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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.

Chapter Text

Things were hectic around the manor, people were running left and right, scrambling to get things perfectly arranged for the first Floralia celebration in the Spring court after centuries. Tamlin had decided to introduce it back into his court for the farmers that worked hard for the prosperity of their lands. And he had felt that they deserved some joy to be spread around after the many years they spent in fear and misery. Plus he had made a promise to himself and his court to change things for the better, for his people who trust and follow him. 

It was a simple celebration, nothing as grand as Calanmai, but it was perfect. A celebration with a promise of protection of their lands and good harvests for the year. He read about it in a book about the history of the Spring court. Floralia was a big celebration every year or at any time that harvests had been bad a long time ago, before he or his father were born. 

His father had continued it for a few decades before deciding to completely stop and only celebrate Calanmai. Something dark had taken a hold of his father, changing him for the worst. But he was not around any longer and Tamlin now stood in his place as the high lord. He remembers how overjoyed he had felt when it came around, it was a day where the blonde could be himself and smile. A time where everything was bright and joyous.

Lucien released a deep breath as he plopped down beside him on the garden bench, exhausted from running around the manor. Tamlin watched as his friend stretched, releasing a groan. Even though he told him that he did not have to do anything to help with the preparations, the ginger was stubborn and insisted on helping. The blonde had released him from his emissary duties to the Spring court two years ago now, he did not have to do anything, but the ginger wanted to. 

And who was he to stop him from doing it? He couldn’t, it brought the male joy to help him out in any way he possibly could and he would not rob him of that. Tamlin knew that no matter what he said, Lucien was far too stubborn to listen to him. So, even if he forbade him from helping, the fox would find a way to do as he wished.

“You remember our first Floralia together?” The blonde looked up to the sky, letting the question sit between them.

“Of course I do, it was a mess.” Lucien answered with a light laugh, memories of that day flowing in his mind. It was centuries ago, his father was still the high lord and it was their first and las Floralia before things got dark in the Spring court.

***

A young blonde male was excited for the day, everything had been prepared the day before. Flowers blooming brightly everywhere he looked, fae lights strung across the manor and outside, some were hung on the tallest tree branches. Stalls surrounded their vast garden, farmers from all over Spring setting them up with their produce.

But Tamlin did not care about the stalls or the festivities, he was more excited that his friend Lucien would be visiting. More like sneaking his way here, Beron and Eldar did not have the best of relationships. The two fathers were alike in their regime and the way they did things, but somehow they hated eachother. Which would be why no Vanserra or Autumn court citizen was welcome here.

The emerald eyed male gathered everything he would need, stuffing it carelessly in his rucksack before he snuck out of the manor. Making sure nobody noticed him, which was not all that hard, everyone was far too preoccupied with the festival, even his family. Tamlin skipped over to the dark Spring forest, careful to not step on any traps that he himself helped set up, until he reached a clearing with a large willow tree.

This was their meeting point, the male had to remind himself to stay patient, but his eyes kept darting around hoping to see the flaming red hair. But he saw nothing but darkness in the forest, the small clearing being the only light in here. He pouted, harshly throwing his rucksack by the trunk. Tamlin yelped as something hit his head from above, his head snapping up whilst one of his hands rubbed the afflicted spot. He narrowed his eyes and still say nothing, had to have been a bird or perhaps more fitting for a squirrel.

He did anger one before and they were persistent in their vengance against him. Apologies to the squirrel helped none as the critter did not care for apologies, it was angry and Tamlin had to feel the wrath of the squirrel.

Another rock bounced off his head, with a hissing sound he looked up the tree once more, seeing nothing again. The branches were as still as the night and Tamlin grew ever more confused. He was so sure it had to be a squirell that he had angered, but by now the little critter would have made itself known. So, what in the mothers tits was throwing rocks at his head?

A small giggle bounced from the willow and the blonde made the decision to climb the tree. Once he was in the deep branches he saw a small glint of red hair.

“Lucien! Why would you throw rocks at me?!” His tone was higher than before as he grasped to stay on the tree already slipping a bit.

