A Court of Sacrifices and Salvation

CHAPTER III

"Aristella, can you please just calm down for a moment?!" Mor snapps at me. She is always the most patient of the Night Court, so it's rare for her to lose her temper. Yet, with everything up in the air on when – or rather if – Rhys and the rest of Prythian will forever lose their freedom, her patience has run quite thin.

"I- I just can't help but worry!" I stop my pacing and run my tan hands over my face in exasperation. With my legs exhausted from all the pacing, I allow myself to collapse into an armchair across from the gorgeous blonde. "It's almost been fifty years, Mor. We haven't heard anything back from him nor a single peep from anyone, and we're desperately short on time."

"You don't think I understand and have realized this?" Mor questions with an attitude, "He's family to all of us, Aristella. We all love him and are worried for what the future may bring with Hybern's puppet holding his and the other high lords' powers.

"We need to stay strong though and make sure Velaris remains safe and hidden. You recall what Rhysand told us right before Amarantha imprisoned them all. Are you really thinking of going against the orders of your High Lord?"

Mulling over Mor's question, I nervously play with strands of my silver-white hair. White hair that I inherited from my mother who was from the Winter Court White hair which unfortunately makes me stick out like a sore thumb in the Night Court.

Though I abhor the attention, the only time I ever dyed my hair, I colored it a midnight raven. Rhysand had looked so displeased. The glance he gave me before looking away and shaking his head was all I needed to never again mess with my natural hair again.

"Are you actually debating leaving Velaris against his orders? The one place that will keep you safe." Mor repeats her question.

"I- I am," I respond softly in answer, not meeting Mor's brown eyes. "He means too much to me. I can't just let him rot Under the Mountain, especially after seeing what he is putting himself through." I bring my eyes to her stern gaze,  yet it won't bring me to caving in and backing down.

Her beautiful features soften and she glides over to sit on the arm of the chair I was in. "I know you and him have a close connection, but Stell, He's our High Lord and as his second in command, you should understand the severity of his commands best."

I shift my glacial eyes away and look down at the dark leather chair, running my fingers over its smooth surface. The silence is heavy around us and I feel so close to announcing my feelings toward our High Lord and her cousin, yet I'm still wanting to deny them all the same.

"Wait," Mor pauses, putting together something in her mind before she begs, "Aristella, please answer me truthfully... do you have feelings for Rhysand?" Dipping my hands in my face, silent sobs wracking my body are her confirmation.

Mor's soothing touch on my back did nothing to mask the jarring pain I felt in my heart. Heartbreak was a bitch and I had dealt with this burden for the last 200 years on my own practically. Those two centuries ago, when I realized I was in love with my High Lord, my best friend; I knew as his second in command, I could never make any moves. I could live without loving him in the way I dreamt about, but I could never live without him. So, I simply resolved to sit and wait for the potential day he felt the same. I pretended I was fine when Rhys sensed I was off and pushed the feelings down as much as I could when they would bubble up.

Although, we did share quite a bit of flirty banter on the daily, he never once pursued me. Until weeks before Rhysand was stuck Under the Mountain, I thought we had actually started making some sort of progress . He stopped bedding random fae on the nights we would all go out and instead stuck by my side through the entire evening. Sadly, this delusion of mine was shattered the minute we got his message of what was happening Under the Mountain. Moments after that, the connection between us was completely severed and has been since.

"If anything were to ever happen, you already know I consider you family, Stell. Just please - please think about it carefully before acting," Mor lightly squeezes my shoulders in a comforting manner.

I swallow the lump in my throat and let out a shaky breath, "As we spoke of last night at dinner, Calanmai is in a week. Az said he will come with me to the celebration to see if we can gather any information, but I don't want him too. If anyone is going to stick their neck out, let it be me."

I don't inform Mor of my part of the plan though, that whatever the outcome of Calanmai, I'll still find a way to get Under the Mountain and attempt to free Rhysand.

Even if I get caught and trapped under there with him, I tell myself it'll be worth it. No matter how much I try to deny it, ultimately the pain of being apart from him is too much for me. The forty-nine years of him being gone has such a tremendous effect on me both physically and mentally.

Mor mulls over my proposal, "I know you want to do this alone, but I really think you should have Az there at the very least. You know how good he is at gathering intel and staying out of sight."

"Yes, but if Az or anyone else from the Inner Circle gets hurt in any way from my plan, I will blame myself completely," I sigh and place my head in my tanned hands.

 Standing up from the armrest of the leather chair, Morrigan pulls my hands away from my face and wipes a few tears. "How about this? After Azriel and Cassian are done training, we'll gather everyone and take a vote." I sigh dejectedly, knowing there's no way I'll get out of this.

I pick myself up from the chair and roll my shoulders back, breathing in deeply. "Fine. I'm going to take a nap back at the Town House beforehand though. Cauldron knows I'll need it with everyone gathered together." My icy blue eyes roll playfully and I send a halfhearted smirk Mor's way.

She gives a hearty laugh and waves before I leave the House of Wind. Stepping out onto the balcony, I take a running start and leap off the edge. Once out of the boundaries from the wards, I winnow away to the Town House.

I unlock the picket fence and undo the wards at the front door. Silence comes from within the walls as nobody else was home at the moment. My muscles all relax with anticipation of much needed quiet as I walk up the steps. Before I walk into my room, I pause and look across the hall. There, Rhysand's door stands opposite to mine. My heart pangs and for the millionth time since his departure, I vow to help bring him back.

As I lay down and close my eyes, I repeat that promise over and over. It is the last hope I cling to and I will let nothing get in my way.

*****

Shorter chapter, but we have Calanmai next chapter and maybe a surprise too😉

Also, quicker update than anticipated. Thank you for all the love I have received and please support this story by starring and commenting!

Drastically edited: 12/7