I expected to wake up in chains or back at the gilded prison that Tamlin had so carefully created for me. Instead I found myself in a relatively sparse room, decorated only with a thick rug, a dresser, and the bed I currently sat in. The walls looked to be made of a sturdy grey fabric that reminded my of the tents the Illyrians used in their mountain camps.

The thought of those high mountain ranges and soaring skies…of him made me lose my breath. Instinctively I reached for him, clutching at the tattered fragments of my mate bond.

Where is he where is he where is he

I forced my thoughts away from the terrified keening sounds that kept echoing in my lonely head, I took stock of my surroundings. Sometime after I'd collapsed, someone had removed my Illyrian leathers and weapons in favor of a soft cotton tunic and leggings. I gritted my teeth and refused to wonder who had done this.

Outside, I could hear the sounds of several unfamiliar voices and the noises of a busy camp. Where was Tamlin? Or Hybern for that matter? Did my attempt to save Rhys and the others fail?

Rhys, the broken part of me whispered, he's gone. He'll never forgive me for this. This will destroy him.

I refused to let that moment of horror and pain be the last time I saw my family. I couldn't let that be my last moment with Rhys.

I'll come back, I whispered, as though my words could reach him, I swear I'll come back.

Throwing my legs over the side of the bed, I tried not to look at where the tattoo used to curl in delicate whorls over my wrist and palm. Without it, I felt naked like I was missing a key piece of my identity. I wondered when I'd become so attached to the tattoo that symbolized one of the most helpless moments of my life. When had the memories shifted to peace and feelings of love.

Padding to the dresser, I looked through the drawers with disgust. Tamlin had ensured that they were filled with gauzy, light dresses—nothing like the Illyrian leathers I'd arrived in. I grabbed the simplest one in a pale grey and quickly changed into it. I hated how these clothes made me look weak, fragile—but it would be their mistake if they believed it.

As I changed, I carefully, meticulously, tucked away the pieces of that were reborn in the Night Court. I made my heart into shadow and bone once more.

There was a polite knock on the post that supported the entrance to my tent, but Tamlin and Lucien entered before I could respond. Tamlin's bright eyes took in the dress and my bare hand and relaxed slightly.

He cleared his throat, "Feyre, I…I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. We were called away by the king."

Lucien's eye bored into mine as if I could reveal the location of Elain through sheer force of will. Part of me thought he deserved this suffering. Deserved to be kept from his mate—just like I was. A very small voice in my heart whispered that he was as much a victim of Tamlin's selfishness as I was.

I bit my lip and remained where I was standing, several feet away, "So you're working for Hybern now?" I made my voice sound confused, weak even though it drove me mad to do so.

Running his hands through his blonde hair, Tamlin took a step towards me, "Feyre, I went mad when you disappeared and when I got that note I knew he must have done something to you." He continued with a slight smile when I frowned, " I knew you never learned how to read or write…I mean, you nearly bit my head off when I tried to help you learn."

I blinked. That was the reason he thought Rhysand had kidnapped me? That was the reason I'd been ripped from the Night Court and my sister's sacrificed to the Cauldron? A hysterical laugh bubbled out of me as I fought to keep from hyperventilating or screaming. I wasn't sure which.

"Feyre?" He sounded concerned now, but I waved him off, spinning my lie with ease.

"I wondered if you would realize what was happening…" I gave him a wobbly smile, tears stinging my eyes, "Rhysand," I was proud my voice didn't break at the mention of his name," was so sure you would leave me alone after you got it."

Tamlin's relieved smile would have been like glorious sunlight to the girl I'd once been, but the new me had been reborn in the light of the stars. He closed the distance between us and gently ran the tips of his fingers along my cheekbones. I closed my eyes, as though I was overcome with emotion to hide the feeling of revulsion.

"I would have torn apart the world to get you back."

I flinched at the parallel between Tamlin and the words Rhysand had once whispered to me. At the difference between being cherished and being caged.

I'm so sorry Rhys.

Lucien cleared his throat before Tamlin could lean in for a kiss, "We need to hurry. Hybern is not a patient man."

I froze in horror, "Hybern?" My eyes flicked over to Tamlin, trying to understand what was going on.

He sighed, "Feyre, I had to make a deal to ensure you were saved. Hybern…expects you to repay him for helping you escape the Night Court."

"He put my sisters in the Cauldron!" I spat.

Tamlin winced, "Please, I didn't know that Ianthe would do that to them. I am so sorry."

Ianthe. That bitch was living on borrowed time. I would make sure she suffered a slow death if only for putting that broken look in Nesta and Elain's eyes, for trying to touch Rhys.

I forced myself to calm at the matching expression of agony on Lucien's face. Yes, you care about the poor human now that you know she's your mate, don't you?

Tamlin continued, trying to calm my fury, "Hybern wants to meet to discuss the cost of rescuing you from the spell he put on you." He twisted a strand of my hair around a finger, "As soon as we fulfill the bargain we can go back to the Spring Court. We can go home again."

He was an idiot if he truly believed that I would ever want to return to his court. It was no longer my home, if it truly ever was.

Pursing my lips, I laced my fingers through his and let him pull me out of the tent and into the sunlight, "Let's go find out what Hybern wants."

Wait for me Rhys.