A Court of Shadows and Lies / ACOTAR FF

Chapter 57

--- Rhysand POV ---

I was going to kill that slimy, good for nothing male Everild but the fear in his eyes when Jez sat on that ancient High Lord's lap made the situation slightly better. The keyword was slightly, because, if it weren't for Sif shaking her head at me and stopping my family from dealing with him, I would have personally gone up to him myself.

The sisters, except for Niamh, had left the table and joined Jez in mingling with the Beings. I could hear Jez's giggles and laughs – none of it seemingly real but to these guests they were. After the female had left Everild's table, I had been watching her closely, how she handled the Gods and ones from tales I had heard as a child. On several occasions, the males would grab and pull her onto their laps, in an attempt to seduce her.

It was the other way around.

Jez had them wrapped around her fingers. A small affirming touch from her and they would cave, instantly wide eyed and begging for her attention. Only for her to get up, leaving them behind with an arousal their partner or guests would fight over, or ignore. Many of them attempting to follow after her.

All the sisters seemed to have that effect on the guests, or the core ones to be particular. "It's like a brothel in here," Amren commented, turning her nose up and taking a swig of her drink. "They all want to fuck each other, and if they don't, they're chasing after Jez and her sisters."

"There's a simple explanation," Niamh sighed, her gaze hardening. She was more lost in her thoughts, her eyes jumping around the room. "If you wanted a powerful child to walk the planes of this universe, whose daughters would you want?"

"The Mother's," Mor answered in a heartbeat. Niamh nodded, confirming the answer.

"We don't have children, none of us have been claimed so far," Niamh said quietly, before tilting her head towards Jez, who was leaning over and whispering into the ear of a blue skinned, horned male. Azriel was throwing back another lager, his eyes lasered onto Jezreel. "Rhysand, dip into that male's thoughts."

I concentrated on the male, letting my claws slip through his surprisingly down walls – most of the guests had theirs up with reinforcements.

If I could impregnate at least one of these females, perhaps the prophecy would be answered, the male thought wildly. I visibly shivered and slunk my claws back.

"The Suriels really need to keep their prophecies to themselves," Niamh sighed. "There's one that's been floating around this family – it's changed so often that it's ridiculous."

"How can you get into their thoughts?" I asked. Niamh raised a brow at me, turning her attention to me. "Get passed their defences without them realising?"

"It took a lot of work," Niamh admitted, "Sif and Ori have the strongest barriers, particularly Sif. It can cause some serious mental harm if not done correctly."

"Can you teach us?" Feyre asked, leaning over with her eyes wide and Nyx in her arms. "Rhys and I have the ability to delve into others' thoughts."

Niamh's face hardened, her attention swapping to Jez. "Sif is your best bet, and I think she'll be open to teaching you. Unlike Nesta, Gwyn and Emerie who watch Jez train from afar."

My head snapped to the three females whose conversation abruptly stopped. Emerie and Gwyn looked sheepishly at Niamh while Nesta's disposition was unbothered by the find. Anger flared within me, annoyed that they had disregarded one of the few rules I had laid out. Not a single one of us goes out alone or explores the building – it was for their protection, and my sanity. If Jez died within her own home, with areas clearly off limits, there were dangers here that I couldn't fathom.