A Court of Sacrifices and Salvation

CHAPTER X

The air in the dark and cavernous room was dank and filled with apprehension held by a majority of the fae in attendance. To say that the party Under the Mountain was lackluster would be an understatement. I had hoped that Amarantha could at least do one thing right, but I was mistaken. Throughout the evening, I spent a good amount of time wishing I was in Rita's with the Inner Circle and getting plastered while singing karaoke together. Cauldron, I even thought how wearing my vicious façade in The Court of Nightmares would be preferable.

Not that Eris's company was a total flop. He glided me across the dancefloor in a regal fashion and whispered the hot scandals of happenings Under the Mountain as we sipped on our drinks by the refreshments. Fae from every court stared me down all the while. Not only was I a new face – one that was alive nonetheless – which I gathered was a very rare occurrence, but I was escorted by the handsome, yet moody Heir of Autumn, Eris Vanserra. If there was anything Eris was known for, it was his cold and cutting demeanor. To those around watching us, seeing the red-head acting so casual and friendly with me, seemed to be more surprising than the idea of Amarantha one day spontaneously deciding everyone was free to go.

Though I met eyes with many fae staring me down, causing their eyes to immediately dart away, there was a burning gaze on me that I couldn't pinpoint. I attempted to brush it off though and theorized that it came from Amarantha's cronies hiding in the shadows. Secretly, there was only one stare I hoped for, but I was bitterly disappointed. My eyes kept straying to Rhysand during the time he was in attendance, yet I didn't even catch him looking in my vicinity.

While Amarantha sat proudly on her throne for the entirety of the event, the High Lord of Night stood dutifully next to his smirking Bitch Queen; lazily surveying the premise. I knew his watchful violet eyes caught every detail, no matter how slight. Though, he seemed to be distracted by the high fae with inky black eyes whispering in his ear constantly. A wicked grin possessed his face each time she muttered something to him - not that I was keeping track.

My High Lord ignoring me was fully expected, but it still caused an unsettling feeling somewhere deep within me as I watched him and the bitch queen flirt for all to see. It was all the suggestive gazes and not so subtle touches, her whispering into his pointed ear, and even pulling Rhys down by his collar and into her lap.

At this my eyes were glued onto the sinister duo, even though it pained me to do so. With a swift nod of Amarantha's head after speaking lowly to him, Rhysand straightened himself out, brushing away invisible specks of dust on the dark suit he wore. With an alluring gaze, he kissed Amarantha's hand and dismissed himself. The High Lord of Night sauntered out of the throne room and into the torch-lit tunnels, my eyes following him until he was out of sight. As I glanced back to the throne, every fiber of my being felt like it was on high alert. Though I had never been bothered by the cold, when Amarantha's black irises met my bright glacial ones, an apprehensive chill like I've never experienced shot up my spine, then back down and outward to my appendages. A wicked grin fell over her lips and she winked at me before turning her attention to one of the Attor near her.

"Why so uptight, pet? Eris asked me as he held my waist in a dance. I shook my head out of the darkness it began to head toward and gave him a tight smile; following the steps of the dance subconsciously.

"Nothing to worry about," I commented while glancing into his amber eyes. The tall heir of Autumn was looking at me in scrutiny as he dipped me. The warmth from his gaze slowly melting the chill that had run through me.

His fiery brow raised as he pulled me back to him in a twirl, his eyes briefly darting over to where my focus had been captured before. "You forget how well I can read you, Stella. I may not be as trusted and preferred as other company for you, but I do want to help." I stayed silent and found my feet extremely interesting as Eris dipped me again, this time much lower. He held me there for longer than the dance called for as his hot breath tickled my ear. "Don't wear your heart on your sleeve, love, she's been watching you too."