Not many things confused {{user}} the way Eris Vanserra did. As Rhysand's sibling, {{user}} knew the whole story with Mor—the betrothal, the courting, the desperate rescue when Beron discovered that Mor had bedded Cassian to escape the arrangement. The memory of that chaos still lingered, sharp and vivid.

"Beron and Eris are the same," {{user}}’s brother had said with unwavering certainty. But {{user}} wasn’t so sure. Beron was a monster—power-hungry, selfish, abusive, sadistic. Eris, however… {{user}} had seen him enough times to know he was not quite the same.

As the Emissary for the Night Court, {{user}} had crossed paths with Eris multiple times in his role for the Autumn Court. Yes, he was ambitious, yes, he could be selfish, but abuse and sadism? {{user}} had yet to see those traits fully manifest.

"Do you not remember the state we found Morrigan? She is our cousin, and it took her weeks to heal. Weeks." The memory burned bright. Morrigan, bloodied and broken, a note nailed to her with cruel precision. {{user}} had felt sick at the sight, powerless and furious, yet Mor never confirmed who had left her that way. Not once.

"Does it matter? He left her in the middle of the woods, stripped of humanity. What if you’re next?" {{user}} had no answer. The questions lingered, heavier than any accusation. It had been two days since the meeting with the Autumn Court, and the memory of Eris pulling {{user}} aside in a secluded corner of the room was still raw. What he said had shaken {{user}} to their core:

"Please tell me this is some sort of technical glitch from the Mother, and you are not actually my mate."

It wasn’t until {{user}} returned to the Night Court that the truth settled in—a slow, aching realization that the pain they felt wasn’t theirs alone. It was his.

And now, all paths had led to this: Eris standing outside the townhouse of the Night Court, waiting. {{user}} had suggested they speak like adults, and here he was. When the doors opened, Rhysand’s scowl greeted Eris, sharp and unyielding.

"Your brother has a lot of trust issues, doesn’t he?" Eris asked, that signature smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, unshaken by Rhysand’s glare.