Hello! Sorry uni just started so thats been hectic. Thanks for all the great reviews, especially loved that someone write a dating book for Tamlin haha! Thanks for sticking with this guys
The remainder of dinner passed solemnly as everyone tried and failed to think of ideas that would allow the Illyrians to stay on their land.
Feyre could feel Rhy's watchful eyes on her as she poked at her spaghetti, twirling it around on her fork and watching it slowly drip back into the bowl, over and over. She couldn't understand how Tamlin was even considering helping such a vile company. Lucien had been against it but mentioned that Hybern was offering Tamlin a deal too good to refuse, but at what cost to the Illyrians?
When Feyre looked up Rhys was still watching her. He quirked an eyebrow at her. Tell me what you're thinking. He seemed to ask.
In response, Feyre downed the glass of wine Rhys had bought her, and turned to face the group, "I think I know who that single, wealthy investor is."
Rhys and Mor looked at each other in silent agreement as if Feyre was confirming something they already had guessed, but it was Cassian who asked, "Well tell us."
"A few weeks ago Tamlin grew… more agitated than usual-"
Mor snorted, "You mean he wasn't always so delightful and charming?"
Feyre's face burned in shame and Rhys shot Cassian and Azriel a warning glare as they snickered at Mor's comment. Underneath the table, Rhys nudged his knee alongside Feyre's gently, "Go on." He urged.
"Lucien said it was because he was working with a new business partner, later on I found out it was Hybern's company."
"You say that as if you've met the man." Azriel said.
"I have." Feyre said, shocking them all.
"When?" Rhys asked quietly.
"Not long ago, he was at our-" Feyre caught herself before quickly amending, "Tamlin's house."
"Of course those two are best buds." Cassian said.
"He didn't seem like he wanted to take the deal. But Hybern was making it worth his while." Feyre countered.
"Well at least we know how to get to Hybern's greatest investor." Azriel was looking intently at Feyre.
"Az." Mor warned before Rhys quickly interrupted.
"You want to use Feyre as leverage?"
"Of course not Rhys, I just meant that Tamlin will listen to Feyre. She can try and convince him to withdraw from the plans."
"But that would mean Feyre has to be near Tamlin again, and like that will happen any time soon." Amren said.
Rhys nodded his approval. Feyre could barely sit still while the others made plans about how to sway Tamlin without involving her.
"I'll do it. If it means protecting these people." Feyre interrupted quietly.
"Feyre-" Mor began before Rhys silenced her with a look.
"It's your decision Feyre, but at least think it over first?"
"I have thought it over. I want to do this."
"I don't like this Rhys." Mor said, crossing her arms.
"I never said we'd let her go alone. We can ask him to meet her in public. We can all be nearby just in case. She needs to talk with him anyway, we can't go on hiding her forever."
"I agree. Feyre should be able to go back to work, or anywhere in town for that matter, without having to look over her shoulder." Azriel added.
Feyre nodded at them all, "I'll ask him to meet me tomorrow." When she saw Mor anxiously biting her nails across from her she leaned over to grip her hand. "I'll be fine."
"Still. I wish Cassian had already taught you a few boxing lessons." Mor grumbled.
"It's not too late." Cassian said with a devilish smile.
"Cassian it's nearly 7, let the poor girl sleep." Amren argued.
"I've had enough sleep. I want to learn." Feyre said earnestly.
Rhys' eyes twinkled with mischief. "Now this sounds fun."
Amren and Mor went back home while Feyre once again climbed onto the back of Rhys' motorcycle. Cassian and Azriel would meet them at the house for Feyre's first lesson.
Feyre strode up to the bike confidently and let no fear show on her face as Rhys revved the engine teasingly.
"There was not nearly as much screaming last time, we may have to change that."
"Don't you dare." Feyre warned, squeezing Rhys's middle tightly to emphasize it.
"I think you secretly like it."
"I think I've had enough of being scared to death recently, thank you."
Feyre had meant it as a joke but she felt Rhys deflate as he hung his head low in front of her. Feyre lifted a hand to place it reassuringly on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze to show she hadn't really meant it.
"You'd better hold on tight." Was all Rhys said, a clear message to remove her hand.
Lights were already on at Rhys' considerably large house when they arrived. Removing her helmet, Feyre gaped at the townhouse.
"There it goes." Rhys interrupted.
"What?"
"Any hope that you would like me for my dashing looks and personality alone now."
Feyre smiled and pushed his shoulder playfully as he showed her into the house.
Cassian and Azriel were waiting for them in a spare room which had been cleared out for Cassian's boxing equipment.
"About time. Did you guys get lost?" Azriel asked.
"Probably best not to ask what those two get up to in their spare time." Cassian joked, sending Feyre a wink.
"Are you just trying to anger Feyre enough so she'll actually punch you Cassian?" Rhys replied.
"Oh don't worry, I'm perfectly capable of punching him with no foreplay needed."
Cassian roared with laughter and even Rhys shot her a delighted grin.
"You might want these first then." Azriel said, tossing her a pair of obviously used gloves.
"You should really wrap your hands first. Here let me." Rhys grabbed a roll of bandaging and held out an expectant hand.
Feyre noticed Cassian and Azriel suddenly finding other places in the room to be and averted their gazes as she placed her hand in Rhys'. He barely looked up at her as he silently bound her hands with surprising gentleness.
