WARNING, this is not a Nesta friendly chapter. If you don't like that, don't read. Please review so I know people are enjoying this!

Chapter 8

Rhysand

I strode in to see Kallias sitting there alone, looking pensive.

"What wrong?" I asked, "Is Vivian okay?"

"She's fine, doing great actually but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"I'm listening."

"What has your healer told you about labour?"

I blinked at the unexpected question. "Nothing really, I haven't asked since it's so far away."

Kallias nodded, twisting his hands together before swallowing audibly. "Right, well, I was talking to our healer and asked her if I could possibly ask you, when Vivian was in labour, to take away her pain."

"As long as we weren't in the same room I don't see the problem with that," I said, frowning. Where was this going?

"Well, the healer told me that actually that won't be possible as," he took a deep breath, "some primal instincts fae have blocks anything harming a female in labour and as going into the mind is deemed as an attack, daemiti can't take away pain in a female's labour, even his mate's."

"I – I don't understand," I croaked out after a minute. "I can't take away her pain in labour?"

Kallias shook his head. "I thought you should be prepared because after I heard that I assumed, seemingly correctly, you didn't know."

The expression on my face could only be described as pure terror. My mind flashed back to when Amarantha broke her bones, her screams imprinted on my mind. The same screams I'd have to hear again. I couldn't – I wouldn't – they'd break me. I couldn't hear those again, get my soul ripped in two again. It would break me.

"Rhysand! Rhysand!" I raised my head to see Kallias crouched in front of me, worried. I was trembling, I realised, and was now gripping the sofa in a death grip.

"I can't," I rasped out, still trembling.

Kallias looked at me with understanding in his eyes, "You don't have to be there for the birth –"

I didn't even let him finish his sentence. "Are you insane?! I'm not leaving her to go through all that pain alone!"

"I expected as much," he replied, falling silent for a while. When he started to speak again I was just sitting there, head in my hands.

"I think you should talk to Feyre –" I let out a small growl when he uttered her name, "and probably Madja to just soothe your fears or see if you can do anything to help. I'm sure she'll be more useful than me."

I gave him a small nod, standing up, suddenly feeling restless. Kallias thankfully took his leave and I unfurled my wings, stalking out. It was a struggle not to shoot to Feyre immediately, check she was okay when an explosion of hurt flashed up the bond. My head jerked up only to see Feyre and Lucien, tears running down her face. I barely registered what Lucien said, needing to get to my mate. I scooped her into my arms and flew straight to our room, keeping her pressed tightly against me, the mating bond making me crave her touch.

The minute the door was shut I cocooned her in my wings, caressing her cheek. "What happened Feyre darling?"

I felt her brush up against my shield and I opened it a crack. She then guided me to her mind to show me what had gone on. When the memory ended I was shaking as I pressed her closer to me. "I'm going to kill her!" I roared, wings flaring, darkness swirling.

"Rhys!" she cried, "Don't! She's my sister."

I trembled, my instincts screaming at me to go and kill her for daring to attack my mate. I breathed heavily for a minute, calming myself down enough to speak. "I know she's your sister," I eventually muttered, teeth grinding, "But she's treated you awfully. I promise I won't kill her," I said at her stern look, "But she should be punished."

"Do whatever you like," she whispered, "Just keep her alive, please."

"Of course my darling mate," I replied, showing her through the bond how I loved calling her my mate. She relaxed at that, curling into me as I showered her with love though anger still swirled in my mind, mostly focusing on those two words that bitch had uttered: Rhysand's whore.

When she woke up I hadn't left, instead I had instructed Cassian and Azriel through my mind to fetch Nesta and let her reside in the Night court dungeons for a while without letting her know why. After hearing my reasoning, both were incredibly happy to carry out my orders, not that they hadn't been already, all of us hating Nesta for all she had done to Feyre and then Cassian.

"Rhys?"

"I'm here," I murmured immediately, cuddling up against her, tucking her in my wing.

"What did Kallias want?"

I froze, memories I had been trying to ignore flooding back to me.

