Chapter Text
'Come on, Nes. He might not be extraordinary, but he's a decent man and that's rarer than you'd think.' Rayna said, her fingers moving with practiced ease as she chopped vegetables.
The kitchen was warm with golden afternoon light. Rayna stood near the window, a quiet force of presence that even silence seemed to bend around. Nesta sat opposite her, chair tipped back slightly, arms crossed as she stared at her friend.
Rayna sighed and swept the vegetables into the pot. Her red hair, deep crimson and nearly glowing under the light, slipped over one shoulder like silk.
'You know we have servants for that.' Nesta commented.
'I know. But it's a welcome distraction.'
She picked up a spoon and began to stir. There was something about Rayna, Nesta often thought...something that made people slow down in her presence. Something not quite visible, but always felt, always there. A weight to her gaze, like she saw more than she let on. People were drawn to her, even when they didn't understand why.
Nesta's sharp eyes softened. If she had her way, Rayna would live in this house permanently and never have to return to the Barrel, a grim corner of the mortal realm, all hideous docks and hidden dangers. Rayna refused each offer without ever giving a proper excuse.
'She cares for him, Ray. I don't like that. If she cares, he can hurt her.' Nesta said at last.
Rayna's hand moved through her hair as she turned toward the window. In the garden, Elain knelt among the flowers, tying some together in what looked like a crown.
'You can't protect her from everything.' Rayna said gently, resting her hands on Nesta's chair. 'She's stronger than you believe.'
'I don't want her to ever feel that pain. I want to shield her from it all.'
Rayna sighed again.
'But she will feel it, everyone does. Our job is to make sure she doesn't face it alone.'
Nesta placed her hand over Rayna's, grounding herself. Where Nesta was ice and steel, Rayna was quiet flame. They were mirrors of survival, shaped differently by the similar storms.
A soft voice interrupted them.
'We should go if we don't want to be late.'
Elain stood at the door, her smile sweet, her hands dirty with mud. In her arms she held the delicate flower crown.
'I made this for you.' Elain said, her voice light but certain. 'It suits you.'
Rayna blinked as Elain approached, her head slowly lowering to accept the crown. The kitchen seemed to still as the soft circle of flowers touched hair. For a breath, she didn't move.
Then, so quickly it might have been missed, she stiffened.
Her jaw tensed. Her eyes, usually full of quiet light, darkened with something unreadable. It was only a flicker, a second of something else. So fast that the Archeron sisters completely missed it.
Rayna let out a laugh, soft and strange.
'A crown? Why would I ever deserve a crown?' She joked.
But her voice carried an undertone of something bitter, distant. Something that didn't belong in the here and now. Elain tilted her head to the side.
'Because you're you.' she said simply.
The redhead closed her eyes for a moment. Then she smiled genuinely.
'Then I'll wear it, but only for tonight.'
Sometimes, when Rayna spoke or moved or simply breathed, Nesta felt like the world itself leaned in to listen.
People were drawn to her. Maybe not because of beauty, though she was devastatingly beautiful, but because of the way she felt.
Rayna's eyes lit up, a spark dancing in her pupils.
'I can't wait!' She said, clasping Elain's hand and spinning her. 'Oh, how I missed the music!'
Rayna hummed a haunting melody as she twirled Elain across the kitchen floor. It was an old song, one not sung often anymore, but somehow familiar. Nesta shook her head, hiding a grin as she reached for her coat.
°•▪︎♤▪︎•°
The sound of drums pulled them to the center of the square, where a group of musicians had taken their place on the stage. People swayed, clapping and singing along with whatever tune was currently rising through the air.
The man on stage spotted her and gave a nod. Rayna hesitated just long enough for Nesta to step behind her and give her a firm push
'Go on.'
Rayna stepped up, slipping off her coat, her deep blue dress catching the lantern light. The man took the coat and gestured to the players. A new rhythm began, low and steady.
She started singing the well known lyrics, her voice echoing through the dim lit streets.
There will come a soldier
Who carries a mighty sword
Somewhere far away there was a man, no, a male. Red stone shone on his armor. He raised his arm, a feral smile on his face as he wielded his sword like it was an extension of his arm. Bat like wings spread wide behind him as he stroked again and again.
He will tear your city down
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord
Nesta moved her body with the music, a lethal battle. Every spin executed with calculated precision. She danced to her friend's voice with such precision, such strength, it made people stop to admire.
He will tear your city down
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord
The melody shifted as Rayna stepped down from the stage, her voice never faltering. Elain reached for her hand, and she took it easily, twirling her friend as the next verse begun.
There will come a poet
Whose weapon is His word
In the same distant place another male with blue stones this time sat on a roof's edge, a dagger in his scarred hands. His head titled back as he hummed an old song. Shadows danced along, around their master's wings.
He will slay you with
His tongue
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord
Rayna placed a hand on her hip, her voice never flattering. She felt the outline of the dagger hidden there and moved, following the music. The audience seemed in awe as she hit every note perfectly.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord
He will slay you with
His tongue
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord
The male with blue stones tapped his fingers on his knees, keeping the rhythm.
There will come a ruler
Whose brow is laid in
In a far away place a male stood. His clothing was crafted from the most expensive silk, dark and purple. The male reached out a hand to the stars, as if he could catch them, lock them in his own court full of dreams.
Oh lei, oh lai, oh, Lord
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh, Lord
Nesta moved, pulling Elain and Rayna close. Around them, others joined, arms linked, steps falling into time with the beat, with the melody, with the truth.
They danced until the music was the only thing keeping them upright.
The flower crown never fell.
And the night, for a few rare hours, belonged to them.