"We should get inside." Brianne's voice drifted along the wind. Avelon stood timidly, watching the almost invisible sandy path leading into town.

She could run. Blood rushed to her ears at the thought.

The guests were almost all back inside, spare for a few lingering chatterboxes. The evening was silent, and the torches were struggling to stay lit against the soft breeze sweeping around them. They could both run and be almost invisible.

Avelon blinked a few times with a deep frown settled on her face, "Would Balor really notice if we disappeared?"

She knew the answer before Brianne voiced the insanity behind trying to escape. Brianne's voice was muffled, the words not registering as she rambled. They had discussed breaking free or running away, multiple times. The ending scenario never changed. Avelon also knew that her hands were quite literally tied to Balor and that her careless thoughts were frivolous.

She felt Brianne's hand clamp around her wrist, snapping her back to reality. She had taken a step in the direction of the town without noticing the movement.

Avelon sighed deeply as the wind softly caressed her cheek, "I know we can't, but I wish we could."

Brianne had stopped listing reasons not to run away, pressing her lips into a thin line. Whether Brianne knew that Avelon had not heard a word she said- she did not let show on her face. She waited patiently for Avelon to turn back to the palace.

"Me too." Emotion laced Brianne's tone as she let her grip slip on Avelon's wrist to instead clasp Avelon's hand.

Brianne's touch would have almost startled Avelon, though she had expected it. Brianne had seemed to sense that her touch grounded Avelon when she was consumed by her own distraught thoughts. Avelon offered Brianne a small smile as she faced her, ready to return to the reality of endless half-drunk fae, Balor's offspring and ultimately Balor.

Avelon clung to the hope that Balor would be off mulling over Ernin as he settled into his new immortality and power, though her sixth sense told her that Balor did not particularly care for fondness or fretting. Comfortable silence settled over Brianne and Avelon as they made their way back to the palace. Avelon revelled in the peace of the moment, glancing up at the sky littered with brightly shining stars. The sight was breathtaking. Avelon almost felt bad for not admiring it sooner.

"The nights here are very beautiful, especially during summer solstice." Brianne's voice cut through Avelon's admiration, her eyes sparkling as she watched the sky. Avelon snorted at the mention of summer. The mention of seasons felt redundant in a place like Teine, where every day had felt warmer than the day before.

Brianne caught Avelon's snort. She glanced sideways and grinned, "Of course, it never really gets cold here, but winters are more bearable. You sweat a lot less and the winds are often cooling." Avelon found the statement quite unbelievable as a bead of sweat rolled down her back in protest to the tangible heat.

"Then I can honestly say I look forward to winter. When is that again?" Avelon swiped at her forehead for added effect, rousing a chuckle from Brianne.

The topic of the weather felt casual, the conversation light and calming. In Uisce Avelon had been used to cool, comfortable air and somewhat chilled afternoons or evenings- the seasons were more regulated, though always had a base of cold weather sprinkled on top of them. In Teine, it was just heat. Unbearable, disgusting and draining heat, but she had not experienced every season- yet.

"I wonder what the seasons are like in the other continents." Avelon wondered aloud, her lips pouting in thought.

Brianne shrugged quickly before a lazy smile spread on her face- her eyes glazing in thought, "I bet Anam has the best weather."

Anam- the spiritual continent. Of course they would have the best weather, given the fact that their whole continent revolved around fae's spirits and spiritual gifts.

"The atmosphere there probably feels like a warm hug to any fae who enters." Avelon sighed in response, daydreaming about continents and their weather patterns.
It was astonishing that the continents were regulated by the Lords and Ladies of the continent. Why offer such extremities in the weather conditions when they could just abide by the rules of nature like the humans?

Avelon had been so enthralled by the beauty that night provided, the stars shimmering overhead and the soft breeze caressing her skin, that she hadn't realized the palace was inching closer until they were standing at its grand doors. Their cheerful banter ceased abruptly as they stepped through, their light words swallowed whole by the wave of noise that greeted them.

Inside, the hall once again pulsed with life and excitement. Guests' voices rose with enthusiasm as they recounted the evening's ritual, glasses clinked in celebration, and laughter echoed off the ornate walls simultaneously. The cacophony of noise threatened to overwhelm Avelon, the sudden shift from serene night to bustling festivity disorienting.

