Chapter 13: Beauty and the Beasts
-Violet's POV

Violet was running.

She could feel blood coating the bottoms of her bare feet as she raced through the woods. Everything was dark. She didn't know where the hell she was going. Violet just knew she needed to get away from here. As far and as fast as she could. The female felt a burning in her lungs, so she stopped to catch her breath. Her legs were wobbling, but she couldn't quit. Not now. If she stopped, they were going to kill her.

Violet didn't know how long she had been running. She felt like she was traveling in circles. She looked around quickly to get her bearings, but all the damn trees looked the same. She knew she needed to make a decision fast. Tamlin's brothers couldn't be far behind.

Just as she chose a direction to run in, a large hand clamped over her mouth and pulled her backwards. She tried to scream, but the sound came out muffled.

Violet struggled under the grip as an arm came around her waist. She attempted to kick her leg back into her assailant's knee, but they tightened their grip. She couldn't move. The female knew there was only one way out of this. She bared her teeth to sink them into the hand covering her face, but they suddenly brought their mouth to her ear.

"Don't. Make. A. Sound."

The hold on her loosened slightly. She felt the steady warmth of his face against hers. Violet knew that voice. She stomped on his foot as hard as she could and spun around to see Tamlin looking down at her. His eyes were blown wide with panic. She wasn't sure whether to feel terror or relief at his presence.

"What the hell are you doing?" She hissed.

"I'm trying to help you." Tamlin explained. "Why are just standing here? My brothers are right on your trail. You need to move."

"Oh, you think?" Violet hissed sarcastically. "I thought I'd just stop and take in the view." He rolled his eyes towards the star flecked sky above them. "I've been running through these woods for ages. I'm exhausted. I tried winnowing, but it's not working. I can't even get my wings to apparate. Something's wrong."

"That's because my father slipped Faebane into the tea you were drinking. He didn't use much, but none of your powers are going to work for at least another hour."

"Great…" She whispered. Her breath fogged out in front of her from the nip in the air. "Why is your father doing this Tamlin? What is going on?"

"I don't know. He just said he got some information about you, but he didn't say what."

"What kind of information?

"I just told you Violet. I. Don't. Know."

Her fingers clenched. "How did he even know my mother and I would be here?"

"I told him."

"YOU told him?!" She screeched.

"Will you keep your fucking voice down?" He replaced his hand over her mouth. "Yes, I told him where you were, but I didn't know what he was going to do Vi. I swear. He said he just wanted to talk to you."

The female ripped away from him and shook her head. "I can't believe you."

"Look, it doesn't matter now. I don't know what the hell is going on, but we need to go. I'm going to winnow you out of here and get you to Rhys. We'll figure the rest of this out later." Violet didn't look convinced. "I promise I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you, ok? I give you my word." He put his palm out in front of him for her to take. Violet looked up into the male's determined face when one thought crossed her mind.

Violet trusted him. She knew she shouldn't, but what other option did she have at this point? It was either put her faith in her betrothed or take her chances on her own. She wouldn't last long. Not in the condition she was in. Just one quick jump, and she would finally be out of these fucking woods. It was now or never.

With that final determination, Violet hesitantly reached out to lace her fingers with his when something heavy smashed into the back of her head knocking her to the ground.

She heard laughing and roaring from every direction. She couldn't pinpoint where exactly it was coming from. She tried lifting herself up off the forest floor, but everything was spinning.

"Well look what we have here!" Violet recognized the voice coming from Tamlin's brother. She wasn't sure which one. "I honestly expected you to get a lot farther than this." He clicked his tongue against his teeth. "How disappointing…"

"Just leave her alone!" She heard Tamlin grunt from somewhere. He sounded like he was being restrained. Violet knew she needed to run. She just had to get up off the damn ground. "She didn't do anything brother. Let her go."

"Now why and the hell would I do that?" She felt a sharp kick to her stomach. The pain ricocheted through her body. She could already taste the blood pooling in her mouth, so she rolled over on her side and started gagging. "Do you even know why we're out here Tam?"

"It doesn't matter." He replied. "Whatever it is. She doesn't deserve this."

"You sure about that?" The male pulled Violet by the back of the hair and ripped her head from the ground. "You wouldn't care if this little bitch was running around behind your back?" His grip tightened. "What about if she was fucking another male? Would she deserve it then?"

Violet felt her stomach drop before she heard him respond. "What are you talking about?"

"She's been bedding someone else brother." He clarified. "Someone who isn't you."

"No." The unwavering confidence in his voice killed a part of her. "She wouldn't do that."

