I chuckled, watching Azriel's scowl as Cassian dove into the potatoes with a fork, Mor leaning over to smack his hand.
Rhys winnowed in the roast beef, appearing on the dinner table.
"Could you not wait thirty more seconds, boy?" Amren muttered in disproval.
Rhys chuckled.
We dined and drank and I absorbed the beauty of my family.
Peace was now ours, leaving us to recover from the trauma of recent events.
Nightmares plagued me still seeing a broken Cassian, Rhys dead. My father's body.
My sisters fear.
I was restless. Alert. Paranoid even, that this happiness, this peace, was all a ruse. That the next threat could be waiting.
I snapped my racing mind back into the present.
Rhys spoke low, mainly to Azriel and Cassian, about The Book and how it would be beneficial to have in our possession, should a conflict ever arise again.
I locked on this idea, my attention set on them.
Any form of reassurance against the anxiety in my chest. Anything to prevent us ever being in danger again. My family.
Rhys crossed his legs at ease.
Cassian sipped his wine, Azriel nodding.
"It would be an advantage. Something we can work on getting in our possession." Azriel agreed.
Rhys cocked his head.
"The only issue is that it is in the Spring Court."
Cassian smiled mischievously.
"And?"
Azriel chuckled once and Mor rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Rhys dragged a hand through his dark hair.
"We need to ensure diplomatic relationships with the Spring Court given their border." Rhys voice paused on the word, his voice straining. He wanted to slaughter Tamlin at any chance he got. But strategically, it wouldn't be logical.
Cassian sighed disappointed,shovelling more food into his mouth. Azriel sat in quiet contemplation.
Tamlin didn't scare me. If he stood between giving us the Book as a chance of added protection for my family, then I'd be willing to kill him myself.
I chewed on my lip before I said,
"I'll get it."
All eyes shot to my face as silence fell.
Azriel's expression neutral, Mor's and Amren's angry and Cassian just wide eyed as if he'd misheard me.
I didn't yet look at…
"No." Rhys voice vibrated with power and restraint.
I took a deep breath.
"I know all the hidden library entrances. I could easily-"
Rhys's violet eyes glowered.
"Feyre". Mor argued, glaring. Anger and finality rang in her tone.
Cassian glared at me, all his usual jovial humour replaced with accusation, his eyes wide.
Rhys crossed his arms.
"Feyre, I'm trying very hard to leave Tamlin alive as it is." His voice was low. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"He's no danger to me. I'd be fine-"
Rhys glowering eyes of worry and stress pierced across the table at me.
I expected his tension to build as I argued, but it was Cassian's harsh tone that said,
"Feyre, don't be stupid."
His hazel eyes shone with reprimand.
These Illyrians wouldn't risk my safety in the slightest and they knew I meant I'd go alone. It was simply not an option to them.
I didn't have to agree. At least not mentally.
I dropped my gaze in defeat, nodding once.
Cassian's eyes narrowed, still watching me intently.
"How about we all enjoy our peace and stop planning for hypothetical dangers." Mor's tone was light as the champagne bottle she held made a popping sound as she pulled the cork off.
Rhys smiled, tension easing from his shoulders.
"I'll drink to that." And to this, he raised his glass, clinking it off of Mor and Azriel's.
Cassian leaped forward to join the cheers of his glass, his usual banter returning.
I couldn't help but shake my head and smile.
I really didn't think Tamlin was much of a danger to me now.
Nothing I couldn't handle, should I run into him.
After everything they'd sacrificed, it was a small task. I made a mental note to revisit this. But for now, I raised my wine in the air, and laughed with my family.
Rhys hadn't brought it up again thankfully. Instead we made love and slept deeply. He placed a kiss on my forehead in the morning.
He was leaving with Mor and Amren to strengthen diplomatic relationships together with the Summer Court. I pouted as he left, listening to his chuckle echo down the hall.
I trained first with Azriel, grateful for the focus of pulling and pushing my wings out to distract me. The thought of getting that Book made me restless. I knew once my mind was made up, I would not drop it.
Azriel was quiet as always, only speaking to give directions as I practiced wing strengthening drills.
His shadows danced around my shoulders, lingering slightly more than usual.
I was grateful for the Shadowsinger's quiet nature.
Wind whistled through the pine trees as we walked back to the house.
I felt his eyes on my face.
"Everything okay, Feyre?" His face was soft, inquisitive.
I avoided his gaze, lest he read my face any better than he likely already could. The Shadowsinger's powers of perception were truly spine tingling.
"I'm good." I nodded.
I know he didn't buy it.
I started innocently,
"So, when will I be good enough to start in the air?"
My heart increased slightly as I changed the topic, knowing he wouldn't have missed it.
He smiled, his steps on the earth louder than mine.
"Next session if you like." He said warmly. His shadows danced around my shoulders, reading my distracted composure.
That was good to know. I was eager to fly although it seemed impossible for now. Given I could still only winnow short distances, flying would be much easier.
