A/N: Sorry that this update is so late! College has been determined to take over my life and I have been doing more shifts at work to cover others. But finally, here it is!

Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews - it warms my heart to know that you are enjoying the story!

Enjoy this chapter!

Arwen4eva xxx

The arms hold me down, their grip unwavering.

"Feyre."

No!

Let me go!

I thrash, trying to escape the unseen force but it is no use. My eyes seem to be glued shut, not responding as I try to open them; trying to determine who is doing this to me.

"Feyre!"

The grip tightens, the pain increases.

I have to wake up.

I have to-

I shoot up in bed and am immediately met with striking violet orbs; Rhys. His large hands are gripping my arms tightly - exactly where the force had been holding me down, unrelenting. I look down to my hands and see that the sheets have been singed and the black fragments are falling from my fists.

"You're alright, darling." Rhys mumbles, drawing my gaze up.

The familiar rising sensation fills my chest and I quickly push Rhys off of me before running for the toilet. My hands cradle the porcelain as any trace of food removes itself from my stomach. I vaguely feel Rhys' presence behind me but don't acknowledge him until the retching ceases.

A blanket is wrapped tightly around my naked body by Rhys before his arms follow.

"I think that is it for today." I mumble, burrowing backwards into Rhys. He places his face into my neck, his warm breath fanning over me.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks me and I shrug.

"I don't remember what happened in this dream." I say honestly. I place my hands on his arms and stroke the skin there. "I just remember being held down and the waking up."

Rhys presses a kiss into my skin.

"I woke up to the covers burning and I saw that you were still dreaming so I tried waking you up. I'm sorry that I caused you so much distress, my darling."

I turn my head to look into his eyes, seeing the guilt there.

"No, Rhys. It is not your fault." I say, pressing a kiss to his chin. "These nightmares came back because of him. Soon, thanks to you and just as they did before, they will fade and our mornings will be far more pleasant than they are now."

Rhys smiles before holding me tighter.

"I have a few ideas on how I can make this morning more pleasant." Rhys says, a low rumble in my ear.

I turn in his arms, a small smirk on my lips.

"Perhaps we could start with something that doesn't require too much energy."

Rhys raises an eyebrow.

"And what would that be?"

"A bath."

...

"Not quite the water wolves you once conjured." Rhys comments as he runs a cloth over my back. "But they are quite magnificent."

I watch as my small birds fly around the bathing room, a calming edition to this early morning. Suddenly, Rhys' lips press against my spine, the washcloth within his hand moving to my front.

"What are you up to?" I ask, grabbing Rhys' hand before it reaches my breast.

"Enjoying this time with the most beautiful being possible." Rhys says before kissing his way to my shoulder and resting his chin against me. Almost automatically, I blush; still not quite used to Rhys' words.

"As much as it would be delightful and delicious to feel your body, again, we have to discuss something very important." I say, turning around and placing my hands on his shoulders, kneeling between his legs.

"And what is so important that it stops me from ravishing you?" Rhys asks playfully.

I look down into the steamy water before looking back up.

"Alis."

Rhys immediately sobers, his hands moving to hold my waist.

"We need to be smart about it, Feyre." he tells me.

"I know that. I can send a message to Lucien to ensure he is ready to come here." I say, moving a hand up to his cheek. "I can be quick inside the manor and Tamlin won't even know I am there."

"You are not going in there, Feyre." Rhys says. "I cannot have you deal with that monster again."

I lean forward so my forehead rests against his, our noses bumping against each other.

"He knows who I am and has only seen a small fraction of what I am capable of." I say, fixing my eyes to his and moving my body even closer. "If he so much as looks at me in the wrong way, he will be in pain for at least the next few decades."

Rhys pulls his head back slightly before dropping in onto my chest. I press a kiss to his hair, my hand playing with the shell of his ear.

"I still worry about you going, sweetheart." Rhys says into my skin. I tug on his hair and his head rises back up to look at mine. "What happened to you there..."

Rhys' voice trails off as his fingers run over my protruding rib bones and my collarbone.

"It will never happen again, Rhys." I say, my voice incredibly tender. "He cannot hurt me."

"But-"

"Rhys," I grab his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me. "I love you with everything I am but I will not hesitate in tying you up and going alone, if I must."

A grin forms on Rhys' words, something else replacing the fear and concern in his eyes.

"Tying me up, hey?" he drawls, pulling me closer so our chests are pressed together. "That does sound exciting."

I laugh slightly.

"You're impossible." I mutter, my gaze dropping to his luscious lips.

"Yet you love me anyway."

"Indeed I do."

I press a kiss to his lips. He tries to cling to me but I pull back, laughing again at his groan of disappointment.

