"Feyre!"
Immediately , I heard Cassian's voice through the woods. Eric gripped me by my bound wrists, pulling me upright as I groaned in pain.
He kicked me to the edge, my gaze looking down at the steep drop into the watery turmoil below.
The ground shook as Cassian and Azriel landed, Mor behind. I was almost glad Eris held me upright as my knees shook in fear. I had never seen pure Illyrian rage on their faces before.
Cassian and Azriel looked terrified even as wrath seeped off them, Azriel's shadows circling Eris. Mor's eyes were wide in fear and fury.
My tears bubbled over and I began sobbing.
"Cass, I'm so sorry" i cried as I watched his face fall.
Eris turned, kicking me to my knees.
Cassian snarled in fury, leaping forward with Azriel.
"I wouldn't!" Eris threatened as he leaned my body forwarded suspended over the ledge with my hands still bound behind my back. The Illyrians halted, fury and fear on their faces.
I shook with the cold and the pain of the bounds on my hands and feet. My stomach breathed heavy and fast as the wind blew roughly above the vicious water below.
"You bats will know not to threaten me ever again." Eris spat. I felt a sharp knife at my neck. Azriel edged forward, his blade in his hand.
I took abreath remembering my training. I mustered all the power I had and sent the strongest gust of wind into Eris behind me.
He shot backwards, releasing me. Azriel and Mor sprung into action as I watched Azriel's blade pierce Eris's stomach. I watched the head detach from the other guard, in just one of Cassian's swoops of his sword.
All as a glimpse, as i fell into the freezing water below.
The wind was knocked from my lungs as I hit the water, tumbling in the current, desperately fighting against my bound hands and feet.
The seconds felt like an eternity, before I was being pulled into the freezing wind, strong hands under my back and knees.
I took in Cassian's terrified expression as we flew through the air.
The cool ground met my back as Cassian pulled me on my side, letting me cough and splutter, him kneeling next to me. I felt his strong hands grip at the binds, snapping them easily as they fell from my wrists and feet.
A hand rubbed my back as my coughs turned to heavy sobs, I shook violently in the freezing temperate, crying in shock and fear.
"I've got you I've got you, you're safe." His strong arms pulled my chest into his, his wings cocooning around us to block the wind. I cried into his chest.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it, I." My chest shook with tears and my muscles convulsed. He pulled me in tighter.
"Shhh I know I know it doesn't matter." He hugged me in his warm embrace.
My chin trembled.
"Are, are you hurt? Are the others okay?" I looked up at his face in fear.
His eyes were followed with concern and fear.
"I'm fine, we all are. But we need to get you warm. You're hypothermic." He said anxiously.
He held my hands to stand, hugging me into his chest against the wind.
"Feyre!" Mor pulled me into her arms tightly as I rested my head on her shoulder. Azriel stood next to her. To my surprise, he also leaned in, wrapping an arm around me in a hug. I shook uncontrollably.
"Let's get you dry, now." Azriel ordered.
Cassian walked closer, as I looked up at him curiously. He lifted me effortlessly into his chest as Azriel winnowed us all home.
Cassian carried me into the bathroom as we arrived, lowering me straight into a hot bath, fully clothed. I shivered uncontrollably even in the hot bath.
"We need to get your core temp up." He increased the hot water tap as I hugged my knees to my chest in the bath.
"I, I'm really sorry for what I said I know-" my voice broke as he cut me off.
"Hey hey. We can argue about it once you're warm again." He tilted my chin up.
" I'll just be right outside so if you need help getting out or anything I'll be right here." Cassian said warmly, no trace of humour in his eyes. I smiled contently.
I dressed slowly still shivering. I pulled on my sweats and long shirt, glancing at my pale face in the mirror.
Cassian waited outside the door, wrapping a small blanket around my shoulders.
I smiled gratefully.
We headed by the fire as I sat on the couch, bringing my knees to my chest. Mor placed a warm cup of tea in hands and left us, as Cassian sat next to me on the couch.
My body felt tired and drained emotionally and physically.
"Cassian, thank you for-" I said slowly.
He wrapped an arm lazily around my shoulders.
"Feyre, how many times do I have to tell you not to thank me for protecting you. You are my friend and my family. I don't just protect you because it's my duty but because you are mine, you are ours." He rubbed my arm.
My heart welled with love.
I leaned my head against his chest gratefully.
"Were you scared today? Eris was so livid." I said solemnly, gazing at the fire.
