Chapter 8: Some Assembly Required
-Violet's POV

Violet's mother had always told her how much immense preparation went into planning for a ball, but she had just thought her mother was being overly dramatic. Until now. The Princess of the Night Court had been sitting at the desk in her brother's office for hours now trying to make it through the giant stack of letters that sat in front of her. She had been writing for so long that her hand was starting to cramp. She needed a break. Desperately. As if on cue, Rhysand and Cassian entered into the room.

"Having fun?" Her brother inquired plopping down in a chair.

"Hardly. I've been at this for days, and I still have so many details to go through." She began rubbing her temples.

"How many responses have you gotten back?"

Violet raised a brow in question.

"From the high lords." Rhys clarified.

"Kallias, Thesan, Tarquin, and Helion have all said they would be coming. Beron answered back saying and I quote, 'I'd rather burn in the fires of the seven hells, then attend a ball hosted by a filthy half breed.'"

"Charming."

"Isn't he always? Nice to see some things haven't changed after five hundred years." She rolled her eyes. "Tamlin hasn't responded at all."

"Are you surprised?"

"Not particularly, but regardless I need him there."

"Why?"

"He's a high lord isn't he?"

"Beron is a high lord too, and he's not coming."

"That won't matter. Eris will be there to represent the Autumn Court, and that's good enough for me. Tamlin is the only one left in his territory, so he will be there."

"He'll never come Violet. He only showed up to the high lord meeting because he was required to. Between his history with you and Feyre, he won't come."

"Then I guess I'll have to convince him."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"I think you forget how persuasive I can be brother."

Rhysand narrowed his eyes. "Is this persuasion of yours going to be violent in nature?"

"More than likely. I suppose that depends on him." She answered causing Rhys to glare at her. "Gods! Fine, I'll take Cass with me to insure I don't do anything too drastic. Are you happy now?"

"Ecstatic." He said sarcastically. "You fine with that Cass?"

"Sure." Cassian replied without hesitation. "When do you want to leave Vi?"

"Tomorrow if possible. The sooner I can get him to agree the better."

"If you say so." Rhysand commented. "Do you need help with anything else?"

"Actually yes. I need you to pay Kier a visit. I sent him a letter telling him we'd need the hall at the Hewn City for the evening of the event, and he's not taking it well. I think our uncle needs to be reminded that while he may oversee things under that mountain, that you are still the one that owns it."

The high lord nodded. "I'll talk to him."

"Is this persuasion of yours going to be violent in nature?" She echoed.

"Probably, smartass."

Violet laughed mockingly. "Either way, I would appreciate it." She went back to work, but neither of the males moved. "Did you need something else?"

"Well, I originally came into to tell you that I got a letter from Mor last night. She said she'd be attending the ball as well. She also apologized for taking so long in the Winter Court. She had some personal matters to take care of."

"Ok." Violet responded quickly. She didn't even look up from the letter she was writing.

"I thought you'd be happy." He asked in surprise. "You and her used to be really close."

"I am happy Rhys. I'm just… busy. I have a lot on my mind right now."

"Fine. Just don't work yourself too hard please. I'd hate to see you put all this effort into the ball, and not even be able to enjoy it."

"I will enjoy it." She smirked. "Trust me."

Elain cracked opened the door to the office with a small tray in hand. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting. You've been cooped up in here for so long, that I figured you might want some tea."

Violet smiled at her and beckoned her in. "Thank you, darling. Tea would be great."

The Archeron sister walked over with a steaming cup and handed it to her, but when their hands touched Elain froze. Her eyes glazing over.

"You're going to burn…" She whispered.

Violet's face fell. "What?"

"I see you…"

"You see me?" She asked incredulously.

Violet tried to pull her hand away, but the female wouldn't let go. "Yes. I see you. You're in a forest up on a mountain, and you're surrounded by flames. But you're not afraid. You're not running. The flames are crawling towards you destroying everything until you're the only thing left in their path. It's like the fire is waiting for you. Burning for you." Small tears started running down Violet's face. "That fire is going to consume you, and you're going to let it." Elain frowned. "But when the flames catch you, it doesn't cause you harm. It was as if you were made for that fire. Or it was made for you." And then she stopped.

"What happens next?" The princess murmured.

"You will wield that fire. You'll use it to burn down the rest of the mountain until there is nothing left but smoke and ash."

Rhysand rounded the table to look at his mate's sister. "What are you saying Elain? Is she in danger?"

The girl thought for a minute contemplating the words. "No, I don't believe so. It doesn't feel that way. If anything, I think that fire is going to aid her."

The office door opened for a third time as Azriel walked in, and Elain dropped Violet's hand instantly.

"Lucien's here."

The high lord was staring at his sister in wonder. "Az take Elain to her garden please."

The young seer started to walk towards Azriel, but stopped in the entryway turning to the female once more. "Violet?"

