FEYRE

I was a bit shaken after hearing what had happened on Calanmai. I planned to ask Lucien about it later when I had time. I wonder how I had never known or felt that Calanmai had passed. Of course, there had been… distractions that night so who could be blamed, really?

I bumped into Tamlin on my way to the art studio.

"Feyre-you weren't in bed yesterday night."

Ugh. Just the thought of him wanting me and checking up on me even in bed. I gave him a fake smile and said, "I was up all night; I couldn't sleep."

"Okay. I was just worried," He ran a hand through his hair.

I was confused. He hadn't tried to look for me even with his poisonous, protective love blanket over me. Unless… And right on cue, Jurian walked around the corner.

He had been preoccupied with the King then. Was I supposed to go train with Jurian again?

Apparently so. He held out a hand once more like yesterday. Tamlin didn't object, but he did look like he'd rather spend time with Rhys than send me off with him again.

Training was the same like yesterday. However, I felt like he was getting suspicious that I was holding my powers back from him, that he suspected that a High Fae with the powers of the seven courts shouldn't be spending so long on uncovering her powers.

I went back to the mansion and managed to avoid Tamlin. I found Lucien outside the dining room.

"Lucien!" I called out.

He blinked at me and said, "What?"

I rolled my eyes at his hint of a disguise, an act to make it seem like nothing was happening. I gave him a look and went down the hallway to the art studio. A few moments later, I heard his footsteps following mine. Like a little lover's dance. Rhys would throttle Lucien and me if he ever heard me say that.

I would and feel very strongly to.

I laughed to myself, entering the art studio. Lucien came in a few moments later. "Wow…" He breathed, looking around.

I did use the art studio as my safe hiding spot but that didn't mean I didn't actually paint. From time to time, I would paint when I was resting from my own personal training. Therefore, I basically piled up all of those paintings all around the studio, and most of them were of the Night Court, of Velaris or the night sky. I put a glamour on the ones of Velaris so Tamlin wouldn't ask any questions but now released the glamour to show Lucien.

He gaped at all of them and stopped in front of one that depicted The Rainbow from Velaris. I had painted the swirl of colours of paints in that area, together with the browns and peaches of the artists' brushes and the whites, greys and blacks of easels and palettes and stores.

I went over to him and brushed a hand over the painting, feeling the texture of it.

"Is that where you were when you were with Rhys?" He asked me quietly.

I nodded and turned away from the painting.

You haven't painted me naked yet.

I huffed and smiled.

Prick.

Lucien noticed and asked me. "What is it? What are you smiling for?"

I paused, and told him slowly, "It's Rhys."

"Like… he's talking to you?" Lucien asked.

"In my mind, yes. He's also probably listening to this and laughing at how foolish you are," I told him.

"Seriously?"

The fact was further confirmed by a very loud laugh in my mind.

"He's laughing in my head right now, so yes, seriously," I smiled. "Anyway, I needed to talk to you about Calanmai."

At that, I felt Lucien stiffen. So he knew.

"When were you going to tell me? Was it Ianthe?" I demanded, turning to face him.

He hesitated.

"Tell me," I pressed.

Sighing, he told me, "I'm pretty sure it was."

That bastard. "And when were you going to tell me?" I asked, folding my arms.

"I was going to tell you yesterday night but you know I broke off from it because of other distractions like you being the bloody High Lady of the Night Court and plotting against my High Lord," Lucien shrugged.

"I didn't say I was going to plot against Tamlin," I said quietly.

He huffed, "I can see it in your eyes, Feyre. I think it's quite clear you want to kill Tamlin. And I don't know how I feel about it. He's my High Lord but you're my friend too. So I'm stuck in the middle of all this. I should probably talk to Tamlin about this and get some advice, wouldn't you say?"

"Lucien, don't you dare-"

"I'm not going to Feyre, like I said, I'm not going to betray you, I was just kidding," Lucien laughed.

I scowled. "Prick," I snapped at him.

I thought you specially saved that nickname for me.

I give that nickname to most of the fae men I meet.

And Tamlin?

Puerile. Stupefied.

What wicked words.

I grinned.

"Okay, that's a bit weird. Could you maybe… stop that for a second?"

I gave him a smile laced with honey and he scowled back.

"Anything else I should know, Lucien? About Calanmai or anything else that could be important?" I questioned.

"Calanmai didn't go so well. Something felt wrong that night, the magic didn't feel complete."

