Chapter 381

Despite the sounds they had heard from the Throne Room, Elain still was not prepared for the sights within. One half of the hall held dozens of bodies, males and females, all in Day Court attire, and seemingly thrown haphazardly into a gruesome pile. There was blood on the floor, and the very air seemed to stink of death. On the other half of the hall sat a few dozen more faeries, crouched and clustered together, most of them looking terrified and more than a few of them sobbing. Between the two sat the throne at the end of the hall, and around it stood several faeries, weapons in hands and expressions of haughtiness upon their beautiful faces.

As Elain entered the hall with the others, and the faeries within caught sight of them, a murmured hum went up as whispered were shared. She couldn't help but let her eyes move over the faeries sitting on the floor against the wall, looking for faces that she recognised, hoping that some of the Courtiers she had been getting to know where there and unharmed. She didn't dare look at the other side of the hall at the faces of the dead.

Sheera's hand gripped Elain's elbow and Elain lifted her chin as Ashk had instructed. The redheaded faerie was striding confidently forward, looking as if she owned the place, and Elain saw the expressions on the faeries at the end of the hall. She wondered for a moment if perhaps that was the best plan of action considering she was pretty certain that these faeries had a very specific issue with Ashk and the ruling of the Day Court. Nevertheless; Ashk looked magnificent with her ruby hair picking up the light streaming in through the windows and fanning out behind her as she strode, straight backed up the hall. One day, Elain thought, she would have that kind of confidence and presence. She had never once walked into a room like this and commanded that kind of reaction. All eyes were on Ashk, and Elain could see awe in more than a few of them. Even a captive as she was, Ashk looked in control.

As they came to stand before the throne, Elain didn't miss the fact that Ashk stood in front of her, putting herself between Elain and the faeries looking down at them. Elain's gaze lifted, over Ashk's shoulder and to those very faeries. In, the centre of them stood a male clearly the oldest of them and clearly the one in charge. The others all looked between him and Elain, Ashk and Sheera standing in front of them, clearly waiting for what he would say and do.

"I suppose," the male said, tone condescending, "you thought you would remain hidden and avoid us…"

"That was the idea." Ashk replied coolly.

"Where is the High Lord?"

"If you've not found him, it's unlikely that you will." Ashk's chin lifted just a little higher.

"This would go a lot quicker if you told us."

"That's not going to happen."

All good nature died in the male's eyes, and he stepped closer. Elain felt her pule quicken and she took hold of a handful of Ashk's dress. Ashk looked over her shoulder and met Elain's eyes for a second, before the redhead faced the male up on the dais again. "I think you'll change your mind." He said and Ashk actually laughed.

"We've not bet before." She said, "I have no idea who you are and it's possible you don't know anything about me either…"

"I know that you hop from High Lord to High Lord, hoping to leave your offspring on the throne."

Ashk laughed again. "I can be extremely stubborn." She told him, "My endurance is beyond anything that you could possibly dream up. When I say that I will not be telling you anything, you had best take me at my word."

The smile that met this declaration unnerved Elain and she watched the male grinning down at them with her heart in her throat. "We shall see." He said, gesturing for the faeries who had marched them down here to move them. Elain flinched when painful hands gripped her upper arms and she was pulled around. Her feet moved of her own accord as she was pushed across the hall and then she was forced to her knees beside the other faeries sitting on the floor. When her knees hit the floor, Elain glared balefully up at the male who had pushed her down. He just sneered and walked away. Beside her, Ashk sank down gracefully, looking as if she were seating herself for a picnic at her own leisure, and Elain had no idea how she did it.

"Are we going to die?" Elain whispered and Ashk frowned, turning russet eyes on her.

"Not if I have anything to say about it."

Elain jumped when someone touched her shoulder and she looked around to see Tisia's tearstained face. "Cauldron boil and fry me." Elain breathed, "You scared me. Are you alright?"

Tisia nodded, her eyes red and puffy. "They… they've been killing us." She said quietly, "When nobody would tell them where the High Lord was… over and over…"

"What?" Elain felt her eyes widen. That must have been what they had heard from outside the doors earlier.

"Nobody would say anything…" Tisia breathed, her breath hitching around the words, "Nobody knows…"

"Of course they don't." Elain replied quietly, "He was hidden."

"He will come, though, wont he?" Tisia asked, gripping Elain's arm more tightly, "He will come and save us?"

"Of course he will." Elain told her, rubbing her friend's wrist. When Lucien and Helion learned that they were no longer up in the library, they would undoubtedly put things together and come down here. She swallowed the fact that they were not due back up there until sunset which was several hours away. Elain just hoped that Lucien had felt her though the bond and decided to look into that fear a little sooner.