Of Venom & Vows

She releases a long breath as she tilts her head back to regard the glimmering, white lights above her head. Often with her eyes closed, they still haunt her and she relives the night of the ambush as a fresh memory.

The events of that night will never escape her, but she can only hope that she will be stronger and more prepared. Her guard was down—never again. The familiar flutter in her chest is not dread this time. It is something gentler. Her first instinct is to be wary, but something inside her is reminding her that she can lean into that feeling and gather her strength rather than fall victim to it.

“Ignore the king,” Elaria speaks to her guard softly with her gaze focused straight ahead. Maintaining appearances as always. “This is the first time both courts have joined during the convergence.”

Ameris dips her head in subtle acknowledgement. She licks her lips before she speaks to the princess. “He is right to be wary. Especially, after–”

“Don’t,” Elaria cuts her off sharply and turns to face her guard. She places her hands gently on her shoulders before dropping them immediately. Elaria gestures with her eyes for Ameris to follow her to a secluded area before she continues speaking.

“You are not to blame, Ameris. You defended the carriage well and you are here now. You are strong and you are capable,” Elaria says.

Ameris knows Elaria never says what she does not believe, but the king’s reaction is something she will never forget. Their travelling party had been ambushed and though there were few casualties, Ameris knew that she could have done more. Instead, she has little memory of the events and only knows what she read in the reports following the attack.

She had been found unconscious on the outskirts of the palace and that is when they discovered her lineage. She had been overcome because she is half human. She suspected, but it was not until that day that the truth became revealed. Time seemed to slow since the revelation. No one around her could provide her the answers she needed. The night of the ambush had been her weakest moment, but that night she could have sworn to have been touched by an unfamiliar magic and she would soon discover its source.

The sound of a branch snapping draws their attention to their surroundings.

Ameris draws her blade from its resting spot on her back and takes position in front of the princess until the intruder reveals themself. It is unusual for the fae to alert someone to their presence unless they intend for it.

Deep laughter forces a curl to her lip. She has heard that laughter before. Ameris renews her grip on the sword and angles her body as the sounds become clearer. The first thing she sees is the flash of silver from another blade before it makes contact with hers–testing her strength against his.

He applies more pressure as he steps forward which causes her to fall back a few steps and lose the ground she claimed.

“Vael, I think you can drop your sword,” a voice says in the distance.

Ameris notices the way Elaria leans around her to get a better look at the male that is beginning to walk leisurely towards them, his dark green velvet cape swinging off of his left shoulder.

“Sorren,” Ameris greets, cooly. She returns her sword to its sheath when Vael lowers his sword upon his king’s request.

“No title?” Sorren’s voice holds amusement, but his face holds none of the same emotion.

His attention shifts to Elaria who greets him with a low curtsy. Upon hearing Elaria’s subtle cough, Ameris drops to one knee to show deference to the king of the Unseelie court.

Sorren gestures for Elaria to rise, but before Ameris can rise he stops her. “I did not say you could rise, little viper”

Ameris bites the inside of her cheek as she remains on her knee.

Sorren has always been insufferable, but known as the sole ruler of his court he seems to have become worse. If not for the convergence and attempt at a truce, she would show him the only respect he deserves. His warriors had been responsible for the attack on the carriage and the reason why she now has to prove herself still capable of protecting the princess from harm.

Elaria places a hand on Sorren’s forearm and fixes him with an imploring look. “Forgive her. She knows now to respect your new title.”

Sorren does not drop his gaze down to where Ameris kneels for a second. He turns to direct his attention to his head guard and addresses him instead. “Vael, can you escort the princess back to the festival and give me a minute?”

Vael does not argue. He steps forward and offers his arm to the princess to take. Elaria hesitates for a moment with a fleeting look of concern for Ameris, but she simply nods her head and continues to walk with Vael at her side.

Now alone, Sorren releases a deep sigh and lowers his hand so that it is eye level with Ameris. She stares at him, blankly, wondering if this is a trick.

As if reading her mind, he responds to her, “It is not a trick. It's an offer.”

Ameris slides her gloved hand into his. She can feel the warmth of his hand through the fabric of her gloves and it startles her. Not just because of the sensation, but also the familiar feeling it draws within her. Ameris draws her hand back to herself and stands tall in front of Sorren.