“I’m sorry!” Lucien laughed and laughed even harder when Tamlin fell to the ground below with a resounding thump. The red haired male laughed so hard his stomach was beginning to hurt, light gasps of giggles escaping him as he climbed down from the tree.

He stood above Tamlin offering him a hand with a large grin on his face, he pulled the male up from the ground. One that glared at him with a deep pout. Which quickly dissapeared as they both exploded in laughter at the situation. That day Lucien taught him how to climb a tree and during the festivities they sat high up in the trees, hidden by the leaves, throwing small pebbles at his brothers.

It was as good as any other revenge when he saw them look around never finding who was throwing the pebbles at their large heads.

***

“Hmm, I would say it was the most fun I ever had back then!” Tamlin rebbuted Luciens claim of it being a mess with a smile on his face.

“It was fun, you got that right.” Lucien giggled remembering the specific thump sound as Tamlins body hit the ground. The fun they had by just sitting in a large tree, watching everybody enjoying the festivities, dancing, drinking wine and just being joyous. Not to forget the best part which was throwing pebbles at anyone close enough to them (mostly his foolish brothers).

“Are you two going to spend the day just sitting and laughing?” Amaras’ voice came out of nowhere, her expression tense with a twitching eyebrow which made the two males stand up with sheepish smiles. The female was clearly stressed from being (Tamlin assumed) hounded by Alis to help with the preparations.

Chapter Text

Today marked a decade since Spring lost one of its’ strongest and bravest soldiers. Not only a soldier, but a dear friend that many held in their hearts. An anneversary most thought they would never have to have. Andras’s death left a hole in the court, mainly in his families and friends hearts. A hole that could never be filled.

What now remained were only memories, happy memories of the male that Tamlin called a dear friend. He had crossed the border willingly, knowing what awaited him over the wall was certain death. At the time Tamlin had hoped, wished, prayed to the ever silent Mother that he would be spared just like many before him. Alas his prayers were not answered, he died.

At first it came as a shock to the blonde lord, then came the overwhelming wave of grief and in that grief there was guilt. He had sent him over the wall, he should’ve sent someone else, anyone else… but the result would be the same. Grief and guilt would overtake him even if it had been another sentry. Deep down Tamlin knew that, but at the time he was in deep mourning, blind to logic and reason.

Had it not been for Lucien, Tamlin would have stormed under the mountain and taken his chances at killing the awful female that was the casue and reason of it all. It would have been a suicide mission, but a noble one, for a friend and a citizen of his court he would do it. But Luciens’ wise words at the time stopped him, his court and people needed him

The three friends stood infront of a mossy headstone, bright green vines with soft pink flowers winded around it. Something that Tamlin felt he had to do, since being around Andras brought light into their lives. On it read;

In memory of the brave

Andras

***

“Andras is..” Luciens’ throat closed up as he read the parchment, informing them of the passing of their dear friend. He did not need to finish the sentence for Tamlin to know what he had meant, what the parchment read. The blonde had been hopeful the parchment was another notice of failure from Andras.

Tamlin stared at the mohogany desk his eyes filling with tears he did not want to shed anymore. The entire court did not need to hear him weep and scream, he should be capable of holding himself together. But the reality of Andras being dead, dying for this court, for Prythian, left him with a powerful ache in his soul.

He could hear Lucien shutting the door to his office, probably weaving together a silencing spell around the room. At first a small whimper escaped him, he held onto the desk tighter, the wood splintering around his claws. Then followed the wailing, screams, crashing of things against the walls and floor. The ginger male only watched with silent tears flowing down his cheeks, he too grieving the loss.

It stopped as suddenly as it began, Tamlin kneeled on the floor, tears streaming down his red cheeks, sniffles escaping him. And he cried some more when he felt two familiar arms wrap around him. The two friends held each other as they cried letting the room fill with the sounds of their cries.

“I’m going to kill her.” The blondes voice was hoarse as he finally spoke and Lucien could see the silent determination in the males’ emerald eyes. Then he stood up heading for the door and the autumn male knew he meant to do it now. He had to stop him.

