A Court of Love and Devotion

III

ARIA

Night fell in Velaris. Aria's sisters had gone home with their parents but she remained by the river with Nyx and Catrin. Although, not before she mocked her father for losing the snowball fight yet again. Rhysand had won, meaning Uncle Azriel would be sulking for half a day. And her father would find new excuses as to why he'd lost.

Aria had a feeling he might blame it on her incident in the library a few days ago and the fact that he had to help his mate set everything back into place.

"Someday they'll write stories about us too," Catrin stated proudly. They were talking about the book she'd received for Solstice.

The trio conversated calmly by the river until Callum came back, face drained of color and landed right beside them. His twin stepped toward him, eyes wide, "What is it?"

"We have a problem," he said, voice thick. His teal eyes were round with fear.

Catrin frowned. "Did you get someone pregnant?"

"What?" It was Callum's turn to frown. "No! No, we have a real problem. All of us!"

Nyx put his hand on Callum's shoulder. "What is it? What happened?"

Callum panted and looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Earlier, I took the opportunity of my father being away to practice."

"Practice what?" Aria asked.

"Spying. I went to the middle..."

"Alone?" Catrin screeched. Callum shushed her.

"I didn't touch the ground. I landed in a tree and that's when I heard them...I don't know what they were but there were many of them. Monsters, various kinds of monsters talking about a plan to revive Koschei."

"Koschei has been dead for two decades," Aria said. "He was destroyed by my mother."

"I know," Callum gulped. "They want to go back to the past and kill her before she can do it."

Aria froze. Her breath caught.

Nyx put his hand at the nape of her neck. "Don't worry, Aria. They'll have to find a way to time travel and ..."

"They have," Callum cut in. "They're getting ready and said the portal should open soon. I came back here as soon as I could to get help. But I think I might be too late."

The four of them looked at each other.

"I'm going," Aria stated, head tall. The joy of the night now gone, slowly being replaced by icy rage.

"Not alone," Nyx challenged. "We need to tell our parents..."

"We might not have time. If we don't stop them soon, we might not have parents anymore. We won't exist anymore," she traced a circle with her finger.

Nyx sighed. "Alright, you and I will go to the armory and I'll winnow us to the middle while Catrin and Callum tell everyone about the threat."

"I'm going with you," Catrin stepped up. "Callum can tell them in detail, he was there. Your father can see the whole exchange in his mind." She looked at her twin who nodded approvingly. "You'll need as much reinforcement as you can. I'm going with you."

The four nodded and without waiting another second, Nyx winnowed Aria and Catrin to the armory. They loaded themselves with daggers and swords and left in heavy silence for the middle.

***

CATRIN

It was a cold place. Quiet in a suffocating way.