“You aren’t made to be trusted,” she says, curtly.

“Trust is an illusion,” he says in response. He briefly circles her, her eyes following him with every step he takes before he stops in front of her again. “An oath, however, is unbreakable.”

“An oath?” she questions.

Sorren shakes his head. Ameris opens her mouth to question him further, but the sound of music filling the air draws her attention to the celebration. The music signals that the first event of the celebration will be commencing soon.

“I believe misfortune will befall us if we do not make an appearance soon,” Sorren says. He drops his gaze to regard her.

“Perhaps you should change to reflect your station.”

Her face flames at the insult. After the attack on the carriage and her failure, she had been instructed to take time to recover and build her strength. Elaria’s kindness had allowed her to join them for the celebration, but she had not been invited as a guard, but as a friend to the princess. Even then, the king advised against her attending.

Despite her embarrassment from the sting of his words, Ameris knows Sorren is right. She waits until he is completely gone from his sights before she disappears into the tent that holds her things. It is a celebration and she should enjoy the time she is being given to enjoy it as a guest. She had never been to a gathering such as this with the many visiting fae and despite the circumstances that led to her attending in this capacity–she would not waste it.

Entirely bare and stripped of the adornments that reflected her status as member of the royal guard, Ameris moved the curtain aside to exit the tent. Dressed in a soft blue floor length gown, the top of her shoulders exposed to the air, she felt out of place. Her only comforts being the soft silk of the dress and feeling generally light with the absence of weaponry on her back. The dress belonged to Elaria’s cousin originally and was given to Ameris as a gift when she joined the guard. The first revel in the castle had been a night she would cherish. Letting her fingers run over the fabric, Ameris lets out a soft sigh of pleasure at the sensation of it on her skin.

The warm hum of music and laughter greets her as she exits the tent. Luminescent lights twinkle above her, guiding her path to the center of the revelry. A few times along the path, her slippered feet got caught in the billowing fabric, which drew curious glances her way. Being perceived by others is something new to her. As a guard at Elaria’s side, the main focus of everyone’s attention had been on the princess. Her job had been easy then. Just keep an eye on those who had lingered their gaze too long on the princess, and whomever pretended to avert their gaze.

“There you are,” Elaria exclaims. Careful of the goblet in her hand, Elaria moves in close to embrace Ameris.

The intimate moment allows for Elaria to whisper into her ear.

“Father announced my proposal to King Sorren moments ago.”

Ameris retreats from the hug immediately upon hearing that. She knew it would be a possibility. She never had been ignorant to the gossip amongst the guards or the castle staff, but to hear the confirmation from Elaria feels like a stone sitting in her gut.

The UnSeelie Court cannot be trusted. Let alone its King. Sorren’s ascension to king is a recent development, but the rumors to how he obtained his title send chills down her spine despite the warm night air.

Ameris reaches for Elaria’s hands, re-establishing their connection.“Elaria, forgive me, but as your friend…are you sure you can trust his word?”

“It is the convergence,” Elaria says simply with a soft smile. “This is the time for our people to forget the past and join together for a better future.”

It is not the confirmation of her intention to bind herself to Sorren that hurts Ameris–it is the certainty she sees there.She believes in this binding. She believes in Sorren.

Before she can respond, Ameris notes the way Elaria’s eyes move from hers to just behind her. Sensing this might be their only time to discuss this in private,Ameris squeezes her hand and draws her attention back to her. “Elaria—”

Ameris fights the snarl threatening to come out. Sorren’s head guard.

“Princess Elaria, your father requests your presence before the events commence,” Vael interrupts.

Elaria nods to the guard in acceptance. As she turns, still holding onto Ameris’ hand, Vael clears his throat and puts a hand up.

“Just the princess, I’m afraid,” Vael says, coolly. He leans into Ameris with a smirk ghosting his lips. “Why don’t you enjoy the festivities while you can.”

Ameris balls her fists at her sides. The fury burning inside of her feels like an inferno. This is all Sorren. Something is not right here.She could almost see his claws fingering through this cloud within her mind and the will of the courts. Though she wishes she could believe in Elaria’s good faith in the convergence and the UnSeelie Court, she can’t. She could not. Elaria could still smile. Elaria could still hope.Ameris would see through the deception for the both of them.

