Archive of Our Own

Author's Note:

Happy Beltane everyone!

It's been a while since I posted on here but that's because I've been working on a private project while tinkering with this one-shot on the side. This was supposed to be a short and sweet little one-shot of our favorite assassin, buuuuuut... Anyways, this turned into a 25k word long story!

Hope you enjoy the read ^_^

He made sure his hood hung low, casting his face in deep shadows. The night sky hung like a black velvet with the stars dotting it like sparkling diamonds. For a moment he paused and tilted his head back to get a good look at sky. It wasn't the same as home, though he could spot some constellations he recognized.

The Lord of the North. Celaena would stare at it any time she was outside and the sky was clear. He knew she didn't think anyone noticed. But he had. He knew, even though she pretended not to, that she missed her old home in the northern kingdom. He didn't know the whole story, only that Arobynn had found her in a river in Terrasen, but he was certain that whatever had happened to her had caused a wound so deep that a part of her had died back then.

He missed her so much. Not even an hour went by without him thinking about her. The worst was not knowing. Where was she now? Had Arobynn let her go? Killed her? Filled her head with lies? He would not be surprised if Arobynn had convinced her he had abandoned her.

A thousand questions had plagued his mind ever since Arobynn had told him that he'd taken Celaena away, locked her up. He could remember the terror as he raced back home, abandoning his mission completely and with a smug Arobynn following after him. But when he got back to the apartment Celaena was gone, even though it was still some time until she was supposed to come looking for him. She should have been there.

If he wanted Celaena back he had to to do one more job, Arobynn had said. Then someone jumped him from behind, knocking him out in one swift blow to his head. The next thing he knew he was on a ship  with a letter beside him with a detailed assignment and threats to Celaena's life.

Now he was here, spying on some noble family in a kingdom in the far east. All he had to latch on to from his old life was some old tattered letters Celaena had sent him the first two years. Then they'd stopped coming. Arobynn must have caught her somehow. Or he was on to her and she couldn't send him anything.

A futile hope as it was after another four years having now passed and he'd received no word from her. Complete silence from her and Arobynn. No more threats, or reassignments, nothing.

She was dead, or worse. She had to be.

Or she'd gotten caught in the war he'd glimpsed in the newspapers. However, he doubted Celaena would get herself mixed up in that, not on her own accord anyway.

In just five months he could finally wrap up his job and go back home. If home was still in the loft of the warehouse. If Celaena still wanted him in her life. If she was still there at all.

He drew a shuddering breath and tore his gaze away from the twinkling stars. It did no good dwelling on what may be when there was nothing he could do about it right now. He could dream of breaking Arobynn's neck later.

He fixed his attention on the sign to the postal office across the street. The front door had a closed sign in the window and the room beyond was dark. He crossed the street in quick strides, slipping into the alleyway and went to the back of the building. Faint light could be seen in the lone upstairs window.

Before he even got to approach the back door, let alone do their signature knock, he heard hurried steps descending the stairs inside and the door swung open.

"You're late, Sam Cortland." Daara gave him a disapproving look and crossed her arms. Despite the hour of the night, she looked like she had just combed her curly brown hair and the kohl around her eyes looked freshly applied.

"I got distracted."

Daara shook her head then a smile cracked her annoyed expression. "Stargazing?"

He scoffed a small laugh. She knew him too well. "Are you going to let me in or not? Or I could deliver the report here but I think that would look a little bit suspicious if anyone saw us."

She rolled her eyes and stepped out of the doorway. "Get inside, you goof."

Chuckling he stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him before he followed Daara up a flight of narrow stairs as they've done countless times now. When they reached the office, Daara closed the door behind them while he dropped into his chair, melting into the leather seat finally relaxing after a long day. He fished out his report and tossed it on the desk, happy to be rid of it.

Though the meetings with Daara were strictly business, he'd grown fond of her and had begun to look forward to the monthly report. A friendly face to chase away his dark thoughts. If only for a short while.

"Want some rin?" Daara asked as she opened the liquor cabinet.

"You know I do," he said, giving her a slight smile.

She filled two small glasses. "I still have to ask. My mother claimed it was something to do with good manners or whatever," she said and winked as she handed him the glass with the golden-brown liquid. Daara dumped into her chair and propped her feet up on the desk as she downed her rin. She didn't even bother to open the report, and moved it to a pile of papers to the side. "Why do you still bother?" She asked. "It's not like your boss is responding or even giving you anything new anymore. I don't think there's even payment coming through either."

His shoulders slumped. "So there's still nothing? No letters from..."

"Your friend? No," she said, refilling her glass. "Complete silence the past four years and I don't think that's going to change, Sam."

He looked down, rolling the liquid around in the glass. "It's just more of his mind games."

Daara sighed heavily. "Look, I hate to say it but you need to consider the fact that you've been duped hard. Whether it's by him or her or both, something is very fishy about this whole thing." She tapped her glass thoughtfully, her brows furrowed and her gaze was on the paper pile. "I think you should go home. Sooner rather than later and find out what's really going on over there."

Sam frowned. Though it was an alluring idea, the moment Arobynn got wind of what he was doing, Celaena's life would be in danger.

"I'll even cover for you," Daara continued. "I could forge reports for the remaining time, send them off in your name and good old Hamel won't know you're missing from your post until you and your darling is reunited."

It could work. Maybe. But Arobynn was a sly snake. In fact, for all he knew even Daara could be working for him, feeding him information and even trying to trap him with false promises.

No. He chased the thoughts away. Daara was a friend, a dear friend even. And not for anything did he want to think of her as the enemy.

"It's too risky..." he said slowly.

Daara took another swig of her drink. Her dark eyes settled on him, her gaze filling him with warmth. "Think on it. Just know that I'm here for you, Sam, if you need anything."

He couldn't help but smile slightly. "You've already done more than enough."

"You can never do too much for those you care about." She let out a light, beautiful laugh. "More wise words from my mother. Rest her soul." She put the empty glass on the desk next to the bottle of rin. Then she gave him a pointed look. "And know that if that darling of yours doesn't appreciate all the sacrifices you've done for her these years, I'll personally cross the ocean and wallop her to the moon."

He laughed heartily. The thought of Daara going head to head with Celaena was just too funny. Yes, Daara could fight, hold her own against an assailant or maybe two. But Celaena was on a whole other level. He shook his head, still smiling. "You'd be in for quite the fight then."

"I'll be very motivated to win," she laughed. "But before you decide to stay or leave, I have a favor to ask."

He raised an eyebrow. "Now I'm curious. I believe this is the first time you've asked anything of me."

She let out a small laugh, tinged with a sudden nervousness. "There's a parade to welcome the foreign dignitaries. There'll be food, music, dancing... I was thinking we could go together. As friends, of course."

He chuckled. "That's hardly a favor, Daara, I'd be delighted to go with you." Daara seemed to relax at his words. "Who are the dignitaries?"

Daara arched her eyebrows. "You do know this has been in the newspapers for months, right?" Sam just shrugged. He'd avoided the papers as much as he could since he started seeing news about the brewing war, all it did was make it so much harder to stay when all he wanted was to go home and make sure Celaena was safe.

Daara shook her head. "The new Queen and King of Terrasen, you goof. That's why everyone's so excited. Everyone thought the Queen had been assassinated with her family ages ago, but she emerged and defeated the King of Adarlan and all his armies. We don't quite know how she hid for so many years though." Daara's eyes twinkled as she flashed him a grin. "Perhaps you could use your spying skills and get us some special intel."

Sam scoffed. "I'm not going to tussle with royalty." He glanced over at the clock hanging on the wall. He downed the rest of his drink and rose. "It's late, I should go."

"Or you could spend the night with me," Daara winked. Sam faltered which only made her burst into laughter. "I'm only teasing you, Sam." She opened the door and looped her arm in his and led him out of the office and back the way they'd come earlier. "Though I very much wouldn't mind you in my bed, I know you're saving yourself for your woman."

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Daara paused. Sam looked over at her and saw a hint of sadness in her eyes as she watched him back.

"It's so annoying," she said with a sigh.

"What is?"

She raised her hand, gently moving a stray lock of hair from his face before her warm hand settled on her cheek. "That you're taken. Just my luck."

An urge to wrap his arms around her and pull her close wafted over him, a need he'd felt tug at him several times but he always ignored it. Even now. Or maybe just one kiss... No, that wouldn't be fair to her.

Sam cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, Daara."

She smiled sadly. "Don't be." She pulled away form him and took a step back. "I'll see you tomorrow. Dress nicely."

He bid her goodnight before he slipped back outside, pausing to turn around and give her wave before she could close the door behind him and he headed back to the streets. He couldn't help but feel bad for her. Daara had made her feelings clear a while ago, and if his heart hadn't already belonged to Celaena, he would have reciprocated those feelings. She was warm, funny, witty. Not to mention stubborn, but in a good way.

He sucked in a deep breath, letting the cool air of the night chill him from the inside, clearing his mind. Soon he would be leaving, perhaps sooner than he'd thought if he was willing to take the risk of igniting Arobynn's wrath.

What was Celaena doing now? Attending a party, maybe. Scouting out a target before an assassination if Arobynn had forced her back into his fold. Or, if the gods willed it, she had escaped and was trying to find him or lay low. Anywhere but with Arobynn was fine.

Weary with worry and exhausted from a long day, Sam shuffled up the stairs to his apartment and somehow made it to his bed before tumbling into the void of sleep.

It was a restless sleep. The faces of two women floated in and out of his vision, their voices echoing over each other to the point he couldn't tell what they were shouting. But he could feel them even though he could not make out their words. One wanted him to stay, the other calling him home.

When the morning rays of the sun shone through the split in the curtains waking him from his churning sleep, it felt like his mind had been filled with cotton. Sam rolled out of bed with a groan and dragged his feet to the bathroom. He dunked his head in the washbasin, hoping it would wash away the lingering grogginess.

It didn't help much.

He grabbed a towel and dried himself as he returned to his bedroom and opened the doors of his wardrobe. It was a modest set of clothes, luxurious clothing was Celaena's thing and he'd never really cared much about what he wore. The old suit he'd stolen over a year ago would have to do. It wasn't anything special, but it was nice. In his opinion anyway. Daara might have something to say about it.

There wasn't any time to go shopping now, not that he had the money to spare for pretty clothes anyway.

He took the suit out and dressed quickly before leaving without bothering with breakfast. He could grab that from a vendor on the way. And he could get Daara something too.

The streets were surprisingly busy. Garlands had been strung up between the buildings and flowers were wound around balconies and poles, filling the air with sweet scents. Voices buzzed constantly, and sometimes he'd catch pieces of what was being said. For the most part people were talking about this 'Faerie Queen of the West' and speculating about her beauty or if she had Ashryver eyes. Whatever that meant.

Sam ignored them as best he could, picked up some spicy chicken wraps — Daara's favorite — then set course for the fountain square. The excitement was thick in the air, everyone was looking forward to seeing this foreign Queen. A queen of Terrasen, Celaena's home. Maybe she was here too...

No, that would be ridiculous. Celaena would have nothing to do with royalty, aside from assassinating them maybe. But he knew that wouldn't happen. In all their years in the guild, he didn't think any of her targets had been from Terrasen. Not one.

He paused by a store window and looked at the figurines sitting on the shelves. Several months ago they'd begun selling porcelain stags with various designs, and every time he passed them he was tempted to buy one to bring home. Celaena did like stags, he remembered her having one on the dining table.

He tore his eyes away and forced himself to keep walking. He could get one on his way home, or tomorrow.

Weaving through the constantly moving crowd was a challenge and he let out a sigh of relief when he could finally see the three rearing marble horses of the great fountain. And standing on the side of the fountain so that she towered over everyone, was the woman he was looking for. Sam raised his hand and called out to her.

Daara searched the crowd and when her brown eyes settles on him a bright smile spread on her face. She hopped down and disappeared in the throng of people only to emerge before him a moment later.

She wore an elegant red dress with an intricate floral design running down her left shoulder to her right hip. Her dark curls had been gathered into loose braids and a strelitzia flower was tucked in right above her ear. She looked so beautiful that all thoughts fled his mind and all he could do was look at her.

Daara flashed him a bright smile and laughed. "Did you just roll out of bed?" She swiftly straightened his collar and her hands lingered on him a little longer than they had to.

He tried to clear his throat. "You look..." The words escaped him and felt heat creep up his face.

She angled her head, giving him a sly smile. "Gorgeous? Amazing?" Here eyes narrowed. "If you just say 'pretty' I might slap you."

"Stunning," he said with a light chuckle. "And all of the above."

"Stunning enough to kiss? As friends, of course!" Daara fluttered her eyelashes suggestively, her smile sweet as candy.

Sam shook his head and laughed. "You don't give up easily, do you?"

"Have you met you? A woman would have to be insane not to want to kiss you."

"Careful, you're feeding my ego." He felt a warmth spread in his chest at the sound of her bright laughter. He would miss her greatly when he left... Unless he could convince her to come to Adarlan too, if only for a visit. Though he wasn't so sure she'd want that. He held up the wraps. "I brought you a little something. I hope you haven't eaten yet."

Daara let out an excited squeal. "My favorite!" She exclaimed and snatched the wrap out of his hands like a ravenous gremlin. She held it up to her face and took a deep breath. "It's still warm too." Without warning, she stood up on her toes and pecked a soft kiss on his cheek. It lasted only a second but her touch left his skin tingling. She peered up at him with her dark eyes. "Thank you, Sam."

"It's nothing." He shrugged. "Did you find us a good spot?"

"Of course." Daara bit into her spicy chicken wrap and spoke between her bites. "We should be able to see most of what's going on and the Faerie Queen. My sources say she and her court will be watching from the second floor balcony of the theater with our own royal family." She grabbed his hand and began pulling him after her. "Let's go before someone else takes our spot."

