Chapter Text
FANFICTION
A COURT OF NIGHTMARES AND LIGHT
PART II – THE DAY COURT
CHAPTER XIII : The City of Daylight
As soon as dawn erupted from the east, they all gathered in the living-room. Cassian and Nesta had left the previous day for the Illyrian mountains, not that Nesta had cared to see Elain before her departure. She was furious of being sent away like some unruly child, but… what else could they do? If anyone could help her sister, it was Cassian.
"Is everyone ready?" Rhysand asked, glancing around.
Feyre, Amren and Elain's three fox cubs would come to the Day Court – the cubs had been a difficult choice but they were too young to be left alone and it broke Elain's heart to stay away from her, and they had a tendency of crying whenever she wasn't nearby, and eventually the Day Court accepted for the animals to accompany the Night Court's group.
Elain looked up at Lucien. His fingers brushed hers discreetly. Darkness and mist surrounded them and, in an instant, they were stepping on the other side of the mountains separating the Day and Night Court. The dim morning light of the living room had been replaced with bright light.
Elain blinked, a little dizzy – she hadn't been winnowed in so long, and it still shook her. Breeze of air shook her hair. She looked up and breathed the fresh morning air. Her eyes widened in awe.
The most beautiful city she had ever seen laid before her.
Built against the clear rock of the mountain, a massive tower rose above a city divided in several circles. The tower, the private residence of the High Lord of the Day Court, was high and sturdy, made of white stone and decorated with rich red, blue and gold. Balconies and hanging gardens broke the harsh and straight lines of the building. A massive river erupted from the mountain itself, and flew from the Tower to the city below, separating itself in many canals, going over aqueducts and bridges and falling in short waterfalls and small ponds all over the city. It was layered in five terraces, each separated by elegant walls, statues and fountains going down to the plains where they were standing.
Elain turned around and gasped. Forests, roads, fields of flower or crops, rivers… It looked like a landscape straight out of those enchanting fairy tales she would read when she was a child, fascinated and scared all at once of the Fae lands.
"I could get used to such a view," Lucien said with a grin, taking it in with as much glee as she did.
"It's beautiful…"
"You're going to hurt my feelings," Rhysand commented with a smirk and a shake of his head, even as Feyre put her hand in his.
"I'm glad to see that our Tower of Light and the White City please your eyes, esteemed guests."
They all turned towards the High Fae who was standing next to the arrival platform they had been told to go to. He had the dark skin of the Day Court, a rich caramel, and his eyes were brown like the earth after rain. His black hair was shoulder length but elegantly pulled backwards by a golden circlet over his forehead. He was tall, lean, but muscular and many white scars covered the skin he was showing. And it was quite a lot of it. He was wearing the traditional outfit of the Day Court: white toga draped over one shoulder and all around his body, with sapphire blue and golden details.
The most surprising feature remained his face though: he wasn't wrinkled per say, but the corner of his eyes, of his mouth, had some lines that could have been laughing marks of past joyful days, or just the sign of time. His eyes were deep and ancient – not the way Amren's had once been, with a phenomenal power hiding in it, but they held knowledge and wisdom in a way Elain had never encountered in High Fae – and yet, they were all much older than her, centuries older… This High Fae must have been very old if despite immortality and eternal glow, his age was seen over his face.
Rhysand bowed his head respectfully, as did Feyre and Amren, all powerful or old enough to not have to bother with showing any more than mere respect to the old High Fae. Lucien, on the other hand, bowed deeply, and Elain followed his example by curtsying politely, the way she had known back in her human time, adjusted with Mor's teaching these last few days.
"Welcome to the capital of the Day Court, the City of Daylight, Delphos. My name is Koios, I am the Second-in-command to the High Lord." He said in a warm, posed voice, pointing behind him to the magnificent city.
"City of Starlight, City of Daylight," Amren mumbled, "I can see that the first High Lords had a vast imagination."
"I believe my ancestors were tired of battling and chose to make things clear," Koios answered with a slightly amused smile.
"Your ancestors?" Feyre asked, raising an eyebrow, asking outloud what Elain had been wondering.
"I descend from the line of the High Lords. I am some sort of… exasperated uncle to Lord Helion."
"Yeah, I know that feeling." Amren snorted, glancing at Rhysand who raised an eyebrow.
