Letters to The Night Court Pt3

Sassa had taken dinner with her Mate, talking over some ideas he had for their court to help the stability of the realm. His deep voice broke every so often to give her a chance to offer her opinions on each matter. Sassa was smiling when the dining room door opened and in walked Ianthe, her blue robes pulled low over her eyes. "My High Lord," she greeted Tamlin making Sassas lips tight. She bowed lowly and then moved to sit across from Tamlin at the head of the tables other side. Sassa didn't comment but it wasn't lost the mood shifted in the dining room after. Conversation switched into a heavy silence and when they had had their fill Sassa was ready to head up to bed. Tamlin helped her from her seat, pulling out the very ornate chair she had claimed at his right. Tamlins brother came through the front door with a warm burst of night air catching Tamlin and Sass leaving together down the front hall. Ianthe was pulling up the rear and stopped in the open dining room doorway, the double doors left open after her original entrance. Tarragon had barely opened his mouth to speak when two fire messages burst into view before Sassa and Tamlin. Both looked their own letter up and down and while Sassa smiled Tamlin frowned. "Its from my sister," she said by explanation while Tamlin then made eye contact with his brother, "This is from our western boarder. There was a Naga attack?" Tarragon nodded his head since he had been coming to bear the same news. 

The four of them froze, a Naga attack was a serious thing. A Naga was a horrible creature, the very inspiration for every horrible story told about the fae to scare mortals. Tamlin turned from the front door to lean into Sassa, kissing her head before he murmured, "Stay here. I will lock up the manor and have sentries stationed outside to protect you. We will go and make sure this thing cant hurt anyone else." Sassa curled her fingers into his shirt and murmured up to him, "Be careful, and hurry home to me." Lifting onto her toes the usually timid princess pressed her lips firmly against his, only falling back on her heels when he leaned in like he might deepen the kiss past what others should see of their high lord. When she stepped back she smiled at the pair of golden brothers and added, "Be safe," making eye contact with both of them. Sassa turned when the door shut behind them and gave Ianthe a level look before speaking again. "Ill have a guest room made up for you. Its unsafe to travel back to the temple tonight." Ianthe opened her mouth to speak but Sassa continued on her original path, up the stairs. Her letter from Herdis clutched tightly in her hand. At the top of the stairs she met Alice, her personal maid as well as the person she trusted in the everyday running of the Manor. "Alice could you see to a room being readied for Ianthe. Set her up down the west wing please." It was the point in the house farthest from her bedroom and Tamlins offices. It seemed the safest thing all things considered. Sassa just didn't trust the woman and in her hand she held her sisters answer about anyone in the Night Court knowing anything about her. Alice inclined her head to Sassa and headed down the long hall in the opposite direction from where the princess headed.

In her room she shut the door behind her with a heavy snap and sighed. A Naga attack would keep Tamlin away all night and that was hoping it was handled quickly. Sitting at her desk she spread out her sisters letter and frowned with every word. Ok not every word, the little updates on her life and court made her very happy but the news about Ianthe was troubling. So Sassa had been right to worry and now she thought back to her every interaction with the priestess. This wasn't a good turn of events but at least she was aware now, and could protect herself and her home from this woman. Her sister was right, if the woman had been banned from the Court Of Nightmares then she couldn't be trusted. When Tamlin had mentioned that court even he had looked weary and her mate could shift into a snarling beast on command. It took a lot to make him look hesitant. Sassa pulled free a new sheet of paper and she started to scratch out a return reply to her sister. And when that was done with a flick of some latent power deep within her the message curled up and carried on a northern wind to Herdis, the puff of smoke it left behind lingering in the air. Sassa didn't open the window to let out the smell only because she knew if she fell asleep with it open Tamlin would worry as he came home to see it. So she curled on the chaise in front of the fire, and facing the window watched for the eventual coming light of dawn. She did end up falling asleep there, it was where she was as her letter appeared to her sister so many miles away.

Herdis,
           I knew something was off about her. She's staying here tonight, only me and her since there was a Naga attack. Tamlin and his brother have gone to kill the thing. We are to stay here till we get the all clear. You should have seen her stroll into dinner tonight and suck all the air out of the room, it was horrible. But I will be careful and please ask Rhys to play nice when he talks to Tamlin. I don't want them fighting to overshadow getting this priestess far away from us. Dont tell Asa but im working on some eternal blooms to send her. I haven't figured out how to halt the aging process entirely. It takes a lot of power. But I'm getting there, the process has slowed considerably. Still I think her tower might be a little brighter with some vines of flowers that will never wilt or wither for her. And the flowers here are unmatched... but don't tell anyone from home I said so. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. Ill send word on what happens as soon as I have an update. Love you,
                       Sassa