A/N: To celebrate 1,250 views I've decided to upload Chapter 6 early!

Thank you to Yasnah and unknown for the reviews.

Thank you again to my fab Betas – Infernas81 and inuverse.

I hope you enjoy this chapter – I really enjoyed writing this one! Please R&R.

Chapter 6

It honestly feels like I never stop! Including today we've got 2 more days of preparation before Calanmai and even though I've given the other's jobs, I'm still much in demand.

Nesta and I had taken Elain for a walk in the grounds, to try to get a break. Mor had gone to the clearing and Amren had gone to meet Captain Jaze, who oversaw the Illyrian legion. Azriel was following us, trying his best to stay out of sight but no doubt following Rhys' extra instructions.

The bruises and cuts on my face still hadn't gone, but looked somewhat better, I just hoped they'd be gone in a couple of days. My arms were also bruised, and I was feeling pretty battered after my encounter with Tamlin yesterday.

I hadn't seen anything of Tamlin since dinner last night. He was avoiding me and Nesta. He'd met with Lucien yesterday to try and sort out their problems and today they were going to send the letters of invitation to the other High Lords and their Courts.

As we were walking Amren winnowed in and stormed toward us. Azriel, who had tensed up, relaxed. As she got to us I could see she was upset and mentally prepared myself for what had got her vexed.

"High Lady," she greeted, with a slight nod.

"Afternoon Amren. What's up?"

"I've just come from meeting Captain Jaze. He's refusing to guard at Calanmai, he says it's beneath them."

"Shouldn't you be telling Cassian and not my sister?" Nesta asked. I could almost feel the venom in her voice, "or is he too useless at his job?"

"I'm telling your sister, girl, because these are her orders." She stated matter-of-factly.

"Nesta, please." I felt like all I did was get between her and the others with her attitude. "You don't understand how it works."

She tutted at me loudly, "I would if you explained anything."

I rolled my eyes, I couldn't be bothered with her moods today. I looked over my shoulder to Azriel. "Az," I called back, "would you mind having a chat with Jaze and making my orders….clearer, please?"

"I'm not…." He trailed off.

I huffed out my curt reply, "Amren's here, she'll stay with me." Amren nodded in affirmation as I added, "if he still refuses, tell him to come talk to me." Azriel nodded then winnowed.

The 4 of us continued our walk and 10 minutes later Azriel arrived back. Even though he maintained the stoic look on his face I could tell he was pissed off.

"I take it it didn't go well?"

"No."

"You told him that this is my direct order?" I asked him. He nodded. "So, he refused you, his General, telling him that the order given to him by his High Lady must be followed?" I clarified. Azriel nodded again. "Where is he?"

"He was waiting for his Lieutenant to return from a recon trip, then he's going to fly here. Should be about 20 minutes. I told him to wait at the gates to the grounds."

I turned to Nesta and Elain. "Amren, Azriel and I need to go deal with Jaze. You can either walk to the gates with us or keep walking here. I'll warn you now though, there will be shouting!" I could almost feel the gleam in my eye at the thought of getting into a shouting match.

"I'm coming with you," Nesta stated, "I want to see how you deal with pig-headed Illyrians."

I tried to hide my smile. "Elain? Are you ok to come with us?" I asked her gently. Today she was rather quiet again. She shook her head and I sighed internally. I didn't want her on her own in the gardens or with Tamlin and Lucien in the house.

I was saved by Azriel. He went to her and said, "Elain, I can take you to Mor, if you would like." She nodded, clearly grateful to be spared the spectacle that was about to unfold. Azriel scooped her up in his arms and took off in the direction of the clearing.

"Let's go." I said to Amren and Nesta, heading towards the gates to the grounds.

When we got to the gates there were 4 of Spring's sentries stood about haphazardly. As soon as they saw us they snapped to attention.

"Can we help you?" one of the sentries asked. I didn't like his tone, and neither it seemed did Amren and Nesta.

"We're meeting some of our Court," Nesta stated, and I was proud of her for using 'our'.

"Why?" came the response from the same sentry.

Nesta growled in response, but Amren put her hand up. "Our High Lady is not about to divulge her business to the likes of you."

The sentry was about to reply when we heard the sound of wings. Next thing, 3 Illyrian warriors landed next to the sentries with a thud. It was Captain Jaze and 2 of his warriors. They all bowed.

"High Lady," Captain Jaze said, as they straightened up.

"Captain," I responded as I gestured for them to walk with us into the grounds. When we were away from the sentries I continued, "Amren and General Azriel told me that you are refusing to follow my orders. Why?"

"We are highly trained warriors, not guards," he told me. "You order us to do something that is beneath us."

I stopped walking and stared at him. "I'm sorry?" I asked him. I knew what I'd heard but I wanted him to repeat it, so that when I lost it, I could lose it in style.