"Alright now try flexing them, can you move okay?" He asked when he finished.
Feyre tested out her mummified hands before nodding and slipping on a pair of gloves. Then Cassian approached her with a pair of punching pads on each hand, grinning wickedly at her.
Some agonizing hours later, Feyre was permitted to stop for the night. She slumped on the floor in the corner, gulping down water that Azriel had gotten for her.
Cassian had been relentless, but a good teacher. Azriel and Rhys had stayed to call out encouragement and give advice when Cassian permitted them. Feyre's punches had been sloppy and weak at first, but by the end of the session, Cassian actually winced a few times. Whether he was humoring her or not, Feyre didn't care.
She shook out her bruised and raw hands and Rhys was immediately there to remove the bandage and holding an ice pack.
"We've all been there." He smiled when she noticed the ice.
They all moved to the living room as Cassian began to complain about his aching legs and feet. Azriel put the tv on as he and Cassian took the only armchairs available, leaving the small couch for Rhys and Feyre.
Rhys shrugged as he moved to sit, a challenge on his face as Feyre hesitated. Steeling herself, Feyre sat next to him. The couch was so small that no matter what way Feyre sat, her thigh was always touching Rhys.
It wasn't long before Azriel went to bed claiming lack of sleep. Then the lolling of Cassian's head and soft snoring announced he had fallen asleep in his chair. Feyre laughed while Rhys tried to quieten her.
"He gets grumpy if woken from a nap." He explained grinning.
Rhys was so close she could practically hear his heart beating quickly as he seemed to take note of how close she also was to him. Feyre tried looking around to distract herself, and that was when she noticed faint scorch marks on the wall near the tv.
"Did Tamlin do that?"
Rhys followed her gaze before sighing. "Yes. I would say he didn't mean to but I think I would be lying."
"I'll get him to pay for any damages tomorrow."
"I don't need his money." Rhys said, a faint look of disgust on his face. "I really wish you weren't doing this." He added, suddenly serious.
"Then why are you going along with it?"
"Because I believe you need to face him. Because we need your help. Because you're the only one who may be able to convince him to stop all this."
"And what if the only way to get him to agree is if I go back to him?"
Rhys went still. An icy rage settled over him but the hand that reached for Feyre's hand remained gentle. As his fingers locked around hers she nearly flinched, remembering the last time Tamlin's hand had closed over her wrist.
"Do you want to go back?" Rhys asked, staring at her intently.
Feyre paused. Considered the question seriously. "No."
Feyre loved Tamlin. Maybe a small part of her always would. But she could not forgive the way she had been treated. No matter the stress he was under, Tamlin should never have hurt her. Mor and Amren had helped her understand that. Azriel and Cassian had helped her to laugh and made her not feel so lonely when she had felt unhappy in Tamlin's empty house.
And Rhys. Rhys had taught her to read. Allowed her to work for him. Gotten her out of bed and exploring new places when she had felt like doing nothing but sleeping for a year. Not to mention given her a safe place to go when she needed to get away from Tamlin.
Rhys studied her carefully. His gaze seeming to read all these thoughts racing through her head. "Why not?"
"I don't think I can ever go back to how things were between us. You'll be there tomorrow right? In case…" Feyre finished uncertainly.
"I'll be there." Rhys promised.
A bit of tension left Feyre as she prayed for everything to go right.
"Feyre, if Tamli-" Rhys began but Feyre cut him off.
"I don't want to talk about Tamlin anymore."
Rhys appraised her sudden boldness. A purr crept into his voice as he asked, "What emdo/em you want to talk about then Feyre darling?"
"I don't want to talk either."
And before she lost her nerve, Feyre leaned forward and removed all distance between her and Rhys. Her hands reached out to grip his face as her lips crashed into his. If Rhys was shocked he didn't show it, his hands winding through Feyre's hair and pulling her closer.
Feyre slid one of her hands to the nape of Rhy's neck, running her hands through the silky strands there. Rhys countered by extricating a hand from her hair and sliding it down and around her waist. A small gasp was elicited from Feyre as his hand gripped her, Rhy's thumb sweeping in small circles up her side.
A few minutes crept by, Feyre's hand travelling to rest upon Rhys's chest as he hummed contentedly, until an awful gurgling noise from Cassian had them springing apart. Cassian's head snapped up as he woke.
"What'd I miss?" He asked with a sleepy voice.
His eyes widened as he noticed the flush on Feyre's cheeks, both of their messed up hair, and how Feyre's shirt had ridden up to show just a sliver of her stomach. A cheshire cat grin slowly spread across Cassian's face.
"I was just about to take Feyre to bed- I MEAN HOME!" Rhys said, horrified.
Cassian only laughed and even Feyre couldn't hold back her laughter at being caught.
"Whatever Rhys, just maybe next time, ask for some privacy." Cassian got up and strolled from the room, shoulders still silently shaking from laughter.
Rhys looked at Feyre sheepishly. "I really should be getting you home."
"Only if we don't take that bike."
"So you're saying if the bike is the only option you'll just have to stay here?" Rhys said smirking.
Ferye flicked him on the nose. "No it means I'll ask Azriel to drop me home instead you prick."
Rhys laughed. "Prick already is it? Why only a few minutes ago you-"
Feyre silenced him straight away with a small peck on his lips. He looked down at her almost dazed.
"Just take me home please."
"Of course."