Rhys and I went to the Library that afternoon he was to meet with the Priestess while I had checked the modifications of the Library, the clean up after the twin ravens had destroyed most of the lower levels. As I walked back down the stairs, Fae light bobbing before me, it was a little brighter down here than I remembered, I looked up. A window, I smiled knowingly, I hadn't been down here since the day with those two Hybern commanders when I had made a bargain with Briyaxis. I hadn't seen the window yet, though I had retrieved Briyaxis Amren had been the one to put the creature back into the library and rebuilt the wards that contained it. As I had gotten to the lower levels of the Library most of the shelves were picked up; dusty old books strewn about tables, on the floor. Some lay in Ashes on the floor destroyed, my heart sank at the sight of those destroyed books and scrolls. Pieces of Pyrithian's history gone; I picked up the remnants off the floor the ash staining my fingers black.

A slight caress of my inner shields had me Straightening almost immediately

I'm fine Rhy's said through the bond, I had no idea I'd left my Shields down long enough for him to see the panic in my heart.

I'm alive and well, mostly wondering where it is my mate ran off to He asked

Second to last floor

He was there before I could even take another breath, his hand a steady weight on my back, I said nothing.

"Feyre."

"it's gone…" was all I had managed to say before his arms were around me I breathed in his scent as if to reassure myself that he was there that's this was real.

"I am very real." He reassured me pulling away I flashed him a small smile

"I don't think I ever realized the cost of war" I said looking at the piles of burned books and scrolls

"it's an after fact, nobody notices the real cost until the war is over. A single life lost is abhorrent of course, but the way we live our lives are changed." He said looking at me, a hint of sorrow in his voice.

"we will never stop paying the price, will we?" I questioned

"No." was the only answer as he pulled me into him

Rhys and I had sat in the lower levels of the library for hours, holding each other in complete silence, I walked out into the streets of Velaris feeling lighter than I had in months. We walked back to the townhouse with only a few hours left till dinner the house was empty, Rhysand didn't even bother to walk to our room before laying me onto the carpet to make love to me

It was hours later that we flew over the city to the house of wind, the cool autumn breeze a soft caress on my face as we landed on the veranda. I had dressed in a simple sheer black gown the sleeves long and lace reached to gather round my middle finger. Rhys had worn a dark blue tunic accented with silver thread and simple black pants.

Mor was already in the dining area when we had arrived, she wore a tight red Velvet dress that had hugged her curves, she smiled as we walked in a glass of wine already in hand.

"I wasn't aware this was a formal event" Rhysand teased

"We'll at least our High Lady Knows a thing or two about the night court fashion, besides who's closet would I raid if Feyre wasn't around" She said swirling her wine

"I've never seen you wear that dress." Rhy's said gawking at me

"I bought it ages ago, I couldn't really think of anywhere to wear the dress to." I responded Scratching the back of my head.

"I could think of a few places" he retorted a devilish smile appearing on his face, he grabbed me by the waist and before our lips could even meet Cassian's voice interjected.

"Get a room!" He shouted the rest of our court filing into the dining area behind him my sisters Elain and Nest included. Elian though not directly a member of our court was included in almost all of our court gathering's, Lucien had been Caldron knows where I hadn't heard from him in months; though that didn't seem to concern his mate. Elain and Lucien's relationship had been rocky at best, it might have been better yet that she hadn't heard from him.

Nesta had been appointed our emissary to the human lands during the war; her dealings these days were mostly simple, at least when it had come to Vassa's territory. The Sixth queen who we had discovered was not ill but cursed by her sisters an animal by day and beautiful human woman by night. Juarian had become her emissary after the war to no one's surprise. I would have to remind myself to write to him myself, to see how things were going with the other human queen's.

Once we were all accounted for we sat at the huge Dining table Rhys across from me Mor at my left side and Nesta at my right Ameren sat at the head of the table casually picking at the plate of food before her. Her eating actual food was something I would have to get used to since she was now High Fae.