“Tam!” Lucien ran towards him, halting him by grabbing a tight hold of his arm. The male stood still like a statue, not making any sounds. And Lucien could tell that Tamlin was spiraling, needing, wishing for somebody to stop him. Somewhere deep down the blonde knew it would be pointless, killing her now would not bring Andras back, he knew that if he tried he would be killed and his court would be lost.

He loved his court, of course he did more than anything in the entire world, but the sadness, grief and pure unbridled rage have overcome him. The need for vengance now stronger than ever before.

“Please do not, this court, the people of this court need you here and I cannot loose another friend.” Lucien begged for Tamlin to reconsider, hoping his words alone would be enough to stop him from commiting to this suicide mission. A tiny nod from the blonde was enough confirmation that his pleas had been heard.

The two buried what was left of Andras by the cliffs, one of the places that the male enjoyed relaxing at the most. The wind blew in their faces, drying each tear that fell down their somber faces. Tamlin used his powers to grow the gorgeous vine with the pink flowers, manipulating it to wrap around the headstone.

A hug and a goodbye from the Spring court.

 ***

Amara laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, her face somber with a gentle smile directed at him. A rare occasion, but special nonetheless and Tamlin could not help the lonely tear from falling down his face.

“I’m sure he is watching over you and this court.” Her voice was soft, almost a whisper in the strong winds, but he heard it loud and clear. Tamlin hoped she was right and his eyes showed that hope. Lucien nodded at Tamlin, wrapping an arm around his mates’ waist.

“You don’t believe me?” The dark haired female questioned, her mismatched eyes narrowing in his direction. He had almost forgotten that she noticed everything, nothing ever escaping those eyes of hers.

“I can only hope it’s true.” He smiled, but it was one of thoose sad smiles everyone knew him by. His eyebrows rose as he saw Amara smirk.

“You can just ask Johan.” She shrugged her smirk growing.”Where is that annoying god at anyway?”

Tamlin coughed a blush spreading across his cheeks and nose, before he could answer the mated pair burst out in laughter, probably because just the mention of the god had him a blushing mess.

He could have sworn he heard the wind carrying the familiar boisterus laughter that will forever be ingrained in him.

Chapter Text

The sun was shining brightly, birds were chirping and the bees made their rounds in the garden. Tamlin sat on the cherry wood bench once again watching the bees flying from one flower to another. He did not know why he was so fascinated by them, but it didn’t matter, it made him happy to just watch them. The blonde male sensed her before he saw her.

“Are you going to tell me the bees don’t enjoy being watched again?” He smiled, proud of his teasing. Amara quietly snorted sitting down besides him, stretching her back.

***

Tamlin finally finished his duties, responding to letters taking most of his time. His fingers hurt from clutching the quill pen as he responded to a dozen of letters that he choose to ignore until the day came where he absolutely had to respond. His mother, Delilah, did always say that procrastination is an art form and in his defense, he always thought himself to be more artistic.

A lame excuse, but an excuse nonetheless. With a grunt he stood from his desk, deciding to stretch his legs and go on a walk to the nearby village. The blonde had been cooped up in the manor for far too long and he always loved to be outside, one with nature.

He walked with his hands clasped behind his back, breathing in the fresh spring air. The smell of flowers ever blooming filled his nostrils. Spring has bloomed after years of bad things happening. Tamlin couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. The village wasn’t far now, but he was distracted by a group of children picking flowers, filling their little baskets with different types.

The children of Spring noticed him, waving their little arms in his direction. He smiled brightly before approaching them hoping to help them gather the different flora that bloomed outside the small village.

A little girl approached him, tugging on his sleeve to get his attention. “Would you like a flower braid?” She asked, her voice polite. Tamlin was surprised and his faced showed that, but he nodded before sitting down in the grass.

“What is your name little one?” He asked, keeping his voice light as to not scare the child.

“Lilliana, my lord.” Lilliana answered with a smile, getting started on braiding Tamlins’ long silky soft blonde hair.

“No need to call me that, just call me Tamlin.” Silence fell over the two of them as the little girl braided his hair before picking different flowers from her basket, putting them in his hair, making sure they did not fall off.

 ***

The sudden memory filled his chest with warmth and he wanted to share it with Amara. So, he stood up, making the female look up at him, thankful for a little bit of shade from the bright sun. One of her eyebrows was raised, expecting something.