"What?" She sniffled wiping her face.

"Don't let your fire go out." Elain concluded and walked out.

"What the hell was that?" Violet said as the door closed.

Rhysand whipped towards her. "I'm sorry. I should have warned you. When Elain came out of the Cauldron, she began receiving visions. She can sometimes predict what lies ahead."

"Yeah, I gathered that much." She said drying the rest of her tears.

"Her visions are usually pretty cryptic. We're still trying to figure out how to interpret them. Do you have any idea what she was referencing?"

"No. No, I don't." She stood from the chair and walked around the desk. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have a fox to see."

"Hey Luci." Violet teased walking into the den. Lucien wheeled around the fireplace he had been staring at with a massive smile on his face. Before he even had time to process, she ran across the room, jumped up, and threw her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her middle. They stayed like that for a while until he finally sat her back down on the ground.

"I couldn't believe it when the shadowsinger told me, but here you are."

"Here I am." She grinned. "You look good Luci. Expect for that?" She reached up to touch his face. "What in the hell happened to your eye?"

"Oh, just a gift from our dearly departed Amarantha."

"I always hated that woman." Violet sneered.

"You and me both darling." The fireling winked.

"Come sit with me? She asked pulling him over to the couch.

Lucien stared at her, feeling happier than he had been in a long time. "So… have you seen my brother yet?"

"Yes, I have."

"How did he react?"

"About as well as you'd expect. I made him drop a glass." She added as an afterthought.

"I bet that was fun."

"It was. Although not nearly as exciting as my meeting with the high lords."

Lucien golden eye whirred. "You had a meeting with the high lords?"

"Yes, I did. It was very…eventful. I actually invited everyone to a ball that I'm hosting next month if you'd like to come?"

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not? Your father already replied back saying he wasn't coming."

"That's not the issue."

"Then what is it?" He didn't say anything back. "Elain's going to be there." She hummed sweetly lying her head on his shoulder.

"One of the many reasons I shouldn't go."

"Come on Luci!" Violet begged. "She's your mate isn't she?"

"She is, but I think it'd be best if I just stayed away. She wants nothing to do with me." He ran a hand over his face. "It wouldn't work out anyway. If my history with women is any indication."

"Eris told me about Jesmina. I'm sorry."

"He told you about that?"

"Yes, he also told me that you were with Tamlin for a while after."

The fireling cringed. "You're going to start yelling now aren't you?"

"Do you think I should?"

"I'd rather you didn't."

"Then how about instead of shouting, I ask you what you know about the events leading to my death."

"Gods Vi… I just got here. Do we have to talk about that now?"

"Yes. I need to know what Tamlin told you Lucien."

"Honestly, he rarely talked about it. I asked him about it only once, and he just said that his father had found out from someone that you were with another male, and he didn't take it well. Tamlin said he wasn't involved."

"Well, he lied."

"Clearly Tamlin lied about a lot of things." He exhaled. "So what are you going to do?"

"He stole something from me Lucien. I want it back."

"He doesn't have your wings Violet. I made him get rid of them the second I moved to the manor."

"I'm not talking about my goddamn wings!" She snapped.

"Then what are you talking about?" His voice softened.

"It doesn't matter. I just… I just need to know what Tamlin said. I need to know how his father found out. It's the only piece of information I don't have."

"I don't know Violet. Like I said before, he never discussed it."

"I guess I'll have to ask him myself then."

"I'm sorry Vi."

"Please don't apologize." She threw her head back. "I'm so sick of people apologizing."

"Well I am anyway." Lucien grabbed her hand. "I really missed you."

Violet smiled and hugged him again. "I missed you too fox boy."

Violet had been thumping on the front door of Tamlin's estate for over twenty minutes, and he had yet to answer. After what felt like the hundredth knock, Cassian spoke up.

"I guess the little prick isn't home?" He commented.

"He's here." She placed her hand on the door. "I can feel him."

"Then maybe he just doesn't want visitors?"

"That's fine." Violet said raising her leg and kicking the door open. "I guess we'll just let ourselves in." The two made their way through the broken entryway until they arrived in the foyer. "Oh darling! I'm home." She sang.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tamlin snarled from the top of the stairs.

"It's nice to see you too."

"What do you want?" He growled again.

"Someone's grouchy this morning…"

"Might have something to do with you kicking in my front door."

"Well now it matches the rest of the house." She taunted walking towards the study. "Your manor has certainly seen better days."

"That's because I'm the only one left. I have no help around here. Feyre made sure of that."

Violet chuckled sitting at the desk. "Gods you do like to repeat history don't you?"

"What the hell does that mean?"

"That you have a repeated habit of taking things that don't belong to you."

"Feyre and I were engaged." Tamlin's emerald eyes turned feral.

"So were we."

"What do you even care? It's not like you ever loved me."