"Rhys? Darling? Are you alright? What did he say?" she asked, cupping my face as she sat up.

"I can't, I can't do it," I whispered hoarsely and she frowned.

"Darling, you aren't making any sense. What's going on?"

"I – I can't take away your pain, the pain you'll go through in labour. Apparently primal instincts fae blocks anything harming a female in labour and as going into the mind is deemed as an attack I can't do that, even as your mate." I bowed my head, trembling as sobs wracked my body.

"You were going to do that for me?"

Her response amazed me so much I stopped crying immediately, jerking my head up. "Of – of course," I responded to her wide eyed look.

"I never even considered that an option," she admitted and I stared at her.

"So – so you fell pregnant knowing –"

"That labour would be a fucking pain in my ass? Yes."

I gaped at her. I had no words. She had wanted a child so much, wanted a family with me so much she hadn't hesitated in it, not caring the pain she'd have to go through. "I love you, so much, more than the –"

She halted my words by pressing a finger to my lips before smiling gently at me. "Then show me," she whispered, grinning and I smirked at her though my face was covered in tears.

"Your wish is my command, High Lady," I purred, pushing her on her back, a feral grin on my face as I began to mark my territory.

Feyre

I scowled as there was a knock at our door and buried my head in Rhys's chest.

"Oi! Important people! Stop fucking and open the door!" Cassian yelled.

Rhys stirred and glared at the door. "Cassian! Seriously!?"

"Don't you want to pay your sister a visit?!"

That was why it was Cassian. Azriel, usually not letting Cassian wake us up for reasons that were obvious, had let him get us as he also wanted revenge on Nesta.

"We're just coming," I called out and slid off the bed. Immediately, as expected, a pair of strong arms slid around me, resting on my bump.

Ignoring them, I looked around for my dress and went over to it, which was rather hard as I had to drag Rhys along with me as he refused to relinquish his hold on me and was kissing my neck.

"You are going to have to let go so I can get dressed," I said dryly, tugging at his hands that by this point seemed permanently fixed to my bump.

"Don't want to," he mumbled, nibbling on the skin on my collarbone. I wacked him on the leg.

"I'll call Cassian in," I warned, "And we're both naked."

"He's seen me naked before."

I choked before biting my lip so not to laugh. "And I want to know this story however I'm more surprised you're fine with Cassian, the hottest Illyrian general, seeing me naked."

That got the desired effect, especially since Cassian took that moment to bang on the door and yell, "Hurry up or I'm coming in, regardless of dress state!"

Rhys let out a feral growl before releasing me, grabbing his pants and jacket and putting them on so quick he may as well have magically put them on. I slid my dress on, having to wiggle it around a bit for it to fit while Rhys kissed me and attempted to help me do up the dress at the same time, causing me to roll my eyes but let him.

Once presentable we left, Rhys's hands now reattached to my bump. It was due to how often he saw this that Cassian didn't mention it.

"Are we winnowing?" Azriel asked, stepping out of the shadows as he cast a worried look at me.

Rhys shook his head, "Flying," he said, scooping me up and carrying me onto the balcony, Cassian and Azriel either side. I nestled into his arms, making myself comfortable as we flew there. Maybe too comfortable as I fell asleep.

"Feyre?" I heard Rhys murmur and I yawned, blinking away the sleep from my eyes. We were at the entrance of Hewn City. Cassian and Azriel were hovering at the entrance, looking worried.

"I'm sorry," I said, face flaming red as I scrambled out of Rhys's arms.

"Don't worry about it," Azriel said, waving it away, "We understand."

"So then why don't you understand when I want to nap," Cassian said, pouting and I smiled while Rhys laughed, wrapping his arms around me.

"For the last time, you are not pregnant, therefore you are not allowed to take naps," Azriel snapped, sounding like he had had this conversation multiple times with Cassian, causing me to laugh a little. If I'd been paying attention I'd have seen Azriel and Cassian relax slightly but Rhys had tilted my head up for a kiss.

