Battle Scars

A shoe' analogy is a pillow

Eve blinked; she was back in Velaris. Mor took her inside the townhouse and placed her on the couch in the living room where Cassian and Feyre were already gathered. "Oh, I can feel my legs again," Eve said, breaking the silence, groaning softly. Truth to be told, she had been absolutely terrified when she couldn't move and was afraid it had been permanent. Thank God it hadn't. Cass raised his brows, clearly worried. "What happened?" he asked just as Rhys winnowed in, the picture of a High Lord. "She got abducted by a Hybern sympathizer." Feyre rubbed her temples and Rhys sent her a soothing look with no doubt, something down the bond. Meanwhile, he bent down to face Eve' figure which was slumped on the couch.

"Are you alright?" She could see the worry in the crease lines on his forehead and she nodded, her heart softening at the fact that they all cared about her. "Nothing I can't handle," she said with a small grin. Mor shook her head and cursed softly before going to get some water. "How did this happen?" Feyre asked. "Oh well, my friend and I got a wee bit drunk and then I was thrown towards a wall and after a few punches and kicks from both parties, became unconscious. Woke up a bit later with my powers dampened and body paralysis- temporary, thankfully- and was about to be stabbed when Azriel came to the rescue!" Rhysand blinked while Feyre opened and closed her mouth again. They stood unsure of what to do for though the events had been horrible, Eve had explained with a smile on her face. A smile full of anger and annoyance.

"Speaking of which, where is Vixen?" Rhysand cleared her throat, "in questioning." Eve narrowed her eyes, "and where is the Spymaster and Shadowsinger of this court?"

*******

Azriel entered to utter silence. Eve was fuming and her hand was raised threateningly towards Rhys. Though she tried being intimidating, it was a bit comical as Rhys had a stubborn look on his face and others were unsure whether they should interfere or not. Azriel cleared his throat and entered the room.

Eve' head immediately whipped to where he was standing and she took long strides towards him, her eyes furious. "Where is she?" Eve demanded, cornering Az towards the wall as he stared at his mate with a bit of fear. "Vixen, I swear to Gods above Azriel, where is she?" Eve demanded. "Hewn city cells," Azriel replied smoothly. "She is innocent," Eve snarled and Az gritted his teeth. "That male was her father," he reminded Eve. "So? That doesn't mean she isn't a good person. Besides, she was taken alongside me." "Is that why she was sleeping on a bed while you were about to be stabbed?" Az countered, angry at that fact that she supported that female who had betrayed her still. "Innocent until proven guilty," Eve said, stringing each word. Az eyes flashed, "guilty until proven otherwise." He did not budge under her hard stare.

Eve knew he wouldn't. He was too damn stubborn. Letting out a groan she walked towards the couch, stared at a pillow before throwing it towards Az. Why? She was annoyed, of course. Rhys watched this with great interest, it is beginning. Do all you females like throwing stuff at us as a symbol of your affection? He said to Feyre down the bond and received an amused as well as an exasperated feeling.

Az simply raised his brow at her, the pillow harmlessly bouncing off his chest. Eve gave him a glare before turning towards Feyre. "You are reasonable," Eve tried, making Feyre' lips twitch upwards a bit, "take me to her." Azriel growled in warning, "she might have put you in jeopardy! She put my m- my friend in danger, she stays alone till I interrogate her." Eve ignored him, sending pleading looks to Feyre who contemplated the option and sighed. Sending a guilty look towards Az, she offered Eve her hand who took it, relieved that someone still had their senses intact.

"Feyre threw her shoe at me once," Rhys commented after the two left. Az glared at him before letting his shadows encase and teleport him. Cassian whistled and Mor didn't know what to say. "Stay here, Amren will be coming soon," Rhys sighed before winnowing away too.

*********

Eve entered the cell silently only to find Vixen curled up in a chair, whimpering. The High Lady was waiting outside as per as Eve's request. Vixen looked up when Eve stepped on something- she did not want to dwell on what- and Eve noticed the faint tear lines on her face. "Hey, its ok, no one is going to harm you," she said and came near her. "Eve," Vixen breathed, "I swear I did not know he was going to-" Eve shook her head, cutting her of. "How about we go someplace which is... not here and talk?" Vixen shook her head enthusiastically at that idea. Eve grunted as she helped Vixen up who swayed a bit who looked over her shoulder and turned terrified again, all her relief when she had seen Eve vanishing.

Eve turned around to see Azriel in all his glory. Sighing, Eve let Vixen sit down once again, whispering calming words before turning towards Az. She understood why he was acting like this; it was his job to interrogate and collect information as the Spymaster of the Night, but he was also a protective bastard. She sighed internally. "Azriel, you can come with us," she said out loud and her expression warned him that he would have to behave though. Az nodded once, compromise.

They all winnowed to the lower levels of the Mountain Palace where Rhys was already waiting. Vixen's eyes widened as she, for the first time, saw Feyre in the light and recognized her as the High Lady. The other male standing beside her was then, with no doubt, High Lord of the Night. Bowing, she shuffled closer to Eve who held her hand comfortingly. Vixen let herself be calmed by Eve' familiar touch. "Vixen, this is Feyre, High Lady of the Night and Rhysand, High Lord of the Night." The two gave her short smiles and Vixen shifted on her feet.

"Let us sit and talk," Rhys finally said in a tone that left no space for argument. Others followed his suit and went to the hall, all the while the two males marked every movement made by Vixen. "What happened?" Azriel demanded, his mind still replaying the threat his mate had been exposed to mere hours ago. Needless to say, he was on edge. Eve recalled everything again while Vixen looked at the ground. "Your father was a Hybern supporter?" Feyre asked Vixen who nodded shamefully. "He was," she said and for the first time looked at Azriel, "I am glad he is dead." Az did not say or reveal anything.

"He is.. was from Hybern. My mother was from Summer, I inherited mostly her qualities and features. Anyway, they met a bit before Amarantha's reign and when she died... he was furious. My mother was the only one he was nice too, but then that changed too. So, we both fled to take shelter in Adriata. He left us alone- somehow. Today was the first time I saw him again, and knowing him, he was probably alone for he was never one to be in groups. He worked alone." Feyre nodded even as she pried Vixen's mind- she would take no risk when it came to her loved ones safety. Eve gave her a sad smile.

"I am so sorry he found you, Eve. I swear, I swear on the Cauldron, I was not his accomplice." "I know, Vixen." Still, her friend felt guilty. "He probably was looking for me and you ended up here because he found you with me and decided to aim for more." Eve tutted, "not your fault. Vixen," Eve called as she continued looking down. "Blood may be thicker than water but sometimes it can be nauseating and downright bad, and that isn't on you." Vixen gave out a sigh, chuckling a bit and nodded.

She is fine, Feyre said to Azriel and Rhys via her daemati abilities as they all watched Vixen like hawks.

Eve turned towards the High Lord and Lady once Vixen settled down, who nodded at her. So, taking her leave, she motioned Az to follow her and left, Az walking besides her, with his hands in his pocket. 

Happy reading :) 

XOXO,

the amazing author who got up a bit late today