Daara led them through the masses to the side of a store where there was a towering pile of crates. A few people were already sitting on the lower ones, but none had dared scale to the top. Sam glanced at Daara's dress, noting how little room she had to move in it. Climbing would be difficult but she seemed determined.

Though it was a struggle, Sam managed to help her up slowly but surely. And once they reached the top there was a look of victory in her eyes as she sat down on the edge with her feet tucked up under her while she kept munching on her wrap. Sam sat down at her side and looked out at the square.

She was right. They had a clear view of everything. Guards had begun despersing the crowd to make space for the parade that would begin soon. And across the square they had an unobscured view of the still empty theater balcony.

Music was playing in the far distance and Sam watched as the crowd more urgently began to heed the guards' orders, quickly clearing the square and moving to the sides of the street.

"Sam, Sam, Sam!" Daara excitedly patted his knee then pointed towards the theater. "Look, they're coming out!"

He shifted his attention to the majestic building and noticed the royals emerging from the open double glass doors. The first pair of royals he recognized after having seen them countless times the past few years. Behind them, however, followed a large male with silver hair who seemed to survey the square before fully stepping out on the balcony and joining the first king and queen.

When the next person came out, the light of the sun shining on her golden hair, his heart stopped. For a moment, it was Celaena he saw on that balcony even though she was too far away for him to even discern her face. But he knew it wasn't her. It wasn't the first time he'd seen a golden haired woman from afar and thought it was her. It never was.

And she definitely couldn't be the woman on the balcony. The Faerie Queen was fae after all, and Celaena was very much human. And not a queen. Just the thought was ridiculous. Queen of the Underworld maybe, but not an entire kingdom.

"Gods, I wish I'd brought a looking glass," Daara sighed. "They're so far away."

Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out his small looking glass. Usually it was used for spying, but today he handed it over to Daara.

"Thank you, you're a lifesaver!" Daara said as she held the looking glass to her eye in the direction of the royals on the balcony in the distance. "She's so beautiful! The rumors did not do her justice." She lowered the looking glass and held it out to him. "Want to take a look?"

Sam shook his head and Daara went back to watching the Faerie Queen again.

The parade was approaching and the music from the band began to  drown out the excited murmurs of the crowd. Dancers flurried by, their veils and skirts swirling around them in bright colors. Fire eaters spitting large columns of flames into the air, jugglers tossing loops and balls, men on talls tilts, Sam just watched as his annoyance grew with every passing moment.

All this spectacle for a couple of silk-faced cupcake eaters that most likely barely glimpsed the battlefield from a safe distance while the real heroes were feeding the worms.

Daara giggled and he glanced over to catch a glimpse of her pure joy. She held a finger up to a hummingbird that hovered right by. It chirped sharply flew away from Daara coming straight at him. It tilted its head to the side and began flying around his head while chirping incessantly.

Daara laughed at the little bird. "See, even he thinks you're sweet, Sam."

He chuckled as the hummingbird came to a halt in front of his face, so close he could clearly see the tiny black eyes staring into him. It let out a another series of sharp chirps before shot passed him. He turned to see where it was flying off to only to see it halt barely two feet behind them.

A bright flash of light blinded him and Daara gasped at his side. And where the hummingbird had been a second ago, now stood a woman. A woman with dark brown hair and emerald eyes. A woman he knew well.

"Sam? " She exclaimed.

His jaw dropped. "Lysandra? "

Daara stared wide-eyed between the two of them. "You know the bird?" She asked dumbfounded.

Sam scrambled to his feet and only had time to open his arms before Lysandra threw herself at him while squealing incoherently, her arms wrapping tightly around him with surprising strength. He laughed as they pulled apart and Lysandra took a steadying breath as she wiped her tears.

She was a wonderful sight, tears and all. "Why are you here? I-"

"Why am I here?" She blurted out, interrupting him. "How are you here? We thought... Sam, we thought you were dead! There was a body and a grave and... and..." Her eyes were wide as she puffed her cheeks. "She is going to freak out when she finds out you're here. And if Arobynn wasn't already dead, she would have mutilated that bastard."

Sam blinked. "Arobynn is dead?"

Lysandra took his hands. "You are so, so, so out of the loop. Well, I guess we were a bit too since we thought we'd figured out all of Arobynn's bullshit, but here you are. Very much alive."

"Hold on, you're saying Celaena killed him because she thought he had killed me?" His mind was reeling. What had happened while he was gone? And Lysandra had magic! It's a good thing Arobynn never knew about that. Gods knew he would've taken advantage of her more than he already had if he knew.

She raised her chin proudly. "Actually, I killed him. Carved that bastard's throat wide open and lied down next him, listening as he gurgled on his own blood. It was the most satisfying moment in my life." Her eyes flicked to Daara as if she just realized he wasn't alone. "Oh, where are my manners! I'm Lysandra Ennar Ashryver, Lady of Caraverre."

Daara smiled awkwardly. Though if she was disturbed by what Lysandra had said or not, he couldn't tell. "I'm Daara, a postal worker..."

"Are you his girlfriend?"

Daara gave Sam a sidelong look. "I tried."

"Tried? Looking as fabulous as you do in that dress, I'm surprised he's not parading you around on a pedestal!"

Giggling, Daara nudged him with an elbow. "See, that's how you give a woman a compliment."

"I complimented you," he sputtered. "I said you were stunning!"

"After gaping like a fish on land."

"I was stunned." Sam cleared his throat, eager to change the subject. "When did you become a Lady?" Then another thing she'd said earlier hit him. "Wait, did you say Ashryver?" The only Ashryvers he'd ever heard of was the royal family in Wendlyn and a general in the army of Adarlan.

She flashed him a foxy grin. "I must say you were right about Celaena. She was not so bad after all."

"I'm confused... What does she have to do with anything?"

Lysandra laughed brightly. "It's a very long story, my friend. I'll take you to her after the parade, but now I have to get back to my rounds. You never know when assassins lurk around," she said and winked. His heart was about to leap out of his chest. Celaena is here!  Lysandra's smile faded. "Before I go, Sam, she really did believe you were dead."

His shoulders slumped and he felt like he'd been punched in the gut. From the look in here eyes and the tone of her voice, he knew what she was saying. "She's found someone," he said and Lysandra gave a curt nod. It had been a possibility, but still he had held out hope.

Lysandra hugged him again. "Meet me at the palace gates after the parade."

Light flashed and where Lysandra had stood now flew a tiny hummingbird once again. She chirped and circled him and Daara twice before she she flew away.

Sam stared after her, feeling numb, barely seeing the parade and the crowds. Celaena was here, she was safe. And she thought he was dead. He gritted his teeth. He should never have taken Arobynn on his word, he'd even warned Celaena about that very same thing when she wanted to cut ties with the guild on Arobynn's terms... He was the biggest fool to ever live and now he'd lost her. A warm hand took his and their fingers intertwined.

"Are you alright?" Daara asked carefully.

He drew a steadying breath, trying to clear his thoughts. "I don't know."

"Hey," she said and cupped his face with a gentle touch. "You've waited years to see her and now you can. It might not be how you imagined it, but it's far better than what could have been." Her hand slid down from his cheek and settled on his chest. "I, for one, am excited to go. We might even get to meet Queen Aelin now!"

He arched his eyebrows. "What makes you say that?"

She gave him a pointed look. "Your friend called herself an Ashryver, Sam. The Queen is an Ashryver. I'm going to take a wild guess and say they are connected in some way. And she told us to meet her at the palace, so there's that."

"Fair point... Celaena is from Terrasen. Perhaps she helped the Queen in the war. Lysandra too, I suppose. And she has magic." He shook his head. "Gods, I feel like I don't know anything anymore."

"Then let's find out. The palace is quite the walk away and I doubt we'll be able to catch a carriage today. I suggest we start walking."

He nodded, and they began climb down the crates. Daara took the lead, pulling him by the hand while he blindly followed her. His heart was racing so violently he thought it would jump right out of his chest. If it wasn't for Daara dragging him along, he was certain his feet would have been rooted to the ground.

Arobynn was dead. Celaena was with another man. Lysandra was a lady. A fae queen was their friend.

What would he say to her? How could he explain how stupid he'd been? How Arobynn had played him like a fool. Would she be angry? Maybe disappointed or sad that he'd failed her so spectacularly.

Or worse, that she didn't care one way or another.

She never said she loved him. Not once.

In fact, she had avoided saying it back to him. Every time.

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat but his mouth had gone bone dry. It was ridiculous to be this nervous, it was Celaena, his beloved. He knew she loved him, she didn't need to say it. Not that it mattered anymore now that she was with someone else.

"Sam, you need to relax," Daara said,  looking up at him. For a moment he thought maybe he'd been thinking out loud or something, but then he noticed his iron grip on her hand.

He cleared his throat and loosened his grip. "Sorry."

Daara paused, moving to stand right in front of him. With one hand in his and the other resting on his chest she stood up on her toes and planted a sweet, soft kiss on his lips. His mind stilled in that moment, the tension releasing a bit from his shoulders. The warmth of her lips was gone all too soon.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sam. You saw how ecstatic Lysandra was to see you and I have no doubt your woman will be any different. Perhaps more tears, some sobs even. And if she dares disrespect you in any way," Daara said and Sam couldn't help but chuckle before she even finished. A smile played at the corner of her lips. "I will poke her eyes so that she might see you better."

He laughed and shook his head. "I don't think that's how it works."

"We'll find out if she doesn't behave," she giggled, a delightful sound. She squeezed his hand. "Come, it's not far now."

Daara turned to keep walking but Sam tugged on her hand, making her face him again. She raised a quizzical eyebrow when he took a step closer, standing so close to him that she had to tilt her head back to met his gaze.

"Don't think I didn't notice you stole a kiss from me," he said while trying to keep his voice serious.

She flashed him an innocent smile and fluttered her eyelashes. "You must be imagining things."

The corner of his lips twitched despite his efforts to keep from smiling. "You do realize I'll have to steal it back."

She bit her lip now. "An unavailable man has no business stealing kisses."

He shrugged, grinning now. "Turns out I'm not as unavailable as I thought I was."

Her fingers trailed up his arm until her hand rested on his shoulder. "And what lucky woman would be next in line for your-"

He leaned in catching her lips with his as he wound his arms around her waist, pulling her in close. Daara melted into his embrace, kissing him back with a contagious eagerness that fueled him even more and dared explore her back with his hands, and had they been in a private space he might have been emboldened enough to untie the straps. 

Only a few times had he dared imagine what kissing her would be like, what it would feel like to have her body against his like this, but every time the thought of Celaena had stopped him.

There was no longer that barrier.

Daara pulled away first, her breath slightly ragged. She peered up at him with those beautiful brown eyes and let out a huffed laugh. "It's about damn time," she breathed out. She closed her eyes and planted a few soft kisses along his jaw. "I'm going home with you tonight, Sam. And this time you won't stop me."

He let out a breathy laugh. "I don't want to stop you. And I must say I didn't want to stop you back then either."

Daara hummed. "That Celaena woman better have found herself a great man because she's really missing out on an amazing one," Daara said, flashing him a grin, "you're mine now."

"Is that so?" He laughed.

"Mhm, it's the sacred law of stealing back a stolen kiss. We're bound."

"Well then, I'm not one to question such things. I must obey the sacred laws of whoever made that a sacred law."

Daara giggled and shook her head. "You're a such a goof."

He just laughed, took her hand in his and returned to walking. The crowd had begun to disperse and Lysandra would be waiting for them. Whatever nervousness he'd felt earlier was gone and he felt lighter than he had in years. For more than one reason.

They reached the open plaza before the palace and he quickly spotted Lysandra stanging before the tall, white gates. Her back was to them and she was talking to a man that somehow looked strangely familiar.

Lysandra turned, a beaming smile on her face. "There you are! For a moment there I thought you had found something else to do!" She laughed and winked at Daara, who answered with a wide grin. "Sam and Daara, this is my husband, Aedion Ashryver."

He blinked in surprise. Though he'd never really seen the general before, he'd heard enough about him. Whenever the general visited Rifthold he'd go from one party to the next, womanizing his way through the city. The Wolf of the North, one of the late King of Adarlan's most loyal pets. A traitor to his own people. Why on earth would Lysandra marry someone like him? And why would the Faerie Queen even want him, blood or not, in her presence?

Sam inclined his head in a curt nod. "Pleasure, general."

Aedion stepped forward, coming so close to him Sam had to resist the urge to take a step back. He held his piercing gaze, not willing to be the first one to budge. It was then that he realized what color Aedion's eyes were. Bright blue, ringed with gold. Just like Celaena. And his hair too was the same shade as Celaena's. If he hadn't known better he would have thought the two were siblings or otherwise closely related.

"You look very lively for a dead man," Aedion said after a long silence. The general glanced over his shoulder. "You're sure this is him?"

"Of course, if he was an imposter I would have bitten his head off a long time ago," she bristled. "And if you boys are done with your pissing contest, we should get inside before she gets here, otherwise my plans will be ruined!"

Aedion fixed his gaze on him again and lowered his voice. "You better have a damn good story, Cortland. She was sent to Endovier because of you."

Sam felt a chill run down his spine.

"That's enough, Aedion," Lysandra snapped. "Why don't you make yourself useful and head over to the kitchen and have some cake sent to the Queen's quarters?" Aedion opened his mouth to protest but Lysandra raised a hand, silencing him. "That wasn't really a request, love."

The general sent Sam another distrustful glare before he sauntered off through the narrow doorway next to the gates. Lysandra let out an exasperated huff.

"Territorial and over-protective bastard," she grumbled.

"I heard that!" Aedion called form the other side of the wall. 

"Good!" She called back. "Now then, let's not dawdle." She motioned for them to follow then went the same way the general had gone.

Sam and Daara exchanged a look as they entered the palace courtyard. He held her hand, trying to let her touch calm the once again raging emotions inside him. Aedion's words kept echoing through his mind. She was sent to Endovier. And he doubted the general had meant the town. Sam swallowed the bile rising in his throat and took a deep breath.