We made our way down to the dungeons, falling silent on the journey. Rhys was now next to me, one arm holding me close while Azriel and Cassian flanked us, their faces having grown cold. I could feel how taunt Rhys was without using the bond. I knew he was thinking of what happened last time.

I'm okay, I'm with you, I'm safe I murmured down the bond. Rhys drew in a shuddering breath.

Doesn't stop me worrying, what if I can't protect you?

Cassian and Azriel are here

They were here last time, as was Mor and they did jackshit he snapped back.

Inexplicably I turned my head away, tears filling my eyes. Instantly Rhys noticed this and remorse flooded through the bond. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry he cried but that couldn't stop it.

I then just burst into tears, causing Azriel and Cassian to halt, horrified. Rhys immediately panicked, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, what's wrong, was it what I said?"

I shook my head, burying my head in his chest as he hugged me to him while I cried, not understanding why I was crying myself. I vaguely heard Azriel talking to Rhys as I clung to him.

Feyre darling, please talk to me, what's wrong? He begged, using the bond.

I don't know I wailed back; I don't know what's wrong with me.

Nothing's wrong with you, nothing Rhys insisted, tilting my head up to face him. "Nothing, okay?"

"Did Madja mention something like this?" Cassian asked as he handed me some tissues to wipe my face.

"Random crying?" I stated in between hiccups, raising an eyebrow.

"Wait, she did," Rhys said slowly.

"She did?" I asked, "When?"

"When we had our first session with her, she went through all you'd experience including mood swings, which I assume covers the inexplicable crying?"

I nodded slowly before straightening back up, "Sorry for being such a mess," I apologised to them but they all waved me off, telling me not to worry. But I did worry. I was terrified they would see me as weak, unable to be a High lady. I felt a pinch on my waist and glanced up to Rhys who gave me a stern look back in return. Oh yeah, Rhys currently guarded my mind as I couldn't do it myself anymore without being bedridden which meant every thought was privy to him. Oops.

My sister lay chained on the floor, glaring ferociously at us. "What are you doing you monster?" she screamed at me, "Release me this instant!"

All three Illyrian males were growling at her, I now pushed behind them as they stalked forward. Rhys had checked if I'd be okay with this which I was, I just wanted no part of it. I leaned back against the wall, wearing a mask of indifference as I watched Nesta.

Her face, full of anger when we'd first entered was now one of confusion and fear. "What are you doing?" she screamed again, "Release me this instant!"

Ignoring her the three Illyrians prowled forwards, Azriel unsheathing his glinting truthteller. Recognising it, Nesta crawled away, her back slamming against the wall and that was when real fear shone through her face. "Get that thing away from me! I'm her sister, I'm your mates sister! Feyre, tell them to treat me with respect and not like a common criminal! I haven't done anything wrong!"

"That's what you're sick, twisted mind is telling you," Rhys snarled, "So let us enlighten you. You repeatedly bully and disrespect your sister, your High Lady –"

"She is no High Lady of mine," Nesta snarled back, her fighting spirit appearing back in full force. Unfortunately, she'd soon learn it wouldn't get her out of this hole she'd dug for herself.

"As a fae citizen of the Night court you serve your High Lord and High Lady, myself and your sister –"

"I never wanted to be fae in the first place! I serve no one!"

"You are, so get over!" Cassian snapped, "And we've ignored it for a while now but your refusal to accept Rhys and Feyre as High Lord and Lady and your constant disrespect to them is actually treason."

Nesta stiffened. "T – treason?

"Treason," Azriel stated coldly. "Usually we would torture you till we got bored and kill you but Feyre has requested to keep you alive so we shall." He then looked at me, giving me the chance to say something. I gave him a short nod and stepped forward, all three males stepping aside.

"Instead you shall be banished from the Night court," I said calmly, finding myself feeling no remorse or sadness when speaking to her.

"And go where? I've nowhere to go! I can't go back to the humans like this and have no ties to any other court!"

"That's something you should've thought about before you showed us how you clearly didn't want to live in the Night court."

Ignoring her cries I stalked over to a bench, taking out a book I had brought, ironically a book Nesta loved and began to read it. That being my cue, Cassian, Azriel and Rhys stepped forward and began. Rhys, using his daemiti abilities shut off my ability to hear which I was thankful for.

