A Court of Curse and Roses; acotar

𝖁𝖆𝖑𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖊

I wake up alone.

Morning light trickles in through the opening of the tent. My body is still warm and tingling from the previous night's activities. The smell of smoke and clanging of armour pulls me from my slumber, and I hastily look around for my war leathers. I find them, sparkling clean, laid out for me on the end of the bed. A long knife has been placed beside the clothes. It is Jurians. Another smaller, golden knife sits beside it. Tamlins.

I dress quickly, tucking the knives deep into either side of my boots, and take a long breath as I step out of the sanctuary of the tent. The morning light hits me and I'm momentarily blinded. However, I'm soon able to see the cause of the commotion.

Hyberns army, in the near distance, moves up the hill that we are posted behind. There are thousands upon thousands of soldiers. Their silver armour flashes in the sunlight and they look like rows of sharpened teeth, ready to bite. A small collection of horses rides behind the army and my eyes are instantly drawn to a white one and the fae that sits atop it. Tamlin. His hair and skin glimmer like gold.

I want to go to him, tell him to be safe, but before I can move, he has gone up and over the hill - towards the battlefield.

I suck in another breath and try not to cry.

"You're awake."

Jurian walks towards me from between the tents. This morning, he has pulled his brown curls out of his face. His smile is warm, but stressed, as he stops before me and crosses his arms over his leathers.

My voice is a pathetic, weak quiver as I reply, still watching the hill that Tamlin went over, "Yes,"

Jurian follows my gaze and sighs, "He'll be fine Persephone, I promise. He's fought in many battles, we all have." He tilts his head and his face becomes grim, "I'm supposed to take you to the King now,"

My body trembles as I look up at Jurian. "What does he want with me?" I whisper, my tone and my hands shake with fear.

Jurian shakes his head slightly. His brown eyes are sympathetic as he says, "I don't know. But he wouldn't dare hurt you," he pauses, "You are far too important, too rare, for him to waste," he stretches a hand towards me and I take it, "Come now, we shouldn't keep him waiting any longer."

I try to steady my breathing, try to stay strong as Tamlin and Jurian are, but I still feel faint with fear as we enter the large tent around the bend. The inside is well lit, comfortable, and spacious. There are desks scattered around, each covered in maps, scrolls and letters. I'm surprised at the disarray, at how easy it would be to steal a piece of information. However, as I breathe in deeply, the twinge of magic hits me and I know it would not be as easy as it seems. Nothing is.

"Good morning Persephone, you look lovely,"

I look away from the desks and towards the cold, taunting voice.

The King leans against a desk, his long legs folded out in front of him, his inky hair pushed back out of his intense, calculating face. He wears loose clothing again, however, this morning he has a long sword strapped over his back. Is the sword for my head? He notices my stare and smirks wickedly.

"You may leave us now Jurian." The King says, his voice like a purr.

Jurian stiffens and gives me a curt nod before strutting out of the tent. I resist the urge to thrust a knife into the King's chest and run after Jurian. I am desperate to escape his cruel eyes, his mischievous smirk.

There is a beat of silence in the tent as the King regards me. I try to stand tall, refusing to retreat even though trembles rattle through my body. But as he smiles, I know I must look foolish, a petite, pathetic girl with wings more substantial than her body. He must think me weak, feeble. I feel everything his smile tells me I am.