Lady of Nightmares | ACOTAR | Rhysand's Sister x Azriel

Lady of Nightmares

Rhiannon knew it was bad news when Rhys couldn't quite get the words out. She saw a dozen emotions in her brother's expression; anger, frustration, regret, worry.

The words did not quite register in those first few moments. Then it felt like an icy hand was gripping her stomach, enough to make her feel ill, and her blood ran cold in her veins.

"He did what?" Cassian growled. 

"That cold-hearted bastard," Mor's eyes were flashing, clearly scared, both for Rhiannon and no doubt the memories being dragged up. "Not yet, she's only seventeen,"

"The bargain said that she had to be married by the time she turned twenty,"

Her mother let out a stream of violent curses, whilst Azriel was silent, hands gripping the hilt of Truth-Teller hard enough that his knuckles were white. Amren was quiet too, though even she looked serious; it appeared that Rhys had told her the news already.

"Who is she betrothed to?" Aithusa's eyes were wild. Clearly she misliked remembering exactly how much she could hate her mate, the male she had quietly mourned since his death, more for what he was than who he was.

"Lord Voren Bane," Rhys said dully, and Mor's face immediately twisted in dislike. A promising sign... "He's Keir's second. Has been for the last eight hundred years,"

"Eight hundred," Cassian gawped. "How old is the male?"

"He recently celebrated his eleven-hundred and fifty second birthday," Her brother closed his eyes briefly. "Azriel has been looking into him," He glanced at the spymaster. 

Judging from the look on Azriel's face, he had not been told the exact reasons why he had been asked to do so. But after a pointed look at Rhys, he spoke.

"Outwardly, he's cold, competent and seemingly content to remain in Keir's shadow whilst doing most of the work. Everything you'd expect from a dutiful second," The Shadowsinger paused. "There's evidence to suggest he's been plotting for a while, though - Rhiannon is part of his plans. He seems to wish for the Court of Nightmares to become less isolated and wants to gain influence outside the Hewn City, which will never happen under Keir's leadership,"

"That's... not the worst thing, surely?" Cassian asked. "Not everyone in that city is an evil scumbag, just most of the ones who rule it,"

"It depends on his motives," Rhys sounded doubtful. "If Lord Voren is angling for a power grab, then that is hardly ideal. But if he merely wants stronger ties to the outside world for his people... I suppose the Court of Nightmares may have dreamers too," 

He trailed off, glancing at Rhiannon almost guiltily, but she got the hint and nodded to his unasked question. Yes, she could find that out. At least she would be useful to her brother and his court, rather than an ornament on her husband's arm. 

She turned to Azriel.

"What's he like?" She hated how young her voice sounded. 

"His politics may not be traditional but his values are," Azriel replied, face showing regret but not sparing her the truth. "He's cold and distant, too. He seems to prefer books and his work to females,"

"That's better than the alternative," Her mother said darkly. 

"Lucky me," Rhiannon managed to choke out, earning a multitude of irritatingly sympathetic looks.

"Rhys, is there nothing you can do?" Mor sounded just as pained, glancing at her. "I can't let you go through with what I managed to escape, Rhi,"

"Well I'm definitely not escaping it the same way," She muttered, making Cassian snort.