"We've dumped her over the border after marking her with the tattoo that stops her being able to go over our borders."

I nodded, having got my hearing back and rising to my feet, Rhys scooped me up. "Home time," he murmured and I nodded. "When we get back we can go through my mothers dresses, see if there are any maternity ones."

I kissed him in reply before my thoughts drifted to Lucien. "I know you said not to tell Helion that Lucien was his son or anything but I really do think we should tell Lucien, give him the choice to tell Helion. It's not fair to deny him a family," I whispered.

Rhys was silent for a moment before replying, "When do you want to?"

"Honestly? I think we should do it soon."

"We'll do it when we get back then. Lucien is to go to the Day court tomorrow anyway as our emissary, if he wants to tell Helion he could then."

I nodded before curling up tighter in his arms, starting to become cold. Noticing this Rhys tightened his hold before speeding up, flying as fast as he dared with me in his arms. I was shivering by the time we landed on the balcony, the night settling in now and I was only wearing a flimsy dress, not suited to the outside as I usually remained in the warm house.

I was literally dragged inside by the three males and they planted me by the fire while running around getting me hot chocolate and blankets to warm me up. "I'm fine," I tried to insist, "I'm just a little cold."

The glares I got from the overprotective Illyrians shut me up and I let them fuss over, taking the hot chocolate and letting them pile blankets on me until they were satisfied. Once done Azriel and Cassian took the armchairs while Rhys sat with me. "How are you feeling darling? Still cold?"

"I think that would be impossible now," I snarked back, rolling my eyes. I would've gestured to the sheer amount of blankets on me if my arms weren't trapped beneath them. Rhys had the decency to look a little guilty, as did Cassian and Azriel. I knew perfectly well why they were behaving like this but it was still a little fun to tease them.

We talked for a little while before I was allowed to leave to see if we could find any maternity dresses. Any not in my wardrobe were stored upstairs. All three males were attached to me it seemed as we headed upstairs to my amusement.

"Here we go," Rhys said, leading me in with an arm wrapped around my waist. I stared at the array of dresses I had never seen before, my eyes wide. "These are beautiful," I murmured, beginning to look through them, "Why haven't I seen these before?"

"I, er, chose the ones I thought you'd like," Rhys said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I love all of them," I said simply before turning to him. "Do you have any idea how to find them?"

Rhys shook his head, "We'll have to go through all of them."

I nodded and turned back to the dresses. With Cassian and Azriel searching, not only was it a lot quicker but all had stories about what was going on when Rhys's mother made these dresses.

"Found some!" Cassian hollered and I scowled, rubbing my ears from where I stood, only a few feet away. He had the decency to look guiltily at me and then Rhys who appeared next to me, glaring at him.

"How many are there?" Azriel asked, attempting to steer the conversation to safe waters.

"Dunno but a lot it seems," he then grinned at Rhys, "I mean, damn was your mother keen for you to get it on." He winked at me and I blushed red, pushing past him to look at the dresses. They had been ordered in stages from what I could tell, from when the bump started to show to the size I would be by nine months.

Pulling out one of the dresses I would have to wear at nine months I gave Rhys a grumpy look as I showed him the size of it. "How the fuck am I supposed to move when I'm that big?" I grumbled, crossing my arms.

"At least it'll be easier to keep you safe," Cassian said cheerfully, "You won't be able to go anywhere dangerous. Or anywhere at all."

"Prick," I said, rolling my eyes and Azriel took the dress from me, hanging it back up.

"Let's just stick to dresses you'll wear in the next month or two," he said, "You can worry about the others when you get there."

"I don't want to anymore," I said with a pout. "I didn't think I'd be that fat, like, I'll be huge!"

That was the utterly wrong thing to say. Rhys spun around from the dresses and pulled me to him, a stern look on his handsome face. "You are not fat, nor will you be. You're pregnant. That is wildly different from fat. You're carrying our child in here," he said, stroking my bump, "Your abdomen will swell, obviously, to make room to grow the baby."

