A Court of Sacrifices and Salvation

CHAPTER IV

The next meeting with the Inner Circle has a slightly more melancholic tone to it than the one prior, though, that's how all of the meetings we've held in the last forty-nine years have felt. Much to my displeasure, everyone has agreed for Azriel to accompany me to Calanmai. Even though we are to split up at Calanmai, the Inner Circle – apart from myself– is unanimous in deciding we go to the Spring Court together as an extra precaution.

During the meeting, we all come up with a basic game plan. Get in, listen for any valuable information, question attendees if need be – in my case, use my daemati powers – and then get the hell out before Tamlin, the High Lord of the Spring Court, picks a female to bed for Calanmai. The thought of potentially being Tamlin's choice to perform the Rite, leaves me with bile in my mouth and a twitch to my eye. I would rather see him six feet under than ever perform any act of intercourse with that bastard.

Throughout the evening, Amren is much more quiet than usual and I feel her powerful silver gaze linger on me multiple times. Her swirling orbs are never something I quite got used to, causing goosebumps over my skin. Though I grew to respect her over the years, I am always still left feeling on edge while around her when she is in one of her moods.

Before she leaves the House of Wind for her small studio in Velaris, Amren corners me. "I've never met two more determined or stubborn fae during my existence in this world than you and Rhys." I chuckle softly, the sound almost foreign to my ears. Memories come rushing up of the shenanigans we used to pull and be berated for by Rhysand's mother. She would always tell us the exact same statement as Amren had.

"I'm honestly surprised that either of those attributes haven't gotten him or myself killed yet," I admit to her truthfully.

"As am I," her expression turns serious suddenly and something dark swirls in the depths of her silver eyes, "but don't start now with not thinking things through. I know what you're planning – I can read you like an open book.

"It may not happen the night of Calanmai, but when you decide to go Under the Mountain, don't let your emotions rule you or it'll be your downfall. You're intelligent and you know that really means something coming from me, so don't let love make you stupid, girl."

"L-love?" I blurt out quietly so the others of the Inner Circle still don't hear. I begin shaking my head until Amren gives me a pointed look.

Dryly, she states, "Stupid isn't a cute look on you, girl. I'd rather see you fawning over our High Lord." With that, Amren turns away and departs from the House of Wind, leaving me speechless and all through the night, mulling over the advice she gave me.

*****

A week passes all too quickly, yet Azriel and I are prepared to attend Calanmai. With all the wards down from Tamlin's magic being drained, we'll be able to winnow right into the Spring Court with no detection, yet we still plan for the worst. Both of us dawn our Illyrian leathers and strap inconspicuous weapons to our bodies. Az carries Truth-Teller, which is concealed at his waist, while I hide my throwing knives across my body.

The Inner Circle gathers around us as they wish us luck. Cassian claps me roughly on the back and pulls me in for a hug before doing the same to Azriel. "Be safe you both and I hope it's no fun because I won't be there to be a part of it," he pouts playfully.

"Don't be stupid, girl," Amren whispers to me, causing Mor to throw us a suspicious glance.

"See you all soon!" I shout right as Az and I link arms and jump from the deck so that I can winnow us away.

Open air around us is replaced with plush grass. I imagine it is a vibrant viridian, but the darkness is different here than that of the Night Court. Our sky isa splendor of stars, which lights up the grounds in an ethereal way. Though here, in the Spring Court, the darkness is just that – dark and drab. Bonfires scattered throughout the hilly area allow enough light for one to be able to see where they are going, yet also will provide enough of a cover for Azriel and I to sneak around in. Although, Az won't need it as he is a Master Shadowsinger and even in daylight, can be hidden from plain sight in the smallest of shadows.

I sniff the air, seeing if I can catch a whiff of anything peculiar or seemingly out of place, but the overpowering smell of flowers is all I got. I crinkle my nose in distaste and Az smirks lightly at my discomfort.

"Okay, so we split up and meet back here in an hour at most?" I run over the plans with Azriel. His hazel eyes lock with my glacial orbs as he nods.

"Stay safe," is all he whispers before becoming one with the shadows. I blink at the spot he had been, never completely getting used to how talented he is.

With my black Illyrian leathers on, I am already hard to see in the dim lighting. Though, as I knew my white hair made me stick out like a sore thumb, I wrapped a scarf over my head earlier, also hiding the majority of my face in the process. Yet still, for even more camouflage, I summon darkness, which caresses my whole form as though it was a lover. It was one of the powers I am very grateful I had inherited from my father. He was a commander and a part of the Inner Circle when Rhysand's father was High Lord of the Night Court. My father was valued for his daemati abilities and powers passed down from generations of influential Night Court fae.

Gliding through the grounds without making a sound, I make my way toward the nearest group of faeries. Most of them are lesser fae, but I still have the gut feeling they may have some information. My intuition proves me right, as three lesser fae males part from the large group and begin walking away from the fires of Calanmai.

"I swear it, I smell a human!" the male leading their small group away exclaims in a hushed tone. Sure enough, I sniff the air and smell exactly what the fae was talking about. That's interesting... what exactly is a human doing at Calanmai, let alone in Prythian? Is Tamlin trying to keep human slaves as his own father once did?

Hiding in my darkness, I follow them over to where they start harassing a beautiful young woman - a human woman. I know what they intend to do with her as their mental shields are essentially nonexistent; I can practically hear their thoughts being shouted. I can't stand the idea of these men treating a woman in such an objective way – even though the whole idea of Calanmai is purely physical and to get laid. Though, it doesn't take a genius to figure out she despises the attention they are offering her. And on top of that, as a human, she is completely defenseless, even to these three lesser fae.

I snap my fingers and immediately my Illyrian leathers turn to a simple dark purple sundress made of silk. My white hair is now out of its ponytail and falls in waves all the way down to my waist. My feet are bare as I lightly walk on the lush grass and materialize out of the darkness next to the human, who the males are about to grab.

"Oh, now I wouldn't do that if I were you," my voice is sweet, but there is an edge as I make the threat known. The human female whips her head over to look at me with wide eyes, the same expression also mirrors on the faces of the three lesser fae. "I don't appreciate my friends being preyed on," I place a loose arm around the woman's shoulders. The expressions on the lesser fae turn to those of annoyance, which causes me to add, "but if you don't believe me, I can offer a demonstration."

My smile is wide and predatory as I eye the male who had lead the group over. I can smell his fear, but he is still attempting to put on a brave front. "The human we don't even consider a fight at all, so this would be three on one. You sure you can handle that, sweetheart?" the leader of the group runs his eyes over my form and his two lackeys both wear smirks and take a step forward at their leader's confidence.

A low snarl rips from my mouth and I feel the human next to me jolt in fear. I send her an apologetic glance. "If you let me return my friend to where she needs to be first, then I'll happily... entertain you three. Although, I deem that I'll be the one getting most of the pleasure." I form my lips into a dark smile – one that I solely reserve for when we would visit the Court of Nightmares – and I let my talons gently scrape their minds. Immediate looks of horror cross their faces, causing my sinister grin to grow.

Suddenly, my senses are completely engulfed in citrus and sea. The previous perfumery of flowers is all but the slightest hint now at this new powerful aroma. Two familiar hands find themselves at my shoulders and a voice that makes my insides stir in the most alluring way sounds, "Thank you for keeping Ari and her friend company, I've kept her waiting far too long – apologies Aristella darling," his hot breath against my ear turns everything stirring inside into complete molten fire.

*****
:0
Sorry about that cliffhanger though ;)
Please comment, vote, and keep being amazing!

Edited: 12/7