill her promise, she commanded her stars to watch over Estella and protect the place and prosper it.
"So beautiful, it was breath-taking how many stars soared there. Millions and billions scattered all over the country for all the people to witness. Each year, on the birthday of Queen Verena the stars would meander across the country falling to the ground in form of Amarills, the flower of fire, and singing to the people to remind them of their promise, to protect and serve as long as the Flame Bearers breathed and ruled. The most beautiful part was that people would wander over from the world, to witness that one night, when Fae and mortals and half-bloods would dance and feast together and witness the stars singing and falling, living up to their promise, reminding that Asteria still watched over them. It was called the Day of Starlight.
"But then the Cramoisan War came and everything fell apart. The King and Queen died leaving Estella to Queen Verena. The grief-struck everyone in the country, it roared to them. But what no one realized was it was a promise of downfall. Soon after things changed. When Clio-Sidra was born and Edward Aillard took over, Fae left Estella, leaving the people left behind mourning for the loss of their loved ones and their beloved majesties. The next decade went by, Queen Verena served well keeping her people and country safe from the horrors of the outside world and Edward Aillard. She fell in love with a warrior, Edmond, and mated with him. The warrior married her and was crowned king, surrendering his mortality for his love.
"The next millennia went by peacefully. Generations continued, offsprings prospered. More Fae started coming for the Day of starlight as the stars kept their promises. But then Edward Aillard's son came into rule. And while Estella prospered he built his forces to an extreme extent. Then he made his move and took over Estella. The king and queen tried but they failed against his brutal forces. They were invaded.
"The king of Belarus sent all of the people and royals into slavery and the royal born, the only daughter of queen Beatrice, a descendant of Verena who ruled Estella at the time, was butchered along with their majesties. Estella was turned into Slave Mines, where slaves from each of the king's captured countries were sent to work and suffer. There was so much blood and torment that the grounds were stained with blood permanently. When the last Flame Bearer, heir to the throne of Estella, daughter of queen Beatrice and king Alnord was killed, the stars that had sworn to protect and fight slowly started blinking away.
"With each night that went by, they disappeared into the darkness until there were none left. All of the stars abandoned the skies, and the Day of Starlight faded along with the memories of their majesties, their offspring, and their promises. The sky was stripped of its beauty and the only thing that now coils there is the blood of the many slaves that are tortured and butchered every day."
When the minder finished, the crowd had gone utterly quiet and still, as if processing what had just been told. So slowly Aelin loosened a breath she didn't know she was holding, staring intently at the minder who was waving at the disappearing people, a wicked grin spread across his face.
Aelin's breath hitched, gut-twisting as she processed what had just been told.
Estella . . . that goddamned country.
She ever so slowly began walking towards the shops, mind flooded with questions and theories as she stumbled along the stones, staring at the ground intently. Bile burned in her throat, eyes straining as she quietly took small steps.
Everyone had left by now, leaving the Tale minder to pack his things, gathering the many coins the people had offered him.
"They still say," he started, his raspy voice filled with curiosity and utter amusement. Aelin stilled in her place, gawking at the ground in front of her as her heart pounded loudly. Ever so slowly she turned to look at him, but the old man was busy hurling through his things as he spoke, a harsh expression spread across his face.
He didn't look up as he continued, "that the queen and king's child didn't die that day. Queen Beatrice loved her husband dearly but during the attack on their city, they couldn't bear losing their only child considering the complications the queen had when she bore her daughter. So they secretly sailed her off into the sea, without any protection or guardian and she rode the waves until she reached another kingdom, whose king and queen raised the child like their own. Thus even though these are just legends and fools say these rumors are true I wonder if the princess really did make it out alive. And if she'll return and reclaim her throne and revive the promise made all those centuries ago. Or maybe she never made it out alive."
The old man's chuckle was what made her eyes snap back open. Her breath hitched as she looked around only to be met with an empty street with no sign that a Tale Minder had been here.
His laugh still echoed as she walked away.