"We thank you for your warm welcome, Lord Koios," he continued, used to Amren's jabs, "We are all looking forward to the time we'll spend in your company, though I'm afraid I will be absent more often than not. Nevertheless, my mate and High Lady will be here in my stead, as will my other companions, to represent the Night Court."
"The Night Court, indeed," Koios said, his gaze wandering over Lucien and Elain.
He didn't say a thing, his face didn't betray a thought, but the lingering gaze didn't escape Elain – nor did Feyre and Rhysand's glance at each other.
All the bits of the Emissary he was expected to be, Lucien smiled charmingly, and stepped forward.
"My name is Lucien, I am the Emissary of the Night Court and I overviewed the matters with Queen Vassa and the negotiations with the human lands."
"I know who you are, Lucien Vanserra. The seventh son of High Lord Beron and Lady Lucasta from the Autumn Court, former Emissary to the Spring Court, and now, working for the Night Court. A two-faced fox, skilled and knowledgeable despite his young age, and with the unfortunate inability to hold his tongue." He replied, his voice utterly neutral. Even the slight raise of his eyebrow at that last detail could not be interpreted.
Lucien's smile didn't even waver as he retorqued:
"I see that my reputation precedes me."
"Reputation is two sides of the same coin."
"And what coin would that be? Notoriety, honour, esteem?"
"If you're on the lucky side, yes, it could be all that and more. Though I'm afraid that when the gods tossed the coin of your fate, it landed on the side of continuous misfortune and aimless wandering."
"Fate has been kind to me lately," he answered with an easy shrug, his smile softening, "And I like to think that I can take that coin back and spin it around until I'm satisfied with its prediction."
Koios looked pointedly at Lucien, then a smile eased his expression again.
"So bold and so young, you remind me of your father at your age," he said, his voice warm once more.
Lucien stiffened and his expression dimmed. Elain glanced at him worriedly but Koios quickly turned towards an elegant and spacious carriage. Feyre and Rhysand exchanged another one of their looks that said they were communicating in each other's minds. Once more, it didn't escape Elain and her worry for Lucien turned into curiosity over those two's behaviour ever since they had arrived in the Day Court. Actually, every time the Day Court had been mentioned anywhere near Lucien… they had been having these looks. What did they hide? What did they know?
"Most of our guests arrive here, rather than directly in the city or the Tower of Light, for safety reasons which I'm sure, you'll understand. The carriage will take us to the residence where Lord Helion awaits us. You'll have the occasion to have a first look at the city Rings in the same time."
Without wasting any more time, the Night Court assembly moved towards the big, golden carriage pulled by horses. Koios climbed with them, in order to explain the different levels and districts of the City of Daylight. The highest level, closest to the Tower, was the nobility, the second one was the low nobility and very rich merchants, the third district was for merchants, artists and theatres, the fourth was for markets, inns and artisans, and finally, the fifth circle was for all the agricultural and pastoral domains. Even though the different districts were separated by walls and guarded, everyone from any district was allowed to wander in the entire city – only the high nobility district required some authorisation, for safety measures.
"What about the people outside the city?" Elain asked.
Koios faced her – they were sitting in front of one another, which displeased Lucien, but he had remained carefully quiet the entire way.
"I've noticed tents and many people gathered outside the walls," she added.
"You have a keen eye, my lady, I did not think you would have noticed those groups of people," Koios said with an elegant smile, "These people are refugees."
Elain merely blinked, and tightened her grip on her own hands. She almost looked stupid and ignorant but Lucien noticed the way her gaze sharpened, staring at Koios and silently asking him for more explanations.
"During Amarantha's reign, the Tower of Daylight and the city were protected by our previous High Lord, then by High Lord Helion. But the spell that took away the High Lords' powers wouldn't allow the rest of our court the same treatment… Many cities and villages were attacked during those fifty years. Then the war against Hybern worsened the situation. The people you've noticed outside the city skirts are all the refugees who seek refuge here, or the people whose homes and cities aren't rebuilt yet." Koios explained carefully before turning towards Rhysand, "I suppose your own court suffers from the same consequences?"
"We do, but… we didn't suffer as much as other courts did," Rhysand answered in a tight voice, "As agreed, as soon as we are done rebuilding our cities and helping our people, we will do our best to help the other courts, especially our close allies."
"We thank you for your generosity," Koios answered, though there was something edgy in his voice.
