A COURT OF PAIN AND SORROW (ACOTAR FANFIC)

Just do not die

> the night before <

Nyx Artemis walked down the hallways of the place in the Court of Nightmares. His mind kept racing, going over and over what happened with Tamlin with Verna. Tamlin thought He was. . .as if Nyx would do such a thing like that. Such a crime.

"Nyx!" He hears his father say from down the hallway. Within a few moments he was by his sons side. "What the fuck are you playing at?"

"Pardon?"

"You just told everyone about you and Verna!" Rhys hissed. "Don't you think that would have some problems behind it."

"Not really." Nyx said trying to walk past him.

"What do you mean by that?" The High Lord whispered.

"I'm not in the mood to talk," Nyx said. "Not with you. Not with anyone."

"You smell of her. Where you in the Spring Court?"

"Yes." Nyx hiss back. "I was with my mate. My wife. A mate, I might not be able to see after tomorrow."

"Kallista called the wedding off after your little outburst earlier." Rhys said sighing. "It seems you and Verna are free to do whatever you want now."

"I did not mean that. I could not give two shits about Erica nor the wedding, she is a whore that thinks she can—"

"She is still a high lords daughter, I know she played Lilith along. And one day I might kill her for hurting my daughter like that." Rhys said. "And if you did not mean that, then what did you mean?"

Nyx sighed before I told my father everything. About him and Verna, how they love one another, about Echo being pregnant with Tamlins child, he sighed at that. Nyx told him about the mating bond, and how they were married. And how first it was just about Verna's safety incase something happened to Tamlin, or if Echo did have a son. While he was mad, Rhys seemed proud of his son for putting Verna's safety before his personal feelings.
Nyx told him about the clearing in the woods, about what Tamlin believed He was doing and what he challenged me to.

"You can't get out of it?" Rhys asked. "You can't, I know you can't. Does your mother and sister know?"

"No." Nyx sighed. "And I don't plain on telling them."

"You have to." Rhysand said. "I don't agree on Verna nor her being your bride but. . . If your willing to fight to the death for her, for her love, they should know incase you never come back."

"You have such little faith in me father, it hurts." Nyx said, to which a small smile goes to his fathers face.

"You and I have only played fight, If Tamlin believed you to be forcing yourself on his daughter he will not hold back. Nyx, you have not gone up to a high lord who will happily kill you." Rhys whispered. "Even with Helion, he went easy on you as a child. You have no idea—I have no idea on what Tamlin will do. You will not be facing a angry father, but an angry father who is also an High Lord. It's not a fair match. You must know that. So. . .try and make it fare. And if you shall die. . .tell Verna to come here before the fight."

"Why?"

"You don't know?" Rhys sighed. "Feyre came back from the Spring Court—it's for Verna to tell you. Just know that Feyre knows, she smelt it on her. And now I know. I'm. . .angry. But mistakes happen. Tell Verna that she will be safe here with it, she will know what you mean."

Nyx nodded, "So how do I kill him?"

"You put any thoughts of Verna to the back of you head." He said. "Because on that field, it will not matter if he fathered the woman you love because he will kill you so you must be faster. You must be smarter. Have you named the time and place?"

"No." Nyx said.

"Pick a place you know well," Rhysand said before holding his shoulders within his hands. "Pick a place you know Verna will never come to. If you should die. . ."

Nyx pulled his Father Into a hug, Nyx was not as tall as he was, so he put his chin on his sons head.

"Just don't die Nyx." Rhysand whispered. "Don't die on me. But make Tamlin suffer. Make him suffer for what he did to my mother and sister. Make him suffer for what he did to your aunts. Make him suffer for what he did to you mother." Rhysand kissed his sons forehead. "Show no mercy."