A Court of Souls and Shadows

8. Raven

I awoke the next morning to a soft knock on my bedroom door. I sat up from my spot on the floor and stretched, before standing to make my way to the door. I opened it and was surprised to see Feyre on the other side. She held a stack of clothes in her hands. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled at me, and I found myself smiling back.

"I brought you some of my things to wear until we can get some stuff sorted for you," she said, holding the pile of clothes out to me. "I don't know if they're your style or not, but better than Azriel's things," she added with a laugh. I looked down at the enormous tshirt of Azriel's that almost reached my knees. I hadn't bothered with the pants he'd left for me when they kept falling down. I suddenly felt very exposed standing before the High Lady in nothing but a tshirt.

"Thank you," I said, taking the stack of clothes from her and turning to set them on the bed. I heard Feyre gasp behind me and realised immediately what she was looking at. Fang was asleep in the centre of the giant four poster bed, wings outstretched, mouth hanging wide open. If the small bat was human, I was sure he would have snored. Loudly.

"That's just Fang," I explained, setting the clothes down on the bed and turning to look at Feyre. Her eyes were wide but she laughed.

"Fang?"

I shrugged. "He's a companion, of sorts. I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not," Feyre gushed immediately. "He is gorgeous."

I grinned as she moved towards the bed to get a closer look at Fang. Her soul pulsed a bright, golden colour that was almost blinding. Just like Cassian's. She asked me a few questions about Fang, and I told her all about how I'd found him, and his insane age. I found it so easy to talk to her, and I liked her immediately. She stayed for a while as we talked, never asking any questions too personal. I knew that it was intentional, and I appreciated it. I could tell that she was treading lightly around me, but not out of fear. Out of respect. I knew a fellow survivor when I saw one. When she left, she turned back to face me on her way out of the room, pausing in the doorway.

"Rhysand would like to see you, when you're ready. He's in the dining room," she said.

"Time to talk business, I suppose," I replied with a half smile. Feyre smiled back at me, her eyebrows knitting together in thought.

"You're safe here, Snow," she said softly. I nodded. She took the hint and left then, closing the door behind her. I couldn't let myself fully relax around these people, no matter how brightly some of their souls shone. Trust had to be earned. And the looming meeting with the High Lord Rhysand had me on edge as I changed into Feyre's clothes.

* * * * * * *

Rhysand sat at the head of the dining table, alone. He had a mountain of papers scattered on the table in front of him, and was busy writing something when I entered the room. He stopped to look up at me, and silently motioned for me to take a seat. I sat and waited for him to speak first.

"Snow," he finally said. "I must say it's strange to see someone else in my mate's clothing," he said with a small chuckle. I smiled and shrugged.

"Feyre is very kind," I said, not wanting to get off on the wrong foot with the powerful High Lord. He smiled tightly and nodded, picking up one of the papers and sliding it towards me.

"I've been working on a formal agreement," he explained. "A bargain of sorts."

I felt my spine stiffen as I looked down at the piece of paper, and the elegant script scrawled upon it. It was a formal bargain, outlining the expectations he had of me, and what I would receive in return, with no room for betrayal. It stated I was to fight alongside them until Hybern's forces were defeated, and I was not to harm any member of the Night Court. In return, I would be provided with safety and anonymity, and the full protection of the Night Court to the best of their abilities. The "best of their abilities" was not lost on me. It was a loophole of sorts. I knew none of them would be sacrificing themselves for me, I wasn't one of them. It was not surprising at all, and definitely fair enough, but it still stung just the tiniest bit. I hated the weak part of myself that yearned to belong anywhere with anyone. I was pathetic.