The longer she spends time with Yael, the more Arya yearns for a child of her own. It isn’t probable given what she likes to do with her leisurely activities, but perhaps one day she will have children. Until then she settles on being the best aunt she can possibly be. copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iJawaFvZq
Her relationship with Alara is a different story. She continues to walk that fine line between trusting her and being cautious.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn0NyqfOPB
“You’re good with him,” Alara smiles.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCAGRUVTbU
“He’s a good boy,” Arya smiles back. “Perhaps one day when I have children of my own they can play together.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cdRnJ12e1
“Does Prince Jarrah want children?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdou1XVhMK
“I believe so,” she nods.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdntUfoP8z
“Can I ask you a question?” Arya nods. “What do you see in him?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgMX79H9cV
“Malich?” Alara nods. “I don’t know, he’s funny, he’s a provider, and he’s good in bed.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF9z9bw4si
Alara grimaces at the last part of her statement and Arya laughs. “Well I think you can do better.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlvcPprdeA
“Like who?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYQzWXJD6V
“King Ihsan.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhBIQKTnPm
Arya’s smile fades. She can’t help but feel as if Alara might have some sort of agenda in planting that seed in her head. “Why would you say that?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFIbSxBkLP
“Because I see things. Sometimes it’s the future, sometimes it’s the present, and sometimes it’s the past.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyOK8KIRnP
“And you see me with King Rayne?” Arya asks.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW7oFX9ylY
“Not yet. The future is ever changing Arya and it can be affected by one decision to the next. I do not see you with King Rayne, but I also do not see you with Malich Jarrah.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0EEcwcNQX
Arya swallows hard. She couldn’t imagine a life without Malich in it. He’s always been in her life. Weary, she hands Yael back to her sister and rises to leave. Alara quickly grabs her by the wrist. “Evander Kale is leaving for the Winter Court hoping to slip out without you knowing with half of your army. Don’t let him leave without you.” Arya frowns. She isn’t sure if Alara is being truthful about her abilities or if it’s just some clever ruse with an end game she is yet aware of. “You’ll find him in the throne room. Hurry sister.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKvsvEcevA
Arya’s skeptical but the urgency in Alara’s tone has her quickly heading to the throne room. As Alara said, Evander is in the throne room rattling off instructions to Godfrey.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jxbHc9QKu
“Going somewhere general?” Arya asks.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGvtlH0xvQ
He stiffens, and then turns to greet her with a false smile. “I have some urgent business to attend to your Majesty,” Evander inclines his head. copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8B0B6EOla
“What urgent business could you possibly have at the Winter court?” Evander blanches. Alara is right; he istrying to leave without her. “Out with it and don’t make me ask twice. What good is having a general if I can’t trust him not to keep secrets from me?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡoptVAb7J1S
Sighing, Evander comes clean, “His royal highness is in the Winter Court. He’s met with some resistance and has asked for my help, but he does not want to involve you.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRzIlUqlrV
“What in Anan’s name could Malich Jarrah possibly be doing in the Winter Court?He hates the cold of winter,” she frowns. Last she heard from him his brothers summoned him and she’s pretty sure Kahlem is the reason he’s there. “Very well then, but I’ll be coming along with you.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV4NVFTAuf
Evander opens his mouth to object but one glare from Arya and his lips are sealed. She packs lightly, unsure of exactly how long they’ll be there and meets Evander out in the gardens where her army is prepping for departure. copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSEeOepWYr
“Not to alarm you, your Majesty, but time is of the essence. Could you perhaps-”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡObioUDilZK
Before Evander can finish his sentence she winnows them all to border of the Winter Court. She sent word down her bond to Drakor to gather the others and find her.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaFlXB1Rcv
“Holy Gods,” Rayu gasps.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XoLbcZA8Y
Arya follows his gaze to where Malich and his protective detail are trying to ward off a large army, failing miserably. Every few seconds, arrows meet lightening but from what she can see there is no counter attack.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X9kl4XEpW
“Why are they not launching a counter attack?” Arya speaks mostly to herself.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG7415F3XS
“They don’t have one,” Evander sounds surprised. “Malich is the counter attack, but they have Channelers, Shields, and Conjurers. He faces the Fall Court. They’re as deadly a force as the Red Legion and the Seelie Army.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4PXP09PBi
“Then let’s even the odds, shall we?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCfXWA2Uer
On Evander’s command his soldiers charge into battle. Rayu, Lumi and Jax make up her protective detail and they follow both her and Evander over to where Malich tirelessly fends off an aerial attack.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC8YHa4nd1
“Your highness,” Evander calls out to Malich.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM54JV5TLG
Malich turns to him and blanches when he sees Arya at his side. His eyes shift to a group of women surrounded by guards then back to Arya. He looks angry to see her here. It isn’t exactly the greeting she was hoping for.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzjqwg1zag
Pointing to the women with his chin Malich instructs, “These are the aunts and cousins of Princess Grayson. See to it that they are taken back to the palace at once.” copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02T80Aj5Xw
Evander nods and barks orders at his men. Meanwhile Arya’s eyes slide to the women. She knows that name, Princess Grayson…it’s the name of the woman she found in Malich’s bed. Why in Anan’s cock would he come here?copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cich28nVU
Malich approaches and she dismisses her friends so they might speak in private. “Princess Grayson? This is why your brother’s called you away?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36tnx0DzzO
“Arya now isn’t the time. If you haven’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a godsdamned battle, and I gave specific instructions for you not to come.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAQJJRj2Wh
“I wonder why?” She narrows her eyes at him. “Do not go behind my back again and undermine my authority as Queen. We share a bed Malich, not a kingdom.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3uRgLUp8P
“Yet,” he points out. “But once we are married he will answer to myauthority. He may as well get used to it now. Now if you don’t mind, we have the Fall Court to deal with, your jealousy can’t wait until later. Stay here.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcWMzuMd3m
Malich heads back to the front lines while she hangs back on his orders. She watches as the Fall Court launches attack after attack. After seeing their archers she sends word down her bond for Drakor to stay away. She won’t risk him getting hurt.copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TWSCFKWHG
The battle seems to drag on forever. Tired of waiting, she walks to stand beside Malich and raises her hand in the air. Every arrow, freezes mid air and with a whirl of her finger she turns them around releasing them, launching them back at the Fall Court. Malich whips his head in her direction. “Would it kill you to be submissive just this once?” copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfKH71t1rC
Smirking she replied, “Yes it would.”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKPNxohjBk
Focusing on the ground beneath them, she angles her hand palm down and begins to disrupt the soil beneath the feet of the Fall Court. As craters appear, fearful, the Fall Court retreats until none remain. The Winter Court celebrates the victory, shouting and hugging one another. copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDeBwQhgMY
“Now,” Arya fixes Malich in her gaze, “Which way to the Winter Court?”copyright protection27ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZeHHlJana
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