A Court of Souls and Shadows

37. Raven

My fork scraped against my plate loudly as I ate in silence. Kallias sat opposite me, and I could feel his eyes burning holes in me. I put my fork down beside my plate and levelled him with a look.

"Just say it," I said, hardening my gaze. Kallias sighed, and his eyes softened.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes searching my face for answers. I rolled my eyes. "Gods," I cursed, "Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

Vivienne snorted from her place beside Kallias. "Might have something to do with your ex showing up and putting on a show for the guards," she said sarcastically. A sharp pain speared through my stomach at the word ex. I rolled my eyes at her, feigning nonchalance. 

"He's my ex for a reason," I forced out, clenching my jaw, "I'm fine." Kallias arched his white brows at me sceptically. "That remains to be seen," he said, turning his focus back to his food. I huffed out a frustrated breath and followed suit, shoving my potatoes around my plate in agitation. I was so sick of people checking up on me. I could handle this. 

We continued to eat in heavy silence, when Finn burst through the door to the dining room, a roll of parchment clutched in his hand. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, my Lord, my Lady, Miss Raven," he said, bowing to us each in turn. "There's been urgent news from the Night Court." He made it to Kallias, handing over the roll of parchment, his cheeks flushed and his breathing heavy. My spine stiffened as Kallias took the parchment and unrolled it, his eyes scanning over the message written within. Finn stood close by, his hands clasped behind his back, awaiting orders.

"What news?" I asked, clearing my throat. Kallias looked over the top of the parchment at me, his brows drawn. He dropped it on the table, folding his hands in front of him. "The Night Court have received information from a reliable source that Hybern are launching their next attack within the coming days," he said, his eyes hard. I swallowed and nodded solemnly. "Where?" I asked. Kallias looked away, his eyes landing on his wife beside him. "They plan to move through the Spring Court into Summer," he said, a frown marring his features. "The Night Court has called for our aid, and requested to set up their war camps on our Northern borders." I nodded. "I'll ready my weapons," I announced, my mind already cataloguing the things I'd need.

"No," Kallias said firmly. I snapped my gaze to him, my eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about?" I asked, my brows drawing together in confusion. "You've barely recovered," Kallias explained, "I won't risk you." I shook my head. "You don't have a choice," I said, pushing back the sleeve of my shirt to reveal my tattoo. "I'm bound by my bargain with Rhysand to fight in this war." Kallias' eyes flicked between the tattoo on my wrist and my face, his frown deepening.

"You'll be fitted for armour immediately," he said after a moment, "At least give me that reassurance."

I rolled my eyes and smiled at him. "Of course, brother."

"And you won't fly," he added. I gaped at him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Un-fucking-likely," I snapped, staring at him. He huffed in frustration. "We don't have an aerial legion, Raven," he chided me. "I have no one to protect you."

I pushed back from the table to stand. "I am your aerial legion," I snapped, "And I don't need protection. Or are you forgetting? I'm the motherfucking Soul Stealer."

Kallias stayed silent, the fight between us over. I wasn't budging on this, and he knew it. He looked away from me, motioning for Finn to come forward. "Finneas," He said, "Send word back to the Night Court that we will join them in battle, and that their forces will have a safe haven on our Northern borders." Finn bowed and said, "Of course, My Lord," before rushing from the room. Kallias picked up the cloth napkin from his lap and tossed it on his plate, before pushing back from the table to stand. We stared at each other, both standing on opposite sides of the large dining table.