My head shook as a laugh rumbled through a Cassian's body.
"Scared of Eris? God no! I can't wait til Rhys gives us the satisfaction to go finish him off for good." He said darkly.
I laughed once. He spoke softer.
"But I was scared for you Feyre. You in danger. Thats why I still haven't forgive you for giving me a heart attack at dinner the other night with your plans to be martyr. " He muttered with an edge of humour in his tone.
I huffed peacefully.
"You just know I would have outrun you if I'd tried." I laughed.
He pulled his arm back.
"Alright then Missy Challenge Accepted. Let's see you get around me tomorrow at training since you're so confident." He chuckled.
I smiled and glanced up to him.
"It'd be unfair to you because I have magic." I said matter of factly.
He sniffed. "Oh excuses. Use all the magic you want." We both laughed in unison.
Mor entered, sipping on her own cup of tea. She sat down roughly next to Cassian absentmindedly.
"Thanks for the tea, Mor". I said as I stood, finishing my cup.
She smiled, lazily putting her feet on Cassian's knee.
"Of course." She said warmly.
I returned my cup to the kitchen. Walking out, I glanced Azriel on the balcony, moonlight illuminating his dark velvet wings.
I approached him, hugging my arms to my chest against the cold air.
"Hi Azriel." I said kindly as I placed both hands on the cool stone railings next to him.
"Feyre." He greeted warmly. "How are you feeling?" Kindness gleaned in his eyes.
He looked down at my hands, frowning at the burns around my wrists.
He took one of my wrists in his large hands, examining.
"I'm fine." I said smoothly. "Grateful for your help back there." He looked down at me.
"You are a loyal friend and a good man." I said intently, my heart full of thanks.
His eyes softened as he gentle returned my hand back to the railing.
"Thank you." He gazed out to the moon briefly.
"And you are loved fiercely by this family Feyre. ". He said nobley, rubbing his hand on my back once. I blinked a few grateful tears away before they could leave my eyes.
"I especially love when you provoke Cassian. That's my favourite." He chuckled deeply.
"Hey!" I heard Cassian object from inside. I joined him in laughter.
I shivered.
"One day, Eris will get what he deserves." Azriel said darkly, goosebumps prickling on my skin in response.
My teeth chattered.
"Your lips are blue. Let's get inside." He said kindly, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I felt his hand lift from my back and turned my chin up to see his face.
His shadows were whispering to him, his face serious.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing but old news." He muttered to me and smiled, gesturing us inside.
I laid in bed awake, my mind racing from the day. The burns around my wrists and ankles ached though were healing well. The bed dipped slightly as I sat up in fright.
Rhys pulled me into his lap as I sighed in relief, breathing in his scent. He held my wrist, I could feel his tension.
"You know, I nearly tore apart the Autumn court today when I felt your bond. When I got home and looked in Azriel and Cassian's minds." His voice rumbled in power.
I leaned back into him, his thumb circling my wrist.
"I'm sorry." I said softly.
He kissed my neck.
"You have nothing to apologise for. But I promise you this, when this is all over, I will skewer anyone who has ever harmed you, Feyre." I shivered at the menace in his tone, the darkness that seeped from his shoulders.
"I love you." I snuggled deeper into his embrace. I felt his shoulders relax.
"You know those three love you almost as much as me." He said non chalantly, kissing my ear.
I smiled.
"The feelings mutual. " I said sleepily.
He shifted, pulling me into his chest laying down.
"You gave Cassian a good fight today." He chuckled as I realised he'd seen it all through his mind. I couldn't help but smile.
"I've never felt Azriel find something so amusing before." Rhys laughed again.
I smacked his chest playfully. "Cassian's the provoking one, not me." I said innocently. Rhys laughed deeply, the movement shaking me.
"Yous two are like siblings." He said playfully.
I remembered Azriel's shadows.
"What did Azriel hear from his shadows last night?" I knew Rhys would know, if he'd looked into his mind to go over the days events.
Rhys rubbed his nose against my hair.
"They just warned him not to trust Lucien. Which he already knew." Rhys said matter of factly. I nodded.
The morning dawn broke. We all met in the main room of the manor, Rhys explaining his developments. There was tension in the room. Mor stood in the corner, leaning against the wall. Cassian stood with his arms crossed, nearest to Rhys, in warrior mode. Azriel stood closest to me, his shadows dancing off his back, as I warmed my hands by the fire.
