Chapter 34

We woke up around noon and munched on some bread that we found in the cabinets before winnowing back to Velaris, directly into our rooms. I hadn't seen Nesta or Cassian since yesterday and I guess that would have to wait. I almost groaned at the thought of having that impending talk, about what had happened; but until then, they will just have to trust me going into this meeting. Rhys and I quickly changed into appropriate clothes: I wore a black dress with double leg slits stopping around my mid-thigh. The bodice was cut in such a way that clear panels made my waist look smaller than it was, the sleeves wrapped around my arms like vines, and it was all lined with silver thread which would shimmer with the slightest light. It was a new dress I had ordered, precisely for a meeting like this; and to be honest, aside from my Starfall dress, this was one of my favorites. Rhys thought the same because no matter where I walked around the room, his eyes followed me, and I could tell he was holding back with restraint. I smirked to myself and just to bother him I went over to where he was, my arm brushing his and leaned over to grab something from my nightstand. He had a perfect view of my behind and the slits on my dress parted to allow much of my leg to be exposed. That along with my partially bare back was enough to make him freeze. Oh, he knew, he knew what I was purposely doing to him, I knew he would like nothing more than to rip this dress off me, but he let out a tiny uncontrolled growl and walked to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. My smirk became feline and I grabbed my crown from the nightstand, placing it on my head and pinning it down to my head for extra support; and with today's meeting.... I just might need it.

After a couple more minutes of finishing touches to my hair and makeup, Mor was banging on our door to hurry. She didn't even get to finish her sentence however before I opened the door. Mor, wide eyed looked me up and down before giving me a large smile. "Oh, I like where this is going" she said, amusement lacing every word. She linked her arm with mine leaving Rhys to trail us behind, where I could tell he was trying to look at anything but me. "You remember the plan?" I asked her, all seriousness now. She nodded and while her smile dropped a little, it didn't disappear. "Yep, although as much as I love scaring my father are you sure this is the way to go? His troops suffered many losses in the war, and we can't afford a civil war right now." It was a risk, but with a glance to Rhys and the nod of his head, it was one I was positive would work. We needed to get him back in line and ask him about the rebel group within our lands without raising too much suspicion at just how desperate we are. "I'm sure." "And can you control them?" Rhys had told them about the plan we had set up in the cabin moments before we winnowed back to Velaris. I hadn't told Mor myself about my new powers and I would have to explain it to her, but for now this was all the information she had so I gave the only answer I was giving myself. "For now" I replied, "they respond to me and that's good enough for this meeting" I said it with as much confidence as I could muster and hoped that if she believed I could do it, I would start to believe it more myself. It wasn't that I didn't think I could, I just didn't know the extent to which I could. Rhys had said however that this was the perfect time to test that and I had just snorted in response.

We reached the bottom of the stairs and entered the living room where we would all meet to winnow into the court of nightmares. I saw Cassian in the corner, talking with Az and when our eyes met, they softened and he gave me nod; he understood, no forgiveness needed. That might be the case for him, but I was still going to talk to him about it later, and Nesta but probably not together. I wanted to apologize not just because I am his high lady but because we were friends too. But later, that would be later. Nesta and Elain would be staying with Amren here at the house. Amren would meet up with us later if things went wrong and then Nesta after that if things went really wrong; not that we expected too but it was always nice to have a backup plan. Elain would stay here and use her seer powers to protect Velaris and inform me and Rhys if anything was bound to happen so we could get here before it actually occurred. But none of that would need to happen hopefully.

Nesta was on the couch, sitting with Elain; and while Elain gave me a warm smile, Nesta didn't even spare me a glance no matter how hard I tried to catch her eyes. I couldn't tell if she was still mad at me from the battle or from what occurred on the training ring; probably both.

"Can I borrow your dress after tonight" Mor whispered in my ear, tearing me out of my thoughts. I huffed a laugh and pored us two glasses of wine where the bottle lay opened on the table. I took a sip before I answered her, letting the berry liquid go down my throat and warm my stomach. "I don't think it'll be in one piece after tonight, but this is one of my favorite dresses, so I'll try to convince my mate to spare it. If he does, it's all yours." I gave her a look then, "As long as you promise not to ruin it like the last one." She huffed out a laugh before giving me her most innocent face. "I told you.... the hole was already there when you gave it to me". I returned that laugh then. "Yeah sure". But I was still smiling when Amren walked through the doors and gave us the signal to leave. Mor grabbed Cassian and Azriels hand leaving me to winnow with Rhys, I let him take me as to conserve my own powers and energy. And with a nod to the others, we vanished.