She didn't let her thoughts wander over to what he had said as she walked through the noisy street. People wandering around attending to their business and buying goods from the many shops. She didn't even know if what the minder had said was true. If it was Atarah . . . no she didn't let herself think that far.
She was only here for her amulet. This wasn't her business.
Her attention turned towards a shop, one she was rather excited to visit as she stalked towards it. With each step its title, written in simmering gold became clearer, a joy pouncing through her as she strolled towards it. The name Fancy Delights was written on the glass window, the books and instruments resting in their place just as she remembered.
She would've walked in and faded into the beauty of those bound pages if she hadn't realize she didn't have any money. The thought wiped the grin off her face as she frowned. Averting her steps was rather difficult.
If she had remembered, she would have borrowed some money or taken some from one of her companions.
With a quick spin, she surveyed the crowd until her stare met with a rather fine-looking young man.
He was dressed in riches, the material of his clothes textured as she crept closer. His hair was styled back, fair skin glinting as he held his chin up, shoulders straight, and walked proudly in the busy street.
Once she was almost walking next to him, her hand slipped into the pocket of his huge maroon cloak. She tried being as stealthy and quiet as she could but she couldn't help with the rich texture of the material he was wearing.
As softly as she could, she pulled out a small bag full of coins. The coins clicked together as she waved the small bag at the stranger who didn't even realize what had happened.
Guess some of Rick's skills paid off, she thought to herself.
"That's not very lady-like," a deep voice called from behind her. A voice she knew too well. So Aelin froze in her place before slowly turning around, to find a cloaked prince smirking at her.
~
"Prince," Aelin called out.
"Aelin," Adrian replied.
They walked in a deserted street with a closed-end, shadows hovering over them as both leaned against opposite walls.
It took her a minute to adjust to . . . not killing him. He was lucky she hadn't cut his throat out when he'd called her name. Her heart pounded louder and louder, a chill spider-like walking down her spine.
He was just as he looked yesterday, though it felt like an eternity had passed since she last saw him. His brown hair was left messy, falling over his thick eyebrows as it curled at the end. His cloak, which he only removed after checking every corner of the street, rested along his broad shoulders.
But those brown eyes, those were what intrigued her the most. The desperation and pain and utter dullness that glowed in them like her own.
"I didn't realize you were so flattered that you came to find me again," Aelin drawled, flipping her braid sarcastically as she grinned.
He smirked at her, arms crossed as he looked her over. The act alone sent heat rushing through her, body tingling with a strange sensation.
"Ah yes, your beauty took such a toll on me I couldn't resist."
Play with me, his eyes seemed to say.
So she calmed her racing nerves as she batted her eyelashes, swallowing before she spoke, "So wild prince, I wonder what the king would do if he found out about your little trick."
Something crossed through his face. Panic, Pain, timidness, she couldn't tell, but it disappeared as soon as it came, leaving him with his feline smile as he raised an eyebrow.
"Oh don't worry about me, though I must say what I caught you doing could get you in rather trouble if one of the guards caught you," Adrian mused. An expression of hunger and wildness sprawled along his face, as he relaxed, his cloak shifting behind him.
Aelin couldn't help the red that tinted her cheeks.
Shit.
She was in absolute shit with this man.
"Uh, I wasn't stealing," she squealed, eyebrows furrowing as she played innocent, "I was merely borrowing. Besides, I don't see how it would make any difference in that man's treasure. I assure you he was worth more than a few gold coins."
Adrian shrugged in response.
'I don't know. Why'd you need the money?" he asked curiously.
She stared at him for a long moment, eyebrows furrowed, face a mask of disbelief while her lips parted. She shook her head, eyes shut close as she answered, "Oh you know, I've been eyeing some rather interesting lacy little underthings in a shop around the corner. I'm thinking why don't I buy this red pair I've been leering on and seduce one of my companions."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, his teeth flashing as his grin widened. He walked towards her, licking his bottom lip.