"I said," he said, clearly angry and talking to me like I hadn't been paying attention, "that I think your orders for us are not….suitable," he finished.

"Not suitable…." I repeated. I looked at him, and as I did so I let my Night magic loose. "I'll tell you what is not suitable Captain Jaze; refusing to carry out a direct order from your High Lady, that is what is not suitable. Refusing to obey your commanding officer or a representative of your High Lord and High Lady, that is not suitable."

As I was talking I could feel the magic leeching out of me and it felt good. I glanced behind me and saw the other 2 Illyrians look slightly nervous. I grinned at them and at Amren, Azriel (who had returned without me noticing) and Nesta.

"Do you have anything to say in defence of the claims of refusing to obey orders?" Azriel asked, stepping to my side. Jaze refused to talk further and stood straight and tall.

I inwardly sighed at his awkwardness. This situation was going to be a huge pain to deal with. I was trying to quickly ponder the best course of action when I noticed Jaze's sneering looks at me and I suddenly knew why he was being stubborn. In that moment I knew what I was going to do, and I knew the others would back me up without question or hesitation.

I let my fire magic snake and dance along the fingers of my right hand, so it illuminated my mating tattoo. I looked at Jaze, my glare unswerving. "If you refuse to answer our questions, then I'm just going to have to root around in your head to get them," I told him. I put a finger to my temple and grinned.

I broke into his head and past his inferior shields with barely a thought. The soldiers who were with him made to go to him when he let out a low grunt, but a quick shake of the head from Amren had them staying put. I looked in his mind and found what I knew to be the truth, and now that I'd got the confirmation I withdrew and looked at the others.

"He's refusing to follow my order as he is holding to the backwards view of most Illyrians, that females, especially pregnant females, shouldn't have anything to do with warriors. Right?" I said, turning back to Jaze.

"Yes," he responded with defiance. "You should be warming our High Lords bed and staying in his house to do his bidding, not ordering us about."

I was honestly struck without speech. We had been doing so much to get females on an even keel with training, and here I was with an obnoxious male. I needed to make an example of him, to show who was in charge, despite my gender and condition.

"We're going to take a little trip to your legion," I said to the group at large, "so they can see what it means to defy me." I snapped my fingers and Arco Iris appeared in my hand. I slung the scabbard over my shoulder, so the blade was against my spine. I snapped my fingers again and my dagger belt appeared this time. I managed to buckle it on, all the while not dropping my gaze from Jaze. "Azriel, take charge of Jaze. Amren, winnow them," I told her, gesturing with my head to the soldiers. "Nesta, with me." Amren and Azriel gave a nod, we all grabbed wrists and winnowed to the legion's camp.

When we arrived at the camp I sent Mor, Rhys and Cassian a message to tell them what had happened and that we were dealing with it. They all wanted to join us, so I relented and told Cassian to join us, mostly as he oversaw all the Night Court armies and was doing his best to modernise them. He arrived 2 minutes later. I shared Jaze's thoughts with Amren, Nesta, Azriel and Cassian.

I hadn't noticed when, but Cassian and Azriel had tapped their Siphons and were now wearing their battle armour, their 7 Siphons each glowing. I allowed more of my Night magic loose and I heard Amren tell Nesta to stay with her and not interrupt. Ready, I stepped forward.

"Where are the Lieutenants of this unit?" Cassian hollered. Most of the soldiers were doing sparring practice, and they stopped, starring. I noticed the flaps on the main tent open and 3 warriors, wearing 2 small Siphons apiece, came over to us.

"I am removing Captain Jaze from command of this unit." I announced to the whole camp. I was going to put Azriel or Cassian in charge, but an evil idea came to mind. "I have removed him for failure to follow my direct order, so I am now in charge, and Lady Nesta here," I gestured to Nesta, "is second in command to me. Now, does anyone here have any objections to this change of leadership?" As I took a slow look around I noticed Cassian's huge grin; winding up his warriors was a favourite pastime of his. "You WILL obey me. I will NOT tolerate disobedience. Bring Jaze forward."

Cassian and Azriel grabbed an arm each and dragged Jaze into the centre of one of the sparring rings. I drifted over behind them, the darkness that was unlike Azriel's shadows, following me. They forced Jaze to his knees. I walked up and stopped in front of my former Captain and drew my sword. There was a collective intake a breath.

I spoke loudly, "by the laws of the Illyrian Tribes, the High Lord – or High Lady – can mete out a field punishment without the need for a tribunal. As Captain Jaze has wantonly defied an order – and I have seen and assessed his guilt – I carry out the sentence. Death." I had no intention of killing him, but they didn't know that. I wanted them to fear me, to follow my orders without question, as they're supposed to. After I proclaimed Jaze's sentence, I looked at him. "Do you have anything to say before your sentence is carried out?"

I locked gazes with Jaze. "I apologise for my disobedience High Lady. I am ready for my punishment." He then hung his head.

