Author's Note: First off, if there is anyone out there still reading this story, I'd like to apologize. It's been almost a year since my last update. When I originally started this fic, I had a general idea of what I wanted to do, but I had no real end game, so I hit a writer's block and lost faith in the story. After rereading the ACOTAR series recently, I got inspired and regained the passion to come back and write some more. I have a couple chapters done already, and have a few more mapped out, so I will hopefully be able to start updating more frequently again. Thank you to my readers that are still here. It means more than you know.

Chapter 9: Once More, with Feeling
-Cassian's POV

Much to his surprise, Violet hadn't been exaggerating when she had told him she could beat him in the training ring. Their sparring had been intense to say the least. She made it very clear that she didn't want to leave until her body gave out. Cassian was hesitant at first. He wanted to help her, but he wasn't quite sure how Rhys would feel when his sister came back to the river house covered in bruises. However, he was willing to do anything to help quell that rage that she had burning inside of her, and if this is honestly what she needed, then he'd give her all he had.

Cassian tried to start slow at first, but after she mocked him for holding back, he tapped the syphons he held on each hand and unleashed. It hadn't made much of a difference. Every punch he threw, every kick he attempted, she blocked and hurled it right back at him. He always knew she was tough, but this was a level of skill he never knew she possessed. It was as if dying had actually awoken something in her. Something ruthless and unrelenting.

Per her request, the pair didn't stop sparring that afternoon until the sun started sinking into the horizon. They were both laying in the middle of the training ring panting heavily. Cassian turned his head to look at her, and noticed the fury that she held beneath her eyes had dulled somewhat.

"How do you feel?" He asked.

"Sore." She winced with a small laugh. "But better. Everything is… quieter." She continued staring into the sky above them. "Tell Nesta I'm sorry for keeping you out so late."

"I doubt she'll notice." Cassian admitted. "She mentioned something about having a sleepover with Emerie and Gwyn."

"A sleepover?" She questioned skeptically.

"Yeah, you know… When two or more people makes plans to sleep in the same house and spend time together." He mused. "Like the ones you and Mor used to have?"

An emotion Cassian couldn't pinpoint settled on her face as she picked herself up off the ground. "That was a long time ago."

The general sat up to meet her halfway, but her mind seemed to be elsewhere. "Are you going to tell me what the hell is going on with you and Mor?"

Violet's spine straightened as she reached up to fix the pieces of hair that had fallen from the rest tied to the back of her head. "I don't know what you're talking about." She replied flippantly.

Cass rolled his eyes in frustration. "Don't give me that shit Violet! You get testy every time we bring her up, and that's if you don't shut down completely. So what's your problem?"

"Why do you assume I'm the one with the problem?"

"Because even though we just spent the last few hours pummeling each other, you look like you're ready for another round." Cassian stood. His height towering over her. "What could Mor have possibly done to you to make you hate her this much?"

"You say that with such surprise." She admonished. "Like the great Morrigan is so freaking perfect that doing anything to hurt me would be unfathomable." Violet lifted her head to meet his gaze. The fire had returned to her eyes as she smiled callously. "Figures. You fuck a female once and you assume you know her inside and out."

The Illyrian took a step back. He felt the insult rattle through him as it hit somewhere down deep. He would have preferred she had just struck him across the face. She didn't even have the decency to look apologetic. He caught himself wondering what the hell happened to her to make her this way as her words still hung in the air. They were as bitter and spiteful as the woman standing before him.

He let his rage settle before approaching her until they were standing toe to toe. "So what then? You spent the last two years studying our centuries of history, and now you think you have it all figured out?"

"I know enough." She bit back. "Especially where Morrigan is concerned."

"You don't know a damn thing." He seethed. "Although, I am surprised that you would look down on Mor for her choices considering you were in the same position yourself at one time."

"Meaning?"

He ran a hand over his face. "It means that the only she slept with me to get out of her engagement to Eris."

Violet's eyes narrowed. "That was different. I didn't sleep with someone to get out of marrying Tamlin! I slept with him because I-"

Her mouth quickly slammed shut. It was obvious she revealed more than she meant to.

His wings fell at her hesitancy. "Because you what?" He asked softly.

"It doesn't matter." Her shoulders sagged. "Not anymore."

Cassian saw the lie for what it was, but decided not to pry any further. She had clearly had enough, and so had he.

"I'm sorry." She whispered so quietly he barely heard her.

"It's okay." He closed the distance between them and wrapped her into a hug. "I shouldn't have pushed you so hard. I know you're having a difficult time… adjusting. I just wanted to help."

"You did Cass. More than you know." She squeezed him back. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I think it's why I'm having such a hard time." Her head settled on his chest. "This was a mistake."

"What was a mistake?"

"Coming back." Violet muttered. He wasn't sure if she meant coming back home or coming back all together. Before he could ask her to elaborate, he felt her arms fall from his body, and she walked away leaving him in the middle of the ring with nothing but the stars for company.

