As I ran I cast myself to shadow, winnowing across all of Prythian, not caring about alerting Autumn as I break through their wards. I'd be long gone by the time anyone arrives to catch me.
I winnow through the autumn woods, lined with colourful leaves in their reds, yellows, oranges and browns in bursts of shadow. Barely registering my surroundings, going directly to the spring court, to Lucien.
I knew he'd help hide me, hide me from Ziven and the power he was about to abuse. Matter of fact, where on earth had Ziven acquired that blue powder? I curse. I should have listened in on him every time he'd gone down to his second study rather than focus solely on my on revenge.
A revenge that worked out the exact opposite of what I wanted. What a mess. A mess I knew Lucien would help me through.
I arrived at the spring court border, I'd never worked through wards so quickly, praying I was not being followed by Ziven or he'd likely catch up to me before I made it to Tamlin's manor.
I hurtle through the woods, and begin calling out for Lucien as I near the manor.
"Ziláa?" A voice came from my left
I turn around to see that familiar soothing voice, It was Lucien, he was tacking up his horse preparing to go on a ride somewhere.
I hurl myself at him wrapping my arms around him hugging him tight. Not believing my luck at running straight into him. He stiffens at the touch instead of embracing me.
"Lucien, I need you to hide me here!Ziven- I- my father-" I'm fumbling trying to explain it to him.
He recoils "Woah woah cut it out Ziláa, you'll have to take your problems elsewhere I can't house you not after what Rhysand has done." He then fully pulls away from me and takes a step back, stonefaced.
What?
I stare at him incredulous "e-excuse me?" I stutter in disbelief at his.....change in demeanour. Yes I hadn't seen him since under the mountain but I'd been healing from trauma, surely he understood? Right?
"You heard me, I don't take in strays, not ones that become that shadow......m-thing." He'd gone to say monster. I felt it.
My eyes burn with tears I wouldn't let fall. Not now, not while he was being like this, I'd never let him see me cry again."Lucien you've always known I had those powers?" I question him not understanding the sudden change.
"Yes, when I thought it was just a harmless thing like blending into the shadows," he sighs as though it's a burden for him to explain, "that form you solidified into.....that wasn't normal Ziláa..." he shivered as though remembering it drove fear through him.
I wanted to vomit. I'd never felt so judged in my life, even Amarantha was less judgemental than this.
"And Tamlin is under a lot of stress right now," he continues, "Rhysand kidnapped Feyre and manipulated her and now she's staying in the night court full time. He doesn't need another thing to stress over." He shook his head and palmed his face as though I was just a nuisance to him.
"Thing? Is that what I am to you?" I decide to hit back with one jib, knowing future me will probably thank me for it. "Nice Lucien thanks for that one you coward." I spit and turn not wanting to hear anything else spew from his hateful mouth and take off into the woods, taking that solidified shadow form and heading for a dark and gloomy road.
YOU ARE READING
A Court of Watchful Shadows
Fantasi"I don't need to tell you pricks anything, I have my own reasons for being here and they don't concern three idiots who won't-" I was cut off as a force came slamming into me. I look up in anger at the man who was now towering over me, his nostrils...
