"Are we going to Vallahan to kill her sisters?" Mor asked.
I shook my head. Even when dealing with such a horrible priestess like Ianthe herself, her own family didn't deserve to suffer for her crimes.
"Are they even still alive?" Cas asked.
I shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm sure there are other priestesses there who can shade some more light on how Ianthe came to be and maybe several of her weaknesses. And then, after all that, we'll travel to the mortal world and find her and the immortal queens."
xXx
Three days later, Rhys was helping me get dressed for our trip to Vallahan.
"Nervous, darling?" He murmured, hands brushing my hair to one side.
I leaned into his touch. "A bit," I admitted, turning to face him.
Understanding flittered across his face. "Don't be. It's your, what- third plan already? And your other plans have been extremely successful, if I do say so myself."
"And anyway," He added. "If you're truly feeling that nervous, I can always bring you back to the Spring Court and Amren could babysit you. Or I could always make you fit into my pocket if you don't want to see what you're getting into," He smirked.
I scowled. "I dare you. Maybe even spice things up a little. You don't need to put me in just a simple pocket. Maybe someplace closer to homeā¦"
Even when hinting just a little, Rhys understood what I meant. His eyes darkened and somehow, his hands ended up on my waist, going dangerously downwards. I raised my eyebrows and stepped away, his hands falling to his sides.
"I think I should get dressed. On my own, this time. Get things done faster, you know?" I smiled.
Rhys merely watched as I left the walk-in-closet to our bedroom.
After further discussion, we had decided that Rhys, Elain, Lucien and myself would be going to Vallahan. I had asked Elain myself and thought her presence would make ours less frightening and show the similarity of sisterhood to Ianthe's own sisters.
Mor would be in charge of the court while we were gone, Az would continue with his spymaster duties whereas Cas and Nesta would travel to the Illyrian camps to prepare them for the upcoming war.
We would have flown there but Rhys was the only one who actually knew how to fly properly. Winnowing there was out of the question as Vallahan had different laws and we didn't want to cause any interruptions to their system there. Therefore, we would winnow to the edge of the Night Court border near the sea and take a boat ride to Vallahan.
We had now boarded the boat for Vallahan. It was, of course, privately owned by Rhys. The captain aboard had been ecstatic to be serving us and staff showed us to our rooms. The boat was like a mansion on water. Elain and I both were slightly paranoid of the boat. After all, it was a boat which had caused all our riches to disappear, both them and the crew never to be seen again. Lucien and Rhys both sensed it and shared a look.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
You're not a very good liar, Feyre.
I gave a mental shudder. It's just being on a boat. The last time I was on one was around ten years ago. And it was a boat that caused my family to lose everything. Maybe I'm just scared that this boat will capsize and bring me down with it.
Even if the captain of this boat loses control of it, I can say that I make a ravishing sailor. Something like using my wonderful powers to make this wonderful ship sail. Does that ease your worries?
You? A sailor? I believe my paranoia has just grown.
He scoffed. Excuse me? Now you're just being outright rude.
Why? Does is hurt your elephant sized ego?
I have a non-existent ego.
Tell that to the rest of the Inner Circle. They'll laugh you out of Velaris for weeks.
I'll have you for company, won't I?
No, you'll be just fine on your own. You can come back after you've travelled around the entirety of Prythian thinking about your worst lie.
He scoffed but we know he had accomplished what he had wanted to do. His words had managed to ease my worries.
"If you both are done talking?" Lucien asked.
Rhys rolled his eyes and hooked his arm around my waist. "I'm sure you have some talking to do on your own," He called out as we left.
As soon as we were out of their sight, Rhys surprised me by pushing me against the wall, starting to kiss my neck. I gasped and against my whole body and mind's wishes, winnowed to the end of the room.
"Rhys, darling, we should go exploring first," I said cheekily.
He growled and winnowed behind me. "I thought you said you were paranoid?"
"You said you would help in that section wouldn't you? And anyway, I recall you saying you needed protection with my water wolves a while ago. We have each other for protection, hmm?"
I heard his grin and flutters of happiness behind our bond.
xXx
We reached Vallahan in the span of three days. The four of us had been playing a board game when the sailor came in, apologising for his intrusion and informing us that they had seen land.
Elain had pulled me on the deck to see us approaching Vallahan, leaving Lucien and Rhys to hurry after us. Arm hooked together, Elain and I had watched as the lands got closer and closer and marvelled at the scenery Vallahan held.
The shore was packed with throngs of people. It appeared as if they had been awaiting for our arrival. When we came down from the ship, a woman with similar types of robes to Ianthe's greeted us. Her robes had long, billowing sleeves and a skirt that reached her ankles and they were a deep red in colour. They had gold outlines and there was a crest on the breast of her robe, a crest of a bird with two swords across them in the shape of a cross and with a crown and three diamonds above it.
"Welcome to Vallahan. My name is Valloria, the Priestess of Vallahan and advisor to the Overlord. The whole of Vallahan, myself included, have been anticipating your arrival since your message three days ago," She said, smiling.
"Such a warm welcome," Rhys drawled. "And where is this supposed Overlord of Vallahan?"
"He is resting in his home. I advised him to make an appearance today but he's come down with a terrible headache, I'm afraid," Valloria said in a solemn manner.
Of course he has.
Why, Feyre darling, are you not the trusting sort?
You should know. I recall throwing my shoe in your face once because I didn't trust you.
The back of my head. There's a difference.
I nearly rolled my eyes.
Of course there is.
