2_-_court_of_mist_and_fury_a_-_sarah_j._maas

shrug. “The honor’s mine, princess.”
The others were hastily introduced: three advisers who oversaw the city, the court, and
the trade. And then a broad-shouldered, handsome male named Varian, Cresseida’s
younger brother, captain of Tarquin’s guard, and Prince of Adriata. His attention was fixed
wholly on Amren—as if he knew where the biggest threat lay. And would be happy to kill
her, if given the chance.
In the brief time I’d known her, Amren had never looked more delighted.
We were led into a palace crafted of shell-flecked walkways and walls, countless
windows looking out to the bay and mainland or the open sea beyond. Sea glass
chandeliers swayed on the warm breeze over gurgling streams and fountains of fresh
water. High fae—servants and courtiers—hurried across and around them, most brownskinned
and clad in loose, light clothing, all far too preoccupied with their own matters to
take note or interest in our presence. No lesser faeries crossed our path—not one.
I kept a step behind Rhysand as he walked at Tarquin’s side, that mighty power of his
leashed and dimmed, the others flowing behind us. Amren remained within reach, and I
wondered if she was also to be my bodyguard. Tarquin and Rhys had been talking lightly,
both already sounding bored, of the approaching Nynsar—of the native flowers that both
courts would display for the minor, brief holiday.
Calanmai wouldn’t be too long after that.
My stomach twisted. If Tamlin was intent on upholding tradition, if I was no longer
with him … I didn’t let myself get that far down the road. It wouldn’t be fair. To me—to
him.
“We have four main cities in my territory,” Tarquin said to me, looking over his
muscled shoulder. “We spend the last month of winter and first spring months in Adriata
—it’s finest at this time of year.”
Indeed, I supposed that with endless summer, there was no limit to how one might
enjoy one’s time. In the country, by the sea, in a city under the stars … I nodded. “It’s very
beautiful.”
Tarquin stared at me long enough that Rhys said, “The repairs have been going well, I
take it.”
That hauled Tarquin’s attention back. “Mostly. There remains much to be done. The
back half of the castle is a wreck. But, as you can see, we’ve finished most of the inside.
We focused on the city first—and those repairs are ongoing.”
Amarantha had sacked the city? Rhys said, “I hope no valuables were lost during its
occupation.”
“Not the most important things, thank the Mother,” Tarquin said.
Behind me, Cresseida tensed. The three advisers peeled off to attend to other duties,
murmuring farewell—with wary looks in Tarquin’s direction. As if this might very well be
the first time he’d needed to play host and they were watching their High Lord’s every