I tightened my grip on Arco Iris, the leather binding on the handle feeling familiar in my hand. As I began to raise it I could see the colours shimmer along the blade, from the enchantments giving it its name – Rainbow. Just as my sword reached it's peak, all eyes on it, Nesta stepped forward.

"High Lady," she began, her voice starting out shaky, "I believe that we should commute his sentence. I have spoken to General Azriel and he has informed me, that apart from this gross indiscretion, Captain Jaze is an admirable warrior, who has faithfully served for many years. I believe that killing him would be a loss to our army."

I lowered my sword. "Eloquent words Lady Nesta, so what do you suggest we commute his sentence to?"

"Demote him, take his command away from him…..and one of his fingers."

I was surprised at the last part, and struggled to keep the shock off my face. As soon as we'd arrived at the camp I'd opened up a mental link between the 5 of us, and we had been communicating about how to deal with this. I didn't want to behead him. We'd decided that Nesta would step forward and offer an alternative of demotion, removal of privileges and making him train the fledglings at Lord Sterd's camp. I looked at Nesta.

Let me do this. She was clear.

I raised my eyebrows in question and she gave me a curt nod and held out her hand. I gave her one of my daggers from my belt. She turned to Jaze.

"Your High Lady has agreed to commute your sentence – that you will lose your rank, your unit and train the youngest children, male AND female alike. You will lose a finger, so you can see what disobedience has cost you. You will follow all orders given to you from now on, or you WILL lose your head. Do you agree?"

He gave a brief nod. 2 soldiers then brought a stump into the ring and set it before Jaze. Cassian was telling Nesta, via the mind-link, the best way to carry out the punishment, so it would be done quickly and cleanly. Amren bid for a healer to be on standby. When everything was ready Jaze put his left hand on the stump. Nesta had asked if he had a preference, and he said his little finger. Azriel stood opposite Nesta, his hands braced on the Jaze's forearm; Cassian stood behind Nesta, watching and coaching. With no indication, Nesta stepped forward and before we knew what had happened the digit had been severed. Jaze didn't make a sound and stayed on his knees as Azriel beckoned the healer over. Nesta walked over to me with my dagger still in her hand.

Cassian turned to the assembled soldiers. "You have seen that disobedience will not be tolerated. He," he jerked his thumb towards Jaze, "should be grateful for Lady Nesta's mercy. You are soldiers; you are trained to follow orders, not question them, and you would all do well to remember that. Get back to training." He caught the eye of the 3 Lieutenants as the soldiers dispersed. "You 3, command tent, 5 minutes."

He then left the ring with Nesta as his side. Azriel waited for Amren and I to reach him and fell into line just behind us as we made our way to the command tent.

In the tent I took the biggest chair for myself and sank into it gratefully. I had the beginning of a pounding headache from the stress of dealing with Jaze. Cassian and Azriel took up their standard positions of standing at either side of my chair.

"Are you alright Nesta?" I asked. She looked paler than normal, but otherwise fine.

"I didn't think I would be, but yeah," she responded, whilst cleaning off the dagger. She offered it back to me.

"Keep it. It'll remind you of how you dealt with a pig-headed Illyrian!"

"Well done girl, I didn't think you had it in you." Nesta gave Amren a small nod in response.

The tent flap opened and one of the soldiers on guard outside came in and announced that the Lieutenants were waiting so I beckoned them in. They entered and stood before me, casting apprehensive looks at Nesta.

"As you have already been told, your High Lady is taking direct control of this unit, with Lady Nesta as her Second in Command. You are required to swear oaths of fealty to them both," Cassian told them. As one they drew out their swords and got down on one knee and offered the hilts of their swords towards us. They pledged themselves to us and promised to follow our orders faithfully. We thanked them and re-iterated the order regarding the guarding of Spring. Nesta told them to get it sorted and dismissed them for me. I gave her a weary smile as I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger.

"You look like shit, Feyre. You should get back and get some rest."

I opened my eyes and saw 4 pairs staring at me in concern. "I'll be fine," I told them, waving off their concern.

Cassian held his hand out and helped me up. I stumbled as a wave of dizziness hit and my knees buckled. He made to scoop me up, but I waved him away; however, I didn't loosen my grasp on his arm until I felt stable. I was still feeling somewhat light-headed when it was time to winnow so I reluctantly agreed to Cassian's suggestion to carry me.

At the manor he refused to put me down and carried me to my bed, despite my protests that getting dizzy was normal. He fussed like a mother hen; barking at the servants to get a healer and fetch Alis and some food.

The healer confirmed I was fine and that I was probably over-tired, over-stressed and hungry; I couldn't disagree, so reluctantly agreed to let the others take care of me. After eating I was put to bed and told to stay there. Elain slept in my room to make sure I was ok and abided by their fussy rules. I had no sooner said goodnight down the bond to Rhys that I'd fallen asleep.