"Is it true?" He asked as Lysandra lead them through the main entrance and into a majestic foyer. "What he said? Was Celaena in the mines?"

Lysandra paused, biting her lip. "Arobynn... I too saw the body he presented as you. I too thought it was you. But she... Arobynn knew every little thing about her, her heritage, what she'd been through, and used it all against her." Lysandra began walking towards the large winding marble stairs, keeping her voice low as she spoke. "The body he presented as you was completely mutilated. All that was recognizable was the brown hair caked with blood. I remember the lips weren't touched, though they were blue with death. Everything else was just meat and blood. But, as I said, he knew something that she would notice."

She fell quiet as they passed two ladies in the hall. Once the nobles were out of earshot, Lysandra continued. "She's told me a few times when our conversations turned to the past... She could smell the soap you used. That, along with you being nowhere to be found, convinced her it was you on that table. She stayed by the body, crying until she passed out. After that she didn't leave her bed for three days I think it was. And that's when Arobynn initiated the next part of his plan." She stopped by an ornate door and swung it open and gestured for them to walk inside.

They entered a cozy living room. There was a sitting area with soft couches and chairs surrounding a table. A fire place sat by the wall with freshly lit wood crackling in in the pit. Someone must have rushed ahead of them to light it.

Lysandra took a seat in a plush chair and Sam and Daara sat down in the couch. Lysandra picked on the fabric of the armrest with a thoughtful frown on her face.

"Wesley tried to stop her but she slipped out that night to seek out Ioan Jayne and Rourke Farran to avenge your murder. But it was a trap. She killed Jayne, as Arobynn and Farran planned, but then she was captured and handed over to the Royal Guard. After spending some time in the dungeons of the castle, she stood trial before the king and was sentenced to serve in the salt mines until she died. But," Lysandra flashed him a grin. "About eleven months after she arrived at the mines, Dorian Havilliard decided to use her as his champion in a tournament his father was hosting. Which she won, of course, gaining her freedom in exchange for working as the King of Adarlan's personal assassin for a few years, officially making her Adarlan's Assassin, I suppose. Which ironically lead to his own downfall and the rise of the lost queen of Terrasen."

Sam gritted his teeth. Eleven months. It was his fault, like the general had said. If he hadn't been stupid enough to think Arobynn would be true to his word, then Celaena would never have experienced so much pain.

"Don't blame yourself, Sam," Lysandra said as if she had the power to read his mind as well as changing forms. "We were all children and Arobynn was seasoned in the art of deceit. However, we survived and that monster is feeding the worms."

The door opened and Aedion stepped inside. "She's on her way. Saw her in the foyer exchanging pleasantries with the King and Queen." He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

Lysandra rose. "Perfect. Sam, I must admit I haven't told her about you yet, so I'll need you to be very quiet while I introduce the Queen, alright?" She sashayed over to the door and placed her hand against the wood. She turned her head and flashed him a grin. "Not a word!"

Daara put a hand on his shoulder and moved in closer and pressed a quick kiss on his cheek. He looked at her, leaned his forehead against her letting her presence comfort his fraying nerves.

Endovier. She'd become a slave. Because of him.

The door handle was pulled down and Lysandra held the door shut. An exasperated and tired sigh could be heard through the door.

"Lysandra, what are you doing?" The sound of her voice made his heart flutter.

"I'm going to introduce you to our guests," Lysandra said sweetly.

Sam arched an eyebrow. Hadn't Lysandra said she was introducing the Queen? He was certain that was Celaena's voice on the other side of that door.

"If this is another one of your pranks, Lys, I swear I will singe your eyebrows!"

Lysandra giggled. "It's really not." Her eyes were glittering with mischief as she looked at Sam. "We really do have guests. Now hush." She cleared her throat dramatically. "Our honored guests, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the woman who saved the world-"

"Gods, Lysandra, don't!"

She grinned like a hellcat. "Killed hoards of demons and soldiers alike-"

"This is ridiculous, stop!"

"And fought ancient demon kings and queens. Not to mention absolutely annihilating the gods. So if your prayers aren't answered, you know who to blame!"

"Who's in there, Lysandra?" Her voice held a tinge of nervousness. 

But Lysandra ignored her and continued. "This woman also had to test the waters four times before settling on a suitable male. First an assassin, then a prince, then a captain of the royal guard, and then a prince again." Lysandra winked at him. "You are well aware of who the first one was!"

"How would they know that?!" The door jangled, and Lysandra had to put her whole weight against it to keep it shut. "Open up right now!"

"Don't worry," Lysandra cooed. "He's a friend, I swear. He even knows about the sewer kiss!"

The woman on the other side of the door went completely silent.

Daara leaned close and whispered into his ear. "She kissed someone in a sewer?"

He let out a low chuckle. "Yes, me." Daara arched her eyebrows in surprise.

"Dammit, you were supposed to be-" The door flung open and Lysandra yelped as she was thrust to the side. Sam jumped to his feet, took a few steps forward but froze in his tracks as his gaze locked with a pair of bright blue eyes with a ring of gold. She stared at him wide-eyed, her chest heaving. A crown was cresting her golden hair.

"Quiet..." Lysandra straightened her hair and sighed. "Guess I'll wrap up the introductions. Sam, meet Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius, Faerie Queen of the West, Queen of Terrasen. And, my personal favorite, the fire-breathing-bitch-queen. Once known as Celaena Sardothien, the biggest pain in my ass."

Celaena, no, Aelin stood frozen in the doorway, a look of shock and disbelief on her face. He should probably say something but it felt like his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. She was here, in front of him, more beautiful than he remembered. Behind her stood a tall fae male with silvery white hair, a tattoo running down the side of his face. The male watched him through narrowed eyes brimming with suspicion.

A large white wolf pressed its way past the male and Aelin, looking up at her with onyx eyes as it let out a low growl. Aelin glanced down and blinked twice in a way that looked intentional and after a moment the wolf answered with several consecutive blinks.

She looked back up at him and tears began forming in her eyes. Moving faster than he was prepared for, Aelin closed the distance between them in a blur and crashed into him so hard he stumbled back a few steps but he managed to keep them both from tumbling over the couch.

Sam closed his eyes as he buried his face in her soft hair, breathing in her sweet scent that had haunted his dreams for years. Her body pressed against his felt both familiar and foreign at the same time, like a half forgotten memory or a hazy dream.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

She just shook her head and he could feel her strangled sob send a tremble down her body. He pulled her closer and she responded in kind, holding him with such strength it was getting slightly difficult to breathe. He didn't know how long they stood like that, and if any of the others in the room spoke he did not hear them.

After a moment that felt both long and too short, Aelin drew a shuddering breath as she loosened her embrace and pulled away. Tears streaked her cheeks and smudged her make up, which only got worse when she wiped at her face. Sam quickly fished through his pockets and found a handkerchief and offered it to her.

"Thank you," she said, her voice thick. She wiped her eyes and nose, then a drew a shuddering breath before her brilliant eyes met his once again. "I..." she began but her voice broke. "I... I don't understand," she said carefully, her brow furrowing in confusion. "I saw your body." There was a slight tremble in her voice as she uttered that last word and he felt a strong urge to wrap her in his arms once again. But that large fae male had walked further into the room and he could feel his steel gaze watching him like a hawk.

"I believe my death has been greatly exaggerated," he said and huffed a light laugh. His gaze flicked to  the pointy ears poking out of her golden hair, then the crown with a small flower encased in polished glass resting on her head. "You look well. And," he hesitated for a moment, "different." He could almost feel Daara rolling her eyes at him.

Such a stupid thing to say, she would get angry or annoyed now, their reunion tainted by his stupidity... He braced himself for the lashing comment he was about to receive.

Aelin blinked once, then twice. A sheepish grin spread across her face revealing a set of fangs in her mouth. "Yeah, about that," she said slowly, biting her lip. "There might be a thing or two I neglected to tell you back then." She looked over her shoulder just as the fae male came to stand at her side. "But before we get into the gritty details of the past I'd like to introduce you to my mate and husband, Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius."

Sam sized up the fae male and quickly he surmised that there was no doubt this Rowan could smash him to bits if he wanted to. That menacing tattoo did nothing but make the male look even scarier.

Rowan extended a hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Sam Cortland. Aelin has told me much about you."

Sam took his hand in a firm shake, not breaking eye contact for even a second. While Rowan seemed sincere there was something in his eyes, a look of warning. She's mine. 

Not that he needed the warning. As long as she was happy that was all that mattered.

"The honor is mine," Sam answered as he retracted his hand, wondering if that cold tingle in his hand was just his imagination or if it was just Rowan's intimidating stature giving him chills. He cleared his throat and turned to Aelin again. "I have someone I'd like you to meet as well. This is Daara Menteth, and we are together." He smiled at Daara and took her hand. She beamed him a smile so bright he was sure it was lighting up the entire room.

"As of today, actually," Daara added.

"Really?" Aelin said, her eyebrows arching and she gave him a curious look before her face lit up in a bright smile. "Another cause for celebration then!" She turned to Lysandra who flashed her a knowing grin before she even got to say anything.

"It's already coming up," Lysandra said with a wink.

Aelin chuckled. "I'm getting too predictable." She clasped her hands together. "No reason to stand around like fools, sit. And I'd like to know exactly how that shitface screwed us over so thoroughly."

They all took their seats. Sam sat back down on the wide couch with Daara at his right holding his hand while Aelin sat down to his left and he became acutely aware of Rowan watching them again. The white wolf sat down on its hunches at Aelin's side and Aelin began to absentmindedly scratch the top of its head.

Rowan took the single chair and positioned it so that he had full overview of the small gathering. Lysandra lounged in a double seated couch across the small dining table from where he and the two women sat. Aedion, however, remained standing by the door with his arms crossed and eyes glaring distrustfully.

Sam cleared his throat. "You first or should I?"

"You," Aelin said. "I did a whole lot of waiting and watching the clock and reading."

"Reading? You were supposed to be packing!"

"I got distracted!" She puckered her lips  and glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Then she sighed. "I was trying to calm myself, alright. I was anxious and worried and restless. It was an extremely dangerous mission and you bullheadedly insisted on doing it on your own."

Rowan snorted. "Sounds familiar," he said and Aelin cut him a scalding glare that only seemed to amuse him. He held her gaze for a few seconds before the corners of her lips twitched into a tiny faint smile.

"I second that," Sam added, and Aelin slowly turned to him, eyebrows raised. "You were going to get yourself killed saving those two hundred slaves without telling me about it."

Aelin shifted her gaze to Lysandra for assistance, but she only waved her hand and said, "Don't look at me, you know exactly what you're like."

Aelin puckered her lips. "I think we should move on now." Her expression turned into a scowl when everyone laughed. Even Rowan chuckled under his breath. Finally she too cracked a smile and rolled her eyes. "Alright fine. I'm like that too. Now can we get back on topic?"

Sam chuckled. He couldn't really believe it. Here he was, sitting next to Aelin. It wasn't at all how he'd imagined their reunion but it was nice. Almost relaxing in a way. She had changed much over the years, less uptight. No, less afraid. It was as if a mountain had been taken off of her shoulders and she was just being herself.

He began recounting the night. After he left the apartment he'd gone by the locations he'd marked, waiting for a bit at each of them hoping that Farran would appear. But he never did. He'd waited, moved and waited. Over and over.

"When I went to check the Vaults again Arobynn was there, on the lookout point, waiting for me. First I thought he had come to kill me," he said, "get me out of the way so that he could leash you again. But instead he said that in that moment you were being captured and drugged and if I tried to fight him you'd be killed." He gritted his teeth, What he wouldn't do to drive a knife into Arobynn's throat. "He said he had a job for me, and only if I did it would you be set free unharmed. Of course, I didn't really believe you'd been captured so I demanded to see you before I made a decision. I think it was right before midnight when Arobynn and I returned to the apartment. When it was empty I... I thought it was true, what he said. Then I was knocked out from behind and when I came to I was on a ship with a letter with instructions next to me."

Aelin cursed under her breath. "I went out at eleven to look for you, his little pets must have been watching and signaled him when I left. I wasn't home until one in the morning." She sighed, her shoulders sagging. "If I had only done as we agreed and stayed until midnight then-"

Sam shook his head. "Arobynn probably had several plans to get us separated. We just made it easier for him." 

"Most likely," Aelin sighed.

There was a knock on the door and Aedion opened it, letting in a pair of servants. One carrying a delicious looking chocolate cake and the second balanced plates and cutlery. They placed it out on the table, cut the cake while Aelin thanked them profusely with a bright, genuine smile, then they backed out of the room after curtsying by the door.

Aelin was the first to take a helping. Piling two large pieces of cake on her plate, which she dug into as if she hadn't had a meal in days and not looking very much queenly at all. Sam couldn't help but smile at her. At least one thing about the woman he'd known was the same.

Sam nibbled on his cake, not really feeling like eating at the moment. Daara and Lysandra had started talking among themselves but he didn't really pay much attention to their conversation. He glanced at Aelin and found her watching him too with a curious look on her face.

"Spill it, I can tell you're thinking about something," she said through a mouthful of cake.

Would it be rude to mention it? Would it tear open some wound she had struggled to heal from? Was what happened to her in the mines any of his business at all? Perhaps the reason Lysandra told him about it beforehand was because Aelin doesn't like talking about it and she just wanted him to know what happened.

He could feel her giving him an odd look but his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth, words stuck in his throat. Besides, he was probably the last person she wanted to talk to about that. She got sent there because of him after all.

Suddenly he felt her grab him by the hand as she rose, pulling him with her. "We'll be right back," she announced as she strode towards the double glass doors leading to a balcony. She let go of his hand and closed the doors behind them. Her chest heaved with a heavy sigh before her brilliant gaze settled on him once more. She bit her lip. "I figured you'd want to speak more privately. At least away from Rowan and Aedion's withering stares. They can be a bit... overly protective of me."

He breathed out a chuckle. "I learned that within the first five seconds of meeting Aedion."

