A Court of Souls and Shadows

22. Raven

It was the day before the High Lord's meeting, and my nerves were out of control. Cassian kept reminding me that I was all-powerful - his words - and that I shouldn't be afraid of anything. But nothing could stop the storm swirling within my stomach. I had decided to distract myself with one last training session with Nesta and Elain, which was a horrible idea. I was pretty sure Elain had found out that the reason Azriel had ditched her at Starfall a week ago was because of me, and she was shooting me daggers with her eyes. I had apologised to Drusus profusely, and made some excuse about not feeling well, but he hadn't even noticed I had been gone because he was having such a great time with Cassian and told me not to worry about it.

I had decided to hold our impromptu training session in the garden at Rhysand's townhouse, as Elain hadn't been making much progress, and I suggested maybe a more comfortable environment would help. I wouldn't exactly describe the House of Wind as cozy. I could tell she despised me, and the feeling was fucking mutual, but I wouldn't let anything get in the way of what I had to do. She was part of the key to fixing the wall, and I wouldn't let anything jeopardize that. I think my kindness towards her pissed her off even more, and I couldn't hide my small smile of satisfaction at the thought. Kill them with kindness and all that.

Nesta was moving forwards in leaps and bounds. Something about the way I explained and showed her things struck a chord, and even Amren was impressed with the progress she had been making. She barely needed my instruction or help anymore. This session was all about Elain, but I needed Nesta as a buffer between us. Nesta worked on her own at a small table in the garden whilst I stood opposite Elain a short distance away, talking her through some concentration techniques so that she could access her magic more easily. She hadn't had any visions since the one before the Velaris attack, and I could tell it was bothering her. I knew there was a part of her that just wanted to help and feel useful with everything going on, and I felt a small amount of sympathy for her. But she didn't know how good she had it. She had everything. I was immensely jealous of her, something I would never admit out loud.

Her eyebrows scrunched together in frustration as she held her hands out in front of her, her eyes laser-focused on the garden in front of her. At first, nothing happened, but I watched in horror as her eyes turned completely black, and black tendrils started to work their way up her arms and neck. The flowers in the garden started to wither as the ground shook beneath us. The tremors increased in intensity, hanging garden pots smashing to the ground and the windows of the townhouse clattering in their frames.

"Elain!" I shouted. "Elain! Let go. Stop!" My voice was panicked as I lunged for her, holding her hands in mine and shaking her. Her eyes remained black and lifeless as the ground shook beneath us. Nesta rushed to her sister's side, grabbing onto her shoulders.

"What is happening?!" She screeched, the same note of panic in her voice that had been in mine.

"I have to do this! I'm sorry!" I shouted over the tremors, as I unfurled my power. I gripped onto Elain's swirling gray soul gently and squeezed. She fell into her sister's arms, completely paralysed, her eyes snapping shut. I breathed out a sigh of relief as Nesta's eyes widened in my direction.

"What did you do to her?"

I winced under her withering glare. "It was the only way. I'm sorry. I paralysed her momentarily to break her out of the trance. She will be fine, I promise. I would never do anything to hurt her," I said, never breaking Nesta's glare. Her eyes softened as she let out a shaky breath.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

I moved to help her take Elain inside just as Azriel touched down in the garden. His eyes were wild and panicked. "What the hell just happened? Are you alright?" He asked, shocking me by rushing to my side inside of Elain's. Nesta narrowed her eyes at him as he cupped my cheek in his hand. I stared into his hazel eyes and blinked slowly.