In that moment Aelin wished the wall would swallow her whole as he stepped closer. Heat flushed through her again as he shut her eyes, leaning against the wall entirely.
"Ok I'm joking I wanted the money to buy myself books," she blurted. His footsteps halted as she peeked open an eye and found him looking at her gravely, eyebrows knitted together before he burst out laughing.
It was one of the most beautiful sounds she had heard, its deepness like flowing music as it rumbled of the walls around them.
Once he stopped, holding his stomach tightly, as his red face relaxed, he looked her over once again, the primal instinct and lust from earlier disappearing wholly as he said, "I didn't take you for a reader."
She rolled her eyes, gaping at him as she said, "I love books. They're so beautiful and intriguing. It's as if you're living in the story, and each turn of page opens a door to new possibilities."
"I could get lost you know, for hours I can just sit and turn through pages and devour each word and character and their stories. It's such a beautiful escape." She whispered the last part staring at the ground as memories from her past flooded her mind.
Only when Adrian's hand held her own did she look up to meet his gaze, his eyes gleaming with understanding as if he too knew exactly what she meant. Shivers ran long along her bones, hand almost quivering as Adrian rubbed his callous thumb along her palm, staring at the scars around her wrist intently before she jerked it back.
He slowly looked up to her, tilting his head to the side as if he were searching for something. An answer to a question that was bothering him.
"I read too, a lot actually. If you ever want good book recommendations, you should ask me." His voice was deep and soothing.
She thought about doing it, her mind stopping her from asking the stupid question as she gazed at his back while he slowly moved towards the open-end.
Letting out a deep sigh, she shook her head, blaming her mind for it as she pleaded, "Wait."
Adrian happily turned around. A sheepish smile plastered on his face.
~
Hours later, the sun dove behind the buildings as Aelin laughed serving herself with another lemon tart, savoring its taste as her mouth filled with its cream. A groan escaped her lips. This was one of the most delicious desserts she'd treated herself with, its sweet aftertaste leaving her pleading for more.
A gaze at the bags spread around her eased her further a wide grin spread on her face.
Adrian let out a sigh, helping himself to another pastry.
Aelin had declined his offer to buy any food but he had forced her to try some. Surely she ran all the way back to the shop and bought many many sweet things.
"You should have bought those unmentionables, I'm sure seducing anyone wouldn't be hard in those," Adrian mused, snapping out of their laughing trance.
"You're rather interested in seeing me in those," Aelin muttered as she bit into another tart.
They'd spent the hours shopping for books and clothes and chanting about things. Preferably books and food and music.
It was those few hours in which she had forgotten about her worries and amulet and bargains. These hours had been rather peaceful for her, escaping through her worries, lost in thoughts with him, and sharing interests.
The first time when she wasn't planning a murder. The first time when someone listened and enjoyed her company.
The thought jolted her as she realized she had to return.
But it wasn't that thought which startled her, leaving her shaken to the core.
In that moment when she stared at the smiling prince, she realized how much this man had to offer. She could see it in his eyes, that for once gleamed with genuine joy, a happier life, a peaceful existence.
A promise. Of a better future. A better world.
One that almost convinced her to stay and fight.
"Have you ever played chess?" Adrian asked snapping her out of her trance.
"No very much thank you," she drawled swallowing on the last bits of her pastry.
He shrugged in response. She clenched her jaw, eyes rolling in response.
"Mind me for finding it boring. I have no interest in moving some wooden pieces around a checkboard," she grumbled, earning a glare from him.
"But that's not all it is," he groaned shaking his head, his hair ruffling to the slight breezes, "chess is spectacular, the planning and tactics and calculating. I could play for days and not get bored." When Aelin only huffed in response he gestured his hand towards her, irritatedly shooing her.
"You should come to the castle some time. I'll teach you. And then you'll see how interesting it can get," he offered, his voice elegant.
Aelin choked on a laugh, gaping at sky as she reassured, "I promise you if the king finds me walking around the corridors, he'll be 'off with my head.'" She mimicked in a rather unpleasant voice.
