From [OP](https://www.tumblr.com/sunshinebingo/786885928005353472/gwynweekofficial-day-6-star-crossed-connections?source=share)

**Pairing:** Gwyneth Berdara x Tarquin 

**Synopsis:** Gwyn meets the handsome High Lord of the Summer Court.

**Word Count:** 2.2k

..... 

The sound of waves crashing on the side of Adriata Palace filled Gwyneth’s ears as soon as they winnowed onto a terrace overlooking the sea. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed in the salty air. The bright rays of the sun warmed her skin and made her silky copper hair look like molten metal.   


For a moment, she forgot everyone around. All she knew was the sun, the breeze and the song of the sea calling to her. But someone actually calling her pulled her out of her reverie.   


“Come on Gwyn they are waiting for us,” Emerie held out a hand towards her sister. Gwyn took her hand and together with Nesta, they entered the Summer Court Palace.   


Varian escorted the Valkyries to the room that would be theirs during their 3 day stay in the court. They had been given a luxurious room fit for royalty consisting of a common room and 3 separate bedrooms. All 3 bedrooms had a view on the ocean but Gwyn found that hers was the best.   


She had never seen anything as beautiful as the sea of the Summer Court, its hues creating a close match to her teal eyes. If she didn’t have to get ready for dinner with the High Lord, Gwyn would have been glad to just stand here and enjoy the view as well as the combined song of the sea and birds which created a perfect harmony. Since they would be here for 3 days, she would surely find some time to enjoy the sea at a closer distance than from the balcony of her bedroom.   


So Gwyn decided that she would not leave this court without knowing first hand how deep and warm the sea of Adriata was. Her ancestors might have been River nymphs, but the ocean sang to her as much as the river waters did. With a sigh, Gwyn turned around and joined her sisters so they could start preparing themselves to meet the High Lord of the Summer Court.  


Getting ready with her sisters was as animated as it always was in the House of Wind back in Velaris. The common room looked as if it has seen war with all the clothes, makeup and accessories strewn around.   


“I hope the food is good because I’m starving,” Emerie said as she adjusted the top of her strapless jewel-toned emerald pant suit that fit her toned body to perfection. True to herself, Nesta had chosen to wear a very tight black dress with a plunging neckline. Combined with her updo and shining silver jewelleries, Nesta was the embodiment of Night Court glamour.   


Gwyn had opted for a long ivory pearlescent dress with thin straps and a v-neckline that exposed a little cleavage and a slit that exposed her right leg. Looking at her reflection while she adjusted her loosely curled hair, Gwyn felt like one of the shiny pearls that were delicately displayed in each room.   


Varian had explained earlier that pearls are not as common to find as some may believe. It is rare enough that to find one is a sign of luck and happiness to come. For this reason, every room in the Palace of Adriata contained at least one symbolic pearl to bring its guest luck and joy during their stay. Gwyn hoped that would be true for her.   


Gwyn approached Nesta to help her finish her make-up. “I’m more worried about the people present than about the food.”  


“Feyre and Rhys said that Tarquin is a nice male and that there are no reasons for us to feel uneasy here,” Nesta remarqued. Then she shrugged, “plus we are together so if things go badly we know how to defend ourselves.”  


Gwyn scoffed, “we have been invited here for a vacation not to start a fight between the Night and Summer Courts.” When the Valkyries had talked about wanting to explore more of Prythian together at the last family dinner with the Inner Circle, Varian had generously offered them to come visit his home court. A few days later, everything was arranged and they were now ready to meet the High Lord of Summer to thank him for welcoming them in his court.   


A few minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. Varian had come to escort the Valkyries to dinner. Nesta, Gwyn and Emerie followed him through endless corridors and large room until they reached a big stone terrace where a large round table was beautifully set up in tones of blues and greens. Beyond the edge, the sun was slowing beginning its descent on the horizon, turning the sky from blue to shades of orange and pink with all the colours reflecting on the ocean beneath it. The Valkyries were mesmerised by the view.   


“This is breathtaking,” Gwyn whispered.   


“I am happy that you like it,” came a voice from behind them. When the three females turned around, Gwyneth’s eyes set on one of the most beautiful being she had ever seen. The male’s rich brown skin seemed to glow in the slowly fading but still bright sunlight. His long white hair that beautifully contrasted against his skin was gently being blown by the salty breeze. His blue and gold outfit a perfect match to his turquoise eyes. With the powerful energy surrounding his presence combined with the crown of sapphire and gold fashioned like cresting waves that sat atop his head, there was no denying who he was.   


“I am Tarquin. Welcome to the Summer Court ladies,” Tarquin bowed slightly with a hand on his heart. The Valkyries offered him a deeper bow.   


“Thank you for having us in your home High Lord Tarquin,” Gwyn found her voice was slightly shaky.   


“It is my pleasure Lady Gwyneth. And please just call me Tarquin,” and when Gwyn rose from her bow, she found the High Lord staring at her with a smile that made her knees so weak that she started to regret choosing to wear high heels.  


“Then please call me Gwyn.” Her teal eyes found the High Lord’s turquoise ones.   


“You have a beautiful name Gwyn.” She tried to stay calm but she felt her heart beating so fast that she was sure everyone around could hear it. She could not move, entranced by those beautiful eyes that seemed to be seeing straight through her.   


Tarquin did not move either. He was rooted in place, bewitched by the beauty before him. The eyes he was looking into were the same shade as the bright sea of Adriata that he saw every single day yet he knew he would never tire of looking at it, just like he wanted to keep looking at those teal eyes that could rival the ocean in depth. He wanted to drown in them. 