Elain couldn't help but glance between him and Rhysand, wondering why the slightest of tension had risen in the carriage at this exchange. She didn't have time to ponder over it that Koios turned towards Lucien:
"I believe you are the one we should thank for that initiative, Emissary?"
"I merely suggested to High Lord Rhysand that the Night Court hadn't suffered as much as the other courts in the last few decades' events, and that it was only right for the court with the most resources to help those in needs," Lucien answered carefully.
"I must admit that even though I had thought of it myself, I hadn't realised the extent of the damages to the cities and the people until Lucien gave me reports from all over Prythian." Rhysand said.
"What other courts will you help rebuild?" Koios asked, eying carefully the two males.
"The Summer and Spring Courts are the ones who suffered the most from both Amarantha and the War against Hybern. We also intend to give our help to the Day and Winter Courts, and whoever else will need it. Dawn lost many peregrins and soldiers, their needs are in helping the families and maintaining the crops."
"What about Autumn?" Koios asked, turning towards Lucien.
"The Autumn Court suffered the less and High Lord Beron has more than enough gold in his treasury to compensate on his own," Lucien replied in a posed and careful voice, "He'll just be grumpy for a while, he'll get over it."
"I see."
Koios caught Elain's worried look on her face, and he smiled again, in that surprisingly warm way.
"Don't worry, my lady, our people are safe, and we are doing everything that we can to help the refugees. They are staying outside the city gates because we don't have enough place anymore to keep them inside, but they are provided with everything they could possibly need."
She merely nodded, before turning to look at the circles of the city going by. Most of the people of the Day Court had dark and sunny skin tones, dark or hair as light as the sunrays. Some had wings made of feathers in various shades from white to dark chocolate. Everyone seemed happy, even if the scars of the war were still vivid in everyone's minds.
She could feel various emotions coming from Lucien. Some of those feelings came from his own experience of Amarantha and the war, others were out of worry for her. Elain had to fight to not reach out and hold his hand right now, but there were too many people in this carriage.
They finally reached the base of the Tower, which looked even more impressive up-close. The marble was incrusted of tiny crystals that shone in the sun. Every decoration was painted in bright blue, red or covered in gold so it would shine even more. Every bit of green and flower she could spot looked wonderful. The main river that provided water for the city did come directly from the small mountain against which the entire tower was built. From the rumbling sound Elain could perceive, the river emerged from the mountain wall, fell in a bright cascade in the middle of the tower, gathered at its base like an inside lake, before it flowed down under the base ground structure and into the various aqueducts and bridges to distribute the water in the city. The architecture of the base of the tower was like nothing Elain and Feyre had ever seen, and even Lucien and Rhysand looked mildly impressed by it. Arrived at the front gates, they went over a huge bridge and massive stairs of white marble and golden rails. They walked through the massive doors that were ten times their heights. Then they walked directly over a transparent structure held over the lake so it seemed as if they were walking over the bright blue, turquoise and green water.
Elain looked down, half expecting to suddenly fall in the refreshing water. She held her dress up slightly to swirl around, every step echoing. A big smile stretched on her face.
A courtier bumped into her and she suddenly jumped away. Realising that she was so lost in awe and amazement that she got in the way of people, she hurried after her group, quickly joining Lucien as close as possible. Koios was still giving some explanation on the magical and architectural structures used all around them.
He guided them over a square flagstone, delimitated by golden rails and big enough for the entire group, and more if necessary, to stand comfortably. A servant closed the golden rail behind them then walked over a plate, turning towards Koios.
"What floor, my liege?" he asked.
"The throne room, if you please," Koios answered.
The servant nodded and clicked on buttons before placing his hands on the plate. It shone with a golden light and clicked and whirred. Then the flagstone moved upwards.
Elain almost fell over, but caught on Lucien's arm as the flagstone rose and rose through the air. Her stomach looped around, and everyone was stunned for a moment at the strange, but not disagreeable sensation.
"It's like flying but… without any physical effort!" Feyre exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
"What mechanics is allowing it to lift through the air so flawlessly?" Rhysand asked, looking for wires or some sort of system.
Lucien walked towards the edge of the platform, followed closely by Elain who bent over the rail, seeing the floor and the lake getting further and further away.
"It's not any mechanics, it's magic," Lucien said, his own golden eye whirring all around to examine and understand.