“Come.” He said simply before walking away, he did not make sure she followed, but moments after he heard the crunching of the gravel road under her boots. The two friends walked in comforting silence. Birds were chirping in nearby trees, bees and other bugs whizzing by them. One bee even made itself comfortable atop Tamlins bed of golden hair.

He heard the children and made a beeline towards them, Amara following behind, making sure to keep her distance. She was confused, but knew there was something behind this and her curiosity got the best of her. That is how she ended up sat on the floor next to the blonde, having her hair harshly braided by a child. Her winces and faces of pain made the male giggle.

Tamlin tried to keep his laughter contained whenever he saw Amara wince at the simple braiding of her hair. He tried covering his mouth, but that did not help much at all. Whenever she heard him giggle she gave him a sideways glare, not moving her head at all.

Amara felt relief once the braid was done, heaving a deep sigh. The children started putting blue and pink flowers in her braid. Tamlin had to say it fit her quite nicely. With a smirk he used his wind powers to make leaves and pollen fly in Amaras face. The female sneezed making a couple flowers fall out of her hair.

“Tamlin!” Her voice was commanding. In mere seconds the two of them were on their feet. Amara chasing after the high lord, who ran away from her whilst laughing loudly.

“I’m sorry.” He sputtered out in between pants and laughs, raising his hands in surrender. The dark haired female only glared before stomping back towards the children so they could finish their work. By the time they were done the sun had started to set.

The two walked back towards the manor, Tamlin doing his best to keep his laughs contained whilst Amara glared at him everytime a snort came out of him. Lucien awaited them in front with a large grin, waving his hand at the two.

Tamlin knew at that moment that he would forever cherish this new memory, even if he knew the female besides him would pay back the favour tenfold. He somehow didn’t mind the high possiblity of that at all.  

Chapter Text

The sun filled the greenhouse with light whilst the open windows let the spring breeze flow through it. Tamlin sipped on his earl gray tea, he had finally finished all his duties. He looked outside at the vast flowery fields, trees scattered here and there and wished he could run amongst them in his beast form.

He hadn’t shifted to the beast of Spring in a long time now and his entire body was aching to be in that form. Tamlin only ever shifted when he wanted to escape from his duties, from life. Shifting became a thing of fear and sadness or at least that’s how everyone around him interperted it now. A shame really, nowadays he just wanted to do it for fun.

Just like he did when he just became the high lord and had to deal with the unknown highly stressful duties. So whenever he was done with his duties (sometimes he did it without finishing them) he would shift and just run around having fun.

***

Lucien had been hounding him to finish correspondences, endless reports and documents that piled up all of a sudden. The ginger male rushed him whenever he dared to take a little tea break, heck even if he went to the toilet the male would yell out ‘hurry up!’. Tamlin felt stifled and entirely sick and tired of his office. Just looking at it made him want to pull his golden hair out.

Whatever shall a high lord that can shift ever do in that situation? Lucien had been distracted by something else entierly, so Tamlin snuck out. He ran as fast as his legs could take him, he jumped in the air letting the warm green light engulf him. It took mere seconds before his front paws reached the soft green grass.

The golden beast ran further and further away from the manor, heading towards his sanctuary. A sanctuary burried in golden hued greenery, a peaceful untouched place. He had found it when he was just a little lad, needing a reprieve from his familys’ demands and excpectations. More than that he did it to have a moment to himself, where he could play his fiddle and sung as loud as he could. It was something his family never understood, except for his mother.

A huff escaped him when he reached his little den, stretching his front paws on the grass, subconciously making biscuits into the ground with his large clawed paws before he plopped his entire body on the soft grass. Tamlin rolled around in the grass, trying his hardest to be careful to not nick his two flowery antlers on the ground. Soon the beast had found a comfortable position to lay in, another huff before he closed his eyes to take a little nap. His golden yellow fur slightly stained green from the grass he rolled in.

A loud clearing of someones throat jolted the beast awake, his big jaws clamping lightly around something.