Aelin groaned. "What did that oaf do?"

His laughter died out as he thought of the encounter and what Aedion had told him. She was sent to Endovier because of you. In his attempt to keep her safe, he'd only caused her more pain. Sam gritted his teeth and braced his hands on the railing, gazing out on the city still bristteling with excitement from the celebrations.

Aelin came to his side and she put a hand on top of his, her skin warm to the touch. "You feel guilty," she said softly and he turned to her. He opened his mouth to ask how she knew but she spoke before he could. "Even without fae senses I would have been able to tell. Despite our years apart, I know you. And I know Aedion. I'll hazard a guess and say my dear cousin told you about Endovier, maybe even pinned it on you."

Sam gave a curt nod. "He did... And Lysandra filled me in on the details."

"Then you also know it was no fault of yours. Arobynn's plan was to leave me in the royal dungeons for a few days and then rescue me from the gallows at just the right time to make me ever so grateful to him." She drew a shuddering breath. "I had no one left. I'd lost my family, my country, my people. Then I allowed myself to bring my walls down and love you only to lose you too. So when I was brought before the King of Adarlan for my sentencing and he asked for my final words, stupid me asked him to make it quick. Which was a wish he was all too happy not to grant me and then Arobynn wanted to see how much the mines could break me before he had to get me out. So you see," she said, smiling as she nudged his shoulder. "It was me and my big mouth that got me into a pickle. Again. And not for the last time either. I'm extremely talented at poking the beehive!"

She laughed, the sound like music in his ears, but a shadow passed over her eyes and her laughter and smile faded. Her gaze became far away as if what she was seeing was not the castle walls and the city beyond. She blinked, a shuddering breath passing her lips.

"You know," she continued. "I don't think I would have made it if it wasn't for you. In the mines, I mean, and... well... the war," she said, clearing her throat. A strange look crossed her face that sent a pang of worry through him and he wanted to wrap his arms around her and pull her close. Bring her whatever comfort he could offer. But he didn't. There was a line between them now. A line grown through years and distance.

Instead, he nudged her with his shoulder. "I don't see how me supposedly dying helped you," he said jokingly and winked. He took a step back and flourished a silly, ungraceful bow. "But I'm at your service, Your Majesty!"

As he'd hoped, she huffed a laugh and seemed to relax again. If only a little. "Call me that again and I might throw you off this balcony."

His grin widened. "Glad to see your violent tendencies are still intact!"

She swatted his forearm. "And no, it wasn't your death that kept me going. It was your trick."

He arched his eyebrows. "My trick?"

"My name is Celaena Sardothien and I will not be afraid." His heart skipped a beat. "I said those words every day in the mines. Sometimes it was all I could remember about myself, all that mattered from day to day. Later on I changed it out with my real name." She bit her lip and picked on the railing with her nail. "Do you remember that night?"

He nodded, he also remembered she was acting very strangely that night as well. "Of course I do. You asked me about my deepest secret and I asked you yours."

"I was going to tell you who I really was, I was this close, but I chickened out just before I could. And it wasn't because I thought you wouldn't accept the real me," she added hastily. "Hiding as Celaena had become... comfortable. Safe. Which is ironic, I know, considering our occupation. I was mostly scared of what it would mean, if I spoke aloud my name, my title. I was terrified of what I would have to do, of who I would have to be. I was a coward, just not in the way you thought I meant."

"From Lysandra's introduction, it sounds like you overcame that fear," he said and gave her a wry smile. "And judging by the jewels on your head."

Aelin snorted. "More like I was punched in the face enough times to knock some sense into me." She scrunched her lip in a suppressed smile. "Rowan has a powerful right hook."

"He hit you?" The words just tumbled out of him.

She raised an eyebrow, giving him and incredulous look. "Oh please, as if you've never done that yourself. Besides, you know I punch back!" She flashed him a foxy grin. "I believe my best relationships began with a lot of swearing, sore knuckles, blood, and bruises. Wouldn't you agree? After all, we weren't much different, were we?"

"I suppose not," he said slowly. He gave Aelin a wry grin. "Did you say our relationship was one of the best?"

"It definitely got under my skin," she laughed, then she laughed harder when she saw his confused expression. "You left such an impression, Sam Cortland, that I got your name tattooed on my back." Aelin pointed to her lower back ad his gaze followed even though her back was covered by her dress. "Right about here. It says 'Sam Cortland, my beloved' in the language of the fae. I would show you, but I bet there are at least a dozen eyes watching us right now and rumors of me undressing in front of a man on a balcony would spread like a wildfire." She looped her arm with his, a gesture that would hardly go unnoticed by the gossips. Yet, he was not about to complain. It felt like a dream feeling her touch again. "But here I am blabbering on about me. What about you? I hope the years have been kinder to you than me."

She was still smiling, though it seemed slightly strained and a shadow passed over her eyes for a split heartbeat before it dissipated. Not that it was a surprise. The mines must have left their mark and who knows what other horrors she'd experienced in the war. A war, he realized, that she had been right smack in the middle off. And being who she is, she must have had numerous attempts on her life as well. Not a moment of safety.

And he hadn't been there to help her.

She nudged him with her shoulder. "A brooding frown doesn't tell me much," she said. "Unless you don't want to tell me. That's fine, you don't have to," she added hastily.

"No, no, I was just... trying to make sense of things." He paused, biting the inside of his cheek. "I've spent most of my time scoping out potential prospects for Arobynn. They always seemed so random to me, but I chalked it up to it just being me not knowing much about the people I was spying on." He smiled wryly. "I should have listened to that instinct, shouldn't I? He was just keeping me away."

"I'd say, in the end, it was perhaps for the better."

"If you're thinking about the war you know I would've fought for you." In more ways than one. But for some reason he just knew he would have lost her to the fae warrior regardless. Her mate and husband.

"I know," she simply said.

"Do you think I would have died?" He tried not to feel too offended by that.

"Anyone of us could have. Some of us did." A sad look entered her eyes. "I certainly was supposed to. But my great-great-whatever grandmother decided to give me a boon in the moment before I destroyed their world." She let a sigh that sounded almost tired. "It's a long story. I'll tell you everything but right now I want to know about Daara. She must be really quite something if she got your mind off of me," she and gave him a playful wink.

He looked over his shoulder, glancing through the glass of the balcony doors. Daara looked to be deep in conversation with Lysandra, who'd taken Sam's spot on the couch.

"A goofy smile is always a good sign," Aelin snickered. "She better treat you right or else she'll have to deal with me."

He couldn't help himself as a laugh bubbled out of him. "It seems I might have a type," he said and Aelin gave him a quizzical look. He smirked. "She said something along the same lines about you last night."

Aelin raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? She threatened me with violence before even meeting me? I like her already. Now, tell me how you two met."

"Through work actually," a smile crept across his face as he thought back on that day. "When I first came here I had no contacts, no knowledge really of anything. I had some... ups and downs before I managed to get into the right network of people."

He felt Aelin stiffen. "Are you telling me I just allowed a spy into my inner circle?"

"Not a spy exactly," he said slowly. "Daara works in the postal office. Normal, everyday work. But by night she handles the more shadier side of things. Like what I've been doing. I spy, she delivers the reports."

"Hmm," Aelin hummed as she drummed her manicured nails on the railing. "If you trust her then that's enough for me for now. It's not like we've been saints either after all."

"As far as I know, she's got far less blood on her hands than we do," he said, unable to hide the disdain from his voice. However, now with Arobynn gone, surely he could leave that life behind. Unless whoever is holding the reins of the guild tries to claim him.

"I've definitely got you beat in that department," she said off-handedly, though he could tell she was biting back a smile.

He huffed a laugh. "You always did try to be better than me," he said, flashing her a playful smirk, daring her to take the bait.

Which she did. Aelin raised her chin. "I never tried, I simply was. And you're delusional." A thoughtful expression rolled across her face. "Though I might have had an unfair advantage. There's no knowing how much my fae heritage affected me in my human form."

"Which means that I was the best of us by default," he said with a shrug then flashed her a toothy grin.

She slapped him playfully on the arm. "Don't even entertain the thought!" She laughed. "We should probably get back inside-"

"Before there's no more cake left!" He said, finishing her sentence for her and flashed her a mischievous grin.

Aelin narrowed her eyes, but couldn't hold back the smile. "What I was going to say was before our significant others report us missing."

They shared a laugh as Aelin reached for the elegant door handle, but she paused before she opened it and looked at him again. Her face soft and gentle, so different from the timid and intimidating woman he'd once known.

"I've missed you," she said softly. She bit her lip and her gaze flickered. "I suppose tattooing your name on my body is evidence enough of that, but I wanted to say it. I really missed you. Every day."

He took her hand and ran his thumb over the spot where the familiar scar would be. It wasn't there, maybe because she was in her fae form. Her hand too was softer than he remembered, it must have been some time since she'd used her weapons regularly. Though it was a strange thought, it was comforting as well. Fighting was not a part of her life anymore.

"I missed you too," he said. "There hasn't been a day I haven't thought of you. And many times I considered returning to Adarlan, Arobynn's threats be damned, but I was always too afraid to follow through. I guess I was a coward too."

"Don't say that, Sam." She blinked away the silver that had crept into her eyes. "We were barely more than children-"

"Were, yes, but not for a few years now."

"There was no way you could have known," she said, giving his hand a firm squeeze. "There was no way any of us could have known. Let's just relish in the fact that in the end the bastard didn't win."

Regardless of her words, Sam frowned. "He did though. His goal was to separate us-"

"And now we've been reunited," she cut in before he could finish. "Just not how we expected. Now stop brooding. The past is the past and only the future lies ahead. And we can do whatever the hell we want with it." She flashed him a big grin as she let go of his hand and opened the door. The large, white wolf was sitting right inside and promptly went to Aelin's side as she strode back to the sitting area where the others were waiting.

She bent down and placed a quick kiss on Rowan's lips before she sat down, her face beaming as she looked into the fae warriors eyes. Pure happiness and love practically radiated from her. Her love for that male was as clear as day and he couldn't help but smile.

Sam took his seat next to Daara, as Lysandra returned to her own seat, and placed an arm around Daara's shoulders, pulling her close as he planted a kiss on her cheek that set off a fit of giggles. A  sound that sent warmth coursing through him. He couldn't help but feel a little bit of guilt however. So much time they could have had together wasted because he couldn't move on.

But Aelin was right, there was no way he could have known. What he could do was make the best of what he did have. And what he had was wonderful.

The conversation turned to Terrasen and it was mostly Lysandra and Aedion that spoke of the goings on and what needed to happen going forward. Aelin mostly listened while she gobbled down her cake, only occasionally adding her own thoughts and suggestions. But for the most part she ate and kept quiet, sometimes she'd pause long enough to put her hand on the head of the white wolf that never strayed from her side.

"And what are your plans?" Lysandra asked and Sam realized she was directing the question at him.

He cleared his throat. "I had planned to return to Rifthold in a few days but since my reason to leave showed up here I don't really know whether or not to go." He gave Aelin a wry smile. "And I do have a reason to stay," he said as he looked at Daara who smiled at him as brightly as the sun.

Aelin wiped her lips with a tissue. "If you two do decide to cross the ocean," she said slowly. "There's still some unclaimed land after the war and I just so happen to be in a position to hand those out, as the Lady of Caraverre can testify to." she waved a hand at Lysandra, who grinned like a hellcat. Aelin looked at him and Daara. He noted a slight hesitation in her eyes. "You can have your pick. If you want, of course."

Daara spoke before he even had time to process the offer. "You're sure you want me in your queendom? I mean, since I'm now in a relationship with your former lover. I just don't want to end up having the Faerie Queen of the West as my enemy. I like living, actually. I've heard the stories."

Aelin blinked. "Well now I'm curious of what stories you've heard," she said, with a slight laugh. "But you don't have to worry. I'm very mated and very married." Her lips pressed into a suppressed smile as she glanced at Rowan. "Unless Rowan don't mind adding another male to mix!"

Rowan looked her dead in the eyes. His face carved from stone. "I dont share."

Aelin scowled. "Share? What am I? A piece of cake?" She huffed with annoyance.

Rowan's face didn't change, but Sam thought he noticed a spark of humor in the warriors hard eyes.

"Would you be a professionally made cake or a cake made by you?" Rowan asked, the corner of his lips twitched once as if he was fighting a smile.

Aelin's jaw dropped as she stared at the male and the room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Sam bit back the laugh that threatened to burst out of him. Years ago he had been a victim of Aelin's atrocious cooking, which were the main reason they had started eating out instead of making dinner at home. She couldn't even get eggs and bacon right. At least she couldn't back when they were together.

And it would seem her mate and husband had learned of her remarkable lack of skill the hard way too.

Rowan's stone face cracked and a tiny smile peeked through just as Aelin burst out laughing.

Daara leaned in close and whispered in his ear. "Why is she laughing? That was so rude."

He whispered back but loud enough to make sure Aelin heard him. "Her cooking is deadlier than her knives."

Aelin turned to him and huffed. "You loved my eggs and bacon!"

"Is that what it was? I thought it was coal biscuits."

Aelin grabbed a decorative pillow and chucked it at his head. He caught it in the air before it hit him and sent it flying back at her. She deflected it with ease as she laughed, the pillow bouncing to the floor.

"Ungrateful, the lot of you," she said, shaking her head, laughter still tinging her voice. "But back to the matter at hand. Daara, I'm your friend until you give me a reason not to be." As if a coin was flipped to show the other side, she looked more like the assassin he'd known. "Hurt Sam and you'll be part of the ash that covers the fields after Beltane."

Sam was about to interject but Daara raised her chin and gave a sultry smile. "Is that so? I've heard a rumor saying you lost your flame, Aelin of the Wildfire."

Sam stiffened. Not just at the words Daara spoke, but the challenge in her voice. Though he had done his best to avoid news of the Adarlan and Terrasen, and especially after the war was being spoken off, he too had glimpsed the headlines. He had just never thought they were about her.

