A Love From A Different World

Chapter 14

Aelin blinked. And blinked again. It was very rare for her to be speechless, but right then, she was. Over the course of her short life, Aelin had done many things, worked in different professions, but she had never ever, even considered being an ambassador. It was so ludicrous it was almost funny.

So funny in fact that Aelin couldn't stop the cackle that passed through her lips. The girl sat there, tied up and roaring with laughter, tears rolling down her face as Rhysand stood there with an incredulous expression on his face.

It was a good two minutes before Aelin came down from her high. She looked up at him, traces of her amusement still lingering on her face. "Is that a joke?"

"Does it look like a joke?"

"Hmm, fair point,"

Rhysand gritted his teeth in anger. He was pretty sure that over the course of his life no one has ever been able to get under his skin and still makes his heart beat with such intensity. It was unnerving. "How long do you plan on making me wait for an answer?"

"As long as it takes me,"

Rhys looked at Celaena as she cracked her neck. "I don't have all day,"

"If I refuse your ever generous offer?"

Every single part of the High Lord's body tightened as he said; "Our hospitality will cease,"

"So much for letting me stay for as long as I need,"

"Things change."

"Yes," Aelin agreed. "They do." At that moment Aelin made a decision. Who knew if it would bite her in the ass, but really it was the only option. After all, if she refused, Aelin would be left on her own. Not that she wasn't able to take care of herself, but rather because being alone on Fae territory is not exactly the picture-perfect of safety. That would force them to go over the wall and reside there with the humans. Which wouldn't be so bad if the assassin wasn't so desperate to get home. And her chances of reaching home would be all but extinct if she was in the human realm.

"Fine, I'll help you-" Despite himself, Rhysand visibly slouched with relief. "For a price, of course."

"I allow you to stay here-"

Aelin gave him a little laugh. "No, darling, that is an added bonus."

"What do you want?"

"A promise,"

The High Lord looked momentarily confused. "A promise?"

"Yes, a promise that you will honor one request-"

"No." Rhys interrupted, not exactly taking Aelin by surprise. "Anything but that."

Feigning interest in his latest statement, the girl coked her head to the side as if reminiscing. "Anything?"

"Yes."

As if suddenly bored with stringing the male along, the assassin shook her head. "As tempting as that offer is, I stand by my previous wish."

"I can't grant it to you-"

"Then we have no deal."

"Wait-"

"Listen, you need me more than I need you," Aelin wasn't certain that that was necessarily true, but semantics be damned. "So, either I play the ambassador and convince the otherwise untrusting Mortal Queens that a friendship between our two realms is possible, or you find yourselves another ally. Your choice, of course."

Rhys looked conflicted, as well he should be. In any other situation, he would have refused without a second thought. Who knew what her request might be. But, desperate times call for desperate measures. And so, while his head screamed at him to reject the offer, he forced his arm forward, hand held open in between the two.

Aelin raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow. "I thought so," She mused, all too happy that things were finally looking her way. "Now, how about you release me from this rather kinky get up and then we can shake on it?"

As if suddenly realizing that she was still tied down to a chair, Rhysand quickly marched to her and broke open the chains. That same emotion tug at his gut as he observed Celaena massaging her writs. He deeply regretted using the chains on her and knew it must have brought back traumatic memories for her. But, like he said, desperate times call for desperate measures.

"So we have a deal, right?" Rhysand again held out his hand.

"Yes, but actually I'm going to need more than a handshake to seal the deal."

Retrieving his hand, he looked at her peculiarly. "Faes takes oaths very seriously. I won't cheat you-"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure you're very trustworthy and all that," Aelin waved him off dismissively. "But I'm going to need something a little more...secure."

"Like what?"

"A blood oath."