I pondered those words. "It was Ianthe, wasn't it? She took some of the power meant for the Spring Court. Rhys and I had our suspicions, but I didn't think it would really be true."

Lucien's eyes widened. "We've had a theory about that but haven't really confirmed it. And if she had run back to Hybern with that power-"

"That would mean the King would have extra power with him," I completed. "But what for? Why would he need that power? Doesn't he already have everything he needs, all the magic he could possibly use for his schemes?"

Lucien shrugged. "Well, the King is planning, or rather, preparing, for war."

"And that was the other thing that you would have told me when?"

He raised his hands up in defeat. "Hey, I only just found out yesterday night AFTER our conversation, when the King came over to talk with Tamlin about preparing the Spring Court's armies for war with whoever that wouldn't stand with him."

"Did he specify which court?"

"Well, your court for starters. He did also mention the Summer Court but wasn't sure about that because Tarquin hadn't yet wanted to talk to him about it. He was more on war plans on invasion and getting ahold of this court. But Tamlin was hesitant and didn't yet give over the court to him even though he owes the King, still fulfilling his role as High Lord."

I thought of the magic that had been taken and how the King wanted this court. "Do you think… Do you think the King took the magic from here so the Spring Court would be less prepared for any attacks he could make if he wanted this court? And also to ensure that he was as close to the Summer Court as possible to attack it if they didn't ally with him."

Lucien swore in words that even Amren would blush at. "That would make a lot of sense. Damn, Feyre you're good at this."

"Wouldn't you have spoken with Tamlin about this and have thought of it before me?"

"He's not allowing anyone to get involved with anything that has the King in it, least of all discussing about it."

"What about Alis? I haven't seen her since she got back, other maids have been serving me and I've been wondering why."

He was silent at that, and I felt dread pulsing from him.

"What is it? Lucien, did something happen to Alis?" I started to feel panicked and worried for my friend.

"Tamlin found out she helped to get you out from here," Lucien said quietly.

I wanted to rip his throat out at that moment from being so goddamned slow to give me news about my friend.

Feyre, darling.

Wait, Rhys-I just. Wait, please?

"And what, Lucien? What did he do?"

"He… He's removing her from the Spring Court." He said carefully, like the wrong word would get himself killed.

Rhys swore in my head.

"Removing-Removing, what?! Where's he removing her to?" I nearly wanted to scream at him.

"He's bringing her back to the Summer Court."

"And when is that happening? Oh Cauldron, don't tell me it's already happened. And what about the children?" I asked, horrified.

"They're being taken back with her. It's… she's being sent there tomorrow." Lucien had the right to look ashamed.

I was too shocked for words. I had known Tamlin was a horrible and controlling person-but this? Alis had helped me find my home, find my mate and family and she was now being punished for it? No. This would not happen with me in the middle of it.

"Tamlin has the right to do that? To anyone who isn't part of the Spring Court?" I asked Lucien.

"Yes," He merely replied.

"And… could he do that to you? Send you back to the Autumn Court?" I asked, already knowing the answer and dreading it.

He nodded, looking down.

We were both silent, and so was Rhys, but a sense of soothing and warmth came down the bond.

"Alis helped in bringing you to the Night Court, where I think… was healthier for you," He said quietly.

I didn't say anything so he continued. "When I found you in the forest that night, you looked fitter. You didn't look like you were starving or wasting away, you looked happy. Much happier than you ever looked in here, in the Spring Court."

"And yet you still wanted to take me away," I implied.

"That night was Calanmai and Tamlin had been growing restless, wrecking the manor until the servants who worked around the mansion had to wear clothing with this protective material in them so they wouldn't be cut by glass or splinters. We were all getting desperate at what he would do if we didn't bring you back." He explained.

"And what did he do?" I asked, feeling like I didn't want to know the answer.

"He punished all of us, including the servants."

"He took out his anger on all of you? I… I'm sorry." I said.

"If I left… what would happen?" I asked him quietly.

"Well, the King has a strong hold on Tamlin now, so he wouldn't be able to do anything unless the King wanted him to," Lucien said, looking relieved at something that shouldn't be good news, but was to him and to everyone else in the mansion.

I was suddenly filled with the need to do something, to complete what I came here to do, which was to take down the court and Tamlin from within.

"Lucien-could you tell me where Alis is right now? I need to go see her," I told him.

"I'm not so sure where they put her but my suspicions would be in the dungeon cells underground," He said.