Aelin had gone dangerously still. A stillness he was very familiar with. The gold in her eyes almost looked like living flames, dancing in the light reflected in them.

"The majority of my power was spilt when I destroyed the world our gods came from." A chill ran down Sam's spine when Aelin spoke, her tone low and dangerous. "But my foremother, Mala, granted me a seed that is slowly, but surely replenishing what was lost." Aelin raised her hand and a blue flame sprang to life and wove between her fingers. "Make no mistake, Daara Menteth, I still burn." As she said the last word, Sam felt a wave of heat pass over him and from the way Daara flinched he knew she felt it too.

Daara smiled, though a little less confident than before. "I always seek to verify rumors. Anyone can say anything." She settled back in her seat and took Sam's hand in hers. "As for your offer... Wherever Sam goes, I will go. Besides, I've always wanted to see the legendary land across the sea."

The heat disappeared, like it got swept away by a cool breeze. "You have some time to think about it. We're staying for one week before we return home." Aelin put a hand on the wolves head and lazily stroked its fur. After a moment a smile tugged at her lips and she fixed her glinting eyes at Sam again. "There's someone else here you might want to meet," she said. "In fact, he should be here right about... Now." A knock came from the door just as she said it. She flashed him a wide grin. "Enter!"

The door had begun to swing open before she'd even finished the word. Sam jumped to his feet, his hands already reaching for the hidden dagger as the pirate captain appeared in the doorway.

"These bloody streets are a nightmare," he mumbled as he stepped inside. Rolfe paused in his tracks as his sea green eyes snapped to Sam. Then he glanced at the drink in his hands before looking at the others in the room. "Am I seeing a ghost?"

Sam looked at Aelin, who smiled at him and gestured towards Rolfe. "Sam, let me introduce you to Lord Rolfe of Ilium, King of the Archipelago and commander of my armada." Her eyes twinkled when she turned to the pirate lord. "Rolfe, I'm sure you remember Sam."

Sam let go of his dagger, but remained ready to bounce should the pirate lord make a move for him.

Rolfe bellowed a hearty laugh. "Good move boy, staying dead until she'd paid for all the damages you two caused. Very clever!" He strode across the room, grabbing a chair for himself and pulled it to where they all sat and dumped down. "And who's this beauty?" He winked at Daara.

Sam introduced her as he returned to his place at her side and put an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sensing a story here," he said. "I never expected to see the two of you in the same room. If I'm not wrong, I remember you vowing to kill her on sight actually."

Rolfe snorted. "That menace over there came back and thrashed my island again, this time luring a hoard of demons to my doorstep. She's quite the negotiator that one..." He narrowed his eyes at Aelin.

Aelin grinned like a hellion. "You needed some light convincing. Besides, Lysandra did a spectacular job that day!"

Rolfe scowled at her and Lysandra, which only made the women laugh. He almost felt sorry for the pirate lord.

They launched into the story, Aelin and Lysandra switching between telling it and on occasion Rolfe would butt in with a grumbled remark. The evening morphed into night as they told him and Daara of the events that had unfolded after he'd disappeared. At certain points Aelin fell quiet, like when Lysandra spoke of her getting possessed by goddess Deanna and blasted their ship to smithereens, Aelin seemingly pulling into herself until the others called for her attention regarding a detail or any specifics they were unsure of.

It was long past midnight when he and Daara were given a room down the hallway in which they stayed until the time came to board Rolfe's ship. It was a strange feeling, a mix of excitement and melancholy. All his and Daara's belongings sat in crates below deck and the city they'd called home was becoming smaller and smaller on the horizon and before them was the wide open ocean which would be their view for nearly a month until they arrived at the shores of Terrasen.

Some nights he'd awake to the sound of Aelin screaming. A scream so terrible his skin crawled just thinking about it. But whenever he tried to go to her, to see what was going on or if Rowan had done something to her, the white wolf would always stop him at the door. If he tried to go past the wolf, the beast would jump him and pin him to the floor until he said he'd leave them alone.

Still, he found himself watching the fae male like a hawk, looking for any sign he was mistreating her. However, Aelin never said anything and neither Lysandra nor Aedion, or anyone else for that matter, seemed to notice anything wrong going on either... Perhaps they just hadn't noticed, which he found to be extremely strange.

Once they were on Terrasen soil, he'd have to pull Lysandra aside and talk to her privately.

A week passed and their voyage were at an end. He could spot the opal tower glistening in the sunlight, like a beacon towering into the sky. Aelin was practically vibrating with excitement, not just for finally being home but she had barely spoken about anything other than Beltane the past week with an almost childish glee. A refreshing mood, and a contagious one.

What irritated him was that he hadn't been able to gather any evidence against her mate. He couldn't exactly start flinging accusations without anything to back it up with. Except for her screaming in the night, but that wasn't really proof. And to make matters worse, it seemed like the fae male was on to him because he was doting on Aelin at any given opportunity.

The male was slick, he'd give him that much.

Sam and Daara stood at the bow as the ship entered the harbor, the latter squealing with excitement.

"It's so pretty!" She exclaimed, eyes gleaming. "Do you think the entire top of the tower is made of opal? I've heard it's a full sized gem, the biggest in the world!"

Though it looked like it from a distance, he doubted the entire thing was a gem. "The roof tiles maybe, I don't really know." He laid an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. "I'll climb up and take a closer look if you want," he said and winked.

Daara giggled. "I'm sure Her Majesty would appreciate you scaling her pristine walls very much."

"She might join me actually," he said with a light chuckle.

Once the ship was docked they were lead through the city  in a procession surrounded by crowds cheering Aelin's name. It was an odd feeling, considering how she'd spent the years before the war. Did they know? If not, then he hoped for her sake they never found out.

The city was surprisingly beautiful. Sure there were still ruins and scorched remains here and there yet to be rebuilt, but for the most part it seemed that the city was reborn. It was hard to imagine how it had looked in the midst of war.

A massive statue of winged creatures he'd never seen before, each with their own female looking rider, stood in the center of the square in front of the castle.

"The Thirteen," Aelin said after noticing him studying the statue. "A coven of ironteeth witches and their wyverns. They sacrificed themselves to give us a chance at victory."

"I only see twelve," he said carefully.

"They left their leader, Manon, grounded so that she couldn't stop them," Aelin said, a tinge of sadness in her voice. "This statue was raised in the memory of their selfless act." A grin spread across her face. "I believe Manon will be here for Beltane too. She usually shows up coincidentally whenever Dorian visits us and since he's here for Beltane and my birthday then I have a feeling she'll be here too."

Daara rode up to Sam's side. "Is she really a witch? Like an actual witch with metal teeth and everything?"

Aelin chuckled. "Yes, her nails too. Fought her myself and, with some luck on my side, I won."

"Luck?" Sam and Daara asked at the same time.

Aelin laughed. "She's vicious, and if that old temple hadn't started to crumble around us I'm pretty sure I would have had a few more scars. Granted I was in my human form at the time, the result would be entirely different now, though she might disagree!" The gates of the castle grounds loomed before them. "I have some meetings I have to attend to. Preparations for Beltane to look over and about a ton of paperwork," Aelin sighed. "Feel free to roam, I'll let the guards know you're allowed to come and go as you please. I do have one restriction."

Sam arched an eyebrow and Aelin laughed.

"Nothing serious, but don't wander into the Education District. I have a surprise for you," she said, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

"Really? You didn't even know I was alive!"

Aelin laughed again. "We'll have to change the plaque of course. Can't really have it say In Memory of anymore, after all. But I think you'll like it, regardless. The sculptor is going to have a fit when I tell him it needs changing! The poor man was ready to strangle me at the end. But I wanted it to be perfect."

"You're making me curious and expecting me not to go and take a look," he said slowly, watching her from the corner of his eye as he gave her a slight smile. 

She narrowed her eyes. "Don't you even dare, Cortland."

"I'll make sure he behaves," Daara piped in.

Aelin hummed. "Maybe I can ask Lysandra to take my place for the day." A small bird landed between the horse's ears and cocked it's head at Aelin. She fluttered her eyelashes. "Pretty please?" Lysandra puffed her feathered chest and let out a shrill chirp. "I'll make it up to you," Aelin continued with pleading eyes. The procession came to a halt in the courtyard and people began dismounting their steeds as the gates closed behind them. Lysandra flexed her wings, flew into the air and landed atop Aelin's head and pecked the crown once. Aelin's face practically glowed. "You're the best!"

Once they entered the castle, Aelin slipped away with Lysandra still riding behind her crown in bird form. Sam shook his head slightly, the corner of his lips tilted into a half smile as he watched them disappear, Aelin chatting happily while Lysandra answered in chirps. If only they'd listened to him back then their friendship could have started much earlier!

It didn't take long until two Aelins emerged. One wearing a form fitting dress and a crown upon her head, the other dressed in a tunic and trousers with a hooded cloak hanging from her shoulders.

The crowned Aelin flashed them a grin. It was almost like Aelin's grin, but it didn't quite have the same edginess to it.

"You kids have fun," she said as she squared her shoulders and set off to her first meeting.

Sam looked after her until she disappeared. Then he just shook his head slightly "How often do you two switch?" From the way Lysandra walked and talked and even held her head, he could tell she had practiced being Aelin. And not just a little bit.

Aelin shrugged. "A couple of times a week," she said slowly, with a sheepish grin on her face. "All my advisors know though, they just don't say anything. And we're trying to see how much we can get away with. I'd say I've earned the reprieve! Anyway," she clamped her hands together. "The day is not getting younger and we've got places to be. If you're hungry we'll find something on the way, but our first stop is the backyard. Let's go!"

Sam bit back a smile as he exchanged a glance with Daara before they followed Aelin and her wolf. As they wandered through the castle, Aelin explained pretty much every room and introduced every person they came across.

"The exit to the backyard is right around the-" She paused for a second then let out a small laugh. "Nox, aren't you supposed to be at the meeting?"

A dark haired man seemed to emerge from the shadows. A slight grin played on his lips. "You're here too." His grey eyes darted to Sam and Daara. "Friends?"

"This is Sam and Daara. Sam and I worked together before the war and, although briefly, lived together as well." She flashed Sam a wide grin. "Sam, meet Nox Owen, he's Head of Foreign Intelligence. You might have heard about him."

Sam nodded. "I have." Who hadn't heard about the infamous Master Thief of Perranth?

"Fancy title for spymaster," Nox added with a chuckle. "So you worked together, huh. Same occupation or affiliated only? And I ask because I know how dangerous this one is," he said and pointed at Aelin with his thumb, "and I don't want to piss off the wrong kind of people!"

"Occupation," he said, glancing at Aelin. He wasn't sure he was too comfortable letting some man he'd just met that he was a trained assassin. On the other hand, it seemed like Aelin trusted him.

"Ah, glad we're friends then," Nox said. "I myself had the honor of meeting our Queen during the late King of Adarlan's champion competition. She feared my talents so much she felt the need to convince me to forfeit and leave early!"

Aelin huffed a breath and crossed her arms. "That competition was demon infested. I saved your ass!"

"Well, that and  I was a fearsome opponent!"

Aelin arched an eyebrow. "You couldn't even throw knives straight."

Nox scoffed in mock indignation. "That's beside the point..." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I assume you're looking for the fiend and her hoard. I saw them in the fountain just now, clogging up the drains again with their endless amount of fur."

Aelin flashed him a grin as she headed for the door. "Clogged drains create jobs. She gets to have fun and someone gets paid. I see that as a win win situation."

Nox snorted. "Say that to the poor soul that has to clean that smelly mess!"

Aelin just laughed as she strolled passed him and exited through the door.

"Nice to meet you, Owen," Sam said before he and Daara followed after Aelin out into the backyard where the afternoon sun greeted them.

A sharp whistle rang through the air and was quickly answered by happy barks. A blur of golden fur sprinted across the garden, bounding over a low flower bush, and rushed into Aelin's waiting arms. Several young pups, Sam counted seven of them, followed shortly after all wagging their tails and flocking around Aelin awaiting their turn for affection while some of them snuggled against the white wolf's legs.

A couple of the pups noticed him and Daara and came half running over to them then stopped before they got too close, their noses raised as they sniffed the air. Daara knelt down and offered her hand to the most curious one that dared inch its way towards her. She giggled as the wet nose touched her fingers, sniffing her hand extensively before it let her pat its fur.

"Aren't you an adorable little fur ball, yes you are!" Daara cooed as she scratched the pup's ears.

Sam hunched down beside her and tried to pet the other pup, but the little one jumped back and rushed back to Aelin and hid behind her leg.

Daara laughed softly. "A little skittish that one," she said as she scooped the the pup before her and cradled it in her arms. The little ball of golden fur seemed completely content in her embrace. "When we have a place of our own I want a dog. I've always wanted one, but I never had the proper space for a pet."

"I'm sure we can have that arranged," Sam said as he reached over and scratched the pup's ears.

Aelin approached them while wiping at her face. "Now we can continue our excursion," she said, glancing at the pup Daara was holding. "You can keep him if you like."

Daara looked up at her in surprise. "Really?"

"Of course," she shrugged. "As soon as he's properly weened, then you can take him. I wasn't exactly planning on having pups, Fleetfoot just sort of came home with her belly full one day." She patted the golden dog on the head. Fleetfoot seemed to smile up at her, happy and pride of her little creations.

Daara planted a kiss on the pup's head. "I'll be back for you, buddy," she whispered as she put him down, scratched his ears one final time before the three of them, and the wolf, set off again.

As they walked, Aelin introduced them to pretty much every rock they passed. Not really, but at least she was pointing out what every building was, the name of every guard. At the gates she ordered the stationed guards to note his and Daara's faces for their free passes and, even though Aelin was wearing civilian clothing, the guard saluted and responded with "Yes, Your Majesty".  Aelin scowled at the use of her title and pointed at her cloak.

The young guard blushed. "Apologies, Your Ma... Uh, ma'am."

She chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. They left through a smaller doorway in the gate and for the second time that day Sam looked out across the city. Most of the masses that had assemble to witness their arrival had dissipated, but the streets were still busy. There was something odd, however, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"This is the main market," Aelin said as they headed down streets lines with shops and stalls. "If there's anything you need, just say the word. I'll make sure everything gets paid for."

"Getting into the habit of paying for all my things again, are you?" Sam said with a chuckle even though her lavish spending had once been a part of a dispute between them.

"Technically I never got out of the habit because you died. I'm just continuing where we left off!" She flashed them a grin. "No, but really, you're guests from far away. I want to make sure you have everything you need and want. Especially considering the festivities coming soon!"

Sam shook his head and chuckled under his breath. Some things never change. "At least now I know why you're such a big spender."

Aelin huffed. "You might be the only person I know who objects to getting free stuff."

Daara shifted on her feet. "If I said I wanted a new dress..." she said carefully.

Aelin put an arm around her shoulders and began leading her away. "Then I would say everyone should have a new dress for Beltane and I happen to know the perfect tailor."

He trailed after the two women as they made a beeline for the tailor across the street. He ducked inside the shop and saw that Daara and Aelin were already talking to the tailor. Sam spotted a pair of chairs by the window with a small table in between them, a small basket with cookies sitting on top. He sat down, grabbed a cookie and nibbled on it while only partially listening to the women discuss fabric and styles with the tailor.

Once the tailor began taking Daara's measurements, Aelin came and sat down in the other chair. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. She seemed happy. 

He took another cookie but didn't bite into it. They'd left the castle and Lysandra so quickly after their arrival that he hadn't gotten the chance to talk to her about his suspicions yet, but perhaps now that Aelin's mate wasn't around he could broach the subject with her instead.

He opened his mouth to say the words but stopped as she began to speak.

"Do you still have the suit?" Aelin asked.

Sam blinked. "What suit?" The suit he'd worn for the parade weeks ago was in his trunks, but he doubted she meant that one. It wasn't anything special... Then it dawned on him. "Oh, yes. I still have the stealth suit. I thought about getting rid of it, but it's a damn good suit."

"It is a damn good suit," Aelin agreed, her lips tilted into a half grin. "I still got mine too, though it's currently collecting dust."

Sam chuckled. "Good. Maybe we should burn them together. Cut the last ties to that past." He sighed. "If it wasn't for the spider silk in it I probably would have done that a long time ago. No wonder those damn things were so expensive."

Aelin hummed. "I like that idea." Then she hesitated for a moment before she looked at him. "Yours was the only one with the silk."

His eyebrow shot upwards. "Why would Arobynn..." The way she was looking at him made him pause. Then the realization hit him like lightning from a clear sky. "It wasn't Arobynn."

"Nope," she said, biting back a grin, "I got the silk from a merchant in the red desert, as a reminder of my promise to kill the spider that took his years in exchange for the silk. But someone beat me to it." Aelin laughed and shook her head. "The merchant turned out to be Lysandra's uncle, Falkan, by the way. What a small world we live in. You'll get to meet him soon enough, then you can thank him for giving me the silk so I could give it to you!"

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to wrap his head around that. What a strange coincidence, but he was happy Lysandra had found some family. "You know," he said and smiled towards Aelin. "That silk has saved my life several times the past years. Thank you." Even while they were on the opposites sides of the world she'd been there to protect him and he never knew it.

"It worked as intended then," she said, flashing him a wide grin.

"I'll have to find a new purpose for it now," he said and looked over where Daara was trying out one of the dresses. A new life was before him, one without fighting and bloodshed.

At the end of their visit at the tailors, Daara ended up ordering no less than three new outfits upon Aelin's insistence. And they didn't leave until the women managed to bully him into at least accepting a new outfit for the upcoming celebration of Beltane. He found it remarkable how quickly those two would form an alliance against him, scheming snakes.

They left the tailor and ventured on through the city, Aelin several gold coins poorer but not so much that she even hesitated for a second before running inside the candy shop.

He held Daara's hand as they trailed after Aelin and the wolf, the latter making it easy traversing the streets because everyone was moving out of the way. Or maybe people just knew it was the queen passing by. Though if that was the case he didn't understand why she'd bother with the disguise.

They passed a jewelry store and  a particular piece caught his attention. He noted the name of the shop so that he could return to it later unaccompanied.

"Where are all the children?" Daara asked suddenly.

Sam blinked and took a closer look at the people milling the street. She was right, there were almost no children around. Some mothers were carrying their babies, but other than that there was no kids or even teenagers.

Aelin flashed them a smile. "They won't be out for another three hours," she said, then turned down another street. Sam looked up and read the fresh sign. Education District. They were getting close to that surprise she'd teased him about.

The buildings around this street looked drastically different from the homely shops they'd seen so far. Mostly, these looked like apartment buildings made out of stone and brick, but as they headed further down the street they arrived at three enormous mansion looking buildings that was quartered off from the rest of the street by a metal fence and a tall gate.

"It was officially opened two years ago," Aelin said. "After a lot of building and planning, we have a mostly functioning educational grounds and more is under construction. We're a bit short on teachers at the moment so the age groups have gotten a bit lumped together, but eventually we'll get there. The apartments around the area is meant for the children of families that live far away or are having economic difficulties." Aelin stood with her hands on her hips as she watched the school through the gate. "The goal is to keep as many kids away from the workforce as possible until they're properly schooled, so we provide housing and food for the children of struggling families. That way we relieve the families of another mouth to feed during the schooling at least."

"That's... very impressive," Sam said. If struggling families could just place their children at a school and have them provided for, then maybe fewer kids were sold into servitude. No mother would feel forced to sell their sons or daughters to pleasure houses or other shady institutions.

Aelin shrugged. "It still needs some work, but it's a start anyway." She turned on her heel and waved for them to follow. "Come on, we're nearly there."

He looked at the school grounds for another few seconds before he and Daara set off after Aelin again. If only his mother had had an opportunity like this when she'd fallen ill, then maybe he'd never would have been handed off to Arobynn like that. Then again, he'd never have met Aelin either if that was the case. His life would have been different, sure, but he would never have laid eyes on the young, golden haired girl as she arrived at the guild that first night. And would never have fallen head over heels in love with her either.

He had a feeling that this schooling system was Aelin's own brainchild. Lysandra might have had a hand in it as well. They both had their reasons to want this for the future generations.

Daara leaned in and whispered in his ear. "She's strangely generous, isn't she? Has she always been like this?" Her voice was laced with suspicion. Clearly Aelin hadn't won her affection completely yet.

He looked at the back of Aelin's head, she made no move to show she'd heard Daara's comment but he was sure she had.

But generous wasn't really the right word to describe her. Yes, she could be flamboyant in her spending and drowning those around her in gifts, but that was a different matter. This education system she'd built felt more like it came from the same place as her desire to free those slaves in Skull's Bay.

"She's got a big heart." An understatement, and he could tell Daara wasn't satisfied by that answer. "She's always had a soft spot for those that can't help themselves. Remember I told you about the pirate islands? She's the kind of person that would throw herself into danger if it means protecting others, even if the cost could be her own life."

Daara made no further comment, but he noticed how she was studying the queen with a renewed interest. Hopefully she was seeing her in a better light than before, only time would tell.

They took a left turn and he almost stopped in his tracks. At first he thought he was seeing things or that they had somehow teleported to Rifthold in an instant without him noticing. Standing before them was an exact replica of the Royal Theater in Rifthold, where he and Aelin had gone countless times. Well, he'd mostly gone because she went and it had been those wonderfully few moments when she hadn't looked at him like a rival before they became friends and then more.

"A gift from Dorian," Aelin said, "one of many as part of the reparations for what his father did to us. Let's go!" With an almost childish glee that was very much contagious, she hurried on ahead. She paused on the front steps, standing under the beautiful archway, her eyes bright with excitement and there was a strange look of expectancy on her face. As if she was gauging his reaction.

Sam shook his head and laughed under his breath. It wasn't until Daara, still holding his hands, stopped and gasped. He glanced at her confused, then followed her gaze. There, along the decorative archway, were bold letters carved into the stone.

Cortland Theater.

He stood rooted to the stop, gaping as he stared at the name carved into the building. She'd named it after him. A warm feeling bloomed in his chest.

"I know you had your doubts," Daara said, she too was still staring at the theater, "but I think we can confirm she was definitely in love with you." She tore her gaze away and looked up at him. "I'm just going to say this now so we're clear on the expectations; There's no way I can beat this."

"There's no competition, Daara," he said and smiled at her fondly.

"Only because she's already married," she muttered and averted her eyes.

His smile turned into a frown. Then he cupped her face with his free hand so that she would have to look at him. "I fell in love with you long before I knew Aelin had moved on. Don't you dare think I would ever walk away from you for someone else. Even her, married or not."

Daara blinked away the silver that had gathered in her eyes and he leaned in to capture her lips with his in a quick, but tender kiss. When he pulled back he was happy to notice that she had relaxed a little bit and there was even a little smile on her beautiful lips.

In that moment he remembered that Aelin was still waiting for them on the steps, the white wolf dutifully sitting at her side also watching them. They quickly joined her and he hoped she wasn't too offended at what he'd said, because he was certain she'd heard them, fae hearing and all that. But he'd meant it and would never take those words back, even if she got angry. Daara was his life now.

If she'd heard them she didn't address it or didn't want to get in the middle of anything. Aelin just smiled and flung her arms out towards a bronze plaque on the door. "Ta-da!" She said with exaggerated dramatics.

On the plaque was the life-sized profile of his face with a sentence written in the metal beneath it. 

In loving memory of Sam Cortland, a bright light in the darkness.

Aelin clamped her hands behind her back and rolled on her feet. "Like I said we'll have to change the words, but only the first part." She gave him a sheepish smile. "I honestly feel a bit silly now. It's a bit much, isn't it? I never really expected you'd actually see it, you know..."

He fought back the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. All this she'd done for him, all this time she'd mourned and probably sitting up at night wondering who she could preserve his memory after all these years. She must have spent weeks with the sculptor to make him carve his face right.

"I'm honored," he managed to say through the thickness of his throat.

Aelin cleared her throat. "Yep, I definitely feel pathetic right now. Let's head inside," she said and promptly turned on her heels, pushed the door open and slipped inside.

Thought the facade looked like a replica of the Royal Theater, the inside was decorated entirely different. It might just seem that way because everything was in the royal colors of Terrasen, and not the red and gold he was used to. But it was beautiful, extravagant, rich and absolutely stunning. And that was only the foyer.

A young girl dressed in a dancing costume paused to look at them as they all entered. Then she quickly curtsied while blushing before she ran off, disappearing through a door down the hallway.

Sam raised a questioning eyebrow and Aelin shrugged. "She's new, she'll get used to me dropping by eventually."

He opened his mouth to speak but paused when the door the young dancer had gone through opened again but it was not her that came out.

Madam Florine waltzed towards them in that elegant manner she always did. "You really ought to give me a heads up before you visit, Your Majesty, my poor girls-" She gasped sharply, putting a hand to her chest as her noticed him next to Aelin. "By the gods!" Madam Florine rushed forward and put her hands on Sam's cheeks, then felt down his arms as if she was making sure he was real.

Aelin grinned. "I believe today's visit warranted the surprise."

To his surprise, she pulled him into a tight hug. "This is unbelievable! A miraculous day indeed! I see that scum of the earth didn't have it in him to kill you after all."

Sam huffed a laugh, though he found her comment a bit odd. "It's good to see you again, Madam Florine."

"Good doesn't even cover it, darling! And you brought a young lady home with you," Madam Florine turned to Daara. "Look at you, dove! You've got the look of a dancer about you, such splendid form."

Daara's eyebrows shot upwards. "I.. uhm, I've never danced to perform, Madam." She cleared her throat. "I doubt I'd be any good at it."

"Nonsense," she said with a wave of her hand. "I can tell by just looking at you and under my tutelage you'll move like the wind in no time, dove."

"Madam Florine," Aelin said, gaining the dance instructors attention. "Perhaps you should give Daara a tour of the place, maybe meet the other girls and have them show her a few things."

Madam Florine hummed. "What do you say, dove, care for a private tour?"

Daara bit her lip and glanced at Sam. He offered her an encouraging smile, if she wanted to go he wasn't going to stop her. Then she turned to Madam Florine again. "Alright, why not."

"Wonderful!" Madam Florine took Daara by the arm, bid him and Aelin farewell before towing Daara along.

Sam watched them leave, puzzled at the sudden turn of the conversation.

"She's desperate for a replacement," Aelin said as if reading his mind. "Mirelda fell ill about two months ago, we thought it was a passing sickness but the poor girl is still bedridden and now Madam Florine need someone to fill her spot for Beltane. Daara is her unfortunate victim."

He glanced at Aelin from the corner of his eye. "You encouraged her."

"I want the performance to be pristine but I also wanted to speak with you privately." She turned and opened the large double doors and revealed the grand hall beyond. He followed her inside, passing rows of cushioned seats of green velvet. There were private booths up on the walls that overlooked the entire theater hall, an unobstructed view of the stage. They'd spent many evenings in booths like those.

The domed ceiling was beautifully painted in a depiction of a great forest with mountains in the distance. And at the center, surrounded by open skylights letting in the light of the sun, stood the white stag, the Lord of the North with a bright flame burning between its antlers. No, not just a flame. It was Aelin clad in brilliant golden armor, surrounded by a great glow and flickering flames sitting astride the stag with her sword raised above her head.

Aelin took a seat on the front row, the wolf settling down at her feet. They weren't entirely alone but apparently her fae bodyguard was an exception to privacy. Or she'd simply just wanted Daara out of the way. The thought made him nervous. What could she possibly want to talk to him about that she didn't want Daara to hear?

He tried to keep calm as he took a seat next to her, bracing for what would come next.

