Here we go. Chapter three. Hope you like it.
Cassian and Azriel looked completely flabbergasted at my sudden appearance in the House of Wind. Thanks to the glamour I put in place, my arrival had gone undetected. Even Amren looked the teensiest bit surprised and I couldn't remember the last time that had happened.
My Inner Circle rose from their seats in unison, each of them crossing their right arms to rest their hands over their hearts and bowed. It was a gesture full of respect and loyalty, one they were offering to me even after everything I had done. I had done deplorable things. I had abandoned them. I had become Amarantha's whore. My heart ached and I smiled at them.
"So dramatic, all of you," I said with a genuine laugh.
It was Cassian who spoke first. "We did learn from the best."
I hugged each member of my Inner Circle before we settled back down at the table, me in the seat I sat in fifty years ago across from Azriel. Being seated there, seeing that each and every one of them was safe, happy even, it made my half century Under the Mountain all worthwhile. I would gladly do it all over again if it meant protecting the four most important people in my life.
The only thing missing as Feyre. My mate.
"It's good to have you back, Rhysand," Azriel said quietly, his hazel eyes flashing with mirth, light shadows swirling around him.
"It's good to be back," I said in answer.
"I'll drink to that!" Mor exclaimed, a glass of wine appearing in her hand as four other appeared on the table along with a full bottle of wine.
"Morrigan, don't you think it's a bit early to celebrate?" the shadowsinger asked the blonde spitball that was my cousin.
With an exaggerated eye roll, Mor downed the glass before reaching to refill it. "For Rhys' return, I think not! Now drink," she commanded. Not even Azriel turned her down, not that he ever could.
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By the time the sun was setting, the five of us were drunk, though that may have been an understatement. We had taken the festivities into one of the more comfortable rooms in the House of Wind, wine being passed around as we shared happenings of the last fifty years.
Cassian stood abruptly from his relaxed position and declared that it was time for dinner. It was decided that they would reconvene in ten minutes. I went to my rooms, sloppily running my fingers over the walls then the silky sheets on the bed, and changed into fresh clothes. Turning to the mirror, I ran a hand through my dark hair, not liking how the paleness of my skin looked in contrast. I brushed nonexistent lint from my black tunic and pants before rejoining with my Inner Circle.
Walking through Velaris, having my people greet me with smiles, welcoming me back, sobered me up very quickly. Mor was walking arm in arm with Azriel, a soft smile on his usually stoic face. Cassian, in his drunken state, was merrily sauntering behind them, his Siphons gleaming thanks to the light coming from various shop windows.
Amren walked beside me at the back of our group, a necklace housing a giant emerald sitting below the hollow of her throat. I shoved my hands into my pockets and breathed in the smell of Velaris, the ever present scent of the sea, mixed with jasmine, and foods wafting from all directions.
"Thank you, Rhysand," Amren said quietly, her black hair shifting slightly as she walked.
"For what?" I asked, a little confused. I could feel her silver eyes move toward me, but I still stared at Cass' wings, currently tucked into his body.
"For all that you had to sacrifice to save us."
There was nothing I could say in response, but I knew Amren wasn't expecting a reply. I just turned to her and nodded, glad that she was a creature of few words. We arrived at the restaurant, the green and gold unchanged in the last five decades, and took up the table that had always belonged to my court.
The restaurant owner appeared before me, the smile bright against her lovely brown skin. "High Lord, welcome back!" My smile appeared on its own accord as she kissed my cheek, moving to do the same for each of my Inner Circle, only breaking the cycle to bow to Amren.
It was two hours of eating endlessly, food and wine reappearing on the table just as quickly as it had gone. By the time we had all had our fill, I was almost tempted to have Cassian roll me back home.
"Was everything to your liking?" the owner asked.
"Excellent as ever," I said in response. "Thank you."
"For you, High Lord, anytime." She had adamantly refused my money, but I left it all on the table as we left. Mor deciding for the group that it was long overdue for a trip to Rita's down the street for dancing. I said goodbye to Amren and she snuck away to her own apartment, never being a fan of the crowded environment of the club.
My cousin dragged Azriel and me by the hand to the dance floor while Cassian went to get us drinks that were probably unnecessary. It was weird being back at Rita's. I had never really been into the dancing scene, usually more content to watch Cassian flirt with anything in a dress and Mor try to loosen Az up.
I knocked back the drink that Cassian handed me and did what I hadn't done in decades. I let go. Mor laughed giddily as we danced, the place getting warmer by the second.
Just as a song ended, I heard something through my bond with Feyre that made my stomach drop. I could hear her moan the High Lord of Spring Court's name. The walls to her mind wide open, I could see what she saw. Tamlin's yellow hair was damp with sweat as he moved atop Feyre's body—
I shoved the image out of my head, but it was ingrained in my mind. Another male was touching my mate, claiming her, and there was nothing I could fucking do about it without making Feyre hate me. I let out a noise somewhat between a roar and a groad, startling some nearby Fae, before storming towards the bar.
Downing three shots of liquor, I screwed my eyes shut, using my fingers to pinch the bridge of my nose. I could sense someone lean against the bar next to me, the vanilla and rose scent of her cloying and overwhelming.
"High Lord," a golden-haired, blue-eyed High Fae purred at me as I lazily opened my eyes. "I'm so pleased that you've graced us with your presence tonight."
It was a bit painful to plaster a lazy smile on my face. "A night out was much needed."
"How about I make your night a little more interesting?" She ran a finger down my chest as I tried not to cringe, purposefully swaying her hips and puffing out her chest as she stepped in closer to me. I took a step away.
Help me. Help me. Help me. I silently sent to the members of my Inner Circle. I was not in the mood to deal with flirty, mostly sloshed females or males.
The High Fae before me continued on, "I've always been very curious about your—"
"Rhys!" I sighed in relief as Cassian stumbled over, though I could tell he was mostly faking it for the female's benefit. "I think it's time to go ho-ome!"
"I think so too, bud," I gave him a clap on the back and shot a halfhearted look of regret to the female who actually pouted.
When we got outside, I told Cassian that he could go back in, but I was going to head back to the house above the Court of Nightmares, suddenly exhausted. He nodded, knowing it wasn't the time to push and watched me leave.
I winnowed out of Velaris, the sight of Tamlin on my mate still chafing my mind. I had no idea how I was going to survive the images for gods knew how long considering Feyre had no idea how to put her mental walls up. I was destined for this torture, but then again, I probably deserved it for everything I had done Under the Mountain.
After a scalding bath, I lay in my bed, unable to fall asleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Tamlin's rutting face above my mate's, an animalistic look in his eyes. My black talons threatened to make an appearance, but I painfully willed them away. It was going to be a long night.
It wasn't until hours later that I began to doze off, only to jolt awake, sprint to the adjoining bathing room, and dry heave into the toilet. The nightmare had been an endless line of ash daggers going through the hearts of Fae, blood everywhere. It was Feyre's nightmare and it was Feyre who was puking her guts out, my nausea a side effect of the bond.
What pissed me off the most was the she was feeling absolutely alone, the High Lord of Spring still asleep. There was no way he slept through it all, so he was most likely completely ignoring the fact that his love was falling in the next room. It disgusted me.
I was half tempted to winnow to the Spring Court and punch him in the gut.
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