The night of the ball had finally arrived. Cassian had been dreading it for weeks. He hated these damn things ever since he was a kid, and he still didn't understand why they were having it. The only reason he agreed to go was because Violet had seemed excited about it which was rare for her nowadays. She hadn't asked to spar with him again after the last time, and he hadn't either.

In fact, since that night, he hadn't seen her much at all. She spent a majority of her time locked up in Rhys's office, and when she wasn't there, the high lord had mentioned she was still sneaking off somewhere. Azriel had tried following her once out of curiosity, but she evaded him quickly which was near impossible considering the spymaster's skillset. No one had any idea where she was going, but Cassian could only assume it wasn't good.

The Illyrian viewed his mate out of the corner of his eye as she walked into the Hewn City with him. Nesta looked positively regal in the midnight blue ball gown she wore. As pleasing as the dress was, he would enjoy removing it later. He smirked to himself. Maybe this ball wouldn't be so bad? His smile was wiped violently from his face when he saw flaming red hair ahead of them. Eris was standing in front of the door to the ballroom looking more smug than he had ever seen him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Nesta's penetrating voice filled the hall.

Eris barely spared her a glance. "Take it easy viper. I was invited here. Same as you."

"I know why you're at the Hewn City you unbearable idiot." She said with a roll of her eyes. "I meant why are you lurking at the entrance?"

He let her insults bounce of him like insignificant puffs of air. "If you must know, I'm waiting for my date."

"You have a date?" Her brows shot up in surprise.

"Careful Nesta. Your jealousy is showing."

Cassian felt a growl rising to the surface, but Nesta just scoffed at Eris. "I'm not jealous. I just don't understand who would be stupid enough to attend a ball with you. They must be insane."

"Oh, you have no idea." Violet purred from behind them. They both whipped around to face her. Cassian felt his heart drop down into his stomach. He was at a loss for words. Nesta face paled in what he assumed was embarrassment. An emotion he never thought he'd witness within his mate.

Violet didn't pay them any mind. She was now looking at Eris whose eyes were raking up and down her form taking in her appearance. Cassian wanted to rip those eyeballs from his skull.

"I was going to criticize you for being late to your own party, but clearly it was well worth the wait." Eris hummed admiring her once more. "You look stunning Princess."

As much as he hated to admit it, Eris wasn't wrong. While Nesta's dress was a more traditional ball gown that flared at the waist, Violet's obsidian black dress was significantly slimmer, and it hugged every curve she had. He knew at that moment that she could make any man she desired fall to their knees. Clearly the Autumn Court male was no exception Cassian thought as she walked through him and his mate to reach her target.

"I didn't intend on being late, but this dress is more complicated than I thought." She pouted slightly. "It took me forever to tie up the back."

"If only dresses were as easy to put on as they were to take off. What a tragedy..." The future high lord said teasingly.

Cassian didn't like this. At all. Neither would Rhys, or Azriel for that matter. "You can't actually be going to the ball with him." She didn't respond. He needed to do something, so he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. "Is this a joke?"

"Only if you think it's funny." Violet smiled and pulled her arm from his grip to face Eris again. "Now if you are quite through antagonizing my family members, I'd like to go inside and see the fruits of my labor."

"Why are you so sure I was the one doing the antagonizing?" He asked.

"Because I know you." She cut a glare at him. "Provoking people is practically a second nature to you."

"Whatever you say Princess." Eris grabbed her hand gently to place in the crook of his arm before leading her forward. Violet looked back to the general and his mate once more with a calculating smile on her face as the pair passed through the entrance to the ballroom.

Nesta was looking towards the doors incredulously. "What the hell just happened?"

"I don't know, but we need to find Rhys. Now."

The only thought running through Cass's mind was he needed to find his high lord and lady as soon as possible. He knew that if Rhysand saw his sister on the arm of the eldest Autumn Court son without any warning, then it wouldn't end well for anyone. Nesta and Cassian had been searching for well over ten minutes, and they still haven't found any of their inner circle. Although, they also hadn't seen Violet and Eris again, so he prayed to the gods that Rhys hadn't either. The ballroom was packed with fae of all kinds from every court, so clearly Violet had done her job well. Cassian was about to suggest to Nesta that they split up when he bumped into Helion.

"Well, hello General. How are you and dear Nesta doing this evening? I haven't seen you since the high lord's meeting."

"Yeah, we're good." Cassian stammered. "Have you seen Rhysand?"

"Yeah, I believe I saw him and his mate at the northern corner talking to Kallias." Helion smirked slightly before taking a drink. "I saw Tamlin earlier too.

"Tamlin's here?"

"Indeed. I can't believe he actually showed. Something tells me I'm going to be in for an entertaining night." The high lord chuckled to himself as the Illyrian started making his way through the crowd with Nesta right at his heels.