"You do realise that I shall not change my mind, right?" I ask, my lips millimetres from his.

"I love it when you are so bloody stubborn." Rhys confesses, his lips fusing to mine.

Apparently, the time for talking has passed for now - not that I'm complaining...

...

We go to visit Cas later that morning, summoning my sisters, Mor and Az to join us.

Nesta sits beside Cas on the bed, I am sitting in the chair beside the bed with Rhys standing behind me, his hands on my shoulders. Az is standing at the foot of the bed with Mor, both listening to Rhys' plan and occasionally contributing.

My eyes, however, keep drifting to Elain who is standing beside the fireplace - on the other side of the room. Her eyes are distant, her hair down so it covers her ears - who she is now - and her arms are tightly crossed over her chest.

I realise that Rhys has finished talking so I speak up.

"Elain?" Her eyes snap to mine. "We're not just returning with Alis." Her brows furrow. "We are getting Lucien too."

She stands up straighter, her eyes looking brighter all of a sudden.

"Thank you." she whispers and I smile at her.

I turn back to face the others and catch Nesta's grateful look.

"We should be in and out. Mor and Az, you should stay at the border where Lucien will meet you; Rhys and I will get Alis out and meet you there before returning." I say and Rhys squeezes my shoulders in support. "We need to have a healer ready for Alis; Tamlin treated her badly."

"I will sort that out for you, Feyre." Nesta says. "I can get Cassian's healer to take a look at her."

I nod. "Thank you."

"Right, that is all settled now." Rhys says and holds out his hand to me to pull me up, which I take. "I'm going to see about having some lunch organised; Amren is coming over for a while."

I watch as Rhys walks away, accompanied by Az. I try to get Mor's attention but she won't so much as look at me.

I follow her out of the room, grateful that I am wearing a jumper and leggings over a dress today, so I am able to keep up with her.

"Mor, hey!" I call out but she doesn't stop. I leap forward and grab her arm, spinning her so she has to face me. "I'm sorry about yesterday."

Mor lowers her gaze, tensing. I remove my hand from her arm.

"Mor?" She takes a step back, her gaze still lowered. "What is it?" I ask, trying to determine just exactly what is bothering her.

"I am just remembering my place in your presence." Mor spits out and my heart drops.

Rhys said that she would forgive me, that she understood.

"What has gotten into you?" I ask her and Mor shrugs slightly.

"Following my High Lady's orders. I don't wish to face her wrath."

"Mor, stop this." I beg, moving closer to her. "I have apologised and you know that wasn't me down there."

"Wasn't it?"

Her sharp words snap something in me and I grab her arm, winnowing us elsewhere. We end up in my gallery a second later and Mor steps out of reach.

"How dare you." I exclaim, anger boiling within me. "You know that we have to be different people down there, Mor."

"I may not have seen Feyre when Keir was being treated like a toy but I certainly did when I was put in my place." Mor says.

My hands clench and unclench at my sides and my breathing is getting heavier, harder to control.

"Despite everything I have done for you, to help you, you pushed me away. You treated me like I was nothing."

"You know that I couldn't open up there!" I yell out. "I had to say something before I opened up too much and people saw me as someone other than their High Lady; someone who isn't strong."

"And what would be so bad about that?!" Mor screams out at me, stepping closer; too close - just like Tamlin did. "Tell me!"

I throw my arms up over my head before falling backwards on the floor. I can feel the fire burning in my palms and I vaguely hear Mor shouting but a pounding in my ears suddenly consumes me.

I feel myself curl in, pressing my forehead to the floor as my eyes screw shut. Images of every horror I have experienced - whether it was Under the Mountain, in Spring or in my dreams - appears and a scream becomes lodged in my throat.

I don't know how long I am like that until I feel a soothing darkness surround me, fighting off my own and chasing away the images until nothing remains. I keep my eyes shut as my hearing returns. I recognise the calm tones of Rhys, coaxing me out slowly. I can feel my body steadily unwinding.

"That's it, darling."

The darkness begins to recede and is replaced by something warm being thrown over me.

"Don't touch her just yet, Rhys." another voice, Amren's voice, says. "It may set her off again."

I open my eyes and it takes a moment to focus. Rhys is on his knees beside my head, Amren crouching next to him. I can see Mor standing behind them, tears on her face.

"Feyre?" Amren questions, her hand moving to adjust the blanket around me; that explains the warmth. "I'm going to help you sit up now, alright?"

I manage a nod and she moves forward. Her hand falls gently on my shoulder before she assists me into a sitting position, the blanket pooling in my lap.

"What happened?" I ask, my voice sounding surprisingly stained. "When did you get here?"

"Rhys begged me to come sooner. He couldn't calm you so twenty minutes later, here we are." Amren says and I look at Rhys.