Lucien shot us a look that clearly told us to stop talking in each other's heads.
"That sounds awful. I do hope he's feeling better," Elain said smoothly.
Valloria looked surprised and pleased at Elain talking. "And you are? I know of the High Lady and High Lord but you and your other male companion- I have not heard of you."
"My name is Elain Archeron, sister to the High Lady of the Night Court. And the male companion next to me is Lucien, son to the High Lord of the Autumn Court and previous advisor to the High Lord of the Spring Court."
Valloria's eyes brightened. "Of course! One of two sisters who were made into High Fae from the Cauldron. This is truly an honour. Vallahan has not gotten a visit from High Lords in centuries, nor have we ever had the honour of greeting a High Lady and High Fae created, not born. And Lucien- Lucien, with no title. You once belonged to the Autumn Court and moved to the Spring Court. And now you've left the Spring Court- so where do you stand now? Who currently has your loyalty?"
Valloria's questions were from curiosity yet insulting to a certain degree.
"My loyalties lie with Elain. Wherever she goes, I go."
I hid my smile. Already so smitten with Elain. Elain thought so too and could not hide her surprise.
Valloria smiled. "Young love," She mused, almost chastising. "Follow me," She added, before turning and walking into the crowd.
We each shared looks before following behind her. She led us to a group of three other priestesses who wore the same robes as her, although theirs were outlined in silver. They each took our hands and winnowed us to the outside of a mansion, something that all of us felt strange in. I don't think any of us had known priestesses could winnow too, although Ianthe had probably done it once in the Spring Court.
The mansion was like the one my family had in the mortal realm. The mortal realm. Our father was still there, probably wondering and worrying where all of his daughters had gone. I wondered whether he had even hired people for a search party. When we went back to visit the mortal realm, I had a feeling a visit to our father would be required too.
"There are no palaces here in Vallahan. This is the mansion the Overlord lives in, together with his Council and other advisors that work alongside me," Valloria explained.
We went in together and were greeted by the sight of tons of people in the entrance. The other three priestesses disappeared into the crowd and Valloria led us through to a hallway with fewer people and then into another hallway which was empty. We were then greeted by the sight of a set of double doors and Valloria pushed them open, ushering us inside.
Inside the room, there was a large round table surrounded by ten chairs, one slightly taller than the others. That was the chair the Overlord sat in, I presumed. The room was empty save for us and Valloria motioned for us to sit in the four chairs opposite the taller chair, taking the seat next to it.
"The Overlord will be in in a moment."
True to her word, sometime after we had taken our seats, the double doors opened and in came two guards and a tall man who seemed much too young to be an Overlord, followed by another two guards. Then again, Rhys didn't seem his age, nor did the other members of the Inner Circle.
The man's face was set into a grim line and although his features made him look young, something in his eyes made him seem more matured and experienced. He did look weary and I could only hope that it was because Valloria's words about him having a headache was true.
We each stood and introduced ourselves. The Overlord introduced himself as Adonis.
"Welcome to Vallahan. I assumed you would be staying here awhile, although you didn't specify how long in your message. We've acquired rooms for you in my home here, unless you'd rather stay somewhere outside. We've acquired a villa for you to stay in too, if you'd rather there than here." Adonis said.
Elain shook her head. "No, no, here would be fine."
Adonis smiled at her, although his face didn't show any signs of surprise at her liveliness. We made small talk on each of our islands and how things were going in each of our lands.
"Very well, then. So, down to business. Why have you come? It's rare that we get visitors from the other islands of Prythian," Adonis said after our pleasant conversation.
I took note of his words. Other islands? I assumed he was talking about Hybern and the island we had come from ourselves, unless there were others around. I made another note to ask Rhys about that later.
"We'll be blunt with you, Adonis, we came here to have a chat with a family of one of your High Priestesses. You may recall Ianthe?" Rhys asked.
Adonis's eyes darkened at her name. "Ianthe is a dark spot on Vallahan and to all priestesses everywhere. She has ashamed us all by allying with Hybern. We no longer refer to her as a High Priestess."
I nodded. "Good. Then I can safely assume that this can all be easier. We don't wish to waste your time, especially with the headache you have right now. We came here to request for time to speak with Ianthe's sisters, if you would allow us to."
Adonis nodded. "Of course, of course. However, it would be required for you to visit them with guards accompanying you. It's not that we don't trust you, but that we don't trust her family."
"Ianthe may be a cruel person but that doesn't necessarily mean her family takes after her, or the other way around," Elain said, frowning.
"Yes, of course, but precautions must be taken. You understand, don't you?" Adonis said, eyes darting between each of us.
And then I realised his bluntness and speed to agree with us wasn't from respecting his guests or anything, but rather from fear at what we could do to him and at the power we held.
"We understand. When do you think we can visit her family?" I asked smoothly.
"Anytime you want. When would be your earliest convenience?"
"Tomorrow, perhaps. We are, after all, tired from our trip here," Lucien said.
Adonis nodded once more. "Of course, of course. Dinner will be served in an hour or so, though, unless you would rather have it in your rooms if you're too tired?"
Elain shook her head. "No, we would be honoured to have dinner with you. Would you show us to our rooms?"
"Yes, Valloria? Show them to their rooms, please."
Valloria seemed reluctant too and displeased at how her Overlord had quickly agreed to our demands. However, she did obey and we were led out quickly and shown to our rooms each, one for me and Rhys and two separate ones for Lucien and Elain, although all three were connected by a series of doors. We readied ourselves for dinner and for more conversations with other people from Vallahan.
