Chapter 4
In a dark mountain far away, the creature smiled. He knew his time had almost come. Everything was ready. Now all he had to do was wait.
…
"No, Amren, we are not serving blood at the banquet." Amren sneered a little, but remained calm for her High Lady. She was about to speak again when Nesta came down the stairs, pale and holding onto the railing. Elain ran to her sister.
"Nesta, are you alright?" Concern shown on Elain's face. Nesta stood upright and glared at the room.
"Everything is fine. Why wouldn't it be?" She looked around, silently daring anyone to challenge her. Amren smirked as if she knew something no one else did, but remained silent. Elain shuddered a little at that commanding voice, trying to force the memories of darker days away. Morrigan, sprawled on her favorite chair, wisely chose to remain silent. Only Feyre spoke up.
"I don't know. Why don't you tell us? Something is obviously wrong."
"What business is it of yours?"
"I am your sister and High Lady. What is wrong?"
"Noth-" Nesta doubled over and vomited on the ground. Cassian, just walking in, ran to her. Elain left the room and came back with a wet cloth. Mor grabbed a bucket from the kitchen nearby and Amren held it under Nesta until she finished.
Nesta finally stopped, panting and holding her death grip on Cassian's arm. Cassian led her to the washroom and cleaned her up before helping her back into the sitting room where everyone was waiting anxiously.
Amren laughed. "Now will you tell us what's going on, girl?"
"Nothing I cannot handle. The child in my stomach just decided to move around, that's all." She held her head high while everyone gaped. Cassian laughed nervously.
"What a funny … joke. Now, really, what's wrong?" Nesta stared daggers at him.
"Do you not believe me? Do any of you not take this seriously?"
Morrigan, shocked, demanded, "Whose? How? When?"
Cassian just stared at her, hurt in his eyes. "How could you?" Everyone, even Amren, looked at the Illyrian, shocked. Nesta simply rolled her eyes. Finally, Feyre managed to squeak out the question they all wanted to ask.
"What in the name of the Mother and the Cauldron are you talking about?"
Cassian, for the first time since she was anointed High Lady, ignored Feyre. "But, the tonic?"
"You imbecile." Nesta huffed. Her face softened. "It doesn't always work."
A grin spread over Cassian's whole face. "I am going to be a father! Fu-" A moment later Cassian was cradling the cheek where he had been slapped.
"Learn to control your language now."
Rhysand and Azriel strode into the room, covered in sweat from their sparring. "Did we miss anything?"