𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝟎𝟗

Arya

     Feyre, Tamlin, and I entered the line of trees where a white mare was patiently waiting. He motioned a paw for Feyre to mount and I offered her a hand for support. I then without a word got on the worse behind Feyre.

We trailed behind Tamlin for a few minutes before Feyre slouched slightly, her shoulders shaking. I rub her arms softly, her anguish being prominent along with nature's smell.

"I killed a faerie," she whispered with a slight tremble of her body. The weight of the situation only now hitting her. I continued rubbing her arms up and down in comfort, "Shh, it's okay. We'll figure it out."

She intertwined one of her hands with mine, holding it tightly against her stomach. I can feel her thoughts running a hundred miles per minute but I don't say anything. Some things you have to process on your own.

"What manner of faerie are you?" Feyre asked. Tamlin didn't turn or even acknowledge that she had said something. It seems she did kill a friend of his, fair enough. "Do you have a name?" Feyre continued. A bitter laugh sounded from the High Lord before an answer, "Does it even matter to you, human?"

And when Feyre didn't answer, I battled with myself if I should let him know that I at least gave his friend a proper burial. Maybe it'll help him grieve a little easier. But then I remembered how he and his family murdered my mother whom I haven't even grieved myself. Not to mention, the attempt on my life. Though, as I thought about it longer I realized I was not him. I was not my father. I am not heartless.

I had the heart of my mother and no matter how many times my father tried to shame me for it, I embraced it and wore it proudly. My mother was the one who saw the good in everything, in every situation, in every fae, human, and everything in between; she taught me that it never was as easy as black and white, wrong or right. And although that sense of logic can bring complications, especially in the immortal land, I knew she was right.

"I gave your friend a proper burial." Tamlin turned around so fast that even the horse stumbled to a halt.

"How?" Tamlin snarled. He's only grieving I reminded myself.

"I went out and found his body. Said a prayer and asked the wind to carry his ashes to a peaceful place."

He studied me for a few seconds before turning back around and resuming our journey. When I accepted that he wouldn't say anything else, he uttered, "Thank you."

•❅───✧❅✦❅✧───❅•

I smelt the power before I felt it, although it didn't seep into my body. The same can not be said about the slumped Feyre in my arms. I adjusted her limp body to lay against me, her head on my shoulder.

"Was knocking her out really that necessary?" And for a second time that night, he swirled to face me. Confused and on high alert trying to assess why I was not unconscious.

"What are you?" I allow myself to smirk slightly, "Does it matter?" I knew it did. Even I wouldn't be keen to let a stranger I know nothing about into my own lands, especially a stranger who doesn't seem affected by my power.

"Don't make me ask again," Tamlin growled.

Admit what you can't deny, deny what you can't admit.

"I'm fae," I told him. "But you already knew that." Another growl was his answer.

"Relax, I'm only here for Feyre," a pause. "I haven't stepped foot into Prythian in years, so don't think I'm here to cause any trouble. Unless trouble comes to her, I'm here in peace."