Lucien entered the room, adding to the already palpable tension. He kept his head down, walking past Rhys and Cassian. He wouldn't be the favourite today after his birth Court's actions.
Cassian raised his chin in greeting. "Fox." His tone was tense.
Lucien ignored him, standing on the opposite side of the fire. Rhys glowered at him, turning back to Cassian in conversation.
Rhys talked strategy, Mor and Cassian chiming in about the allies and the other high lords. Azriel stayed closest to me as I rolled my sleeves in the glow of the fire, finally warming my bones.
Lucien paced the corner of the room, listening to the options of defeating Hybern. He turned to face the room.
"What about the Book from the Spring Court?" He asked innocently. I felt the room stop breathing in tension.
"Let's just say, that's off the cards." I said with my chin high, hoping to ease the room atmosphere.
"Why?" Lucien demanded rudely, glaring at Rhys.
I stepped forward to approach the red head. I felt a rough hand grip my own, as gentle as the wind. I looked up at Azriel's expression. His lips were pursed, his eyes filled with warning and protectiveness. I smiled reassuringly as he dropped my hand.I stayed where I was as I felt Azriel edging closer to me.
"Let's just say, I've come close to decimating both the Spring and Autumn Courts enough this week." Rhys said low and menacing, Cassian glaring at Lucien with anger.
"If I see your bastard brother in the Night Court again, we won't hold back this time." Cassian glowered, his arms crossed, his eye radiating rage. Even Mor looked like she recoiled slightly against the wall. The image of Azriel's blade plunging into Eris's stomach flashed in my head.
I shivered despite standing next to the fire. I crossed my arms and sighed.
"We are discussing alternative strategies." Rhys said with finality.
Lucien frowned in confusion as he processed the fact that Eris had been here.
Rhys and Cassian began talking again amongst themselves.
Lucien's eyes widened as he glared at my exposed wrists, the burns. I felt Azriel following his gaze, subconsciously moving closer to me.
"You provoked him?" Lucien questioned accusingly. I felt Azriel stiffen. I walked closer to Lucien, incredulously.
Cassian stalked slowly at his tone. Only Rhys did not move.
"Excuse me?" I challenged, crossing my arms as I approached him.
The room stopped talking.
"Provoked your brother to trespass into OUR home?" I fired back, anger building my gut. I felt pride radiate down the bond amongst the tension.
Lucien glowered at me. I stopped a few paces back, my arms still crossed.
"You provoked Eris." He said louder, dropping his eyes back to my wrists. I opened my mouth to speak.
"You fool!" Lucien snarled, gripping my forearm and pulling my body roughly towards him. I gasped at the strength.
I had but blinked when Azriel had appeared, wrenching Lucien by the throat. Cassian was in front of me in an instant, his arm pushing my body behind his own.
Azriel smashed Lucien's back into the wall by the fire, as he held him above the ground. Lucien choked and gripped at his stone strong arm, useless, as shadows swirled.
"You touch her again, and I will break every bone in your body." Azriel spat darkly, rage radiating off him in dark shadows.
Rhys stood still unmoving from across the room, I felt him deliberately restraining through the bond.
Lucien gasped and fell so hard I feared the floor broke, in a gasping heap. I jumped back in response, Cassian partially blocking my view in a protective stance.
Azriel turned to face us, rage steaming in his eyes. He moved elegantly, beside Cassian, the two almost shielding my view from Lucien.
Lucien scrambled to his feet in fear.
"Get out." Rhys's words made my skin, the promise of torture in them.
Lucien practically ran and limped from the room.
I turned as my heart rate slowed, Rhys at my side, his hands rubbing my upper arms soothingly. He pulled me into his chest.
Cassian patted Azriel on his shoulder blades in gratitude. Mor smirked, joining the two.
"God our hit list is growing by the day, Feyre." Cassian said to lighten the mood, his voice still edged.
I sighed, turning out of Rhys's embrace.
Rhys chuckled once.
"Though it seems I'm letting yous two have all the fun." His shoulders relaxed.
Azriel smiled darkly which reduced my lingering anxiety.
I was so lucky to have the most menacing protectors. I was surprised Rhys did not intervene. I remembered thathe would not need to move from his position to easily mist someone threatening me. I felt the restraint in the bond at that time, and the simultaneous pride towards his Illyrian brothers.
"Alright, we all deserve a drink." Mor plucked the whiskey bottle from the shelf as the room relaxed in laughter.