"Besides the ladies will just melt from the jealousy if they see you with another woman." Both of them burst out laughing, eyes damp with tears as they clenched their stomachs.
The guards hustling around the corner had them both shoot up to their feet.
Panic arose on both their faces as she looked around ready to pounce on anything that would come their way. Her hand slipped to her dagger unconsciously.
Their soldiers' swords clinking filled her ears as their grumbles got louder.
Aelin shot a glance towards the prince but he was too busy assessing the narrow alley.
"I need to go," both of them said at the same time. Aelin only smiled at him, lips tugging up as he clenched his jaw before relaxing once again.
"Will I be meeting you any sooner?" he asked, alertness lingering in his voice.
"Who knows I can't say anything about what the future has in mind. Maybe our paths will cross again. But I do look forward to those classes. I might come around." And with that both of them exchanged quiet glances, promises to see the other lingering in their eyes as they quietly left the street.
And headed in two different directions.
The prince to his palace.
The assassin to the prince's emerging doom.
~
The had sunk entirely, darkness gaping around her as Aelin hauled towards the apartment, arms exhausted from carrying bags and bags of clothes and books. She didn't realize it earlier, but the cut on her arm winced again as she bit her lip, slowly walking towards the approaching apartment. Voices began to die down as she walked on the hard stone ground, gazing at the people and their children.
That was when her thoughts drifted towards the Tale minder's tale.
He said the last Flame Bearer was still alive. But Atarah had said her entire family was from Ethopia and all royal blood's had the power to wield flames. Then what was she missing?
Or maybe the Tale Minder was the one that got it all wrong.
She debated for a good minute about telling the group about Adrian. She was sure he had no idea what his father had planned. Maybe he would help them. Maybe not. But his aid could prove rather useful, cutting through half their problems if all of them agreed. And she found the guts to tell him.
She stormed up the stairs, the scent of roses welcoming her as she clicked open the door and stepped in. The quietness suggested enough.
"I know, I know, I said I'd be careful and I was gone the whole day. I just got distracted buying all this-"
She looked up to find all of them pale, fidgeting around, as the whisk of seriousness and worry hit her.
Everyone was quiet minding their own business. Something was very much wrong. Her heart lurked at the sight of their taut faces. Each of her thoughts from earlier died down entirely as thunder boomed in her chest and she dropped her bags on the floor.
That was when she realized what was wrong.
Who was missing.
"Where is he?" she asked, voice grave as she walked to the sitting area, arms crossed as she looked at them.
Lucien met her gaze, swallowing before he answered, "He went to get food. He said we were out and we didn't know how to tell you so he said he would go to a nearby shop and get supplies." Lucien looked away, at Atarah, whose eyes were wide, face bone-white as she absentmindedly stared at the floor.
"He's been gone for over four hours."
Aelin felt something hit her like a blow, air sucked out of her lungs as her heart stopped beating. Eyes widened, she stared at them. Anger and fear coiled her nerves as she clenched her jaw, hands pressed in tight fists.
"When I tell you to stand down you do as I say!" she screamed as she sucked on her teeth. "All of you just cannot listen, can you? Just have to do whatever you want and ignore anyone who thinks good for you!"
Her gut twisted, a metallic taste filling her mouth as her nostrils flared, body tense.
Everyone was still, staring at her with desperation, strain leaking from them. Walking over to Atarah she examined the princess. No emotions showed on her face but she could see the tears welling in her eyes. Letting out a deep sigh she shook her head.
"If he dies, his death is on your hands princess," she gritted through her teeth, body tensing further as she stormed out. She didn't glance back to see what the princess said or did but she could hear her whimper.
"Do not leave this apartment," she screamed, her voice deep, a roughness to it as she clamped back down.
And once again Aelin stepped into the cold night this time not as a companion to the group, or a friend.
This time she stepped out as the assassin she was. As the monster that slept under her skin. And began searching for Fennis, both swords clutched in her hands.