Chapter Text
Tamlin smiled lightly as he deeply inhaled the fresh Spring air into his lungs. Today was going to be a good day, he already knew it. The sun shone brightly over the vast green fields, flowers blooming, their pollen attracting bees and other bugs. He loved watching the bees, if it weren’t for his duties as the high lord of spring, he would spend his time just watching the life of bees.
“I’m sure the bees do not enjoy being stared at.” A feminine, flat voice came from behind him. The blonde could not help but tense for a second before turning around to be met with the sharp face of Amara. She showed no emotion on her face, a usual thing for her he learnt early on when he had met her. The female rarely showed any.
“I’m sure the bees do not know they are being stared at.” He teased, a small grin on his face when he turned around to face her, whilst hers’ remained unchanged. Tamlin knew that only his dearest friend was lucky enough to see her other expressions, that to this day he could not even imagine. Yet, to him it did not matter much, she was still a friend. A friend he would be indebted to for his entire existence.
Tamlin clasped his hands behind his back, turning back to the greenery, closing his eyes as the sun shone brightly on him. “Things have changed around here.” He sighed out, his voice a whisper.
“For the better, I hope.” It was a statement not a question and the blonde could not help but smile.
“Yes, for the better.” He paused, opening his eyes, getting adjusted to the brightness. “Thanks to you.” She remained silent, but he could feel her burning gaze on him.
***
He was scared, terrified of making the wrong move. A wrong move in this situation could mean the end of the Spring court, a place that held a lot of misery and sadness. They had all suffered for so much and he did not want to impose any more of that suffering on his people. But lately all his decisions were wrong. Lucien tried telling him that, but he ignored his words even though deep down he knew the male was right.
The blonde did not know why he refused or could not change his ways, why he insisted on listening to the silky tone of Ianthe. Who he knew he could not trust. He hated it. Tears streamed down his face as he stood in the shadows of the forest. Hybern was coming to his lands, and he was scared. Sure, he had Feyre back, but something had changed, and he knew it was his fault. He tried to do better, he really did, even Lucien noticed. Yet her behaviour remained the same towards him. He had suspicions, he was not blind nor was he stupid, but he just could not put a finger on it.
He heard a swishing sound, and his head snapped up, a female in a muted golden cloak stood before him. Her face hidden by the hood, he instinctively grabbed for the sword that was now always clasped by his side.
“I would not do that if I were you.” She pulled the hood back, revealing herself. “Lord Tamlin.” Her voice and face were devoid of emotion although he could see and sense the tension rolling off of her in waves.
“We haven’t gotten much time, and I suggest you heed my words.” Her words were hard, but he knew she meant well. Tamlin remembers how she helped him out, when they were both young, her much younger than him. She was under no obligation to help him then, but she did, even if helping him meant the consequences would quite literally scar her.
“Amara.” He wiped his face, hoping she didn’t notice his wet face, although he was sure she did. Amara had a knack for noticing the tiniest details. Tamlin tensed up as she stepped towards him until they were almost face to face. She was much shorter than him, but he did not let that fool him. The dark haired female could have him on the floor in seconds if she so wished.
“Do not trust the priestess or the made one. If you do, your court will be lost.” Amaras’ hand shot out to take a tight hold of his chin. Her grip painful, but he made no move. “And start treating my mate better, it is best for you if you do not get on my bad side.” Lucien, he knew she meant him and Tamlin knew he hadn’t been treating him right. His best friend that always had his back, even when he did not like it, he was there to back him up. Hell, the male had lost an eye for him.
A sense of clarity came over him, as if his eyes had been opened for the first time and he stared wide eyed at the female.
“What about Hybern?” He questioned, he needed advice on that the most and he knew of her history with the King.
“Worry not about them, when the time comes I’ll be there to take care of them.” Her grin was devoid of any emotion, it was a promise of vengeance and release of stored rage for them that she held on to for centuries.
***
“I’m glad I listened to you then.” The blonde confessed, his emerald eyes looking into her mismatched ones over his shoulder.
“You did not look like it after I…” She trailed off, her face contorting as she remembered what she did to the daemati twins and Ianthe. Tamlin could not help the shiver at the memory of it.
“What is with the sour faces you two?” His best friends voice boomed as he walked towards the two, his eyes glued to his mate.
“Nothing.” Both of their voiced mixed together as they looked at the ginger, their tones defensive. For a moment, Lucien stood still his eyes darting between Tamlin and Amara.
“Sure.” The red haired male said, a smirk on his face, his voice indicating he did not believe them, at all.
“Floralia is set to start tomorrow, and I must thank you two for coming.” Tamlin waved off his friend as he turned around to look at the mated pair with a bright smile. Glad he had invited his dearest friends and allies for a week of fun. And he noticed the two were far too excited to get away from Helion. He was excited for the many celebrations that are starting in Spring, some old and some new. Traditions be damned, he realized far too late that traditions can be changed and he was the high lord. He had the power to change things inside the Spring court and that was his goal.
Change the Spring court for the better, traditions be damned.