I couldn't stand this place anymore. Tamlin had been too overprotective of me ever since I was brought back and had assigned one too many guards near me. I hadn't even been able to leave the mansion or do anything, but what was new about that?

The bond with Rhys wasn't completely hidden in us and I could get feelings from him from time to time, and in rarest moments, a word or two. I had yet to send a letter to him; if I were caught it would mean doom for us all. I disliked keeping the glamour on to hide the tattoo signifying that I was High Lady or the damper I had to put on myself to keep my High Ladyness (was that even a word?) hidden.

I trailed my fingers down the railing of the stairwell, my skirts swishing on the steps. I was once again forced to wear these hideous dresses, fake a smile and once more live miserably in the Spring Court. I missed Velaris, the Night Court, Amren, Mor, Cas, Azriel and most of all, my mate, my love, MY Rhys.

I took my sweet time getting to breakfast. I couldn't wait to eat with Tamlin boggling me with his eyes and Lucien once more giving me glares of suspicion. Waves of calm rippled through me through the bond and the tension in me lifted a little at the sense that Rhys was there with me. I smiled to myself and sent down little ripples of love of my own down.

But I couldn't help a twinge of annoyance that Ianthe hadn't been apprehended. She had mysteriously disappeared as soon as we got back from Hybern, no doubt fleeing back to the King for security. Tamlin had promised me again and again that he would get her back but I felt that it was another promise which would never be fulfilled.

Opening the door, I found Tamlin and Lucien already seated, both looking at me. However, Tamlin didn't sit at the head of the table-The King of Hybern did. With Jurian standing beside him. Fear went through me and I stumbled a step as they turned to me.

"Hello again." Jurian gave me a saccharine smile.

Concern, fear, and fury went through the bond. I regained my balance and looked at Tamlin. Keeping my voice fairly calm, I asked, "What are they doing here?"

Tamlin had the decency to look ashamed. The King answered for him, "Sit down."

I stood for a while longer before Tamlin found his voice and murmured my name. I hated that I had to do as he asked, but I had to if I wanted to keep my mask on. I took the seat next to Tamlin. Next to him, second to him, never equals.

"I am here to collect the debt you owe me for obtaining the bride. Remember that I get to take down the wall with your help-and your pets' of course." The King calmly said.

My fists clenched at his words. Tamlin's pet? I was nothing of his. A memory flashed through me-from Rhys's mind, not mines.

'"Ah," the king said to me, clicking his tongue, "that. Look at you. A child of all seven courts-like and unlike all. How the Cauldron purrs in your presence. Did you plan to use it? Destroy it? With that book, you could do anything you wished."

She didn't say anything. The king shrugged. "You'll tell me soon enough."

"I made no bargain with you."

"No, but your master did, so you will obey."

Rage that matched Feyre's poured into me with those words. How dare he speak in such a way to MY mate? I would kill him right there and then if it hadn't been for the poison slowly worming its way into Azriel's heart.

I was proud of her when she said the next words.

She hissed at Tamlin, "If you bring me from here, if you take me from my mate (clearly me and not Tamlin), I will destroy you. I will destroy your court, and everything you hold dear.

Delight sprang in me which once more turned into molten rage as Tamlin's lips thinned and said, "You don't know what you're talking about."

I would help my mate destroy him and rip him to shreds if it was the last thing I did, placing his carcass next to a similar one of the King.'

The memory ended, and Tamlin's voice came into focus. I was taken aback from what had just happened-was the bond slowly healing itself, slowly increasing in power to be what it used to be?

"Feyre is still recovering from the Night Court-"

"It has been a week Tamlin. I am sure she is done recovering and it can be ended today. Now."

I hid the scowl that threatened to float on the surface due to the fact that they were talking about me like I wasn't even in the room. Jurian caught my eye and grinned at me with a wicked gleam in his eyes. I held his gaze, determined not to back down.

Feyre.

There it was-Rhys's voice in my head. Maybe it was true, the bond was returning to what it used to be. But now there were bigger things to worry about. Jurian strode to my direction, my eyes never leaving his. He stood behind my chair, Tamlin and the King's conversation forgotten.

A few moments passed and I was pretty sure he was holding my chair with his hands. I felt his breath on my neck as he spoke. "Oh, I'm pretty sure she's ready and fairly… recovered. She doesn't even flinch. Perhaps Rhys taught her a thing or two."

Tamlin growled at him. I narrowed my eyes and felt Rhys's relief when Jurian moved away from me. It seemed his predatory mask, or rather, master act was still on. The King merely chuckled and hooked a finger at one of the servants to come forward. "Bring our gift."

The servant scuttled away, one of the lesser faeries who worked alongside Alis.

"What would you want us to do?" Lucien asked.

"Well, firstly, I would very much like to know what happened with Feyre and Rhys at the Night Court. Did he train you? I would like to exploit the powers I saw that night." The King cocked his head in my direction.