"Yes, Tamlin. She did. She's been doing it for years."

"Well if you're so sure, then who is it?"

"That! That is the reason we're out here." He abruptly let go of Violet and let her head fall forward. "Father figured if she would give up a name, we could just kill the male." He shrugged. "Then it's like nothing ever happened. Everything could go back to how it was. No harm done." She could hear him walk around her body. The twigs on the ground were snapping violently under his feet. "She doesn't even have to die. She just has to give us a name."

"Fuck you!" Violet seethed through the blood in her teeth.

"What was that sweetheart?" A boot landed on the base of her neck. "You have something you want to say?"

"I said fuck you!" She choked out. "I'm not telling you shit."

The two brothers cackled above her. "Yeah, our father said you weren't going to give the information up easy." The pressure on her throat increased. "But between you and me, that's half the fun. The more stubborn, the better. I'm going to enjoy breaking you Princess and believe me, you will break." He pushed down so hard the earth was cracking under her. "Before the night is out, you'll tell me everything I need to know."

Her vision began to blur.

The weight on her neck was too much.

Violet felt her eyelids droop as she started to lose consciousness. Tamlin began screaming as a hand ran up her leg.

"No, Violet! You can't give up!" He roared. "You need to run!"

She heard fighting around her, but all the noises were beginning to bleed together.

"Get up Vi!" Tamlin's voice echoed. "Please!"

The world was fading.

It wouldn't be long now.

"Damn it Violet! RUN!"

Violet's eyes shot open. Tamlin's words were still ringing in her ears as she took in her surroundings. She looked around.

Violet wasn't in the woods anymore.

She was in Eris's cabin.

She was fine.

"Fuck…" She breathed out.

The sun was shining through the curtains. It must be mid-morning. She didn't remember the last time she slept this late.

Violet pulled up the covers and noticed that she wasn't wearing any clothes. Her dress was still laying on the nearby armchair where she left it. She wanted to get out of bed, but the toned arm wrapped around her waist made that extremely difficult. "Eris, let go. I need to get up."

He hummed lightly and pulled her closer. "What was it this time?"

"What?"

"Your dream." Eris's voice was husky from sleep. "What happened this time?"

"I wasn't dreaming."

He placed his smooth palm flat on her stomach. "Then why are you shaking Violet?" She stilled instantly. "Just tell me."

"Alright, fine." She grumbled. "Tamlin and I were in the forest."

"And?"

"His brothers caught us. One of them put their foot on the back of my neck." She paused. "And Tamlin was screaming." Violet's brows pulled together. "Why don't I remember him screaming?" He felt her breath quicken under his hand.

"Hey." Eris rotated her body to face him. "It's ok."

"How could I have forgotten that?"

"It doesn't matter." He kissed her gently. "You're not in the forest anymore. You're here. With me. You're safe."

"No, I know. Seeing Tamlin yesterday just… It was…" Violet sighed. "It brought all of it back."

"Want me to kill him?" Eris turned her flat on her back and climbed on top of her.

"No!" She huffed out a laugh. "Killing Tamlin isn't going to solve my problems. As much as I wish it would."

"If you say so." He raised a brow at her. "Is there anything else I can do?"

"No, I don't think there is."

"You sure about that?" He was smirking now. Violet tried to keep the smile off her face, but she was failing miserably.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"You don't sound sure." He leaned down and leisurely ran his tongue along the side of her neck.

"I am, Eris." Her head fell to the side of its own accord giving him more access as he ripped the covers from her body. "I need to leave."

"I really don't think you do."

"Please, don't. If you start this, I'm never going to go." The female whined.

"That's kind of the point." Eris pulled her arms above her and locked a singular hand around both wrists pinning them to the bed. "I haven't seen you in days Violet. You should be lucky I didn't bend you over one of the tables in the ballroom last night." His other hand crawled up to rest around her throat, but he didn't add any pressure. Yet. "Just stay with me."

Violet quickly realized she was fighting a losing battle. She never could say no to him. This time was no exception. "Fine." She caved. "I'll stay, but only for a little while."

Eris smiled triumphantly. He knew he'd won. He always did. She'd do anything for him. Just as he would for her. His eyes darkened at the thought as he released the hold on her wrists. "Grab the bottom of the headboard and do not move." He requested. "If you move, I stop. Do you understand?"

She immediately did as he asked and nodded her head once.

"Good girl." Eris purred in her ear.

Violet's body was shaking in anticipation, and he hadn't even touched her yet. She could already feel his semi hard cock growing rapidly against her stomach. It was the unspoken promise of what was to come if she behaved.