"No, you're right. I didn't. But I did trust you."

"Whatever." He grabbed a bottle near them. "If you're going to keep yammering, then I need a damn drink." He glanced over to where Cassian was standing. "I see you brought your guard dog with you."

"Shove it wolf boy." The general snapped. "I'm not here to guard her. I'm here to make sure nothing unfortunate happens to you. Not that you wouldn't have it coming."

"Is that a fact?" Tamlin asked the female. "Why not just kill me, and get it over with?"

"Why would I kill you when torturing you is so much more fun?"

"This is getting rather tedious." The high lord drained his glass. "Just tell me why you're here."

"You haven't been answering my letters." She pouted. "I came to make sure you were coming to the ball."

"I'm not going."

"Yes, you are."

"And why would I?"

"Because you owe me."

"I don't owe you a damn thing. More importantly, I can't take back what happened to you no matter how much I want to. At this point, what more can I say?" His body deflated. "Look, I'm sor-"

"You apologize to me, and I will rip out your tongue with my teeth." She shot back.

Tamlin raised his arms on either side of him. "Go ahead. It's about the only thing I have left."

"You expect me to pity you?" She said shaking her head in disappointment. "What a pathetic little high lord you turned out to be..."

Tamlin's claws poked out through the flesh on his hands. "Better to be a pathetic high lord than Illyria's residential bed warmer."

"Watch your fucking mouth." Cassian growled from behind them.

"There he is." Violet purred at Tamlin. "It's about time you showed up to play."

The blond fae ignored her, and turned back to the Illyrian male in the room. "Was it you she was fucking? It always did bother my father that he never did find out which one you it was. He tortured Violet for hours trying to figure it out, but she died before he could break her. My father thought it was your shadowsinger. I, on the other hand, always assumed it was you. Considering how cozy you've gotten with the other females in Rhysand's life, it's not exactly a stretch."

"Your father was an idiot." Violet stood from her chair. "I swear you Spring Court high lords are all the same. Barreling in claws raised and more often than not arriving at the wrong damn conclusions."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying I didn't bed either of them you egotistical prick! But go ahead, call me an 'Illyrian whore' just like your father did. It doesn't bother me, because if I had to choose, I'd still much rather be on top of an Illyrian than underneath you."

"Get the hell out of my house."

She placed her arms on the desk and leaned towards him. "Or what?"

"Or I'll drop you out head first."

"Is that so?" Violet shrugged. "Have it your way then." With a flick of her hand Tamlin fell to the floor clawing at his head. "You just never learn do you Tam?" She said as she knelt down next to him. "That pain you're sensing right now is what you would feel if your brain was on fire." Blood started flowing from his eyes, nose, and ears. "Hurts doesn't it?" She straightened. "I'm going to say this one more time, and then I'm going to leave. We are having a ball with ALL of the courts, and you will go! Even if that means I have to drag you out of this decrepit house by your goddamn hair." Violet didn't release her hold on him until she left the manor.

Violet marched so fast up the hill at the edge of the estate that Cassian had to jog to catch up with her.

"Are you going to tell me what the hell that was about?"

"He'll be fine Cass. It'd take a lot more than that to kill him. Unfortunately."

"That's not what I'm talking about. Violet, stop!" The general grabbed her by the arm. "Tamlin said at the high lord meeting that you violated terms of your engagement contract. Why does he think you were bedding another male?"

"Because I was." She admitted. "It just wasn't who he thought."

"Well then who was it?" The female just stared back. "Gods Vi! You need to talk to me. Or talk to Rhys. You need to tell someone what the hell is going on, so we can help you."

"Cass… the last time I started telling people things, I ended up dead. So, excuse me for being a little trepidatious." Violet dropped to the ground and put her head on her knees. "I'm just tired of feeling like this. I'm so freaking pissed off. All the time. I just want this to be over."

Cassian leaned down and put a hand on her knee. "I can't begin to imagine what you're going through right now. But what I do know is you're one of the strongest and most stubborn people I've ever met. You'll get through this Violet, and we'll all be there for you every step of the way."

"And until then?"

"Well as entertaining as it is to watch you smack Tamlin around, we need channel your rage into something more productive."

"Such as?"

"We'll go to the training ring. You can work some of your aggression out there. Come on." He said extending his hand.

"So, what then? Instead of beating on Tamlin, I get to smack you around?"

"Think you can take me Princess?"

"Most definitely." Violet allowed Cassian to pull her up on her feet. "If you get lucky, maybe you'll last ten minutes, or you'll get really lucky and you'll be unconscious for the last five."

The general laughed so hard his wings shook. "You're as mouthy as your damn brother you know that?"

"I got my sharp wits from my brother. My mouth on the other hand I got from you." She smirked.

He smiled at her one last time before grabbing her around her waist, and launching them into the sky.