He places his hand tenderly on my back before moving it in small circles.

"We think this may have happened due to a mixture of things." Rhys says.

"Like what?"

"Look at you, Feyre." Amren says, as usual saying things as they are. "Going back to the Spring Court has resulted in you looking like a bloody ghost! It is amazing you didn't break until now."

I look down to my lap.

"Amren." Rhys scolds, appalled by her harsh words.

I shake my head. "She's right, Rhys." I say before moving to stand. I wobble for a moment but find my footing. "Amren is right."

I push back a piece of hair from my eyes before winnowing to the roof of the house; where I can look over her beauty of Velaris.

Where, for now, I can be alone.

...

It is a few hours later when I feel Rhys trying to communicate with me since my shields are up completely. I winnow myself into our room and a second later, Rhys has his arms around me.

"Are you alright, darling?" he asks me and I draw back. I say nothing, instead walking over to the wardrobe and pulling out my fighting leathers.

"Talk to me, Feyre." Rhys begs me, but I don't want to talk.

I just want to rescue my friend.

I pull off my large jumper and leggings before replacing the soft articles of clothing with the stiff leathers.

"Feyre."

I turn to look at Rhys before moving to the vanity in the room, sitting in front of the mirror. I pick up the hair brush and begin to run it through the strands, ensuring there are no knots.

Rhys remains where I left him, sitting on the foot of the bed. His eyes follow every movement I make.

I do feel bad for not opening up but I cannot allow a repeat of earlier to happen. Not when my head needs to be clear for rescuing.

My hands sweep my hair over my left shoulder before deftly splitting it into three sections. As the sections are being twisted, I feel a slight pressing sensation against my shields.

Surely he wouldn't...

I strengthen my shields slightly, keeping my face expressionless. I tie off my braid and feel the pressing sensation again, but stronger.

"I suggest you cease your attempts at prying, Rhysand." I say, standing up and turning to face him.

Rhys does have the decency to look guilty but my anger just begins to build again.

"Just... just talk to me, Feyre." Rhys says, moving towards me.

"I don't want to talk." I say, crossing my arms over my chest. "You should respect that."

"Feyre, I love and respect you with everything I am." Rhys says on a sigh, stopping in front of me.

"I know you do." I whisper, allowing him to draw me in for a hug. "I love you too."

We stand in silence for a moment before that sensation returns. I forcefully shove away, pointing an accusing finger at my mate.

"I am not some innocent mortal that you can have some fun with." I say, my voice cold. "I am your mate, for fuck sake - treat me as such!"

I don't give Rhys a chance to respond; instead, leaving the room and getting ready for the rescue mission.

...

"Keep your eyes peeled." I tell Az as we move through the dungeons.

Mor and Rhys are at the border, after I requested Azriel's presence instead, waiting for Lucien to arrive and for us to return.

Fires are flickering on the walls but the dungeons remain rather dark. I peer through the bars of each cell but they all appear to be empty; apart from the very last one.

I scramble forwards and open the door, tugging harshly on the bars until they give.

I spare a quick glance at Az before rushing in and kneeling beside Alis. I ghost my hands over her body before turning her onto her back. Her bark skin is covered in ugly bruises and dried streaks of blood.

She's out cold and I hold up her wrist, desperate to find a pulse. I cry out in relief when I find the weak drumming against my fingertips and I turn to Az.

"Pick her up, carefully." I tell him, standing up and moving slightly from her body. "We cannot winnow in the dungeons."

Az nods before moving to Alis. He lifts her into his arms with the upmost tenderness before following me out of the cell. We hurry down the end of the corridor and as I round the corner at the end, I stop abruptly.

"Nice to see you again, Feyre." Tamlin drawls harshly as he stands in the middle of the corridor; blocking the way.

"The same can certainly not be said for you." I say, my voice cold. I square my shoulders before stepping closer. "You would be wise to move out of our way."

Tamlin raises an eyebrow but does not move.

"Did you forget what I said? A simple thought is all it takes for the Spring Court to be blown apart and I will not hesitate to do so. Move."

Tamlin sways for a second before moving aside. I look behind to Azriel and them walk forward. As I pass him, Tamlin takes hold of my arm, halting me.

I quickly pull my arm away and stare at him with my eyes blazing.

"You touch me again and you lose the hand before losing everything that you hold dear." The darkness around us fixes on Tamlin and surrounds him, closing in. "Do you understand?"

Tamlin nods, shrinking back. I look at Az again before taking hold of his arm and winnowing away.

...

"So, where are you taking me?" Lucien asks after we arrive back at the border.