"Magic and some Day Court ingenuity, indeed," Koios answered proudly.
"I want one, Rhys," Feyre said, elbowing her mate.
"Agreed, especially to get to the House of Winds," Amren said with a grin.
Rhysand sighed, despite the smile on his lips. Those females were never satisfied with his beautiful home.
"The highest floors are for the High Lord and his family, and occasionally, some guests. You will be shown your lodgings later, unless you wish to rest after your journey."
"We're fine, and I need to be back at the Night Court by tonight," Rhysand said.
"Of course."
Elain reached out over the rail, feeling the breeze of warm air through her fingers. She tried to go beyond, but something blocked her. Lucien leaned towards her:
"There is a protective area around the platform, to keep anyone from falling off I guess," he said.
"Can you see it?" she whispered in awe.
He grinned, and winked, his golden eye alit with life and mischief.
"I can see through spells, remember?"
Something suddenly flew right past Elain and she startled backwards, right into Lucien's arms. Both were too much in awe to care that others would see them so physically close.
They finally realised how open the entire Tower was. The central column where the waterfall fell was opened to the sky to let daylight in. That was where the lifts went up and down. The living and working spaces of the Tower were all circular and built around that main circle of water, air and light. They could guess halls, rooms and entire apartments as they passed through. There were even more plants suspended inside the column of light they were passing by. Bugs, bees and various small birds flew in and out of the tower freely, buzzing around and into the plants, unaware and safe from the Day Court people. There were two types of animal that were bigger and more obvious: red birds and golden mammals. The birds were big enough to be close to the size of a falcon and had very long feathers and tails, they were mostly red but some of their feathers were green, or blue. They looked like tiny, flying flames all around, screeching occasionally to warn of their arrival. The golden furred mammals on the other hand, were jumping, bonding and gliding from one side of the tower to another.
"What are they?" Elain asked, pointing at the animals that seemed as much a part of the life of the Day Court as any other Fae.
"Golden-crowned red falcons," Koios answered, "They were a wild species a long time ago, but we tamed them, and they are used all across the Day Court as fast messenger birds. We even use them within the tower for quick correspondence. It's a Day Court tradition to offer a red falcon to a newly married, or recently mated couple, so that the new household will have their own messenger bird. The golden-crowned red falcons are reserved for the High Lord's private courts and family though, because of the golden feathers on their heads that makes it look like a crown."
Koios then turned towards Lucien and Elain, a neutral smile on his face, but his eyes were glinting knowingly. She blushed without knowing why and even Lucien seemed a little distraught by such attention. Koios' thoughts quickly became known, as he spoke up again:
"I believe you two are mates. But as far as I know, the mating bond hasn't been accepted yet?"
"N-no," Elain mumbled, feeling almost ashamed that so many people outside of their friends and family knew of them, and the non-accepted bond.
"A shame," Koios then shrugged, eying Elain up and down.
"And it's none of your concern," Lucien added in a warning tone, staring firmly at Koios.
"It is very much my concern. You are both guests in the Day Court to study and receive our help, we have a mission. I wouldn't want mating frustration, or an unplanned mating frenzy, to disturb our schedule."
"Yeah, good luck with that," Amren snorted.
Elain blushed as red as the falcons flying around and she turned her head away.
"We are perfectly capable of maintaining our duties, and keeping our heads clear from any… any distraction," Lucien continued, glaring at Koios, "We are both grown up High Fae, and we are perfectly capable of controlling ourselves."
"If you say so, then I believe you."
"I-is High Lord Helion married… o-or mated?" Elain asked, to switch the subject away from her and Lucien.
Koios jerked his head backwards, and laughed loudly enough that it resonated in the entire Tower. Feyre, Rhys and Amren all made faces, and Lucien snorted. Even the discreet servant's shoulders shook a little.
"Were you not told of anything regarding our court or our High Lord before coming here?" Koios then asked, turning towards Elain in absolute bewilderment.
Her cheeks burnt and she wanted nothing more but jump off the platform to avoid any more embarrassment. She had obviously said something wrong, something hilarious–
"Ah." Was Koios' only reaction when he realised that indeed, Elain hadn't been taught anything.
He pursed his lips together, and it was Lucien who answered Elain's earlier question:
"Lord Helion became High Lord only a few decades ago, he had no need of a wife nor an heir. And… I don't think he knows the concept of 'marriage'."