Someone cleared their throat. “I am Cresseida, Princess of Adriata,” the female slightly bowed at the three Valkyries. Right, there were people around. Gwyn turned to look at Cresseida. Emerie shared an amused look with Nesta and smirked in Gwyn’s direction before introducing herself and her sisters.   


“Shall we?” Tarquin indicated the table behind them. Before Gwyn could seat herself between her 2 sisters, Emerie grabbed her arm and placed herself in the middle, leaving Gwyn next to the High Lord. Nesta snorted when Gwyn threw at scowl in Emerie’s way. Before she could even touch the chair, Tarquin hastily pulled it back, “please allow me,” he said with a charming smile.  


No words came out of Gwyn so she just nodded in acceptance. When Tarquin’s hand brushed her bare shoulders as he removed his hands from her chair, she felt a delicious warmth spreading all across her body. Goosebumps erupted along her skin and Gwyn tightened her legs together at the sudden and unexpected feeling between them. When she looked up, she noticed that Tarquin’s smile had turned into a smirk that he was trying to conceal. *Oh gods*, Gwyn thought and wanted to smack herself for acting so ridiculous. *Pull yourself together*.   


Fortunately, wine was served as soon as everyone was seated. Gwyn thanked the gods for the alcohol that would surely help calm her nerves. The conversation went on smoothly between everyone around the table. Tarquin and Cresseida seemed fascinated with the three females’ attempt to revive the old Valkyries while including new techniques and strategies. Nesta, Emerie and Gwyn were in turn thrilled to hear about the High Lord’s desire to unite High Fae and Lesser faeries. Being part lesser Fae herself, Gwyn couldn’t help but beam at the kindness and compassion of the High Lord. Though she had to admit that she had also been beaming for other reasons as well.   


The wine has been very effective in helping her relax. In fact, she had drank so much to ‘relax’ that she was now a little tipsy. Not drunk. Just tipsy. With every sip she took, Gwyn found herself talking, smiling and laughing more. She had even dared to slightly graze Tarquin’s fingers when he had given her back the glass of wine that he had refilled for her. Just like it had happened earlier, she had felt the lingering feeling of his skin on hers. Her body felt hotter every time Tarquin would lean towards her when he wanted to ask her something about herself.   


She knew he wasn’t indifferent to her either. She was neither blind nor clueless. Gwyn noticed how, when she wasn’t looking at him, Tarquin would still be looking at her. She saw how his smirk grew wider every time she laughed. Heard how he laughed louder than everyone else at her silly jokes. Gwyn thought that, because of his rank as High Lord, there was little chance that whatever was happening would end up being a fairytale. But she wanted to revel in the delicious feeling that their interaction was causing.   


“I am afraid that the General of the Night Court has  committed some damage in this court that now prevents him from coming here.” Tarquin was addressing Nesta but Gwyn had no idea how this conversation had started. “But you are very welcome here. I hope you wont resent us for resenting your mate though I totally understand if you do.’’  


Nesta scoffed and smiled as she swirled her wine around in her glass. “I am mated to him. I know him well enough to know that whatever you’re mad at him for, he probably deserves it. That is why I have absolutely no guilt about being here.”

Gwyn snorted loudly and immediately covered her mouth. “I’m very sorry,” she said but did not stop laughing.   


“Don’t apologise. That was cute,” Tarquin smirked at Gwyn and she blushed furiously. “You are very funny,” he laughed as he shook his head slightly.   


“Thank you. And you are very charming,” it was her turn to smirk when he stopped laughing to look at her.   


“Is that so?” Tarquin asked, his grin returning.   


Instead of giving him an answer, Gwyn felt emboldened and winked at him. Tarquin raised an eyebrow at her and all the heat in her body rushed down to settle in her core. With how close their seats were to each other now, Gwyn knew it was impossible for him not to notice the scent of her evergrowing arousal. She found that she didn’t feel embarrassed at all. And that was because she could smell his as well.   


A few moments later, Varian excused himself and mentioned that it was time for him to leave. Nesta, Emerie and Cresseida also stood up from their seats to leave. Gwyn stood as well. But she found that she was not yet ready to go to sleep. She looked beyond the balcony, at the horizon, where the sun had long set and where the moon had been reflecting on the sea for a long while. The song of the sea again drowned all the voices of the others exchanging their goodnights around her.   


“Would you like to have a closer look at the ocean?” Tarquin offered beside Gwyn. She hadn’t notice that she had walked so close to the stone railing that her hands now rested on top of it. Gwyn looked back at her sisters who were waiting for her.   


“Could you please give me a minute?” Gwyn told Tarquin with a smile and she hoped that he understood she wasn’t about to run away. He nodded and Gwyn went to join Nesta and Emerie. “I will be fine, I promise,” Gwyn reassured her sisters as she hugged them.   


“Do you still have your dagger with you?” Nesta asked and Gwyn patted her covered thigh, indicating the weapon hidden beneath her dress. Better be safe than sorry.   


“Always,” Gwyn responded with a mischievous grin.   


Emerie narrowed her eyes at Gwyn. “High Lord or not, if anything bad happens, go for the balls first.”  


Gwyn laughed and watched her sisters leave for their room. Then she turned to the handsome Tarquin who gave no indication that he had heard anything of her conversation with her sisters. He extended a hand towards her. Gwyn took it, still intent on following the song that had been calling to her ever since she had set foot in this place. “Lead the way.”

A Pearl For Luck by sunshinebingo