“Ah! TAMLIN EVERGREEN!” Tamlins’ eyes flew open and he saw the dissapointed glare from his emissary. He slowly opened his elongated mouth, backing away looking at the male with big sad emerald eyes. In hopes of forgiveness for the bite and the fact he took a rare chance to rest. The use of his full name meant that the male was quite angry with the beast.

“Shift back and get back to work.” Lucien waved his hand at his form, the beast whined, flashing those big puppy eyes at the male who lifted a red eyebrow at him.

“Those puppy eyes will not work on me, you know better.” The emissary turned around and started walking back towards the manor.

For a moment, Tamlin wanted to be stubborn, but he was also sure the walking male had been just as stressed as him and he did not want to add to it, as much as he truly wanted to do just that. With a grumble he started walking back, shifting back mid step.

He really shouldn’t have told Lucien about the sanctuary.

 ***

Tamlin laughed out loud at the memory, his laughter bouncing around the greenhouse. “I really shouldn’t tell Amara how I accidentaly bit her mate.” He thought outloud, snickering into his teacup.

“What?” Speak of the devil and he shall appear, Tamlin winced realising he should have kept his mouth shut. Not only had he gotten himself in trouble, he felt and assumed that Lucien would be too.

“Oh uh.” Tamlin turned around, laughing sheepishly as he was glared down at by Amara who seemed to grow bigger, her wings spreading making sure she looked as intimidating as possible.

“It was just an accident.”

“Oh I am sure it was.”

“It was before you both knew you were mates.”

“Keep digging.”

The blonde lord tried every excuse under the moon to appease the female, but every word he spoke the deeper he dug his hole. His sheepish smiles and laughs helped him none. The relief he felt when she just walked away was palpatble, a big sigh escaping him.

“Sorry Lucien.” He murmured in the room.

Later in the night as he laid in his bed he could hear muffled talking and curiosity got the better of him. He got up from the bed and very quietly treated outside where he could here the conversation.

“Just take off your pants and let me see!” Amara shouted, her tone entierly exasperated with trying to convince her mate to show her his legs.

“If you want to see me naked all you have to do is ask.” Lucien purred back his response and suddenly he heard a soft thump. Tamlin could imagine Amara throwing a pillow at her mates head and before he could hear what could not be unheard he retreated back to his room. Making sure to weave a silencing spell around his chambers.

Perhaps Lucien would end up thanking him for speaking his thoughts out loud.

Chapter Text

Tamlin sat behind his cherry wood desk, stretching after spending the morning working. He took a hold of a pink crystal handle, pulling the drawer open. Inside lay a green notebook. For a moment the high lord was confused at what this notebook was doing in this drawer, before he pulled it out and opened it. Written inside were a kind of instructions to being a spy.

 

To be a spy you have to be unnoticable, blend in with the shadows.

 

To be a good spy you have to notice little details that most will miss.

 

To be a spy is a specialty kind of job that not everybody can do. You can think you would make a good spy, that it is an easy job. Until you try it and find out that being a spy is in fact a hard job. The most important rule in spying is to never let anyone know you are in fact a spy.

He remembered he wrote it after reading a book about the intricate works of a spy. As little guidelines, he reasoned a high lord must know these things. When he wrote it he did not imagine he would partake in any type of spying. But he was proven wrong in that assumption. Tamlin also thought it was easy, he just chose the wrong target to spy on.

***

Lucien had been in and out of the Spring court for the past few months, telling Tamlin that he was just going to visit Nuan in Dawn court. Something about the way he was telling him that felt off to the high lord. He knew his emissary far better than said male knew. It was a lie, a good lie, but a lie nonetheless. And he made it his personal mission to find out what the fox was trying so hard to hide away from him.

The Spring courts’ library was not as vast as the Day court ones, but it doesn’t matter when he found a book titled To be a Spy, instructions and tips. Perfect, exactly what he needed. Tamlin studied the book, writing down lines that he felt were most important. He made sure to hide the book away from Luciens’ sight. Whenever the ginger male entered a room, the lord chucked the book in a nearby drawer, bush and he even once thrown it in the tall cherry tree.

