Evren followed Mor and Seren through a marketplace, which she'd learned was called the Palace of Thread and Jewels. Apparently, there were four such market squares in Velaris. Each palace sold different things. Mor held open a door and ushered her into the shop.

Evren's eyes widened at the array of clothes that greeted her. There were tunics, shirts, gowns, pajamas, and even lingerie. "Pick out something you like," Mor said. "Anything at all."

"Oh, but I didn't bring any..."

Seren leaned towards her. "Mor plans on buying something for you. If you don't pick out an outfit, she'll choose one for you. She did the same thing to me when I arrived."

"When am I ever going to have the opportunity to wear something like these?" Evren asked as she crossed over to the gown racks.

"I'm sure something can be arranged." Mor laughed and traipsed over to a shoe display.

Evren combed through the gowns curiously. There were several different colors and styles. Each was more beautiful than the last. Celosia once told me I should try wearing a maroon or a wine color, Evren thought. Maybe I will.

She moved over to that section and browsed the gowns. Evren paused on one in particular. It was more of a burgundy red and was made of a sleek, soft material. Seren appeared beside her. "Try it on," she urged.

Evren took the dress down and sought out an attendant. The female looked faintly surprised to see a Human in her shop, but quickly opened a dressing room for her. Evren ducked inside and pulled the gown on. She took in her appearance and covered her mouth with a hand.

The gown was gorgeous. It had a plunging neckline and a low back that rested just above her hips. Small gold chains crossed her back between the panels of fabric. The dress hugged her figure until it reached her thighs. From there, it flared out into a short train. There was a slit in the skirt, revealing one of her porcelain legs. Evren blinked in shock.

She stepped out of the dressing room and found Mor and Seren waiting for her. Mor's eyes widened and she clasped her hands together excitedly. "It's beautiful! I'm tempted to steal it from you."

"You can have it. I'll never have a reason to wear something like this," Evren admitted.

"Nonsense." Mor pushed her back into the dressing room. "Wear it during one of your assassinations for all I care. You're leaving this shop with it."

Evren closed the dressing room door and put on her usual clothes. She draped the gown over an arm and rejoined Mor and Seren. Evren resisted the urge to blush when Mor pulled the dress from her arms and purchased it. She handed the bag to Evren and waltzed out the door.

"I expect to hear all about how Eris drools over you in that gown," Mor laughed.

Evren arched an eyebrow. "Eris drool over me? Not likely. There's a female in his court already after him."

"Who?" Seren asked.

"Her name is Celosia Lethe."

"Oh, her," Mor groaned.

"You know her?"

"Unfortunately. Back when I was supposed to be betrothed to Eris, my father spent a lot of time in the Autumn Court and I had to accompany him. I met Celosia then and we didn't get along at all. We had a lot in common, but for some reason, we couldn't stand each other. She was trying to woo Eris even then."

"I can barely stand her," Evren agreed. "I dragged her into a mud fight the other day."

Mor laughed, tossing golden hair over her shoulder. "I would pay to see that."

"Why does she want to marry Eris?" Seren asked.

"She told me that she wants to become Lady of the Autumn Court. She said she would marry Eris because he's handsome, wealthy, and powerful. She even wonders if they're mates."

"I doubt that," Mor scoffed.

Seren smiled in amusement. "Besides, she could never become Lady of the Autumn Court. Eris wants to find a High Lady, and he's not likely to choose someone who wants him just for his power."

"I thought Feyre was the only High Lady in Prythian," Evren said.

Mor grinned. "Not anymore. Kallias, High Lord of the Winter Court, gave in to Viviane's demands and made her his High Lady. She's his mate and wife. And Helion has already promised to make Lucien's mother his High Lady when they're married."

"So the only courts without a High Lady will be the Dawn Court, the Spring Court, and the Summer Court?"

"Precisely."

"Celosia's information is rather outdated then," Evren said.

"That doesn't surprise me. Celosia has never been one to keep up with the events that happen beyond the Autumn Court."

"Well, if she knew Eris wanted a High Lady, she'd be trying twice as hard to win his affection."

Seren pursed her lips. "It's difficult to earn anything from Eris. Sympathy, respect...affection most of all. If she's been trying to seduce him this long, odds are she'll never succeed."

Evren glanced at Mor. "You were supposed to marry Eris but you didn't. What happened?"

Mor bit her lip, then sighed. "I was against the marriage from the start. I'd heard all about his cruel nature and I didn't want to spend my life tied to him. To get out of the marriage, I slept with Cassian. Eris didn't want me after he found out I was no longer a virgin. My father was furious. He tortured me and left me stripped naked in the Autumn Court with a note nailed to my stomach. It said I was Eris' problem, but he never claimed me. Azriel rescued me and brought me here."