Without waiting for Elaria’s departing words, Ameris grabbed the fabric of her dress and took off as fast as she could in her new attire, leaving behind the silver arm cuffs and the slippers in her wake. She needs proof. She needs evidence that Sorren’s court is planning against their court. The king would not believe her and would only see her as sabotaging the betrothal. With evidence she would not be seen as a jealous sabotager, but as an asset and a reminder of the good work she has done for the court.Perhaps she could look around Sorren’s entourage to find the evidence she needs.

Ameris lingers near Sorren’s personal tent. It lies just beyond the waters near the celebration grounds, separated from the rest of the visiting courts. Two sentries stood out in front of the tent to prevent anyone from wandering too close, but she had been able to utilize the foliage as coverage.

Through the tent, Ameris could hear Sorren’s voice filtered through the thick fabric. “Everything is in place. When the time is right, the binding will take place among the courts.”

“She doesn’t know, does she?” another voice asks Sorren. “Your time is running out,sire.”

Ameris could hear her heartbeat practically pounding as she listened on.

“I’ve done my part. Now she simply needs to accept and trust me.”

Ameris’s stomach twists and turns as she falls back from the tent. This has all been some type of performance. A distraction. The binding is not all that Sorren will get and not all he wants. Elaria has to know that this is not just for convergence.

She could not wait to hear more. The moons were rising and near their apex. The time for the binding rapidly approached as she moved quickly through the trees and bushes to return to the celebration center. She could see the lights brightening ahead of her when her foot caught a stray root and sent her tumbling to her knees.

Slowly, she began to rise to her feet again when a noise startled her. Useless without her weapons, she quickly scanned the area for something that could be useful. Nothing hard. Nothing long enough for distance fighting. Her fingers squeeze around the mushroom with the hard cap. Better than nothing, she supposed.

Drawing her attention are a mix of glimmering blue, white lights dancing ahead and the soft chimes of music deep within the forest. Her gaze slowly began to drop to the ground beneath her as the bioluminescent moss lit a glowing path meant for her to follow.

She squeezes the mushroom in her hand to comfort her. Ameris should turn back now. She should be with Elaria right now and inform her of her misgivings about the binding.

She felt it then. There is something calling her. A hidden song meant only for her ears. Irresistible to her human side and something familiar to her fae side. This time when she got to her feet, she felt all her apprehension leave her body and a sense of calm wash over her like a trip to the springs. The mushroom in her hand left forgotten as she followed the call leading her to the woods.

Upon entering the clearing, her eyes widened as she took in the sight around her. The leaves of the trees seem to trap the moonlight. The light within the leaves bathing her skin in an ephemeral glow.

The air seems to leave her when she notices Sorren at the center of clearing. The silver and green regalia he wears catches her eyes immediately. She wishes she still had her mushroom.

“What are you doing here?”

Ameris moves closer to join him in the center of the clearing. His height towering over hers, but she surprisingly feels no fear at this moment. Upon their eyes meeting, Ameris feels the fluttering she felt once before as the magic in the air tingles upon their acknowledgement.

“You’re late, Ameris,” he says. No reprimand in his tone—only relief.There is a smile on his face that Ameris had never seen before and his eyes hold a degree of softness that is not meant for her. Or so she thought before now.

“What is this?”

Sorren does not answer right away. He lifts his gaze from her and focuses on the glowing lights around them. “You don’t remember it, but I do. Every step I’ve taken since that night was toward you.”

Ameris narrows her eyes as she scrutinizes the male in front of her. There is something there that she had not noticed about him before. She could see it clearly now as if he had been wearing a mask and had removed it in front of her eyes. There’s a burning hope, the pride that he carries, and something she never thought would be there–fear.

This is not the trap she thought it was.

“You…it was you…,” she murmurs softly. “The lights I saw that night of the attack. The burning I felt in my veins…”

He nods.

“I made a vow that night, little viper. You can’t deny it any longer and I’m offering you this chance. I’m offering us…this chance.”

“You left me,” Ameris says, tightly. The pain in her voice is unmistakable. She feels the weight in her body shift as she closes the space between them as if the closeness will allow the reality to settle.

Sorren slowly lifts his hand to cup Ameris’s cheek, feeling the warmth there and subtly wiping away the tears she let escape. “If you give me tonight, I’ll never leave your side again.”