We landed on the outskirt gates of the mountain and we let the others go first, to announce us and let them build up the tension. Rhys and I waited where we were and would enter in a minute or two. I loosened a breath and reached into me for my new darkness. Reassured that they were calm and still under my control I gave Rhys a small smile and a nod. But Rhys saw right through that; he turned to me and lifted my chin with his fingers. It seemed he didn't care about our mask out here because he grabbed one of my hands and rubbed soothing circles with his thumb.

Say the word Feyre and we don't have to do this, I'm not just talking about our plan but this whole meeting too. But no matter what you decide we are behind you.

I reached up and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek. I could never be thankful enough for him, for his constant support.

I'm ready, ready to do this. Let's just get this over with so we can go back home to Gawain.

And that was all he needed to put my arm over his and walk with me into the court of nightmares. He released the damper on his power and let the whole mountain shake at our approach. Honestly, my mate loves his grand entrances too much. And as much as he tried to fight it, I saw the twitch of a smile form at him lips, but it quickly disappeared as the huge black doors opened to the main chamber. Heads held high we walked to our twin thrones, relishing as the fae bowed as we passed them. With one swift motion I sat on the inky black throne, just as cold as I remembered it and Rhys quickly warmed it for me. I thanked him down the bond but I didn't let any emotion on my face, none as I surveyed the crowd of bowed fae, including Az, Cassian, and Mor. Every time, that was the part I hated the most; the part where I had to make my family bow on their knees always unsettled something in my stomach.

"Keir" Rhys said with a voice he only used down here. Keir's head rose to meet ours, but he stayed kneeling. "Report. And the rest of you, go play" at once life came back into the room as musicians played and at once everyone rose. Keir however was the only one who got close but stopped at the end of the stairs. He began to go on about courtly things: budget, marriages, trade, and even went so far as too tell us about his next Velaris visit. Apparently, he didn't care that not one restaurant or inn would serve him. The pure satisfaction he got from simply strolling the streets, knowing what it did to Mor was enough for him. Cassian, leaning against one of the pillars scowled and if it wasn't for the fact that we had a plan for today, I had no doubt he would have given Keir a piece of his mind. Our faces however revealed nothing, didn't let him bait us that easily, especially not when we both could tell what he really wanted to ask us. Arms resting on the black armrests and legs crossed over my knee I leaned forward, grabbing his attention.

"I see that you are dying to ask us something Keir, so ask it"

He looked at me then, with a face that told me that still after three years he wondered if he should even accept me as high lady; especially when he called me a whore not too long ago. "Forgive me high lady" he said, the last words leaving his mouth with such vial that Rhys tensed and slightly leaned forward, giving Keir all the warning he needed. "I was merely curious. I had gotten reports that a battle was waged in Velaris, but as quick as the reports came, they vanished."

Rhys and I leaned back in our chairs, at the same time, giving Keir the feeling of insignificance. His frowned deepened but he said nothing, not when he still waited on our response. I let Rhys answer him, just as we discussed. Keir, it seemed, was far too predictable if he was falling into our plan this easily. "Unfortunately, Keir, yes you are correct." At this the room seemed to freeze, listening now to every word that was coming out of Rhys mouth. "But it was nothing dear Feyre couldn't handle." Everyone's eyes slide to me and I had the slightest urge to recoil from them. My body stayed still though, my face expressionless save for the little smile I gave to Keir as his eyes roamed over me, the threat Rhys posed me to be. No one knew the real extent of my powers. Aside from the battle in Adriata and the surprise attack in Velaris I hadn't really had the need to use them extensively, until recently. "I had heard rumors that they were the same ones to attack you during your pregnancy. Now I hear nothing about them at all." "And why Keir would you hear anything at all? Don't tell me you had a hand in all this?" I purred. It was unlikely true, but still a possibility. Yet, Keir snorted, and his response had Rhys blood boiling. "If I wanted you gone high lady there would be other quicker and cleaner ways to do it." Cassian, Mor and Az growled from the crowd, where everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch the encounter. Rhys was almost shaking with restraint, but I did a milder version of what he probably would have. An image of Keir splattered across one of the pillars crossed my mind and I understood exactly what Rhys plans for Keir; if Rhys hated him before, he just took it one step further. Nonetheless I whipped out my creatures and a dark beast ran down the stairs and Keir's eyes widened in fear as great black smoky jaws clamped around his leg, pulling him to the floor and towards me. I made them stop when they reached the first step, the grip on his leg was hard, hard enough to threaten him and show Keir what could happen but not enough to do damage, not yet. Still, a small trickle of blood hit the black stone tile as one of the fangs drew blood. Keir's face was laced in pain, but he didn't say a word, not as his life hung in my hands.