"I-"

"Feyre will do no such thing. She is a symbol of peace for the people, she will not awaken her powers for your propaganda. If she were to, all the other six courts would most likely hunt her down, especially the Night Court." Tamlin snarled.

"And yet before she was taken away she wished to train and learn more about her powers. She wanted to use her powers for your people, but you refused. Perhaps that was even part of the reason why it was so easy for Rhysand to get to her, to use her and bring her to his court. Do you not think he trained her? Or what would you call that power of light that same night you got back your bride, that same night our bargain was fulfilled where I would get all the help you could get and give me. So do not go back on our bargain, Tamlin, and you will do exactly as I ask."

"You turned her sisters into fae," Lucien said in a voice that was not entirely his. "One of them was my mate, and you forced her into something that was inhumane, just to prove to those mortal queens that immortality was safe!"

I wanted to say something but none of them would allow it. Rage once more flowed in me but it was soothed by Rhys's darkness.

The servant returned, holding out a bottle of champagne. "A gift, for the Spring Court to show that I do not mean harm."

I eyed it suspiciously, and to my surprise, so did Tamlin and Lucien. "Pour a glass for the eye of the topic, would you?" The King waved a hand at me.

I sat there as the servant poured a glass for me. I sat there as she set the bottle on the table and was dismissed.

Finding my voice, I spoke. "Tamlin made a bargain that seemed reasonable to him, and I agree with that. However, what Lucien said was true too. You endangered my sisters' life by forcing them into the Cauldron, and I don't believe that that had been part of the bargain. You used Ianthe in your wicked scheme and you refuse us justice by letting her run back to you. You owe us something because of that and I demand my help to not be included."

There was silence. Then the King started laughing. It started off as a chuckle, then full, hysterical howls of laughter, which was soon joined by Jurian's chuckling.

"You are in no position to demand anything from me, girl. You are a mere child among adults in here, a chick among foxes. As for Ianthe, yes, she is being kept with me and being rewarded for her help in apprehending your sisters. But what do I care? If anything, Tamlin should put you on a leash and leave you in the corner of the room."

I could feel anger simmering in me, fire raging in my veins. Then, without realizing it, I exploded.

The curtains around me lit on fire, I lighted everything on fire, everything went up in flames and ashes and smoke, and only Rhys's and my own darkness kept me grounded.

Realizing what I did, I sent apologies down the bond for having perhaps broken the façade of the spy I was to be but was met with satisfaction instead. I was taken aback when I heard Rhys's voice.

Trust me, I would have done much worse.

Really? And I thought you were the more composed one.

I felt laughter down the bond.

How are we doing this-talking to each other? I thought the bond was broken.

You got it right, the bond is healing itself. Sure it takes up a bit more to communicate but it should be the same in a week or so.

"Feyre, what the hell did Rhys do to you?"

Try to act it out.

I know what to do Rhys. Unlike someone, I don't need repeated amounts of coddling.

But you do need repeated amounts of stroking… and licking…

Prick.

"Feyre?" Tamlin repeated.

I willed my face into horror and tears to spring to my eyes.

"Tamlin-I-I am so sorry, I didn't mean to do anything, the king, he-"

"Uncovered your Autumn Court powers. You should thank me."

Tamlin whirled on him. "You did this to her-You planned this."

"I never do anything without reason."

I noticed the glass of champagne still on the table. It hadn't been touched in the slightest way. However, the glass of champagne in front of me was shattered, and I realised the alcohol most probably helped in spreading the fire. The king noticed me staring at it and smiled. "That is to show that no matter what you do, I will not be affected by it little one. Rather, I may expand those powers to my uses. Ready yourself tomorrow. Jurian will be taking you near the wall to see what you can do." He stood up. "Make sure she comes." He was very clearly speaking to Tamlin, who he still thought owned me, and then left, Jurian trailing behind him.

"I think-I'm going to go," I said and left the room. I could hear Tamlin giving orders to Lucien to clean up the room and coming after me so I winnowed myself into my room, locking the door with my magic and glamouring it so even that beast wouldn't be able to come in.

Rhys… I'm going to be alone with Jurian.

You'll be alright. I'm pretty sure you can take care of yourself. If not, I could also come over and bring you back… which depends on what you want.

I smiled at the fact that he still gave me a choice about what I wanted to do.

I will always let you make your own decisions, Feyre. I won't be Tamlin 2.0

When do you say 2.0?

What, I can't be a little modern from time to time?

You tell me, you're the 500-year-old High Lord.

Your 500-year-old High Lord.

That's creepy when you say that.

Is it creepy when I'm inside of you?

I hissed.

Prick.

Second time today… to what do I owe the pleasure?

I laughed, for the first time since being stuck back here, actually feeling a little less lost and miserable for once.