CHAPTER FOUR

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          WILLOW WAS SUBMERGED IN HOT WATER, ONLY HER FACE BOBBING ALONG THE SURFACE. Steam wafted up around her and fogged the windows of the bathing chamber and the room darkened as the sun slowly began to set behind the mountains. Willow touched her side and felt nothing but smooth skin, her wound having completely healed and not a scar remained.

The thought of having dinner with The High Lord was nerve wrecking, no matter how kind he had been. Willow was no one and she felt like this kindness she was being shown wasn't something she deserved. But she was grateful, she was so grateful for all they had done for her in the short amount of time she had been here.

The bath water sloshed around her as she sat up, back pressed against the warm marble tub. Willow popped some of the bubbles with her toes and leaned over the tub to glance at the rest of the bathing chamber with interest, resting her head on her arm.

Once her skin was pruned up and her veins more visible through the water, did Willow decide to get out of the water. She wrapped a towel around herself and glanced in the mirror as she began to dry her hair. Willow barely recognised herself. She could see her collarbones so clearly and her skin was ghostly pale, despite the redness on her cheeks.

Willow swallowed and looked away as she stepped from the bathing chamber and into the bedroom.

Feyre had laid out an outfit for her and she was glad that it wasn't a dress. This was not to be a formal dinner, then. Willow slipped on the sleek black pants and the cream sweater, warm against her skin. Her dark hair hung in wet loose ringlets down her back.

There was a soft knock on her door and her heart palpated beneath her ribcage. The sudden fear of getting taken away in the dead of night strong but Willow managed to shake it off.

"I was coming to see if you were ready to go?" Feyre said, smiling at the female once she had opened the door.

"Yes," said Willow, before she reached up towards her still wet hair. "but I don't know if I look appropriate for dinner. I've never really been to such a thing before."

"It's just a family dinner." nodded Feyre and motioned to her own attire, which was similar to watch she was wearing. "Not an important meeting, but I could help you do your hair if you'd like?"

"Yes, please. I don't really know what to do with it."

Willow sat down in front of the vanity and Feyre stood behind her, brush in her hand as she gathered her long her behind her back. If she closed her eyes it was almost as if her mother was behind her, brushing her hair like she did when she was a young child. Willow avoided looking in the mirror and kept quiet as Feyre went to work.

"How do you like it?" asked The High Lady, her hair now slowly drying.

"I don't do much to it." shrugged Willow as she met her gaze for a moment before looking toward her hands in her lap. "I just let it hung loose. Do whatever you like."

Feyre nodded her head with a smile and divided her hair halfway and began to braid it so she had a half do. The female tied it with a small ribbon and then weaved her fingers through the loose ringlets to let them fall nicely down her back.

"Thank you." muttered Willow.

"My pleasure." Feyre squeezed her shoulders lovingly before she stepped away to look out the window, night having fallen over the city. "Come, we should go. They're waiting for us."

"They?" Willow furrowed her brows, having thought she was only going to have dinner with her and Rhysand. "We're going somewhere else?"

"That house upon the mountain is usually where we dine if everyone's home, The House of Wind, we call it." said Feyre gently, hands clasped before her. "We can stay here, if you're not up for it. It is not a problem at all. I know meeting new people can be quite overwhelming."

"No," Willow shook her head quickly. "no, it's okay."

Feyre didn't seem to believe her and narrowed her eyes but it was barely noticeable, and Willow kept her head high and held her stare. 

"Are you up for a short flight, then?"

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WILLOW HAD CLUNG TO THE FEMALE IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO NOT FALL TO HER DEATH AS THEY FLEW OVER THE CITY. Feyre had sprouted wings suddenly and even if her grip was very firm, the moment they had launched into the sky all Willow wanted was to get back down as quick as possible. And now she held onto the railing of the balcony at the House of Wind as if her life depended on it.

"They usually puke the first time." 

Feyre glared at the male that sauntered onto the balcony and her wings disappeared. Willow who had her eyes shut tightly snapped them open and looked up at the male, mouth opening slightly. It was him. The Illyrian in the forest, the one who had slammed Roman against the tree, the one who had looked at her so intently she shrunk underneath his gaze. The General Commander of The Night Court Armies.