"That's an extremely polite way of saying that he hasn't settled down and probably won't settle down for as long as he lives, a poor broken-hearted male as he is," Rhysand continued with a smile.
"Beware of your tongue, do not insult our High Lord. He is free to do as he chooses, as all our previous High Lords have before." Koios said, though there was a certain edge in his voice.
"Who will become High Lord next if he dies? There's no more heir after him, right?" Amren asked outloud, what Elain didn't dare voice (not after her earlier embarrassment).
Koios stiffened, and nodded sharply.
"One of his youngest cousins is the only known heir, but he was raised away from court and his education wasn't… thorough enough. Many of us would wish for our High Lord to… have an heir sooner rather than later but he doesn't seem attached at the idea of having any youngling for the moment. Hopefully, no more war will threaten our High Lord and his lineage, and we can wait a few more decades before bringing up the idea once again."
Elain caught once again Feyre and Rhysand's glance. She frowned at her sister, who waved it off with a smile.
The platform stopped moving, almost abruptly. The servant opened the golden railway and they descended from the lift and were on solid floor once more. Elain's legs were shakier than she would have expected. Lucien offered her his arm with a smile, and she gladly took it, appreciating the nice muscles under the clothes. One day, she should tell him he had very, very nice arms, and she was fond of it very, very much.
They followed Koios through the halls, decorated with paintings and statues, all intricate and beautiful arts – a shame that they couldn't stop for every one of them, but they'd have plenty of time during their stay there. Elain was aware of the few pieces of arts that Rhysand had gathered in his home, but it was nothing compared to the ostentatious display of art and beauty from the Day Court.
She had only seen a tiny part of it and she would never say it outloud to Rhysand or Feyre but… she much preferred the Day Court to the Night Court.
They arrived in the throne room. The huge golden doors were opened, and many guards and courtiers stood on the side, wearing beautiful clothes of rich colours. Some had toga like Koios, others had clothes similar to Lucien's, sometimes a mix of both.
Elain looked up at Helion, sitting in his throne. And suddenly, she wandered into a vision.
She saw that very room, full of people, acclaiming their High Lord and High Lady. Flower petals flew all around. White and golden stairs lead to a magnificent pair of two golden thrones, somehow it seemed less ostentatious and more balanced to have two thrones rather than one. But the High Fae sitting on the throne with a crown of gold sunrays, glowing in the power of the Day Court, wearing a white and red toga draped over his broad shoulder and powerful thighs, decorated with golden embroidery… it wasn't Helion. It was Lucien. His flowing red hair gleamed like a curtain of rubies, his one russet eye shone proudly, his golden eye seemed made for the Day Court. He was smiling, he looked at peace with himself. His features, as beautiful and delicate as he was now, seemed more mature. As if decades, centuries had passed for him to gleam into the light and power that was rightfully his.
Lucien smiled brighter and he held out his hand. His lips opened and somehow, even without hearing a sound, Elain knew he called out her name.
Elain tripped and almost fell, if it weren't for Lucien's hand catching her and stabilising her. Everyone turned towards her, blinking in astonishment that Elain would have stumbled so clumsily.
"Are you all right, Elain?" Lucien asked, keeping her steady.
She was a little shaky, feeling weak and out of place. The space was clear, there was no petal flower and when she looked up at the single golden throne… the male sitting on it had a dark skin, amber eyes and black hair. He had the same crown of sunrays over his head. He was handsome and bright as the sun but…
"Is the sight of the High Lord of the Day Court so mesmerizing that you would trip at my feet? I'm flattered, Lady Elain," High Lord Helion said, amusement sparkling in his eyes like bits of gold.
She didn't answer, staring at that High Lord, so different from Rhysand, so different from…
Her eyes fell on Lucien who still observed her closely, brows furrowed worriedly.
Feyre and Rhysand glanced at each other, as if knowing she had had a vision, and knowing what vision she had caught of the future.
"Elain?" Lucien hesitated, edging the slightest bit closer.
She took it in.
His sharp nose, the same as Helion's. The skin darker than his brothers'. Beron's hatred. The similar features, the same smile, that warmth… It was so different form the chaotic fire of the Autumn Court's family. It was tender and nurturing… like sunlight.
"You're his son," Elain stammered before she could stop herself.
Lucien blinked, and everyone held their breath.