Chapter Two

It didn't seem right that the sun continued to beat down on the worn earth and I could still hear the faint calls of birds over the sounds of the busy camp. I kept myself calm by focusing on gathering information. Everything I uncovered allowed my friends and family to come closer to defeating Hybern for good.

I winced slightly as my head throbbed painfully, a reminder that my sanity was hanging by a thread. Pushing the feelings of dread and grief away, I let myself be absorbed by the same iciness that allowed me to push the knife into the hearts of innocent victims. That allowed me to destroy myself to save a man who didn't truly love me.

Tamlin held my hand as we wound our way through the crowded campsite in the direction of the largest tent in the camp. I could have found my way blindfolded. The magic of the Cauldron sang to me, growing stronger with each step even with the obvious warding Hybern created to keep it safe.

As we walked, I curiously eyed the variety of soldiers that milled around performing their tasks or just sitting around. I took an instinctive step back when a massive spindly fae stepped over us without seeming to notice us. Gawking slightly, I noticed that its dark grey limbs seemed to have extra joints and shivered at the sight of the stained, jagged nails that tipped its hands.

I didn't enjoy how so many of Hybern's soldiers leered at me as I walked in their midst. This dress made me look like bait, a true victim. For once, I was almost glad that Tamlin was nearby. At least I could count on him for violence.

As if triggered by my thoughts, Tamlin gave a low growl and suddenly the soldiers found something to busy themselves with. My magic rose in me at the threat and I wished I could demonstrate who the real monster was here. I felt like I was barely in control of myself. The Cauldron's song made it hard to think, hard to breathe.

It was almost a relief to reach the command tent and move away from the gazes of the kind of monsters Hybern used to destroy Prythian. The tent was cool and dark and I listened curiously to a discussion of troop supplies. Tamlin cleared his throat and the men exited the tent quickly—I guess he wasn't completely convinced that he could trust me yet.

Somehow, this close to the Cauldron, the sound of its power became like a great, terrible silence in my head and heart. Hello strange one, it seemed to croon.

Hello, you oversized bathtub, I snarled back.

Scanning the tent with my powers, I eyed two fae that lounged on cushions in the shadows of the room. Something about them made even the magic in me recoil in disgust.

A movement from the table made me shift my attention to the biggest threat in the room…the king of Hybern. He ignored them for a long moment in favor of continuing to study the map that was spread over a massive wooden table. I had just begun to edge a little closer to try to make out the information when Hybern spoke in a deceptively pleasant voice," Tamlin…I thought you would be on your way south by now."

Tamlin shifted and looked at me guiltily, "I wanted to ensure that Feyre woke up and was appraised of the situation."

Hybern finally looked up with a mocking smile that made Tamlin bristle beside me, "We do not have time to allow your romantic dramas impede with the progress of war."

As he spoke, I could've sworn I felt something stirring in the room but I couldn't afford to be distracted from the monster in front of me.

Sighing, Tamlin took both my hands so that I was forced to look up at him, "I'm so sorry Feyre. I have to escort a legion through the Spring Court and address some issues there. In the mean time, Hybern has requested that you perform the task in return for his assistance against the Night Court."

He directed the rest of the message to the king, "Lucien will remain here and make sure she's safe."

Hybern shrugged, "I have no intentions of killing her, my dear High Lord." His low voice made my headache and sweat trickle down my spine. I couldn't decide if it was better or worse to be trapped in this camp with Hybern or back in the Spring Court with Tamlin.

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to respond, "How do I know that the task you require won't kill me instead?" Hybern's eyes shifted to my hands and I had to will them to stop glowing like embers dug out of a fire.

His eyes gleamed dimly in the gloom of the tent, "Your powers are far to interesting for me to dispose of you just yet…so long as you behave yourself."