"Theoretically you actually want to have a bigger belly don't you," Cassian pondered, "Because wouldn't that mean the baby is bigger and therefore stronger?"

"Don't forget I have to push it out of my pussy," I snapped and he backed away, hands up in surrender.

"Are we getting the dresses or not?" Azriel said, raising an eyebrow at us. I gave a short nod and we picked out a selection of dresses that I could wear for different occasions.

We headed back to our room when Mor hailed me so I went to her while the males put away the dresses. "A note for you, m'lady," Mor cackled with a grin.

I rolled my eyes and took it, unfolding it. When reading it though I frowned. This had to be some joke right? It read:

Hello gorgeous

"What does it say?" Mor asked, now concerned, noticing my frown.

"Nothing interesting," I said, shaking my head and was about to burn it as it creeped me out when Rhys appeared with Cassian and Azriel in tow.

"What've you got there?" Cassian asked me but Azriel frowned.

"Give it to me," he demanded looking so serious I handed it to him immediately, Rhys pulling me to him, fright pouring down the bond.

"I thought it was a joke note from one of you," I said while he read it.

"What does it say?" Rhys demanded. I didn't need to use the mating bond anymore to know how terrified he was. Azriel handed it to him and his hands shook as he read it, Cassian and Mor reading it over his shoulder.

"Hello gorgeous? What's that supposed to mean? Is it just me or does that sound like a threat rather than a greeting?" Mor said worriedly.

"Something's wrong with the note," Azriel said quietly, "My shadows are warning me about it, they don't like it."

"We should treat it as a threat," Rhys said coldly. His body was unnaturally still and his skin cold to my touch. Darkness curled around my ankles as he inspected the note to see if he could find anything before handing it to Azriel. "Try tracing it to where it came from."

Azriel gave a short nod and stalked off while Mor stared worriedly at us. "If it is a threat, do you think they'd extend it to the rest of us eventually? Do you think they might try something?"

"Elain!" I gasped, "She's still too fragile to cope with this, can we send her to the Day court with Lucien, please?" I looked hopefully at Rhys who nodded.

"We'll send them today instead."

Rhys and I then went to find Lucien and Elain, Mor and Cassian heading off to Amren.

We found them in the library, Elain amusing herself with braiding Lucien's hair which Lucien, pouring over maps, had yet to notice.

"Lucien, you and Elain are to go to the Day court today instead."

Lucien looked up surprised before noticing Elain's braids and he sighed before looking at us, "Why though, what's happened?"

"We thought you'd like to meet your father," I said softly and Lucien stared at me.

"Beron's going to be there?"

"No, your father, Helion. Your mother had an affair with Helion when –"

"When she was pregnant with me, but –"

"That was when her affair was discovered, not when it started. Lucien, you look nothing like Beron. You have the same facial features as Helion and your skin tone isn't even the same as your brothers," I pointed out, desperate for him to see.

"Helion –"

"Doesn't know," Rhys said, "The only person who could confirm this is your mother or a suriel."

Lucien looked doubtfully between us before looking at me. "Up for a chat with a suriel?"

Rhys and Lucien stared at me as one appeared. "How do you always catch them?" Rhys said, amazed. I smirked at him before greeting the suriel.

"What do you want to know?"

"Who is Lucien's father?"

"The powerful High Lord –"

"Well that's helpful," Lucien snarked, arms folded and I glared at him.

"Of the day," the suriel finished. Lucien was now frozen and Rhys released the suriel.

"What do I do now?" Lucien demanded, looking panicked. I wasn't surprised.

"I'd tell Helion. You're his only child, his heir," Rhys said.

"Yes, and he'll announce he has a bloody heir and think what will happen to my mother!" Lucien spat.

"You're our emissary, if we sent you to the Autumn court we could get your mother out?" I suggested, "Though I'd tell Helion first. You don't even know if he's going to accept you as his son."

Lucien nodded before winnowing away with Elaine. Rhys gathered me into his arms and we flew back home, Rhys insisting I rest for the rest of the day.