"Home." I say simply, wanting more than anything to return there. I grab his arm and after a glance at Rhys and Mor, I just think of the place where I belong.

The sight of the house is far more than welcome after being back there. I can still feel his touch on me and the second I am able to, I cannot wait to get out of these leathers and away from him.

I don't look at anyone before walking up the stairs. I notice halfway up that Az is following me, Alis still in his arms. I walk into the room beside Cas' and he moves so he gently places her upon the covers. I move to the opposite side of the bed, my eyes marking every cut, bruise and speck of blood on her face. There is no telling what other damage there is.

Footsteps sound and I turn around to see Nesta glide in, an older Fae in tow.

"Nesta." I greet with a slight smile. She stands beside me, placing her hand on my shoulder. The new Fae nods her head to me before curtseying. I gesture her towards Alis, showing her where her attention is needed and she immediately complies.

"This is Niamphara." Nesta says quietly as we watch the healer working. "She has done wonders for Cas' wings when everyone else wanted to amputate them. She should certainly succeed in healing your friend."

I smile weakly at her before walking into the bathing room. I summon a fresh nightgown, a deep purple, and my long white dressing gown and divulge myself of my Illyrian leathers. With a wave of my hand, the leather and my boots disappear, sent to my bedroom and I walk back into the room in my socked feet.

Niamphara looks up at me.

"She is quite ill, High Lady." she tells me and my stomach sinks.

"Can you help her?" I ask and she sets her lips in a straight line.

"I do hope so."

A thought suddenly comes to mind and I extract a talon. I pull up the sleeve of my dressing gown and draw it across my wrist harshly before hurrying forward, Niamphara jumping out of the way, and press the bleeding wound to Alis' chapped lips.

"My blood helped Rhys when he was poisoned." I explain. "It should quickly help her too."

After a few moments, I draw back and Niamphara steps forward to examine Alis again.

"Some wounds are already beginning to heal but only time will tell if it helps it completely."

I nod. And so the wait begins.

...

After another hour of watching Niamphara's work, I left her with Alis and went to my gallery.

A spiral of emotions run through me as I stand before my canvas. The white it once was has long vanished; replaced with dark colours, dark thoughts. Blacks and greys swirl together with only a splash of something bright; only a few beams of light illuminating the figure there - hunched over, hands cradling her head as she screams; isolation and pressure crushing her.

Crushing me.

I put my brush back in the paint before adding more detail to the figure - matted hair, silent tears, the stark black of the tattoos contrasting with her abnormally pale skin.

Pushing out my emotions onto the canvas, visualising it in more than just my mind's eye is ... soothing, I suppose. But that soothing feeling isn't just coming from the art... It comes from him too.

"You can stop loitering back there, Rhys." I say, my attention still fixed on the canvas.

I hear his low chuckle and his approaching footsteps before his arms come around me from behind. His chin rests on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry for earlier." Rhys says and the guilt of my previous actions hit me.

"No, I'm sorry." I whisper, my paint brush pausing mid air. "I should have said something to you; I should have opened up."

Rhys shakes his head before pressing a kiss to my neck, breathing me in.

"I was wrong to push. I was so worried when Mor was screaming and I saw you like that - unable to immediately help you."

Rhys takes a hold of my hips, spinning me so I look directly at him. He rests his forehead against mine and I reach up with my free hand to cradle his cheek.

"I hate knowing that you feel so pressured." he whispers and I pull back to see tears polling in his eyes. "I wish I could take it all away."

I sigh, my thumb running over his jaw.

"You don't need to take it all away." I say, my voice soft. "Just you being here, you loving me, makes everything else insignificant."

Rhys' hands move so one rests on my lower back and the other cradles the back of my head.

"Please don't shut me out again." A broken plea.

My heart aches at the pain on his face; pain to know that I feel so...

Fucked up.

"I'm sorry." I say again, pulling him closer and burying my face in his neck.

"Darling, there is nothing for you to apologise for."

Rhys tugs on my hair to pull me back. He presses a small kiss to my lips.

"Your painting seems to be getting even more spectacular. I never thought it was possible."

I breathe out a laugh before lifting my right hand which holds the paint-laden brush. I quickly lift it to his nose before stepping back, a smile on my face.

Rhys lifts his hand and wipes off some of the paint left on his nose.

"I feel like you are challenging me to a repeat of what occurred in the cabin when we officially mated; well, the first time, anyway." Rhys says, his smirk coming forward as he steps closer.

"Would that be so bad?" I ask, my tone light. I place the brush down, turning away for a moment and feel him press up close behind me.

"Shall we find out, my delicious beauty?" Rhys asks before winnowing us into our room.

I look at the bed, noticing the array of paints laid on the covers.

"Let's have some fun."

End note: Please review! :)