I chewed on my lower lip, weighing my options. Finally, I settled on the decision that would help the Night Court the most—even if I returned to them as a shell of my former self. "Go, Tamlin. I'll see you when you return," I glanced over at Lucien, "We'll be fine." Lucien nodded and I could tell he had his own reasons for remaining with me but that was a problem for another day.

Tamlin still looked unsure but he nodded and gave a meaningful look to Lucien. Moving briskly, as though he'd lose his nerve, Tamlin brushed a kiss across my cheek that made me want to puke and walked out of the tent.

There was a moment of silence as Hybern and I just stared at each other. I knew that he never believed that I was in love with Tamlin. He knew exactly what he'd destroyed. The thought made me grind my teeth and frost slowly grow up the sides of the massive table.

Hybern's smile widened and I resisted the urge to bare my teeth at him, "Now that he's gone, we can be honest with each other." He moved around the table to sit in one of the large chairs placed around it.

"Your loyalties no longer belong to our naïve Lord of Spring." I shifted, looking guiltily at Lucien but he didn't look terribly shocked. I suppose that could be added to the list of things we'd talk about later. In some ways, it was a relief to not have to pretend for a while.

"…but I have no interests in these foolish love triangles. I require your assistance to retrieve the Book of Breathings that was stolen from me."

I laughed bitterly, "Why in the world would I want to help you do anything? I know exactly what that Book can be used for." At least one thing went right that night.

"Have a look at the map you were trying so desperately to see earlier." My face burned but I stepped closer. Information was information.

My eyes widened in horror when I traced the familiar terrain of the Night Court and the heart of the Court of Dreamers. Velaris. The city of stars.

Hybern continued as though I'd responded to the implied threat, "You see, I'm willing to ignore the pet city of the Night Court as I continue to conquer Prythian." He waved a hand, "I do not wish to destroy all the cultural hubs in my new territory and I know a great many fae who are interested in gaining entrance to such a place."

Nausea churned in my gut. No. They couldn't take away the refuge for so many.

My hands clenched and I smelled the sharp tang of blood when my nails bit into my palms, "I cannot surrender all of Prythian to keep one city safe, " I gritted out.

I'm sorry Rhys. Mor. Cassian. Azriel.

He chuckled, "So noble. What if I sweetened the deal for you?"

I arched an eyebrow and focused on keeping my features blank as I tried desperately to plot some way to save everyone and everything I loved.

"My new lands are also in need of powerful new leaders to ensure the…peace is maintained." My eyes widened as I realized what he implied, " I can offer you the lives of your new friends and the safety of Velaris in return for your cooperation."

The room seemed to spin and I rubbed against the pounding in my temples, "Why would you do this?"

"You wound me Feyre…I am not some sort of villain in a fairy tale." I wanted to laugh but all my stomach could do was think of vomiting.

"Even if I agreed to your terms, you would have to trust me to enter into the Night Court alone to retrieve the Book."

I could go back, back to Rhys. Somehow we could fix the mate bond, I just knew it. Somehow we could go back o the way we were—the way we were supposed to be.

Hybern's face became shrewd, "That is one option…"

The look is his eye made me take an involuntary step back, but it was already too late. A wave of magic swept through the room and I gasped as it seemed to take all of my powers with it. The loss was jarring, painful and my knees hit the thick carpet with a dull thud. Panicking, I backed away from Hybern and called out to Lucien, "Lucien! Run!"

He remained standing, eyes unfocused and unseeing, arms slack at his side. A mean laugh echoed through the room and the two fae slowly walked over to the red headed male's side. The female brushed aside his hair fondly, "Isn't she sweet? Trying to save dear Lucien when he's already gone…"

I gasped, realizing with horror what the magic I'd sensed earlier had truly been. Daemati.

Turning back to Hybern, I growled, "Why are you doing this?"

He stood, stretching comfortably, "I was certain you would not be a fan of the methods I plan to use to ensure you remain loyal, so I decided to remove the element of consent entirely."

Hybern brushed a strand of hair away from my face, "Dagdan, Brannagh, try not to break her, won't you?"