I hadn't even known that there had been a dungeon here, in the mansion. It truly was a prison, however beautiful it was. He told me where to find it and I left the art studio. On the way, I pondered over Tamlin and what Lucien had just supplied me with. I remembered once when Tamlin had told me he had wanted to rule differently from his father, be a better High Lord than he ever was. But it seemed to me he wasn't doing any of that, and I clenched my fists at the anger that threatened to rise at the fact that Tamlin would never become the person that he could have been because of his overprotectiveness and need to control. It reminded me of Rhys a little, who did wish to have been a better ruler but had actually managed to fulfill that dream or idea.

Are you complimenting me, darling?

Maybe.

You're not mad that I'm comparing you to him?

It seems like I'm much better than him in your little comparison so no, I'm not mad.

I smiled again, and was hit with the longing and need to be with him again.

Soon, Feyre, darling, soon.

I miss you, Rhys. When I get back to you-

I'll be welcoming you back with my open arms and tongue.

And wingspan.

And wingspan. He chuckled.

I found the entrance and descended it, rendering the two guards at the bottom unconscious and erasing their memory of me. I hid myself in my shadows so no guards passing by on watch would catch sight of me, and felt Rhys grow increasingly worried at every passing moment, every second where someone could catch me using my powers. I shared with him that worry but I had to get to Alis, had to tell her what I needed her to help me with.

I found her a while later, and thankfully, she was alone. I released the shadows on myself slightly so she would be able to see me, but not anybody who passed by.

"Feyre!" She jumped in shock at the sight of me and widened her eyes at the darkness surrounding me. "I had heard you were back-I wanted to come to you but they kept me down here."

"I know, I know. Lucien told me all about what Tamlin wants to do with you." I said.

At that, her brows furrowed. "Lucien? Why would Lucien tell you about me? Isn't he with the High Lord? Or with that King?" Her lips curled in disgust when she said his name.

"Alis…" And then, damn the consequences, I showed her my wings and released the glamour on myself, like I had shown Lucien.

Instead of shock or surprise highlighting her face, she merely stood up and folded her arms. "So me helping you go there wasn't all for nothing. You seem better." She smiled at my appearance.

I was surprised by her and glamoured myself once more. "You knew?"

"No, I didn't. But I suspected something was different about you when you showed yourself to me. You held yourself with such confidence I could tell something had changed in you. So what are you now?" She asked me.

I took a deep breath before telling her. Maybe this would shock her. "I'm the High Lady of the Night Court- and Rhys's mate."

She did not seem any more surprised than when I revealed myself to her. "I always knew you were too good for Tamlin. Does he treat you well, at least?"

Very well.

I smiled at her and stopped myself from rolling my eyes at Rhys's remark. "Yes. He's much better than Tamlin is and I'm sure you can meet him for yourself and tell."

"How? And why are you here, Feyre, is this connected to that?" She came closer.

"Yes. I need your help. I know Tamlin is sending you off to the Summer Court."

She waved my remark off with her hand. "I know you know, Lucien told you. What do you want me to do there?"

"You… you want to go back?" I asked her, surprised.

"I know I told you I fled from there, but here's not much better than there is it? I have a feeling being there would be much better than being here, better than being under the scrutiny of the King or his cronies. So tell me, Feyre, what can I do to help you?"

I told her everything I needed her to do for me and the message I needed her to send for me. She nodded through everything, and only asked me one question. "What about you?"

I smiled at her concern for me. "If all goes well, I'll be able to winnow to the Summer Court."

"Do you know how to winnow long distance?"

I paused. "Hopefully, I'll be ready for winnowing that far. Or else I'll have to winnow in parts, which could take time."

"Unless you bring Lucien with you. He could winnow you there. And I have a feeling he'll be coming with you. The guards speak of some mate he found that's in the Night Court?"

"That mate is my sister, Elaine."

Alis's mouth widened into an o. So she was surprised at that.

Feyre, you need to go. Now.

What is it?

I'm afraid your powers could be attracting… unpleasant company.

One of them being Tamlin?

One of them could be Tamlin. He can sense your powers after all, he… knows what your scent is like.

I could practically hear how hard it was for him to spit out those words to me.

"Alis, I need to go," I said, preparing to cloak myself in darkness once more.

"Wait, Feyre." She said, reaching through the bars to grab my arm.

I looked at her, and she nodded once at me. "Until we meet again." She told me.

I nodded back, a farewell for friends, a farewell that spoke of hope and light.

"Until we meet again," I spoke those words back at her and left in darkness and shadows.