"Your own father?"

Mor nodded. "I hated Eris for centuries after everything that happened, but I know the truth now. He was trying to show me kindness. He knew I didn't want him, so he left me there because he knew someone would come for me." She tilted his head. "But he also knew it would add to his reputation as a cruel bastard, so he didn't do it solely for me."

"How could your own father torture you?" Evren asked.

Mor shrugged. "He valued my power and worth and when I was worthless, he hated me." She glanced at Seren. "I'm not the only one who had an abusive father."

Evren watched Seren. Shadows flickered across her cheeks and down her arms, as though offering comfort. "My father was always a bastard, but he became even worse after my mother died. He kept me locked in our house and I was rarely allowed outside. I couldn't learn to fight or use my magic. I'm daemati and have fire magic," she clarified.

"When I was little, I found my father's armory and I picked up a sword. He found me and was furious. He burned that armory to the ground, holding onto my leg while he did so. I have a burn on my thigh in the shape of his hand." Seren broke off for a moment.

"He never called me by name and he could never look me in the eye after my mother died. I look a lot like her. He only ever called me Girl, Child, or Daughter." Seren bit her lip. "I watched him mutilate my mother's corpse after her body was found."

Evren remained silent, unsure of what to say. She'd been abused by Cadoc, but these females had suffered at the hands of their own fathers. Eris had suffered because of his father, just as she had. And yet, Seren and Mor still seemed happy. They still lived their lives. How?

"How have you found the strength to go on after everything that has happened to you?" She asked.

"Our family," Mor replied.

Seren nodded in agreement. "And our friends." Mor linked her arm through Evren's as they continued down the street.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

Eris leaned over the chess board, eyeing the pieces. He and Lucien were paired off against Cassian and Azriel. So far, the Illyrians were losing, but they didn't know that. Eris took his turn and sat back in his seat.

Azriel held Estelle in one arm and made his move. Lucien went next. Footsteps sounded in the hallway, accompanied by female voices. "How did the shopping go?" Cassian hollered as Mor, Seren, and Evren walked by.

"Wonderful as ever," Mor replied, pausing beside the door.

Seren ducked into the room and took Estelle. She pressed a light kiss to Azriel's cheek. A smile spread across his lips. "I now have a gown that I'll never be able to wear," Evren said. There was a note of amusement in her voice.

Eris glanced at her hopefully. She wasn't smiling, but her eyes were bright. She had laughed. He still couldn't believe that she had laughed. "I'm sure we can come up with something," he said.

"I told her to wear it when she assassinates someone," Mor laughed.

"She won't even have to use a weapon," Seren agreed. "Her target will drop dead at the sight of her."

"Is that good or bad?" Cassian asked.

Mor dashed into the room and cuffed him upside the head. "Good, you prick."

Seren took Mor by a shoulder and steered her out the door. "Come on. Evren still needs to try on some of our old leathers." Eris flashed a dark look at Azriel and Cassian. They smiled innocently. Cassian took his turn as the females headed off.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

Later that evening, Evren and Eris bid the Inner Circle goodbye and returned to the Autumn Court. Evren had carried a second bag which Eris guessed contained her new gown and at least one pair of Illyrian leathers. Evren had also given a promise that she'd come to visit again soon. Surprisingly, she told him that she found herself willing to keep that promise too.

They winnowed back to the Forest House. The ground was dry and the sky was free of clouds. They started towards the front doors. Eris paused as a servant came running, holding out a piece of paper. He took the report and skimmed over it quickly.

His eyes darkened as he read. "What is it?" Evren asked.

"We've found your next target." He handed her the report. "The person who burned that village."

Evren squared her shoulders. "I'll start searching for her tonight."

"You can go tomorrow..." Eris began.

"No." Her voice was firm. "Tonight." She strode into the house.

Eris followed and waited near the front door. Half an hour later, she came back down the stairs. It was all he could do to keep from staring. She was wearing a set of Illyrian leathers. Eris blinked his surprise away and snapped his fingers. Mortem and Vita appeared on her hips. The bracelet wrapped around her wrist. Several packets of poison slipped into small panels of leather. Evren pulled her hair back into a braid and walked past Eris.

"Any special orders?" She asked.

"Make her suffer like that child did," he said. Evren nodded and made her way out the door. Eris ran a hand through his hair, loosing a pent up breath. If she started wearing those regularly...he would be in some deep shit. When he remembered the sound of her laugh, he wondered if he wasn't already.