Yes, it was quite a pain to get the book out of the tree and the blonde was and is not the best climber in Prythian. Lucien had tried to teach him how to climb, but Tamlin learned nothing and remained a bad climber.  By the time he was done with the book, it had been so damaged that he could not return it to the libraby shelves, in fear it would give away his plans. So, he had kept the book in his personal chambers, buried under his mattress, gathering dust.

The next time Lucien left for Dawn, Tamlin made sure to wait a bit before following Lucien. He stuck to the shadows, far away from the male, so he could not get a whiff of his scent or presence. Believing he made a good spy in the moment since Lucien had not noticed him at all. Tamlin would know if the male had noticed him, he was not good at pretending about anything at all.

First stop was the Autumn court, he had since been unbanished once Eris took over as high lord. The two brothers had worked hard on rebuilding their relationship. Tamlin hid behind a thick spruce tree, remaining out of sight or so he thought, until a wet thing touched his hand and he nearly screamed in fright, so focused on being a so called spy. It was one of Eris’ shadow pups and he put a finger up to his mouth hoping the dog would not alert their master of his presence.

They did alert their master. Lucien had continued his journey by the time Eris stopped him from going further.

“What are you doing?” Eris’ arms were crossed and expecting eyebrow raised as he stared the high lord down with his sharp eyes.

‘ The most important rule in spying is to never let anyone know you are in fact a spy.’

The line bounced in his head as he thought hard for an excuse that would get the Autumn lord off his damn back before he lost Lucien in the vast forest.

“Just taking in the sights!” He responded enthusiastically (far too enthusiastically), clasping his hands behind his back, making sure to look up, right, left and down, all around. When he looked at Eris, the male wore an expression of doubt before he waved him off, winnowing away.

Tamlin made sure to check around, clearing the surrounding area before continuing to follow Luciens scent. They winnowed through the Winter court as fast as they could. The blonde even lost sight of the fox in the strong snowy winds. He quickly found him again. They finally got out of the cold and landed in Dawn, it was showtime now. Will he continue or will he actually stay here like he said?

The blonde was confused when he observed Lucien greeting Nuan, chatting with the female. Was he telling the truth? Then why in mothers’ name was he so suspicious? It made no sense at all. He observed the signs of him lying, did he loose his touch to be able to read his centuries long friend? No he couldn’t have.

For some reason he felt relief when Lucien waved to Nuan continuing his path up. He followed the male and soon they were on the border between Dawn and Day. Lucien waited at the border, moving nervously left and right, Tamlin could hear the fast beating of the males heart. He was confused again, before he remembered who resided in Day. His mate, he was meeting with his mate? When did that happen? All possible questions rushed through his head.

Amara appeared out of thin air, a swoshing sound announcing her presence, Lucien stopped his pacing looking at her with a gentle but nervous filled smile. She smiled back, her expression entierly too soft, unusual from her usual expression. Tamlin felt like he was invading their privacy, he should probably leave, he should definitely leave. But curiosity got the better of him, he was in too deep in this spy game.

“It seems you didn’t come alone.” He heard Amara speaking, her tone gentle. Tamlin tensed up pressing himself tightly against the tree he was hiding behind, shutting his eyes. There was no way she noticed him, he was hidden, masking his scent and everything. He was being a good spy, just like the book had told him.

“Really Tamlin?” The blonde opened one eye to see both of them standing in front of him, Lucien seemed exasperated at the sight, whilst his mate seemed amused.

“It’s a good thing you’re a high lord, you would make for a bad spy…” She paused her smirk growing “Worse than the night court one.”

Tamlin could not help but pout, kicking the rocks at his feet at her statement.

*** 

The blonde lord smiled as he remembered his one spy mission that failed so spectaculary. When he looked up from the notebook, the doors to his office opened up, revealing the subjects of his memory. And he could not help but smile at the sight.

“We should be heading back to Day.” Lucien spoke from the entrance.

“So soon?” the lord stood from behind his desk walking towards them.

“Helion will loose his mind if we stay away for longer, he probably already is.” Amara sighed, seemingly dreading going back to work for the Day lord, but Tamlin knew she cared for the court and its’ high lord even if it looked like she absolutely hated it. He nodded with a slight chuckle before thanking them for coming to visit and that the two would always have a place in Spring if they ever needed it.