"I would watch your next words carefully Keir; my mate here has not been in the most merciful mood lately." Rhys rumbled, his voice the definition of night.

I picked up where he left off, not missing a beat. "It honestly would make sense Keir, for you to have a hand in my attack. With our heir, your position to the throne just got harder" I tightened the hold on his leg and his jaw grounded in pain. Gasps went up in the audience, but no one dared to step forward or speak their minds. My eyes caught Mors for a second and I could see her small smile; oh, Keir deserved this, this and more for what he did to my best friend. I had no pity, none for what I was doing. The creatures inside me were roiling at the pain and the smell of blood in the air. Oh, they wanted to play, and I fisted my hands at my side, getting the creatures under control. Rhys turned the attention to him as he gave me the time to control them. You belong to me I hissed at them. I didn't let them take over my body, not like on the training ring, didn't let them turn my eyes black or light black smoky flames at my fingertips.... Although the thought of the fear it would bring to Keir almost had me second guessing my decision.

"But of course, we know that you would never physically try to harm us Keir, but that doesn't mean you knew and purposely didn't stop them." He shook his head as Rhys spoke. "I swear, I don't know anything about them. I sent the creatures to bite harder and his bone crunched beneath the jaw. Shrieks went up in the crowd as blood began to pool underneath him. His face went pale and he shook his head again, more in pain this time than to deny the accusations. "I don't know anything- ""Lying will do you no good Keir. Just tell us what you know, and I'll call back my creatures." His head dropped and he let out a yell of pain as I sent another creature tumbling down the stairs latching on to his arm and pinning him to the floor. Yes, I could do this all day, I could send my creatures to him and watch as they ripped him apart one by one-

Careful darling, then Mor will get all pissy you took her kill.

Just like that all those dark thoughts faded away and my head was clearer than it was moments ago. The creatures it seemed had no trouble sending me their thoughts. I slid my eyes to Rhys as he undoubtedly knew what was rolling in my mind.

Thank you

No thanks needed

We turned our eyes to Keir again and just when he was about to say something Az walked up to the dais bowing quickly before walking up the short stairs. "Apologies high lady, high lord for interrupting but urgent news has come." He could have easily told Rhys through our minds as they each had a small section in their walls open for Rhys and me for emergencies; but instead Az made the risk of walking up and telling us ourselves. This was not part of the plan, but he made it sure as hell look like it was. He stopped in between our thrones and we leaned in to catch what he was saying. He whispered so low that even my ears no more than inches from his mouth struggled to pick up. His words were probably dimmed with whatever shadow ability he possessed which allowed him to do that; a valuable trick for a spy. "The rebel group was picked up by my shadows moments ago. I recommend we leave now, and we may be able to grab them before they hide again and who knows how long it'll be before we spot them; they are most likely already planning another attack." He bowed again before walking back into the crowd, next to Mor.

My heart quickened in pace, but Rhys and I made no effort to move. I held my grip on Keir as he finally said what we needed to confirm the news we just heard. "I have heard some rumors, none can be completely trusted but some reports say that a rebel group organized the attack and they are hiding deep within the forest, near the three peaks; maybe you should go bother your filthy Illyrians instead." There, all at once I released my creatures from their hold and Keir dropped to the ground. One of his sons made a move forward to grab him but still stayed where he stood with his mother at the edge of the crowd, he wouldn't be allowed to grab him until Rhys and I were done.

We should go

Yes, we go now.

Our plan wasn't done, not close but this was far more important, and we got the information we needed from Keir, that and his negligence to inform his high lady and high lord of an imminent threat. 

And as one Mor Cassian and Az walked over to the feet of the dais and patiently waited as Rhys stood and gave me his hand; ever the gentlemen. I stood with one fluid motion, the skirts of my dress pooling at my feet perfectly as we walked down the steps. Once we passed my family, they fell in line behind us and I made sure to step over Keir where he laid on the ground like he was nothing but a piece of trash. And as one we strode out of Hewn city, not one glance back to finally finish this war once and for all.

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Thank you all for your support for my other acotar story. I have been receiving nothing but positive reviews and it makes me ecstatic! I hope you all are enjoying both stories.

-S