"How did the meeting with the governesses go?" Rhysand said looking up from his plate I had half expected Mor to bite his head off. To my surprise she didn't, she just poured herself another glass of wine and responded "Fine, there has been trouble from a few select members of the Hewn city but a visit to your other court should solve that. So it went no different than I had anticipated, I assured the governesses that their High Lord and Lady would handle the situation." She winked at me

"What about the meeting with the other high lords?" Cassian Interjected I responded before my mate

"No one's happy with the way the court lines were redrawn, arguing and bickering is all it is going to be. Most likely from the Autumn court"

Rhysand grabbed the almost empty bottle of Wine pouring the remainder into his glass "Beron can throw a hissy fit all he wants about having to give up some of his lands to the Spring court, this is more about the wall and we all know it. there are those who would wish to see the wall replaced."

"That's Absurd." Mor spat "Hasn't this war proved enough that our two peoples can live side by side?"

Azriel's voice was dark but smooth as he said, "The other human queens are still factor; as they still remain hold up in their castle." His gaze shifted to my sister Nesta "Have you heard from Vassa in recent months?"

Nesta's response was cold "No."

"Care to Elaborate?" I shot before giving her a chance to respond; I was getting rather Irritated with her carelessness these days.

"Juarian has sent letters, but nothing regarding the remaining queens. I Would be surprised to know if he has even seen Vassa since the war, due to her curse." She responded

"She's not at court?" Rhys Questioned rising an Eyebrow

"Not as far as it seems." Nesta said finishing her food; the rest of the table was silent

"And you have failed to communicate this to us why?" I snapped Rhys looked at me with mild concern, he knew my sister Nesta was hard to deal with.

"I didn't think it was important, I mostly assumed you already knew." She shrugged from the corner of my eye I saw Cassian roll his eyes.

"Nesta!" I shouted at her "That why you are our emissary, you are supposed to tell us these things, dealing with the human queens. It is important your position and it's important to our court!"

She only shrugged, my body raged at her indifference, I knew everyone at the table could smell the anger seething off me. Before I could say another word a small soft voice said, "I'll go, speak to Juarian, and ask him about Vassa's disappearance in court." Elain was pale as the words spilled out and almost everyone at the table gaped at her except for Nesta.

"You will do no such thing." Nesta hissed

"you aren't my keeper." Elain responded, "I am going to help Feyre." Then she got up from the dinner table without another word and left the room.

"Like hell I am not." Nesta said shooting a glare at me and following Elain up the stairs to their joining rooms.

I loosed a too tight breath I could feel everyone's eyes on me I looked at Rhysand "You know Feyre darling; you Archeron women are quite a handful." Rhysand said to me, Mor spewed her wine on the table laughing along with Cassian.

"Watch your tongue" Amren crooned to Rhys, "Or our lovely Feyre here will have your head." I laughed and shot Rhys a vulgar gesture then purely of magic a large piece of chocolate cake appeared in front of me, my dinner plate gone entirely. I grinned and giggled at my mate a fork digging into my desert.

"Where's mine?" Mor complained and a large piece appeared in front of her too she began to devour it before saying thank you.

"That time of the month?" Cassian mused and Mor and I glared at him our mouths full of cake.

Rhysand laughed than began talking to Cassian about his most recent visit to the Illyrian war camps then the two moved onto other topics Mor and I moved into the sitting room drinking the remainder of the wine and discussing her meeting with the Governesses'. We both winnowed back to the townhouse just after midnight, Leaving Rhys, Cassian and, Azriel still drinking and chatting up at the House of wind. I was exhausted, passing out on the bed without even climbing under the covers. I slept fitfully despite my exhaustion tossing and turning I dreamed of Amarantha, the King of Hybern, I dreamed of Rhysand that moment on the battlefield when his heart stopped beating. That moment I saw his chest no longer rising and falling. I jolted awake, my face was slick with sweat and nausea roiled in my gut I ran for the bathing room, Emptying the contents of my stomach into the toilet. Then before I could take a breath cool strong hands were caressing my back

"Breathe." Rhysand's voice said and I obeyed inhaling his salt and Citrus Scent before everything became a dark cool blur.

AN:

I hope you guys like it, as always I love reviews so let me know how I am doing.

I have left quite a few threads open in the story line so Lets see where this goes ;)

Thanks for reading!