Azriel sauntered toward me, the elegant planes of his face sharpened by shadows. The wings behind his shoulders flickered and tightened as he moved. My breath quickened as he neared. I tried to look at his eyes, a deep desire to know their color overriding my fear momentarily, but he reached a hand for me and I flinched away. The fingers of his large hand, cool and rough, made contact with my skin and I shuddered. His hand cupped my jaw, his thumb lifting my face. For a moment it felt almost… sweet, but then he turned my face this way and that, dropped his hand, turned away, and said in a flat voice "I suppose she'll do."
My eyes dropped in shame. The phrase breeding mare reverberated over and over in my mind. I tried to steel myself against my own terror. I couldn't show fear to these fae. I also couldn't let myself be distracted by the darkly beautiful male before me. Clearly he's a monster.
An amused chuckle from my uncle drew my attention. His eyes were alight with pleasure. The most feared fae from a notoriously cruel court were interested in a deal. My uncle must be over the moon.
"Join me Rhysand, we can discuss this further," my uncle said. He stood from his dias and led the group of Night Court fae out of the reception hall. Only Mor glanced back at me as they walked away. Her eyes took in my frozen form and wild eyes, she looked almost sympathetic, and then she was through the doorway and I stood alone.
I escaped the hall as quickly as I could. Normally my uncle insists I stay till the end of the party, but I couldn't stand being there any more. I felt the eyes of the crowd on me. Some with pity, some with amusement, but none of it mattered. No one could help me.
I made it to my rooms, slamming the door in the faces of my guards. I couldn't take it anymore. I ripped the gauze off me and scrubbed at the paint on my skin, smearing it. I heard a sharp whimpering noise and realized it was coming from my own throat. Each exhale brought me closer to screaming in panic. I wrenched open the balcony doors and folded myself in a dark corner, hugging my knees. I buried my face in my arms and rocked, trying to think of nothing and calm my panicked heart.
By the time I heard a knock on the door I had made my way back inside, bathed, and changed into a set of long soft pajamas. After having my body exposed for so many eyes it felt amazing to be covered in soft cream.
My panic had calmed more from weariness than anything else. I felt helpless and more drained than normal. The bone white cuffs on my wrists visible beneath the fabric of my top. I felt unable to move, to stand and open the door. Unable to keep on living, but one breath followed the other and I continued to lay there.
The door opened. I'm surprised my uncle waited as long as he did. There's no privacy when you're property. He came inside, bouncing on the balls of his feet, radiating excitement.
"Well, well! That went very well indeed!" he said.
I closed my eyes and imagined I was anywhere else, anyone else, and not living in this nightmare. My uncle continued talking, "You've caught the eye of Rhysand and his people. Good job my little day flower!"
Like anything I did was to please him. Ugh.
"Now what I'm wondering is if this is the best fit for you."
At this I finally sat up. "Oh, uncle! I don't think it is. There have been much better offers I'm sure!"
But I was too eager. I cursed myself as I realized my mistake. His eyelids lowered and his smile spread. I showed my hand too early. I was too eager, and he saw it in me. He knows this is my worst fear.
"No, no sweet day flower. I think this is the right ending for you. Left to wilt in the night court. At least you'll be contributing to a worthy goal, bettering a lesser fae's bloodline. We don't want you paired with anyone too worthy. Your children could prove trouble for me in the future. No, better to give you to the Illyrian and never have to worry about you or my brother's bloodline again." He walked over to the bed and patted me on the head, like a faithful dog doing his bidding.
"We've agreed on a price. They're coming for you tomorrow" he said. "I've warned them about you, and let them know of the stone on your wrists. We don't want you causing any trouble, now do we? Don't worry, they're going to keep them on. No need to worry about your pesky power. Nothing is going to change Fairyn dear. You'll do your duty to his bloodline, and that will be that. Now say yes little day flower. Say you'll be good for your new owners."
I stared at him, limp and weak, no energy in my body to fight.
His hand twists in my hair, ripping painfully, though the smile on his face never shifted.
"I said, say yes" he repeated sweetly.
"Yes." I say, flat and dead. What other choice did I have?