"You!" A heavily drunk fae female's voice pierced through the noise, her gaze fixed on Brianne from across the hall.

Few heads turned to inspect the drunken call, the guests accustomed to such displays of arrogance and entitlement. Almost no eyes lingered to watch what would transpire.

Brianne nudged Avelon in the ribs with determination evident in her voice, "Let's get this evening over with." She moved forward confidently, navigating through the throng of fae toward the red-lipped and kohl-lined fae Lady. Avelon couldn't help but curl her lip in distaste as she inspected her.

She was adorned in shimmering silks that clung to her bountiful frame- exposing all her assets just enough to rouse attention. Her expression was haughty and her eyes glittering with an intoxicating mix of arrogance and amusement. Avelon could not mistake the ornate jewellery that adorned her fingers and neck, an obvious display of wealth and power that made her stomach turn.

Avelon resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose, her discomfort palpable amidst her surroundings.

"Don't look too dissatisfied. Someone might find pleasure in making that frown permanent." Lugh hummed beside her- a subtle hint of a threat lacing his words.

Avelon's initial surprise at his presence was quickly replaced by a cool composure. She turned her gaze lazily toward him, meeting his golden eyes with a hint of nonchalance. Despite his association with Lords and Ladies, she found herself momentarily intrigued by his confidence. The momentary intrigue was instantly replaced by the remembrance that he was a friend of Balor's son, Ernin. Possibly Balor's second son. Ice filled Avelon's veins amidst the draining heat.

A forced smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "How can I help?"

Should she ask him outright?

Lugh leaned casually against a nearby column, his composure relaxed yet observant. "I couldn't help but notice you seem rather out of place here," he remarked, his tone carrying a note of genuine curiosity.

"I'm a slave." Avelon arched an eyebrow, forcing herself to mask her bitterness. She was on the verge of giving Lugh a piece of her mind for stating the damn obvious.

He nodded his head, "Of course."

Avelon continued, a hint of irritation in her tone, "And I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, or have you forgotten our prior encounter?" she gestured subtly toward herself and the revelry surrounding them.

His lips curved into a faint smirk. "I did not forget, no."

His statement had her cheeks warming.

"Not a fan of the fae and their endless celebrations?" He continued, the faint smirk on his lips not faltering.

She refrained from voicing her exact thoughts, remembering that she was not in the presence of a friend. Biting her lip hard enough to draw blood, she considered her words carefully.

"More like not a fan- the end." she retorted, unable to suppress her bitterness more than she already had.

Lugh chuckled softly, a sound that held a surprising warmth. "I can't blame you for that," he conceded, his gaze flickering briefly toward the fae Lady who still commanded attention across the room. "They can be insufferable at times."

Avelon tried not to delve into how insufferable she found the entire event.

Avelon glanced at him sidelong, "And you're not?"

"Especially me," Lugh chuckled and admitted with a rueful smile. "But we all play our parts, don't we?"

She studied him for a moment, forgetting her previous suspicions entirely. His brown hair was dishevelled, as though his hands had run through them one too many times. Shadows of dark circles were visible underneath his eyes, making the golden hue of them more enticing.

He licked his lips as he watched her, making her body lock up. Her eyes shot forward as she gathered a response, "And what part are you playing tonight?"

He sighed casually and pushed himself off the column, stepping closer to her. "The reluctant participant, navigating through this sea of inflated egos and forced pleasantries."

Avelon's lips quirked in a faint smile, before her face evened back into neutrality. "That must be exhausting."

Lugh chuckled again, a sound that echoed through the grand hall with surprising ease. "It can be," he admitted, meeting her gaze with a glimmer of genuine amusement. "But then I stumbled upon you, and suddenly the evening doesn't seem quite so dreary."

Avelon felt a pang of surprise at his unexpected charm. She had expected disdain or indifference from someone of his stature. Lugh had no problem in treating her as any other guest would when they first met- the sudden change was somewhat alarming. It was not like he mistook her for someone else as she did not have the option of hiding the reason for her attendance, as her outfit clearly labelled her for what she was. Confusion clouded her thoughts- a slight trickle of wariness lining her stature, but she maintained her façade.

