A Court Of Truths And Trials

Chapter 9

I was wrong. This is impossible!

It was as if Lucien's scent was everywhere! Every now and again I hear him speak and I have no idea where his voice is coming from. The sun is already starting to set I could feel the temperature dropping and I still have not come to find him, it's as if every time I get close he disappears again. I had circled the house countless times and been up and down every corridor within the building. I refused to give up though. I would succeed...

I sat down on the grass surprisingly I didn't bump into many things my reflexes were actually working quite well but I have still been unable to find Lucien. It's honestly so weird having my eyes closed all the time but I have gotten slightly used to it I guess. Laying back down on the grass I slowed my breathing and tried to clear my mind searching to hear or smell any indication of where Lucien could be.

"She still hasn't found you?" "No, she's gotten close though." "How long until she finds you do you think?" "I hope its soon, I'd rather end this game before dinner."

I heard a conversation between Tamlin and Lucien, I think I know exactly where he is. He must have stopped by Tamlin's office to have little 'chat'. I'm so tired of this. I could clearly imagine the walls of his office lined with books of all colours, the dark brown almost black wood of his desk carved with intricate flower designs as Tamlin sits behind it in the emerald and gold cushioned seat.

Suddenly I felt a strange coldness creep through me as air rushed around me, it frightened me but also made feel excited I guess and I'm sure why. I seemed to be full of adrenaline. "Arya?" I heard the voice of Lucien say and my eyes whipped open to find myself in the middle of Tamlins office standing before both Lucien and Tamlin who had faces full of shock.

"How in the world did I get here?" I question looking around in astonishment. Lucien chuckled and I looked him to find him smirking at Tamlin. "I told you she had powers." Tamlin didn't react. "Yes, I can see that, now the only problem is that we have almost definite confirmation that whoever her father is, hails from the night court." I glanced at Tamlin noticing worry creeping in his eyes.

"What will happen if Rhysand finds out about her?" Lucien thought out loud. Who the hell is Rhysand? And what kind of name is that? I wondered. "He won't find out about her. He won't find out about either of them and neither will she." Tamlin spat, they were talking as if I weren't in the room. I crossed my arms impatiently.

"Will one of you explain to me what in this world happened?!" Their heads whipped towards me, Luciens hair flicking him in his mask covered face. I laughed a little. "Please?" I added sheepishly feeling slightly guilting about raising my voice at them. "Arya, you somehow managed to winnow to us. Usually that takes training before it can be attempted, it appears that you have a strong gift to be able to do it so effortlessly and we are afraid that your power comes from the night court." The night court, they always say that phrase with such poison in their mouths.

"What is so wrong about the night court?" I asked curious about how they earned so much hate. "It is a place of vicious monsters and nightmares, ruled by a high lord who delights in all forms of torture."

Tamlin explained coldly. "Am I correct to assume this high lord is the Rhysand you spoke about?" I questioned. "Yes." Lucien responded this time. "I pray to the cauldron that you never meet him."

I thought about this highlord, Tamlin and Luciens words allowing my mind to form a pretty horrifying picture. I shuddered before pushing away the thoughts, I shouldn't judge a place or a person before gaining true experience for myself.

"How do I – did I ... Winnow?" I asked, the foreign word feeling odd on my tongue. "It's like ... travelling from one location to another. The ability to winnow isn't actually tied to any particular court though only some can do it. We believe your power comes from the night court though because when you appeared a slight dark misty fog glittered as you appeared. It may be because you are a shifter, but I am almost certain it is because of your night court heritage." Tamlin explained before he continued. "You winnow by picturing the place you wish to go in your mind." That makes sense, I was imagining this office before I suddenly appeared here in the first place.

"Can I try again?" I asked excited to try the newly found skill now that I understood it better. "Go ahead, dinner should be served now so try and winnow into the entrance hall. You have been there before, imagine each and every detail of the location and then imagine yourself pushing past the air surrounding you and appearing there." Lucien told me. "We will meet you there, good luck." I nodded to him before focusing on picturing the entrance hall closing my eyes again.

It wasn't long before I felt the odd push of air and darkness before I appeared in the entrance hall... Accidentally landing on Feyre. "Arya?" She gasped out still crushed beneath me. "Get off" She huffed. I jumped off of her immediately and helped her up. "I am so sorry Feyre." I apologised to my friend. "Where did you even come from?" She questioned me curiously.

"I found out I have magic! I can winnow which is like teleportation!" I explained in excitement causing Feyre to share one of her smiles with me. "That is incredible." She told me sharing my enthusiasm whole heartedly. "Who knew you were so talented Addy?" She teased me with vibrant eyes. I glared playfully at her. "Oh hush."

Clap, clap, clap.

We heard from behind us and Feyres bright and careless mood disappeared as Lucien and Tamlin appeared in our view. "Well done Arya, you successfully winnowed on purpose." Lucien praised me. I smiled. "Did you ever doubt me Luci?" He scowled at me but smiled anyway. "Only I will know." I laughed. "He said he hoped 'you wouldn't appear half-way in a wall' barely a minute ago." Tamlin revealed with a rare sign of mischief I had never seen before. He always seemed so serious. I gaped at Lucien. "How dare you have such little faith in me?" I turned back to Feyre holding a hand to my heart. "Can you believe this?" She laughed quietly. "I wouldn't be surprised if you got yourself lost only to turn up in a month or two!" Feyre told me in a teasing manner but not as freely as she would have if we were alone.

"Why does no one have faith in me?" I asked looking up towards where the sky would be if it wasn't covered by a white marble roof. Everyone laughed and for once I wasn't worried about anything. I wish for more moments as happy as this and happier.

So Adaline can winnow? I wonder whether she'll have any further gifts. 

When/if she meets Rhysand do you think she will like, resent or fear him?