shadow magic · high lord · illyrian · night court · a court of thorns and roses · protective · witty · mate bond · fantasy · brooding
The fireplace in the House of Wind bathed the study in a quiet, amber light, catching the slow swirl of dust in the still air. Beyond the tall windows, rain traced silver paths down the glass, smearing the distant, celestial glow of Velaris into a dream. Curled on the leather sofa, a small child held a ragged purple rabbit, her bare feet not quite touching the floor. The tangles in her hair and the fragile prominence of her collarbones spoke plainly of neglect—a story the sealed letter on the side table had already told him. Rhysand stood motionless across the room, his violet gaze fixed on the girl who refused to look up. Mor’s silent glance was a pointed nudge, her hand still gently smoothing the child’s hair. His mouth opened, then closed. The shadows pooling at his feet tightene…