Gone was the glare, gone was the blood that had covered him. Instead, he looked at her with an easy smile on his face, shoulder length dark hair pulled back in a small bun at the nape of his neck. He looked anything but the fierce warrior he was made out to be.

"Cassian," Feyre warned, taking a step forwards and the male ignored her as he kept his gaze on Willow. 

The brunette blinked and straightened herself, hand on her stomach to ease the feeling of that unfamiliar tug within her gut. She didn't know why she said it, perhaps it was the ease that he radiated that she felt comfortable enough, she didn't know. "When they see you, I take it?"

His brows shot up and she smacked her hand in front of her mouth, eyes wide as she looked up at the Lord of Bloodshed, awaiting for him to obliterate her off this world.

"You deserve that." snorted Feyre, rolling her eyes in amusement.

"I'm so, so sorry." tried Willow, shaking her head and feeling guilty for insulting the Illyrian.

"Don't be." Feyre nudged her side playfully. "He can take it."

Willow furrowed her brows and she looked away from the female and back towards Cassian who now had his arms crossed, amusement dancing over his face. He wore loose fitted black pants and a simple black shirt, his muscles prominent beneath the material. His wings weren't spread wide, instead they hung comfortably at his back and cascaded shadows from the light within the home. "Willow, is it?"

"Yes," she nodded with a weak smile.

Cassian took a step forward carefully and when she didn't flinch or shy away did he slowly take hold of her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her skin. "It is very nice to meet you, Willow."

The brunette swallowed as he lowered her hand, skin warm against her own and she could feel her heart palpate against her ribcage. "You too. Thank you, for ... for also saving my life."

The warrior's smile got wiped from his face and he turned serious, Feyre still lingering beside Willow as she watched the interaction. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Cassian watched as her cheeks lit up, crimson dusted over her pale skin. His chest swelled with pride but it shouldn't. Willow had been through hell and he shouldn't feel prideful that he managed to elicit a blush from her. He forced the smile back on his face and quickly peered at Feyre who raised a single brow at him in challenge.

'I told you to take it slow.' she said within his mind.

"Let's head inside." said Feyre aloud and rested her hand on Willow's bicep to gently guide her toward the glass doors. "It's getting quite chilly and I am starving."

Willow nodded her head slowly as they stepped inside, the warmth of the fireplace washing over her. The Illyrian entered behind them and closed the doors to stop the chill from entering the home. 

The House of Wind was built into the middle and tallest peak of the mountains within the city, Velaris. A secret city that only they and the inhabitants knew about. Feyre had told her as they had flown over the city, telling her where certain buildings where, but Willow barely remembered anything as she was too scared to even open her eyes.

The home had many broad balconies that were lit up by golden lanterns and this one led them into a dining room. The furniture was grand and made of rich dark wood, a long table in the middle with chairs that could accommodate wings.

There was a chandelier made of diamonds above the dining table and the walls were carved from the stone of the mountain. Many candles lit up the space and beside the fireplace stood two velvet green lounge chairs. Again, even here were plenty of books stacked upon eachother.

"It's beautiful." Willow gaped, glancing around the room in awe.

"It's alright." shrugged Cassian from beside her. "If you think this is beautiful, you'd have to see Feyre and Rhysand' home on the outskirts of the city."

Heels clicked against the dark wooden floor and in came a beautiful blonde female, wearing a long red gown. "I take that as a compliment as I did most of the decoration."

"That's a lie, Mor." Feyre scoffed as she leaned on the table. "You chose the dining chairs and nothing more."

The blonde pursed her red painted lips and twisted her hair between her fingers as her eyes fell on Willow, who stood to the side awkwardly watching their interaction. She had no idea what to do with herself but she offered the female a weak smile.

"Willow," Mor almost jumped in excitement but stopped herself in time when she felt her anxiety. "welcome! It is so nice to meet you, you look absolutely lovely. My name is Morrigan. Come, let's eat. There's no way we're waiting for those males to join us."

The brunette was whisked away by the blonde and toward the table. Willow met Cassian's gaze for a moment and he tried to hold in his smile, but was unsuccessful as his teeth showed from behind his lips.

she met cassian! i am going to try and take this so slow!