Chapter 16

Rhysand

Trails of shadow followed us into the hall as we walked into the Court of Nightmares. There was nothing to hear except the hushed voices of stupidly brave creatures. I led Feyre to her throne before sitting on my own, a lazy smile plastered onto my face, and looked around at the kneeled faeries. I didn't have the energy to taunt them, "Go about your business."

Immediately everyone stood, going wherever they came from as Kier made his way towards me, not even masking the look of disgust on his face. I reached over and held Feyre's hand, running a thumb affectionately over her own.

Kier bowed to us before beginning the reports, I ignored him, letting Mor into my mind so she could hear as I addressed Feyre instead, 'You'll be fine when we go see Jurian today, right?'

She nodded absentmindedly at Kier, 'Of course Rhys. But shouldn't I say the same about you?'

'Fair point,' I chucked down the bond, 'Well-'

Mor alerted me and I brought my attention back to Keir, "If you don't mind my asking High Lord, what business were you doing in the human lands?"

I rolled my neck, giving him a feral smile as I looked over towards Feyre idly, "Affairs that needed to be done. They don't concern you. Was that all you wanted to report?"

He nodded before hesitantly bowing and scurrying away. Feyre smirked at me before moving to stand; I followed suit, pulling her closer to me as we made our way out of the throne room and towards the dungeons.

vVv

My eyes trailed over Feyre's form as we walked through the dank passages. The brilliant black and gray dress hugged her body, and with the veil on her shoulders flowing out behind her she looked exquisite.

She turned, giving me a knowing look before smirking and slowing down to grab my hand, "I would prefer if everyone didn't smell that scent while we're busy. It wouldn't come across as very menacing now would it?"

I chuckled, "No, I guess it would not."

Azriel stood by the door, arms crossed and leaning against the wall as his shadows came and went, whispering to him. He locked eyes with me before pulling a key out of his pocket and unlocking the door. I gripped Feyre's hand before opening it, walking in with my head high.

Jurian and Corbin sat blindfolded in their chairs, calm looks on both of their faces. Disgust roiled through me as my lip lifted slightly. Azriel shut the door and slinked towards them before pulling off each blindfold.

Jurian squinted against the light as he looked around, taking in everything as Corbin scowled at me. I tightened my grip on Feyre's hand, fighting against my anger and disgust as she calmly stared them down. 'Are you ready Feyre darling?'

She nodded, letting go of my hand so I could go first. Talons extended from my knuckles as I strode towards them, shadows clinging to my every step as I sneered. Hatred fueled me as I heard nothing but my blood roaring in my ears. I would kill them, and I wouldn't feel bad. I wanted them to suffer.

I raised a claw over Corbin's head and… and as I brought down Feyre's voice rang through me, 'WAIT!'

I froze, glancing over my shoulder as I backed up a step, 'What's wrong?'

'This isn't how I want to do it.'

I turned fully, retracting my talons as she walked up to me, 'What do you mean?'

Her gaze hardened, 'They're too calm. They know this will end with their deaths, and they've accepted that. They were trained to not fear death.'

I spun around, looking at Corbin's gaze, looking for fear, but he didn't have any. Just a calm acceptance. I glanced at Jurian, who had the same look, "You're right," I breathed out.

Azriel shot me a confused look and I just shook my head slightly, 'So what do you want to do Feyre?'

She then turned towards them too, 'I want something that will last for the rest of their lives.'

I nodded, looking at Azriel, 'Feyre doesn't want to kill them. She wants something that'll last. What?'

His eyes flickered as he analyzed them from his position by the door, "Send them to the Prison."

I raised an eyebrow, 'The prison isn't meant for regular humans or fae, and you know I don't make that sentence lightly.'

'Exactly, it would destroy them. Is that not what you guys want?'

Feyre glanced between the two of us, 'Azriel's right. That's exactly what I want.'

"It's perfect," Feyre announced, looking over towards me before continuing, "You're going to spend the rest of your lives there. I hope it was worth it."

They both blanched as Corbin quickly stated to talk, "No. I thought you were going to… no…"

I smirked, looking at Jurian, who's mouth had been gaping at us and slowly shaking his head. Feyre leaned into me and ran her hand over the small of my back, 'Let's get started.'

vVv

The passages twisted and turned as Azriel led us deeper into the Prison. I gripped Feyre's hand as we went, watching Corbin tremble in front of me. That bastard, nothing's even happened yet. Feyre was right, this was the best way to punish them. She didn't want us to stoop as low as them, but she wanted them to pay.

Azriel stopped and picked at a crevice in the wall, opening it to reveal a cell. Corbin took a step back, eyes wide and full of fear as he turned to go back the way we came. Feyre snarled before harshly gripping his shoulder and twisting him around violently, "Get the fuck inside."

Shadows pushed at him as he struggled against Feyre's grip. I reached my power out, latching my claws into his mind. He went deathly still as I forced his legs to move forward. Feyre took a step back as I released his mind, a slightly awed look on her face, "Close it," she breathed.

An eerie silence surrounded us as Corbin disappeared from sight. Feyre leveled her head before turning back towards us and continued down the hall. Jurian looked at the spot where the cell was, mouth still hanging open. I nudged him to go.

As we reached the next cell he stopped, looking at me as if this was the first time he truly believed that we weren't killing him. Azriel's shadows pushed on him as I glared. The cell door opened and he looked inside. His shaky breathing got a little louder as he turned and faced us, "I'll get out of here. You know that, right?"

I shook my head, "You're never getting out of here. Don't hope for a fool's wish."

A bitter laugh escaped his lips as he shook his head, "I've endured more, longer. This won't punish me the way you think."

Feyre balled her fists, looking him up and down, "You're a liar," she smirked, "It'll punish you the exact way I think."

I nodded my head slightly, thinking about his time in her ring. Azriel took this as a cue to shut the cell. I let out a shaky breath and leaned against the wall, my energy depleted.