"Sam," Aelin began, and his heart skipped a beat. Judging from the tone of her voice they were about to have a serious conversation. "I know what you've been doing." She shifted in her seat, pulling one leg up and tucking it under herself as she turned to face him. "I know you've probably... heard me. Especially on the ship it was kind of inevitable."

"I tried to go to you but no one would let me get near," he said, curling his fingers into fists. "If he's hurting you-"

"He's keeping me from falling apart," she said in a quiet voice, barely more than a whisper. She began picking on the velvet covered armrest. "When I was captured by Maeve she... she messed with my head. Creating illusions that felt so real I often wouldn't figure it out until days had passed. It felt like days anyway, sometimes weeks or months, it was disorienting. She wove entire lives into my head and even now I'm not entirely sure which memories are real and which are... made by her. And the torture..." She drew a shuddering breath, as if just saying the words physically hurt her. "Sometimes, often when I sleep, but also sometimes when I'm awake, it's like I'm back in the iron coffin and Cairn is standing over me with his tools." She paused again, her throat bobbing. "Fenrys helps me a lot, he was there with me through everything. And Rowan is able to bring me out of... that place." She forced out a breathy laugh but he could see the struggle going on inside her. He knew her well enough to see through the facade. "I've even had to confirm countless times with the others that I'm not hallucinating you too."

He swallowed the lump in his throat and his chest tightened at the thought of what she'd been through. "So when I heard you screaming..."

Aelin nodded. "That's what was happening. Fenrys has been keeping you away because I can sometimes spontaneously combust during these episodes. He was protecting you from getting some serious burns." She drew a shuddering breath and leaned back in her seat, staring up at the ceiling. She looked tired, exhausted. Feelings she was probably hiding from the rest of them as much as she could muster while pretending to be bubbly and happy. He reached over and took her hand. "I'm not doing great," she said after a quiet moment. The wolf, Fenrys, sat up and rested his head on her knees, watching her with those big onyx eyes. "But I'm getting better. Eventually, though maybe not completely, it will go away. One day at a time."

He squeezed her hand. "I'm sorry if my poking around caused you any trouble. And I hope your mate isn't too offended I suspected him of hurting you."

"Rowan is not offended, quite the opposite actually. You've gained his respect." A shrill caw sounded from the ceiling and Sam glanced up and spotted a hawk now sitting in the open skylight. A genuine smile formed on Aelin's face and she lowered her gaze to look at him. "Besides, over-protectiveness is a core trait in this court. You'll fit right in with the rest of us."

He huffed a laugh. "I'm not sure court life is my thing. I was thinking more in lines of farming actually, but I suspect Daara won't be too thrilled with that. She's lived in the city all her life."

"I'll have to look at the ledgers," she said thoughtfully. "I think all farmland around Orynth has been either claimed or distributed. But if I remember correctly there should be some land outside Perranth that's good for farming. I'll send word to Elide and Lorcan if you two decide on that path." She bit her lip in thought. "Unless you'd rather return to Adarlan. I'm sure Dorian could make some accommodations."

"No," he said quickly. "I'm done with Adarlan. And I don't want to risk running into the guild either." He straightened up. "Have they tried anything? Surely they know about your real identity?"

"Oh, they know. Tern and Harding paid us a visit a year and a half ago," she scoffed. "Maybe they thought I'd grown lax and would be easy pickings or it was simply revenge for what I did after Arobynn died." She flashed him a rueful grin. "Either way, Fenrys took care of them." She petted Fenrys on the head, her lips tilted into a slight smile and Fenrys blinked once. "They really should have expected I would have eyes on me at all times. As for Mullin, last I've heard he's the happy new leader of the guild. He even sent a letter of apology for his late colleagues's trespasses and no other assassins have been lurking about since,so that's nice."

"So there's not much left of the old guild then." He relaxed back into his seat. One less thing to worry about. He had no desires to get Daara tangled up in his old life.

"Nope, some goons perhaps. But the guild has mostly fallen on ill times, Dorian's been stomping down on the Underworld in an attempt to clean up his father's messes." She sighed. "I really need to make some law that'll release me from queenly duties. There's no way I want to do this for the next thousand years."

"A thousand years?" He sputtered. He knew fae were long-lived but he'd never thought she would be since she wasn't a full fae. 

She nodded. "So I've been told by those that can see such things and I can feel the settling coming soon, almost like an ache in my bones." She drew a deep breath then looked at him with a slight smile. "I don't think you and I would have worked out very well in the end."

He threw his hands up and flashed her a grin. "Would have worked great for me, but you might not have wanted to stick around with a grumpy old man."

"As if you could ever be grumpy!"

They shared a hearty laugh and continued to throw some banter back and forth until the door to the foyer opened and Madam Florine and Daara returned. They spent the rest of the evening in the theater and Madam Florine had her girls run through their routine for them. Daara sat on the edge of her seat throughout the performance, as if she was eager to join in. Which she would, she'd announced her decision to join Madam Florine's girls the moment she'd sat down next to him.

He watched her watching the performance and smiled fondly at the apparent eagerness in her eyes. When they'd left for Terrasen he'd been worried about how well she would settle in so far away from everything she'd ever known. He put an arm around her waist and earned himself a beautiful smile.

The next few days passed like the wind. Daara was mostly busy at the theater to crank in as much practice she could before Beltane. Aelin, Lysandra and the other court members were constantly in meetings and otherwise spending time preparing the city at large for the celebrations. Eventually Sam had joined the crews setting up the dozens of dozens bonfires outside the city walls.

The morning of Beltane arrived and he got up early so that he could see Daara off before she joined the other dancers for their last minute practice. When he entered their shared bathroom she was already dressed and was in the middle of applying kohl to her eyes. He walked up behind her sliding his arms around her midsection and peppered her neck with kisses making her squeal.

"Good morning, beautiful," he said as he eased his attack.

She giggled. "Good morning, sleepyhead. You missed the King of Adarlan's arrival last night." She returned to applying her make up, putting on the finishing touches. "He and the Witch Queen arrived precisely at the same time just as Aelin predicted. There's definitely something going on between those two. The tension is thick."

"Well, he was late and I was tired." He stifled a yawn. And they must have been really late because he hadn't tumbled into bed until right before midnight.

She put down her applicator and turned around his arms. He noticed she was using the sapphire earrings he'd bought for her the other day. They went nicely with her performance dress he noted proudly.

She rested her hands on his chest. "Aelin invited everyone to breakfast but I have to get going."

"Not even time for a quick bite?"

"Madam Florine has made arrangements for us." She stood up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "I'll see you out there. Don't be late."

He snorted. "When am I ever late?"

Daara gave him a pointed look then shook her head and laughed. Alright, he might have been late to their meetings a few times over the years, but he hadn't been that bad.

She slipped out of his embrace, kissed him on the cheek one final time before she hurried out the door.

Sam ran a hand through his hair as he stepped over to the chest at the foot of their bed. He crouched down and flipped open the lid then pulled out the single piece leather suit he'd stashed inside. He laid it out on the bed. It had seen better days, now it was covered in nicks and his shoddy attempts at stitching the bigger damages. Though, regardless of the man that made him buy it, the suit had served him well.

He opened the chest piece revealing the pale silk sown into the inside of the suit. With his knife he managed to cut the stitches holding it in place  until it came completely loose. He held the piece of silk in hand, it wasn't much but it had been enough to protect his heart time and time again. After marveling at the smooth and thin fabric for a moment he placed it back in the chest, tucking it away inside the sheath of one of his daggers.

He paused when he saw the small pile of letters he'd stashed there and forgotten about. But now the anger resurfaced. He took the letters and tossed them atop the suit on the bed. Countless nights he'd read through those letters believing they were the only words of Aelin he had to hold on to. Now he knew that she'd never as much as held a pen close to that parchment and those sweet words of love and promise were no more than a mockery forged by Arobynn.

The thought made him sick. And embarrassed for having fallen for such a ploy.

He quickly rolled the suit into a tight bundle with the letters inside and tied it all together with a secure knot. Then he proceeded to quickly get dressed, in the suit Daara and Aelin had bullied him into getting, then he left their quarters and headed for the dining hall where he suspected the others were already gathering.

At the door he could already hear talking and laughter coming from the dining room. He opened the door and went inside and quickly noticed a few new faces he hadn't seen before. However, two of the men seemed strangely familiar somehow.

"Sam!" Aelin called to him as she bounced up from her seat and rushed over to him. "Finally my collection is complete!" She said ruefully and grabbed him by the arm, pulling him over to where the others were sitting. He gave her a quizzical look which she just laughed off. "All my four conquests are in the same room at last! Sam, meet Dorian," she gestured to the black-haired man that was roughly their age and who also was one of the men he thought looked familiar. "Our relationship lasted about one week. And the sour looking one is Chaol, he beat Dorian by about three weeks, then he got my best friend murdered so that kind of put an end to things." Chaol scowled at her. "And as you know Rowan was the lucky winner in the end," she snickered.

Sam couldn't help but smile, Aelin was clearly in a good mood today. He greeted everyone in turn, though the witch Manon seemed wholly uninterested in the pleasantries. Yrene, on the other hand, was very welcoming and was apparently the same healer Aelin had helped the summer she went to the Silent Assassins. He was starting to think Aelin liked collecting people. Or rather that people she'd helped liked sticking by her side. 

He still felt like Dorian and Chaol looked familiar but it was probably just because he was the King of Adarlan, he must have seen him around Rifthold at some point...

Dorian waved his hand. "It's a pleasure to actually get to meet you, Sam Cortland, we were all under the impression you were dead. I must formally welcome you to the Post-Aelin-Club, we're a sad, miserable lot."

His voice sounded familiar too, and there was something about that smile... He let out a chuckle when he saw the obscene gesture Aelin directed at the king.

"I, for one, am very happy to be alive," Sam said.

Dorian huffed a laugh as he grabbed his chalice and raised it. "Cheers for happy resurrections and may we dance until our feet falls off tonight! Maybe you'll find a lucky woman, or man, to make you forget you've lost Aelin to Rowan!"

"He's already got Daara," Aelin piped in. "Will she be joining us? I sent her the invite."

"Madam Florine has claimed her for the day," Sam said. "I swear she gets to see Daara more than I do these days."

Dorian returned to his seat at Manon's side, taking a big swig of his chalice as he lounged in his chair. "You might get lucky and get a dance or two with her tonight after the performance then."

The memory suddenly struck him. Then let me call you Mine for a dance or two. Sam snapped his fingers. "The Harvest Moon party at Leighfer Bardingale's house, when the envoy from Melisande came to Rifthold. You two were there, wearing masks. About six years ago." If he was wrong about this it would be more than a little embarrassing.

Dorian blinked in surprise. "Six years ago?" Dorian asked with a thoughtful look on his face as he turned to Chaol who just shrugged. "Possibly, we were going around on a lot of parties at that time..."

Sam turned to Aelin. "Do you remember? It was during the Doneval job."

Aelin grimaced at the mention of her target. Another trap set by Arobynn to teach her a lesson. "I honestly don't remember. That day is a bit hazy."

"You were very drunk at the time," he said with a slight shrug, earning himself a pouting glare.

"I wasn't that drunk," she shot back.

Dorian perked up, his face lighting up. "Wait, that was you? I remember flirting with a very attractive woman and you told me she was spoken for. That was you right? You look like that guy!"

He nodded. "And the attractive woman was a drunk Aelin."

Aelin shook her head. "I don't see how either of you can even remember that. It was so long ago."

"We weren't drunk," he and Dorian said at the same time. They exchanged rueful grins. Yup, he was starting to like the young king.

She threw her hands in the air. "Whatever, it's not like I get ridiculously drunk!" Then she snapped a pointing finger at Rowan without even looking his way. "You keep your mouth shut!"

Rowan's only response was a raised eyebrow and Aelin turned to him with narrowed eyes.  Sometimes Sam could have sworn those two were talking by only looking at each other. It was subtle, or rather Rowan was subtle, Aelin had a tendency to make faces.

Time flew by and breakfast morphed into lunch before he even knew what time it was. They even went as far as bringing out early desserts and he felt like he was going to burst. How were they meant to even eat anything at the feast to come?

Evening was drawing near when Sam returned to his quarters to grab the suit before joining Aelin and the others in the courtyard where carriages stood ready to take them outside the city. Most of the celebration were to take place outside the city walls where the bonfires were set up and rows and rows of banquet tables. A separate banquet table had been set up for the Queen and King, their court and royal guests, which was easily distinguishable by the guards already stationed around it.

A large platform had been raised as a makeshift stage with two large and unlit pyres, one on each side. As soon as Sam exited the carriage he quickly spotted Daara among the other dancers. Her eyes fell on him and she waved at him eagerly, practically radiating excitement.

He was about to go to her but then Madam Florine herded the troupe of dancers together and lead them off the stage and behind the flowing curtains hiding the provisional backstage area. Probably to prepare for their first performance of the evening. Since she was otherwise preoccupied, he decided to return to the others.

Aelin was in deep conversation with Yrene, standing a little bit away from the others for privacy. Whatever they were talking about, Aelin looked concerned and Yrene seemed like she was trying to console or reassure her. It was hard to tell from a distance, but he had an inkling as to what it was about now that Aelin had confided in him about her problems. And Yrene was a skilled healer after all, if there was anyone capable of helping Aelin, it would be her.

While he waited for the performance to begin, Sam ended up chatting with Dorian and his sour friend while Rowan sat quietly by them, watching everyone that even looked in Aelin's direction. As if anyone would be bold enough to strike at her out in the open knowing all the stories that surrounded her now. Especially the God Killer part. That alone should be enough to deter most ambitious idiots.

"Honestly, I should have known you weren't actually dead," Dorian said. Sam returned his attention to the young king confused. He'd missed part of their conversation getting distracted by thoughts of Aelin. The last he remembered was Dorian talking about summoning his ancestors or something like that.

"Why would you've known that?" Sam asked, Dorian hadn't even known they'd met until this morning.