"Flattery won't get you far," she teased lightly, secretly enjoying the reprieve his presence offered amidst her rising caution.

"Good thing I'm not trying to get anywhere," Lugh replied smoothly, his smile widening fractionally. "Just enjoying a moment of genuine conversation."

Avelon suppressed a chuckle, ordering herself to remember their explicit differences. Casual silence surrounded them, though the moment was fleeting and interrupted by the harsh call to attend a nearby table. Avelon sighed. She had not moved from the entrance since Brianne had left and Lugh had joined her.

"I should go." She stepped forward, just to feel the slight pull back as Lugh clasped her hand. The sudden contact sending a jolt of electricity shooting up her arm.

Avelon shot a nervous glance to Lugh over her shoulder, her body locked in a coming and going stance.

She opened her mouth, closed it and reopened it again, "What are you doing?" Her voice sounded small and fragile. She loathed the sound.

Lugh rolled his lips in consideration, "I'd like to meet with you again."

Avelon's breathing hitched, "No." Her answer was strained, forced even.

She had enjoyed his company more than she wanted to admit and more than she expected to. Lugh chuckled warmly, light dancing in his eyes, "No?" His head cocked to the side as he studied her.

Gently, she pulled her hand from his hold. She studied her hand for a moment, as though it would spout additional fingers. Another call sounded requesting her immediate assistance, and she was thankful for the distraction. She opted in offering Lugh a tight smile, before turning to leave and follow the sound of the call. She had made sure that her hands were neatly folded in front of her, to reduce the risk of another pull back towards him. She had no obligation to explain to him what her reasoning behind her answer was, and although his company was comfortable, she was not entirely sure she wanted his company at all. Especially if he was somehow linked to Balor's direct lineage.

Avelon walked with urgency toward the beckoning call, her steps purposeful and determined to create as much space between her and Lugh as possible. In that moment she was thankful for her lack of attire, as she would not have been able to rush away as easily with a floor length gown. Lugh's footsteps fall in sync beside her, his presence hovering just close enough to remind her of his lingering offer. Avelon shook her head in disbelief as she regarded him.

"I can understand if you would rather not be in my presence," He spoke softly, matching her hurried pace without effort. "But I can't help but be intrigued by someone who wears defiance so well."

Avelon's jaw clenched imperceptibly at his words, her gaze fixed ahead. She had not realized her emotions were easy to read, "Defiance is survival," she muttered, her bitterness seeping into her tone despite her efforts to maintain composure- Lugh was getting under her skin.

"And yet, survival doesn't have to be endured alone," Lugh countered gently, his voice a calming undercurrent amidst the bustling hall.

She stopped abruptly, a deep frown finding refuge on her face. She turned to face him and tried to guard her expression, though her distaste was probably evident. "I don't need your pity or your company, Lugh."

His gaze held hers, unwavering. "It's not pity, Avelon. It's recognition. Of strength, of resilience. And perhaps," he paused, a faint smile playing on his lips, "a desire for conversation that isn't laden with politics and obligation."

Avelon hesitated, caught between scepticism and a flicker of curiosity. She knew better than to trust the sincerity in his eyes, yet, his words resonated with a truth she couldn't dismiss.

"You're playing a dangerous game, associating with someone like me," she warned, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I've never been one to shy away from danger," Lugh admitted with a tight smile, his gaze softening as he regarded her. "But I won't press further if you don't want my company."

For a moment, Avelon searched his face, weighing the risk against the unexpected comfort his presence offered. She knew better than to accept his offer- she knew nothing about him other than the fact that he attended events hosted by Balor, his friend was Balor's son and that his name was Lugh. The flicker of possibility crossed her mind that she could pry information regarding Balor and his son from him.

"I'll consider it," she finally conceded, the waver in her voice betraying the confidence she tried to portray.

Lugh nodded understandingly, stepping back as she turned to leave. "Until we meet again, then," he said quietly, his tone carrying a note of hope.

Avelon did not look back as she continued toward the table awaiting her, though a smirk found residence on her face as she made sure her hips swayed with every step she took. She silently reminded herself that the action was to display her boldness and confidence and not for any ulterior motives.

Her smirk widened at the thought.