The Whispers of Shadows - A&A One Shots

i request an audience - pt 2

Something about the conversation room just beyond the throne room was utterly suffocating. Aurora didn't know if it was the fact that this is the room she fought for her life in, or the fact that the same male that stole her away all those years ago was just outside the door. Azriel's presence was enough to push through, but she no longer wanted to face him. Her knees wanted to buckle and hit the floor, she wanted to scream and sob and demand someone else threaten the High Lord of the Spring Court.

Feyre looked as though she wanted to do the same, but the High Lady lifted her chin and stared at that door. Azriel pressed a swift kiss to Aurora's hair and let his fingers run down her arm as he stepped toward Rhysand, Nyx, and Cassian. Mor did the same, creating a first line of fire in front of Feyre and Aurora. Mor sent them both a solemn smile before falling in behind Rhysand as he opened the door.

Nothing but footsteps echoed in the room as they entered one by one, and then Feyre and Aurora side by side. Aurora willed herself to hold that quiet calm that Feyre did, but she kept her eyes on Azriel's back until they fell in position. Rhysand stood just in front of his throne, Nyx to his left, Mor to his right and the Illyrian warriors on either side of them. Feyre and Aurora continued walking until they stood at the first step down of the dais. With an intake of breath, Aurora lifted her eyes.

Tamlin, High Lord in nothing but name, was kneeling in the center of the throne room. Unnamed guards stood on either side of him, swords crossed in front of his throat. Rhysand must have told them to have no mercy. Before anyone spoke, Aurora studied Tamlin.

His golden hair held no life or sheen. His face was dull and sunken in, body drowning within his clothes. He looked as though he hadn't taken care of himself at all in those last three decades. His eyes were lowered to the floor, where they'd remain until Rhysand spoke.

"Tamlin, you requested an audience with my High Lady and one of my most trusted. Stand and tell us, why call in their attention after so many years?" Rhysand's voice echoed through the silent room with such raw power, even Aurora held back a flinch. Tamlin's eyes slowly climbed from the stone floor to Feyre, then Aurora. The guards pulled back their blades and gripped beneath his arms to haul him to his feet.

The guards stepped back and allowed him to make a few movements closer before Rhysand called to him that it was enough. Feyre, the brave and elegant female she was, descended from the dais and stepped up to Tamlin. Relief flooded Aurora that she was not the first to face the beast.

"Tell me, Tamlin. Why request an audience with me? Why after all this time?" Feyre spoke gentle, as if knowing he was on the brink of turning to nothing.

"Feyre," Tamlin spoke, voice hoarse as if it was his first word in years. Aurora saw the way Feyre's fingers curled at her sides.

"Yes," she encouraged him to continue. Aurora mentally applauded Feyre for her restraint.

"I wished to come here and apologize to you. You were never mine, you belonged to the stars king before I ever made a claim on you. My regret is that I didn't come to that conclusion until now. I regret threatening you and your family, the happiness you found. I was threatened, I was foolish."

Feyre sat silent for a moment, just staring at him. Tamlin's eyes never moved from her face.

"I will not speak on behalf of anyone else when I say that I forgive you. Your actions to me, and me alone, were out of desperation. I find that we all act in strange ways when we find our grasp slipping, and because those years ago, when you reached a hand to us, I reach a hand to you. I extend forgiveness that blooms only in my heart, but I cannot tell you that will come from anyone else in this room.

"So, Tamlin, I pray to the Mother that you find happiness, forgiveness in yourself, and become who you once were. I will tell you, though, if I ever hear one ill word from your mouth to anyone I care for, I will rip your tongue from between your teeth. I won't show mercy. This is my first and final offer of peace, so take it, and never turn back."