starfall. [ Rhysand ]

XIII

the first task.

Feyre was there, Under The Mountain. Amarantha herself had just informed Kiara. The usurper had barged into her bedroom while she was trying to get some well-deserved sleep.

Kiara panicked when she saw Amarantha's furious eyes fixed on her. "You've omitted something, you pathetic, weak girl," she spat at Kiara, who tried to sink into the cushions, hoping to disappear.

"I don't know what you mean," Kiara whispered, her voice hoarse from not speaking for days, except for the screams of pain she released during her daily tortures. She hadn't unlocked her powers yet, which should have made her happy that Amarantha had not full control of her. Instead, surprisingly, a tiny part of her wished she succeeded, maybe the pain would have stopped then.

"I thought we had an unspoken agreement. I granted you a decent bedroom out of my mercy, and now I discover you lied to me," Kiara's eyes widened in confusion.

"Claire Beddor wasn't the woman Tamlin fell in love with. It's Feyre Archeron, and you didn't tell me. After I've been so kind to you," Kiara tried to hide her surprise, but Amarantha noticed.

"Now, you're going to pay," Amarantha grabbed her by the hair, causing Kiara to cry out in pain. She struggled but couldn't break free. The High Fae dragged her down three flights of stairs and through many hallways until they reached that empty, cold, and dark cage she sadly knew to well.

"No, no, no!" Kiara screamed when she saw it, terrified by the darkness and loneliness it represented.

"I told you before, darkness was all that awaited you here," Amarantha pushed Kiara against the cage wall and left.

"Expect a little gift from my Daematis; you deserve it," she smirked cruelly before departing.

Kiara looked around hopelessly, realising there was no way out. She was going to remain there forever, and if they ever unlocked her powers, she'd be forced to carry out Amarantha's dark deeds and bring an end to Prythian. With that realisation, she felt as if the air was leaving her lungs as she gasped for breath. She was not aware she was experiencing a panic attack as she felt her insides churn and so light headed. She prayed someone or something could have saved her from that situation.

Then, she heard a melodious, entrancing song. An orchestra playing in harmony and peace. It brought her some comfort, distracting her from the darkness and helping her breathe properly again. She had no idea where it had come from but it had brought some peace to her. She finally calmed down.

Suddenly, she heard a noise from afar but couldn't see who or where it was coming from, only that it was to her right. She initially feared it was a sentinel or Daematis coming to harm her again, but she only heard grunts and movements.

"Hello? Is someone there?" Kiara mustered the courage to speak, and after a few seconds of silence, a female voice responded.

"Kiara? Is that you?" It was Feyre, sounding weak and tired. What had Amarantha done to her?

"Feyre! How did she find you?" Kiara felt a mix of emotions. She hated that even Feyre was suffering the same fate as her, trapped and hopeless, but she also felt less alone in those damp, dark walls.

"I came here," Kiara didn't respond, waiting for Feyre to explain further. She couldn't fathom why Feyre had willingly come to this place. Whatever the answer, she knew she wouldn't like it.