Star in Ashes (Acotar fanfic)

Terrible amenities

'Much suspected by me 

Nothing proved can be 

Quoth Elizabeth, prisoner.'

- Queen Elizabeth I 

"Who are you?" The High Lady's voice wavers, her pupils widening to black holes. She can't keep her gaze off of my hair. Rhysand tenses, his perfect face shifting into a snarl. He swiftly moves in front of his mate.

I don't know what to say. Their annoying son, Niclas, watches me, his smile gone. The fae with the wings shifts into a defensive position, his eyes on the High lord.

"Just a thief." I say with an irreverent smile. Hopefully they'll chalk it up to coincidence. I'm just nobody, with no connection to them. The High Lord clenches his fist at my words, my attempt at a charming smile and night enters the hallway. It curls around me, trapping me.

"Shit." I hiss, willing starlight into my veins. It flares, combatting the eternal night. I hear movement in the darkness and dodge to my right, even as a pair of obsidian cuffs appear. Having fun, Lyra? Rigel taunts, his voice slithering into my consciousness. I could use some help! I snap back at him. But he doesn't bother responding. No one does.

"Well this has been fun!" I drawl, avoiding the cuffs. "But I'm in dire need of a drink, so see you!"

I dive for what I think is the stairs. But a hand appears out of the shadows. I swear and attempt to pull myself free but they hold on.

"Amarantha." The snarl is close to my ear and my heart beats faster. Was I so like her? I can barely breathe now, panic building up inside me. Was this not what I was avoiding? By being free, I could never become that. I whirl around, catching sight of the High Lord's cold eyes, before something slams against my mental shields and I crumble, falling into nothingness.

Death, is this what it feels like? But I'm warm, as if I'm bathing under a summer sun. The air is filled with lights, twinkling, singing my name, my name...

What is your name?

Who is that? The voice doesn't sound right, doesn't belong here with us. It's male, but not one of us. It's cold like freezing ice that dies in stars. Rigel, who is this? Where are you?

What is your name?

The voice is harsher now, hurting my head. My light stirs, bothered by its presence. No, no, you don't belong here...get out...get out! Get out!

My eyes fly open and I gasp, my throat raw as if I'd been screaming. I look around wildly, trying to see where I am.

In the dim light I can make out bars and cuffs are on my wrists. They sizzle but don't burn me. Something keeps them back. A male in dark leathers stands outside my prison, accompanied by a male with shocking violet eyes. My memory returns and I bite my lip. The High Lord.

"She threw me out." He mutters, staring at me with loathing. Wait, that was him? Trying to steal my name. Bastard. He couldn't know that. No one could.

"Who are you?" The other voice is low, cruelly amused. I can see his nasty smirk as he eyes me, no doubt thinking of what torture he can inflict. Well I've got news for you buddy, I've been tortured plenty and I'm not going to break for you. I check my mental shields but they're fully functional now. Although I'm sure the High Lord could break through if he wanted.

"Your long lost cousin." I answer, grinning. "Aren't family reunions just awful?"

He scowls and bares his teeth.