"You see," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. "I was planning on surprising Aelin for her birthday by summoning your spirit as a gift to her since you two never really got to say your peace back when everything went sideways. But," he said with a light laugh. "I had to make sure I could actually do it before doing it for her. So I've been spending months trying to contact you on the other side and every time this woman would appear instead." He cut a grimace. "Well, almost every time. Arobynn appeared a few times, but I cut that connection quickly."

Sam stiffened. "Why would he appear?"

Dorian shrugged. "I don't know, probably because I didn't really know the person I was summoning so people from your life must have heard the call instead. And you weren't really there to answer it yourself."

Sam cleared his throat, just the thought of Arobynn appearing in his place felt like a disgusting violation. "What about the woman. Who was she?"

"She never said her name but she was very beautiful. She had high cheekbones, brown eyes and dark hair. She also had the same mark on her wrist as Lysandra," Dorian said as he raised his chalice and took a big swig. "When I told her I hadn't meant to pull her into our world she just smiled and said 'I know'. She had a pleasant voice, I must say." He shook his head and laughed. "The other times she appeared she would laugh at me and comment on my persistence."

He thought maybe his heart was about to jump out of his chest. Could it be? What were the chances Dorian had summoned her? He leaned back in his chair and wiped his palms on his pants. He caught a glimpse of Rowan watching him intently, as if the male was reading every emotion coursing through him. Which he probably was.

Sam tried to swallow the lump in his throat and turned to Dorian again. "It might be a big ask," he started, feeling very self conscious as the idea formed in his head. "But do you think you could... summon her again?"

"Yeah, definitely," he said without hesitation. "We can summon her after the bonfires have been lit or whenever you want to. Do you know who she is?"

"My mother was a courtesan," he said. "It could be her." Maybe. Hopefully. A swarm of butterflies fluttered in his stomach.

He noticed Rowan was still watching him, his nostrils flaring as if the male was smelling him. He tried not to squirm under his piercing gaze.

"My condolences," Rowan said and Sam turned to fully look at him, surprised.

"It was a long time ago," he said, clearing his throat. "I barely remember her." It was a lie. Though he'd been only six when she'd been murdered by a jealous client, he remembered her vividly.

Rowan just watched him for another few seconds as if he was considering saying anything further. Sam almost let out a breath of relief when Aelin arrived, wrapping her arms around Rowan's neck and claimed the male's attention by smacking a loud kiss on his cheek.

The curtains of the makeshift stage began to close as Aelin took her seat at Rowan's side and the rest of the court gathered at the tables as well. A crowd had gathered by the other banquet tables and the walls of the city looked packed. He was so glad he didn't have to stand in that throng of people. Being friends with the Queen herself had its privileges. And they had a full view of the stage as well. It was almost like having a booth in the theater.

A conductor stepped forward and unto a small podium in front of the stage. He turned towards Aelin and bowed deeply, then he bowed to Rowan before turning to bow for Dorian and Manon one after the other. Once all the royals had been greeted he faced the stage, raised his arms and the curtains were pulled aside revealing the orchestra that now stood along the back of the stage.

As one the people of Orynth fell silent in anticipation.

With a flick of his wrists, the orchestra filled the air with melodious music and the dancers exploding unto the stage from the sides like hurtling and whirling flames. One twirling flame in particular held his attention. She might not be as graceful as the more seasoned dancers, but that didn't stop her from putting her all into each and every move she flowed through.

He almost forgot the music, completely entranced by the woman moving about the stage like a crackling ember.

The music was climbing to the climax, the dancers growing wilder like a forest fire raging in the wind. Suddenly four dancers, two on each side of the stage, dropped to their knees and slammed the stage floor with their open palms. Compartments opened and in unison they pulled out unlit torches. With brilliant flourishes, they scraped the end of the torches along the floor and they sparked into a bright flames.

They spun around, the live fire trailing behind them, and with a flick of their wrists they produced a tiny bottle that they all in unison took a swig off. Then they leapt toward the two large pyres, lifted the torches, and as the music reached its crescendo, they spat out the contents unto the torches sending bursts of flames right unto the pyres.

They must have been doused with something because the two pyres lit up in an instant, causing the crowd to gasp out in awe as the flames climbed high into the darkening sky. And behind the stage, as if they'd all been linked, the other smaller bonfires dotted across the field lit up as well. The flames burned blue until they slowly shifted into a normal flame.

The dancers gathered at the front of the stage, the musicians stood up, and the conductor again turned to face the royal table before they all bowed while the crowd cheered on. Then the troupe of dancers exited the stage while the musicians stayed, though they moved to the front of the stage to set everything up for the rest of the evening until others would take over.

Daara came bounding over, her smile a beacon. She'd changed out of her performance dress and had put on one of the dresses she and Aelin had bought. It was an elegant black dress with gold trimmings and a gold flowery pattern weaving up her arms and the skirt of the dress.

When she reached him, she practically sank into the chair next to him letting out a long breath as she smiled at him.

"That went better than I expected," she said. "I tripped during the rehearsal this morning and I've been fretting for hours."

He grinned and took her hand. "You did amazing, I couldn't even tell that you'd had less time to prepare than the others."

"Liar," she giggled. He gaze flicked to the side. "I think we have trouble."

He followed her gaze and saw Aelin stalking towards a huge, muscular fae male with onyx eyes and matching shoulder length hair. His face looked like it was carved from rock as he watched the approaching Queen. At his side stood a woman with midnight black hair that greeted Aelin with a bright smile.

Aelin hugged the woman before fixing her sharp gaze on the fae male towering over her.

"You were not invited," Aelin said in a way that would have made most men balk.

The male unflinchingly met her gaze. "I know. You promised to never invite me to anything, but you never forbade me from showing up."

Aelin narrowed her eyes at him for a another few seconds before she turned away and gestured for Sam and Daara to come over. They exchanged a glance before they went over to her and the two strangers.

"Since you were considering land outside Perranth," Aelin said. "I think you should be properly introduced." He felt Daara look at him. They still hadn't agreed on whether or not to stay in Orynth yet and he didn't feel like having that discussion right now. "This is Elide Lochan, Lady of Perranth, and who will be the one to either accept or deny your request for land should you decide to apply for it." Her gaze flicked to the tall fae male. "That one is Lorcan, Elide's little bitch."

Lorcan glowered at her. "Every time you open your mouth I regret not slitting your throat in that alley."

Sam's eyebrows shot up at the male's words and he felt Daara stiffen at his side.

Aelin patted him on the arm, completely unfazed by his snarling comment. "We all want things we can't get," she said and flashed him a wolfish grin. Elide looked like she was trying to swallow a laugh while Lorcan seemed to be regretting his decision to come here. "Personally, I'd very much like a castle made out of chocolate, but Rowan has ruthlessly shut me down." She looked towards Rowan, her lips scrunched into a pitiful pout.

Rowan just shook his head, not even deigning to respond to such a ridiculous idea.

Aelin fluttered her eyelashes at him before she ushered Elide and Lorcan over to a set of coincidentally empty seats, as if she'd actually planned for them to be there even though they hadn't been formally invited. Or maybe it was just Lorcan, either way Sam couldn't make sense of that exchange at all. Lorcan was given a stern warning not to cause any trouble, a warning which Fenrys emphasized with a menacing growl.

The music started playing again, a merry tune fit for joyful dancing. A perfect time to leave those fae to their quarrels and steal his woman away for a little bit of dancing.

Sam took Daara by the hand and gestured towards the open fields with a suggestive nod. People were already filing over there and started dancing as if the music was all they'd waited for. The answering smile he received was enough for him to pull Daara with him towards the open fields.

When they entered the gathered throng of merry dancers, Sam spun her around by her hand and pulled her in close and wrapped an arm around her waist, whisking her away into the swirl of dancing masses.

He couldn't look away from the happiness in her eyes, the bright smile on her face as he spun them around and around. Until one song turned into another and then another, he lost count. The night could last for ever, it certainly wouldn't be long enough.

At one point he noticed from the corner of his eye Aelin and Rowan swishing by trailed by embers that seemed to dance along with them. Even Elide and Lorcan had joined in, the large male looking less uptight than he had at his first arrival. Dorian and Manon he noticed slipping away from the revelries, away from the people, the dancing, and the feast.

When the songs switched again, Sam and Daara returned to the banquet table for a much needed drink and a quick breather before they headed out again. However, before they could go Aelin approached them with Rowan at her side and bundled up leather suit in her hands. Her brilliant blue eyes settled on Sam.

"I was thinking we could do it now while the fires burn the hottest," she said. "If you still want to burn them, that is."

Sam smiled, reached under his seat and pulled out the old leather suit that had served him well through the years. A cursed gift, mixed with a small blessing courtesy of the woman before him.

"I've never been more ready," he said as he tucked the suit under his arm and took Daara by the hand. Though she had never known Arobynn, though she didn't know what he and Aelin had gone through at the Keep, he wanted her with him as they burned these last remnants of that past.

Together they walked over to a bonfire a little bit away from where most people had gathered. As they stopped before the roaring flames, he felt a tinge of nerves. After tonight, everything from his old life would be gone. A clean slate. A new life of peace.

Sam let go of Daara's hand as he and Aelin stepped closer to the fires. He noticed Aelin sucked in a  long breath before she placed the suit on a burning long. He reached forward, putting his right next to hers. The heat of the flames nipped at his face but he ignored it as he watched the flames bite into the suit, slowly beginning to eat away at it and the cursed letters wrapped inside.

He glanced at Aelin and smiled. She'd grown so much since their days as assassins. Her face was that of a queen as she watched the suits burn and he couldn't quite read the emotion in her expression.

She noticed his attention and smiled at him. "Now that's done," she said. "The last reminder burned to ashes."

He gave her a slight smile. "Except for the scars. He's responsible for plenty of those." And they wouldn't disappear any time soon.

Her eyes flickered and her smile wavered. "I don't even have those anymore," she said, a tinge of sadness in her voice. Rowan put an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him.

He'd never really understood her and Arobynn's relationship. Now though, he supposed that despite everything their old master had done to her, he had kept her from being found by her enemies. In the late King of Adarlan's own city no less. Not that that excused any of it.

Sam reached over and took he hand, squeezing it gently before releasing it again. 

Aelin tilted her head back and peered up at the stars, a whisper of a smile traced her lips. "The night is still young," she said, lowering her gaze to Rowan and then she looked to him and Daara. "Let's dance until dawn breaks."

He huffed a laugh. "I like that idea." He turned to Daara and flourished a bow. "Would you care for a dance, my lady?" As he'd hoped, Daara laughed softly and sketched a far more graceful courtesy in return.

She looped her arm with his. "Gladly," she said, peering up at him with a look that sent a warmth through him.

The four of them returned to the revelry and did not leave until dawn painted the sky pink and there was nothing left of the pyres but piles of ash.

Sam slept long into the day and when he finally woke he found a note on the pillow next to him. A smile played on his lips as he read it. Daara had gotten up long before him and let with Aelin and the other women to spend their morning getting pampered at the spa. How she could survive on so little sleep was beyond him. No matter when they went to bed, she was always up long before him.

He threw on a simple shirt and pants and trudged over to the bookshelf and skimmed the spines. Judging only by the titles of most of these books he knew Aelin had personally acquired them. He chuckled under his breath and just took a random book. Trashy romance novel or not, he was ready to do nothing but lie on the couch and read until Daara returned or he got hungry enough to go questing for food.

However, he didn't get to read for long until two knocks sounded from the door. He closed the book as he rose and wandered over to the door and opened it. A young man, clad in the colors of Terrasen, handed him a note before he bowed and went on his way.

He unfolded the note, reading it quickly then reached for his coat and was out the door in seconds. The walk down to the garden felt eternal and his heart beat wilder every second, his palms sweating. He didn't even know why he was nervous.

He entered the garden, and despite the sun shining and the air surprisingly warm, there weren't many people around. He paused for a moment, looking around until he spotted the one he was looking for at the far back of the garden where a few trees were planted, making a tiny little forest like area.  A great place for a bit of privacy.

His nerves were fraying as he approached the tiny little forest and the person waiting in the shadows.

Dorian Havilliard was leaning against a tree, his arms crossed over his chest, and he smiled as Sam reached him.

"I know I said after the bonfires were lit," Dorian said with a light laugh, "but my plans got a little diverted last night."

Sam smirked. "It's still technically after the bonfires were lit."

Dorian laughed and pushed off from the tree. "You're not wrong there. Shall we?" He gestured towards the little glen beyond the trees.

"I have one question," Sam said as he followed Dorian. "Why are we doing this outside?"

"Because Aelin would burn me alive if I stained her floors." His lips tilted into a smirk. "There's a room at the Ocean Rose Inn in Skulls Bay with a permanent reminder that Aelin wanted to chat with her ancestor."

He huffed a laugh. "I'm sure Rolfe is thrilled about that."

"We threw a rug over it." Dorian crouched down over a patch of open dirt. Sam flinched as Dorian pulled out a knife and cut his own arm, then proceeded to draw strange markings on the ground with his blood.

Sam forced himself to breathe as he watched the king work. Dorian stepped back as the marks began to glow with a soft light. Then the glow faded.

He raised a quizzical brow at Dorian, who just shrugged.

"It sometimes takes a few minutes," he said.

They waited, Sam resisting the urge to shift on his feet and his heartbeat hammering in his ears. What if she didn't show?

He was about to voice his concerns when the light seeping in from the leaves above seemed to gather above the marks and turned into the shape of a woman. Mere heartbeats later the woman before them looked as solid as a living being. His heart skipped a beat and his breath lodged in his throat.

She smiled, her brown eyes on Dorian. "We meet again, Your Grace."

Dorian bowed. "It is a pleasure as always, my lady, and this time it was on purpose." He gestured towards Sam and finally she turned to look at him as well.

She blinked once, then her face lit up in a warm smile that had only lived in his memories for nearly twenty years.

His throat bobbed as he mustered the strength to speak. "Hello, Mother."