ACOTAR (Rhysand's POV)

Chapter 2

On the eve of Fire Night, I felt a pang from her. A mix of fear and dread that lasted a little too long for my taste. My eyes glazed over as I waited for those emotions to pass. She would be alright I had to tell myself. I couldn't see what caused this stir in her. But I still felt her there and knew, at the very least, she was still alive. Tamlin would take care of her. The knot in my stomach twisted at the thought. Of course, not as well as I could.

I stood buttoning the cuffs of my black dress shirt, Cerridwin fussing over the hem on my black pants. Nuala reached a hand to brush something off my shoulder. I couldn't help but frown at my reflection.

"This is ridiculous." I breathed out. Nuala and Cerridwin exchanged a glance I could have sworn was laced with a smirk.

"I am a High Lord and to think, someone I've never met has this effect on me." Nuala squeezed my shoulders in the slightest manner, smiling and dipping her head low. They both left the room leaving me to my own thoughts which were now rampant. Was this look too much? Did it give off a self-centered impression? I look nice, but is it too nice? I could almost hear Cassian chuckling at my hysteria. Mor would tell me anything I wore looked great. I swallowed the lump in my throat. This would have to do.

Things were quiet, as they could be, under the mountain. Servants flitted about, preparing for their own night of celebration. Amarantha would be sure to make the event more about herself. It was expected that I would return by the height of the festivities therefore, I could only linger in the Spring Court for so long. There was only one thing I wanted to do, I could care less about having a report for Amarantha when I returned. I could think of something on the way back. For now, I only thought of her and the possibility of just one glimpse. Cauldron boil me, that wasn't too much to ask. I tugged on the bond softly. Maybe I could convince her to come to me rather than attempt a break-in of sorts. Things would just be getting underway in the Spring Court. So I tugged again, Go. I knew she wouldn't be able to resist with her curious spirit. Go see. Without risking another moment, I winnowed.

Landing on the outskirts of the estate, her scent filled the air. She had gone to investigate. I smiled wryly at the image of her dancing along the path to, unknowingly, meet me. I trailed her scent toward the ongoing festivities. A large bonfire was set at the top of a hill, hundreds of Spring Court members with their masks crowded around. The beat of the drums filled the air, the excitement reverberating in our bodies. Her scent now mixed with others and I couldn't be sure exactly where she went. I pulled softly on the bond again, where did you go?

I glided through the crowd trying to remain unseen. Most were preoccupied with the event beginning below in the trench. Fae lined both sides, trailing to the end where the opening of a cave sat. Rugs of fur and animal hide lined the inside, I knew what this was. Obviously dangerous for her if she got anywhere near the cave, but she could manage very well on her own. I sent my mind down the bond to try another tug but was met with cold silence and fear. My eyes scanned the trees and there, three slender shadows encircled a fourth. Moving as quickly as I could without drawing attention, I was to them in seconds. The faeries slid their boney fingers along her skin, her hair and I could think of nothing else than breaking them off one by one. She stumbled and I snapped out of my thoughts lunging forward to catch her.

"There you are. I've been looking for you." She straightened up, eyes still fixed on the three faeries, their eyes now moving from hers to mine. I rounded to her side and lifted my arm to settle on her shoulders. I made a note of each part of my skin that touched hers, warm and soft. Her scent was even more wonderful up close.

"Thank you for finding her for me." My eyes narrowed at the three across from us. "Enjoy the Rite." I bit out. The faeries backed away until they felt they were at a safe enough distance to turn and run. My lip still lifted in a silent snarl. She removed herself from my touch and turned to look at me. My eyes beamed at the sight. I felt her thoughts as clear as day, the most beautiful man I've ever seen. Moments passed while she shifted through the possible responses to what I had just done for her.

"What's a mortal woman doing here on Fire Night?" I said, giving her a reprieve.

"My friends brought me." A lie for sure. I knew what had prompted her to leave.

"And who are your friends?" I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, at her voice, at the life in her eyes.

"Two ladies." Another lie. This was more amusement than I expected to get tonight. More words than I thought we would exchange. Slipping my hands into my front pockets, I took another step forward.

"Their names?" Seconds passed as her nose scrunched in thought. "You're welcome. For saving you." Her foot took a step back. She was smart to be afraid but it still wounded me a bit. "Strange for a mortal to be friends with two faeries." I couldn't resist and began to step around her. In what probably looked like sizing up prey, I admired her beauty. Her skin was flawless and warmth emanated from it. Her hair grazed down her back, whisps falling from the sides of her face into her eyes. I had to keep talking to her. "Aren't humans usually terrified of us? And aren't you, for that matter, supposed to keep to your side of the wall?" I could feel her tremble, she definitely had fear.

"I've known them my whole life. I've never had anything to fear from them." The slight quiver in her voice was enough to give her lie away.

"And yet they brought you to the Great Rite and abandoned you." I paused knowing I've hit my mark.

"They went to get refreshments." I did my best to contain my joy at her lies and this game. My smile betrayed me and it seemed to alarm her even more.

"I'm afraid the refreshments are a long way off." I stepped even closer. Her scent was enchanting. "It might be a while before they return. May I escort you somewhere in the meantime?" What am I doing? The words were out of my mouth before I could think. I wanted to be near her, to touch her again, if only to hold her hand. My hand extended toward her in a plea.

"No." She was quick to retort. Almost thankful, I opened my arm to let her pass. It was one thing to catch a glimpse of her, another to speak, but to spend any longer with her was not wise.

"Enjoy the Rite then. Try to stay out of trouble." Before I had the chance to turn her curiosity got the best of her.

"So you're not a part of the Spring Court?" She stood with a brow raised. My smile creeped back to my lips. I loved this, I loved-

"Do I look like I'm part of the Spring Court?" She knew I wasn't a member of Tamlin's court. Did she just want to talk with me more? "No, I'm not a part of the noble Spring Court. And glad of it." I circled my finger around my face. I watched as her eyes narrowed further, an obvious tell that questions arose in her head. And out another came,

"Why are you here, then?" She looked up at me, those gorgeous eyes filled with eagerness she tried to hide. What was I to tell her? Obviously not the real reason. It was probably safer if she went back to the house and slept. I wouldn't be able to do my actual job here if she continued roaming around. I'd have to watch, out of protection and out of admiration.

"Because all the monsters have been let out of their cages tonight, no matter what court they belong to. So I may roam where I wish until the dawn." I laced the words with a deadly edge in hopes it would deter any further curiosity in the festivities below. Her eyes snapped open as she processed the words. It must have done the trick.

"Enjoy the Rite." she spoke and immediately turned to move. And even though I had gotten what I wanted, more than what I wanted, seeing her walk away left a heavy feeling in my gut. I watched as she quickened her pace, that adventurous spirit still holding strong, until she was spotted by Lucien.

Knowing she was in capable hands, as capable as they could be, I wove through more of the crowd. The main event must not be far off as the drums beat faster and faster. The High Fae inched closer toward the edge and I used the opportunity to slip back into the tree line. The three faeries weren't far away from where we'd last stood. Enclosing myself in night, I winnowed a foot in front of them. Fear still shone in their eyes while I reached my claws into their mind.

"Now that wasn't very hospitable of you." The rage I felt toward them, toward Amarantha, lashed out. Those claws grabbed hold and tore apart any remnants of consciousness. The three slumped to the ground, staring straight at the sky. And with a small flick of my wrist, their necks snapped. They should have suffered more, but I was already here too long. I needed to return under the mountain.