After pushing through the masses of people, they finally spotted Rhys and Feyre who were still talking to Kallias. His high lady had her head thrown back in laughter as Rhys just stared at her with a giant smile on his face. Cassian almost felt bad for ruining a perfect moment, but they needed to know what was going on. He all but ran the rest of the way to them, and grabbed Rhysand by the elbow as Nesta linked arms with her sister.

"Sorry to interrupt Kallias, but I need to borrow these two for a minute."

"Now?" Feyre asked.

"Yes, now." Cass pulled them along until they found a relatively quiet spot away from people who would be inclined to eavesdrop.

"Okay Cassian, what is so important?" Rhys sighed. "I was in the middle of a very entertaining story."

"We have a problem."

Rhysand's whole body tensed. "How bad?"

"Bad."

"Ok, tell me what's going on."

Cass ran a hand through his hair. "You remember how I went with Violet to visit Tamlin in the Spring Court?"

"Yes. You said it went fine." Rhys replied carefully. "Well besides the torture, but from what you mentioned he sounds like he had it coming."

"Yeah, he did, but I may have found out something." Cassian took a deep breath. "Tamlin said Violet broke their engagement contract, because she was sleeping with someone."

"What?" Feyre eyebrows rose. "Who was she sleeping with?"

"Tamlin's father thought it was me or Az, and apparently that was the reason they went after her in the first place. I guess they thought they could torture the information out of her, but it wasn't either of us. Tamlin said she died before she gave up a name."

The high lord squeezed his eyes shut and began rubbing the back of his neck. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before Cass?"

"I wasn't intentionally keeping this from you. We've all been busy dealing with our own shit. I didn't think it was that big of a deal at the time, because it happened centuries ago and just slipped my mind with everything else going on. That was until I found out who her date was."

"Well, who is it?"

"I hope I'm wrong about this brother. I really do, because if I'm right than this shit is going to cause another damn war if it's not handled the right way."

Before they could question any further, an angelic laughter rippled its way towards them. All four of them turned to see the princess of the Night Court dancing in the arms of Eris Vanserra.

The silence between them was deafening. No one said a word. They just stared at the foreign sight in front of them. Cassian wondered if he wished hard enough, they could wake up from this bizarre situation they found themselves in.

"What. The. Fuck." Rhys growled startling everyone.

"What the hell is going on?" Feyre finally spoke up. "Eris and Violet? That's ridiculous."

"I know! What, did she lose a bet?" Nesta chuckled.

Feyre smacked her sister lightly on her shoulder. "Nesta! That's not funny. This is serious."

The older female rolled her eyes and clamped her mouth shut to keep from laughing further. "Sorry."

"I don't understand." Feyre continued. "I thought you said those two hated each other growing up." She looked towards her mate.

"They did. Eris and Violet fought constantly when we were children, and then as they got older, they just avoided each other completely. With the exception of her coronation ball to find a suitor, I haven't seen them hardly say two words to one another."

"Well clearly at some point their childhood squabbling turned into something else, because that doesn't look like fighting to me." Nesta gestured towards the pair. "They look intimate."

Unfortunately, she wasn't wrong. The couple in question were still dancing in the middle of the room without a care in the world. Eris leaned down to whisper something in her ear as she let out another small laugh. His hand seemed to grip her hip tighter at the sound.

"This doesn't make any sense." Rhysand shook his head. "What did she say when you found them Cass?"

"Not much. She didn't seem to be bothered by our presence at all, and acted like the situation was completely normal. It's like she didn't even care that we knew."

Rhys thought for a moment. "It's because it's not our reaction she wants."

"What do you mean?"

"Well look at her. She's been dancing over there for a while now. Violet knows we're here, and she hasn't even glanced in our direction. I don't think this is about us." The high lord's gaze started searching through the vast sea of people.

"Then what is it about?" Feyre wondered.

Rhysand eyes finally stopped on another figure on the opposite end of ballroom. "Tamlin."

They all looked to see where the Spring Court male was residing. He was standing stoically a few feet from Violet with a drink in his hand starring daggers into the back of her head.

"She wanted him here. Remember about how badly she pushed for him to attend the ball. She needed him here to see this."

"Why the hell would he even care? Tamlin said he thought she was sleeping with me in the first place." Cassian mumbled.

"Exactly. Violet wanted to show Tamlin that he was wrong this entire time."

"You think she wanted to embarrass him in front of everyone?"

"No, I don't think it has anything to do with that."

"Then why not just confront him when I was in the Spring Court with her? He all but asked her who she was sleeping with. Why didn't she tell him then?"

"Because it would have left her too vulnerable if he decided to retaliate. Think about it. There has to be a hundred fae in this room. I don't even recognize half of the people here. With a crowd like this, she could get away with anything, and he can't do a damn thing about it. This whole ball had nothing to do with any of us. It was about Tamlin. She wanted to show him he doesn't hold any power over her anymore. She defied literal death to be here Cass." Rhys looked over at his sister once more. "She won."