I pondered how I'd get to the Spring court by just winnowing.
He gave me a small smile as we approached the house.
I felt his eyes linger on my back just a few moments longer as I headed upstairs.
I sparred with Cassian, pounding his open hands.
I listened to the sound of my fists hitting, trying to centre my racing thoughts, my breathing heavy.
Last night still plagued heavily on my mind.
I could deal with Tamlin. I could protect us by getting the Book. The fact they objected made me irritated.
"You wanna talk about it?" Cassian probed, noting my unusual silence.
I ignored him, continuing to punch his hands hard. He sighed.
I wasn't sure how far the Spring Court would be from here, to depend how early in the morning I ventured out.
A small tap to my cheek snapped my attention back.
"Elbow up."
I shot him a small scowl, hitting into his open hands in another set.
Cassian pursed his lips, not speaking, the sound of my heavy breathing filling the air.
It was my job to keep us all safe.
Anxiety rose in my chest.
I had to keep them safe.
Cassian signalled to rest, watching me intently. I took a sip of water. Perhaps I could strike a deal and he would understand. Risky but maybe worth a shot at easing my anxiety. Once I had that book, I'd enjoy our peace.
I strolled up cautiously a few feet from him looking up at him curiously.
Intrigue lit in Cassian's eyes.
I opened and closed my mouth a few times, debating my question.
He raised his eyebrows, waiting, a small smirk on his lips.
"Cassian." I said slowly, breaking eye contact. Maybe this was a bad idea.
His hazel eyes widened slightly, eager to hear my request.
What if he said no? He'd rat to Rhys and then-
"Nothing." I turned abruptly but a firm hand gripped my arm.
"No no. What is it?" His voice was light, warm.
I chewed on my lip. His eyes narrowed as his smirk dropped.
"Would you, consider, taking me to the Spring Court without Rhys knowing-" my eyes flicked from his face to the ground in anxiety.
Cassian's jaw clenched, his eyes widening with surprise, then narrowing with distaste.
He looked like he was trying to find words.
"And WHY," he crossed his thick arms across his chest, " do you think I would be agreeable to that?" He towered over me stepping closer.
I had read him wrong.
My heart pounded in my chest and I knew he could hear it.
"I, well," I averted his piercing gaze.
" The others are too emotional about it. And you are a man of strategy. So pragmatically, it would be the best if I-"
Cassian's nostrils flared as he stood unmoving and restrained, his usual warmth in his eyes now replaced with hard authority.
"Feyre, I will accept no risk to your safety."
His expression was cold, his broad chest and shoulders tight with tension.
Cassian read my face, scanning, analysing for threat.
This was a mistake. Why I had assumed he'd be more open to it,I'm not sure.
My heart pounded as he remained still, his eyes wide.
Annoyance pricked in my gut.
"I can deal with Tamlin, you've trained me-"
The curl of fury on his face cut me off as he
pictured the image of me facing Tamlin alone. He scanned me, his eyes waving up and down, taking in our height difference, calculating risk. I could see him picturing my odds against Tamlin based on sheer size. His warrior instincts calculating, assessing the scale of the threat of my plan.
He clenched his jaw in anxiety.
"Feyre."
Cassian stepped forward again, his eyes burning into mine with seriousness.
"This isn't about training. You can handle your own yes." He ran a hand through his dark hair in exasperation.
"But going alone to face that volatile bastard is pure stupidity."
I clenched my jaw, narrowing my eyes at him.
He observed the defiance in my face.
Cassian tilted his head, a menacing smirk on his lips.
"If you plan anything that puts you in danger, I won't hesitate to stop you."
His words were laced with threat and protectiveness.
I nodded softly, like a child who had been chastised.
Emotion welled in my throat.
His harsh eyes softened, reaching out a hand , he squeezed my shoulder.
"Hey, we are all safe now. You don't need to endanger yourself because we have peace now." He said, his tone warm and kind, the menace now gone.
I sighed, my mouth pulling up in a half smile, tension draining from my shoulders.
"Thank you."
He turned back towards the training area.
"Now, give me 30 side jabs as punishment for stupid ideas."
I rolled my eyes and approached him.
Dinner was quiet with just the three of us. I headed off to bed early, tired and eager to rest my racing mind.
I wouldn't be told what to do by anyone. Thoughts of the book and our safety still pushed my heart into a rapid pace.
3rd POV
Cassian noticed Feyre was quieter than usual at dinner.
As a General, he was trained well on reading emotions and body language and he had his suspicions that she hadn't completely abandoned the ludicrous idea of going to the Spring Court.
He knew Azriel would have picked up the same.
Once Feyre said goodnight and left the room, he turned to the Shadowsinger.
"So, do you think she'll actually attempt her terrible master plan?" He sipped his wine.
"Given she's almost as stubborn as you-"
Azriel chuckled once without humor.
"Definitively."
"Great." Cassian rolled his eyes.