Chapter Two:
"Rhysand..." Amarantha purred, drawing out each letter of my name. It made me want to cringe. Instead I flashed a cocky smile as I strode onto her bed and lounged beside her. She lifted a perfect pale hand to my face and ran her finger down the edge of my jaw, allowing it to land on my chest and toy with the buttons on my shirt. I wasn't at all surprised she wanted to see me after the events of yesterday. I had been listening in to every mind I could. Trying to see if Amarantha had spilled any plans on what was to happen at the trials. To no avail...

"Well that was certainly unexpected..." I tested. Catching her hand and touching it to my lips.
"That's an understatement." She said watching me with careful eyes. "You know, I was quite upset that you of all people weren't able to tell the difference between Clare and Feyre, I almost felt like an idiot up there..." She frowned. "I don't take well to being made a fool Rhysand." There was some bite to her tone that I needed to ease.

I suppose she was going right to the point then.
"How was I suppose to know? Tamlin probably had her Glamoured when I paid my visit." I laced my words with slight annoyance, allowing the tone to drip with boredom. "Plus" I said with a wave of my hand. "They all look the same to me, disgusting human things..."
I traced my thumb along her frown lines, watching her mouth pull up into a crude half smile. So she liked that then. Good.

"You know, if you keep doing that, those lines won't leave your beautiful face." I purred into her ear in a raspy whisper that I knew put her in the mood. "Relax." I sighed and pulled her face against mine. I could feel the disgust start to pool in my stomach as I slid my tongue against her bottom lip, begging her to let me in. She pulled away, a breathy laugh escaping.
"I just need you to be on high alert while these trials are taking place. If she got this far, who knows who's helping her." Amarantha paused as I slid my hand between her thighs, making lazy circles with my thumb. She bit her lip and gazed at me. "I mean we should keep close tabs on Lucian, as well as anybody from the Spring Court."

"As you wish." I said with a tilt of my head. Amarantha wasn't a fool despite her feeling like one with the shock of Feyres arrival. It's going to be a fine line I walk these next few months. I unleashed the full power of my gaze on her as I found her lips again. Trailing down her chest and cupping her breast in my hand. She let out a small moan as I touched my tongue to her, sliding my fingers inside her.
She let out a low growl and ordered me to take her. Honestly? Sooner the better...
I lost myself then, trying to think of anything other than what was happening in front of me. I moaned when I knew she wanted me too, putting on a show she loved to eat up.

Our bodies became so sweaty by the time she had found her release. I slid off and lay on my back, our panting the only sound in the room. I looked over, her long red hair sprawled out all around her.
"Have you decided what to do for the first trial yet?" I figured her walls would be easier to break down when she felt the most at ease.
"Not confirmed yet, but I have an idea." She admitted. I gave her a cocky half smile.
"You'll be the only one to know, so if anything is leaked your head will be on a spike." She cooed, running a hand through my hair.
"Go on..." I breathed.
"I was playing around with the idea of unleashing her in a Stadium with a Bogge. I doubt she has ever encountered one, and even if she has, and knows not to look at it, she would then have to fight with no sight. Only a High Lord has been able to take care of one of those. I doubt she would persevere." Amarantha cackled, her head pushing back in her pillow ever so slightly, she added "What fun would it be to see her get shredded by such a creature, or descend into madness as it strips her sanity piece by piece!" She clapped her hands together in delight. All I could think was NO. If Feyre has to go up against a Bogge the trials were over before they even began. I needed to convince her that it'll end too quickly and the entire Court will be disappointed. I should have known she wasn't going to give Feyre a fair chance.

"Hmm... That's hardly entertainment Amarantha..." I shook my head and half snorted.
"Oh?" She quipped. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, the Bogge will kill her too quickly and where is the excitement in that? Your Court has been waiting for something this fun for decades. Why not give them something that'll last more than a minute. You know the Bogge is too powerful..."
Amarantha seemed to quiet a little bit and gave me a side long glance before looking back up at the ceiling. She tapped her finger against her chin and then snapped her fingers. I could hear a bath starting poor itself.
"Maybe you're right... But what would be the perfect monster?"
"Does it have to be a duel?" I tried, seeing if maybe I could instill a different idea in her altogether- one that was a little less dangerous. Amarantha jumped up and combed her fingers through her hair.
"I've got it!" She practically squealed. "The Wyrm!" She waved a hand at me dismissing me altogether as she retreated into the bathing room.
"Now, I've had enough of your banter Rhysand, you can go fill your time with anything else. I thank you for the input though, High Lord of Darkness." She purred.
I only bowed every so slightly and snapped my fingers. My clothes were instantly back on my body and I was already leaving her room. I sighed a healthy distance away. I could work with the Middengard Wrym. It would still be a challenge, the creature is still lethal, but at least it gave Feyre a fighting chance. I summoned Naula and Cerridwen, speaking to them as quick as night. I told them to check in on Feyre, report to me if she needs any healing. I wasn't going to let Amarantha run her ragged. I wasn't going to let the wretched witch win. There was only a week until her first Trial, and I was going to do anything I could to keep this opportunity alive.

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