Time ticked by. She didn't move, but neither did he. She nearly lost all patience when she felt the hand on her neck tighten as he trailed his other fingers down her body. Violet let out a small moan. Her breathing was labored as she ached to feel him. She needed him inside her.

Now.

Just as his hand reached her center, a floorboard creaked near the bedroom door.

"Well, isn't this cozy?" A gruff voice rang out.

They both tensed. Eris's entire body locked tight and his whole demeanor seemed to turn on its axis. He slowly rotated his head to see Cassian leaning against the doorframe with a cocky smile on his face. A possessive growl cut through the room as Eris threw the sheet back over his mate.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Violet hissed. Eris flew out of bed and pulled some pants on to cover his bottom half. It did little to conceal the raging erection hiding underneath.

Cassian looked positively giddy. "I was sent here to get you."

"I told you idiots I would bring her back in the morning." The red-haired male snarled. "Are you actually deaf or just that fucking dense?"

"Did you honestly think Rhysand was going to trust you to bring his baby sister back in one piece?" The general asked. Eris just glared back. Violet could practically feel the heat rolling of his body.

"Would you both knock it off? You're being ridiculous!" She stood pulling the sheet with her to keep covered. "If Rhys is so concerned, then why didn't he come to get me himself."

"Oh, he did." Cass replied. "He's standing outside. Your brother thought it might be in everyone's best interest if I entered first. Just in case there was anything unseemly going on in here. I guess he was right."

"You are such a prick." Violet spat.

"So I've been told." He shrugged. "It's time to go Princess. Helion's waiting for you at the river house."

Her eyes lit up at the mention of the Day Court lord. "Helion's there?"

"He's been waiting around for you all morning, so we need to leave." Cassian however made no move to exit the room.

"Fine." Violet stood to her full height. "Can you at least go so I can get dressed?"

The Illyrian looked down to see the sheet still clinging to her body. Eris let out another warning growl that made Cassian chuckle. "Oh, this is going to be fun." He turned on his heel and walked through the entryway. "I'll give you five minutes Vi. If you're not outside by then, I'm coming in and throwing you over my damn shoulder." His voice boomed as he traveled down the hall.

The girl waited until she heard the front door open and shut before letting the sheet fall to the ground. She gave Eris a look of apology as she slid her dress back on.

It was going to be a long fucking day.

Violet was seeing red. Who the hell did those assholes think they were? The thought burned through her mind until she reached the entrance. She forcefully ripped open the front door of the cabin and saw Cassian and Rhys waiting.

The knowing smile on her brother's face just fueled her anger and she charged straight towards him. Cassian quickly stepped out of swinging range as Violet planted both of her hands on Rhysand's chest and shoved with everything she had. The high lord barely moved an inch which caused Violet to scream in frustration.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"We're just here to check on you. We wanted to make sure you were doing alright after yesterday." His voice was eerily calm. It only pissed her more. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine!" She shouted. "I'm so sick of that question! I swear, the next person that asks me that is getting kicked in the stomach."

"What's the matter Vi?" Cassian teased. "You a little wound up after this morning?"

"Screw off Cass! I'd feel a whole lot better if you hadn't interrupted."

The Illyrian winked at her and Rhysand groaned. "Violet, I know you may think Eris is your mate, but that doesn't automatically mean I trust him. He has a long way to go before he gets even close."

"You are being completely irrational!" She pushed at his chest again. Although she didn't put nearly as much force behind it. "I promise you he's not going to hurt me."

"That's the exact same thing you said to our father when he caught you sneaking that wild cat into the house."

"So? What's your point?"

"What happened with the cat Vi?"

"It bit me." She muttered under her breath.

"Exactly."

"This is stupid." Violet threw her arms to the side. "Don't you think you're a little old to be playing the 'overprotective big brother'?

"With your current track record?" Rhys leaned down until his face was level with hers. "Absolutely not."

"Whatever. I'm done arguing." She scoffed. "Can we go now?"

"Yes, we can go." Her brother's wings appeared from thin air as he held out his hand. She thought about slapping it away simply to be difficult, but that wouldn't help her cause any. Plus, she needed a favor, and she knew he wouldn't even consider it if she was stomping around acting like a child.

"Can you fly me to the Spring Court first? I need to ask Tamlin about something, and I'd really appreciate if you and Cassian could wait outside."

"That depends. Are you going to try to kill him?"

"No." She promised. "Not this time."

Authors Note: Hey guys, for those who may have missed it, I posted the small excerpt of Eris and Violet's first night together. It's called Burn with Me! Check it out and let me know what you think! :)