𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝟏𝟑

Arya

     I sigh as I watch Feyre pace around in circles and throw glances out the window for the last hour. I toss the book that I couldn't focus on beside me before I haul my body off the bed.

"You're making me dizzy with your pacing," I tell her for the fifth time in the last hour. I grab her arm, pulling her out the door. "Let's go."

"But, Tamlin said -"

"You don't think I know that you're planning on sneaking out anyways?" I chuckle as we make our way down the stairs. "I'd rather accompany you so you don't get yourself into trouble."

She lets out a quiet squeal, "You're the best." I shake my head in amusement, leading her out of the manor.

I link my arms with Feyre once we finish tying our horses. I let her lead me wherever she wanted to explore. I eyed the drummers, feeling the vibrations of the beat underneath my feet. No faeries glanced in our direction as Feyre led us into a hollow.

High Fae swayed to the rhythm of the drums as I shudder at the thought of Tamlin doing what was about to happen in the chambers later that night. I'd rather not be here for when the main event begins.

Feyre led us back to the hillside, stopping at the edge of the bonfire by the trees, studying the faeries. I opened my mouth to ask what was on her mind when someone grasped Feyre's arm, whirling us around.

I watch the three maskless faeries carefully before taking a step back from them and tugging Feyre along only to be stopped with resistance from the one still holding onto her arm.

"Two human women," one of them murmured. "We've not seen one of you for a while."

I tried pulling Feyre out of their grasp, coming up unsuccessful. "What do you want?" Feyre demanded. "Just some Fire Night fun," the other one said.

Screw being subtle. I yanked Feyre hard enough that the faerie holding onto her stumbled forward and once he let her go I pushed her slightly behind me. The three faeries now circle us.

I can't cause too much attention on us, faeries from other courts are here and word that humans were in Prythian will spread like fire no doubt.

"Leave us alone," Feyre said angrily. I kept backing us up slowly, trying to lead them to the edge of the forest, away from everyone else. Away from eyes that could stand witness to what I would do to get us away.

"Bold statement from a human on Calanmai."

"What do you say, brothers, once the rite's performed, we'll have our own fun." I spat on the foot of the faerie who said that. "If you want to keep your hands attached to your arm, I'd say keep it from wandering to us."

"Your braveness will get you nowhere human," he hissed before grabbing my arm only for his rib to meet my elbow. Feyre pulled me back to her side but then we backed into another faerie's chest.

Feyre elbowed the one standing behind us while I jerked a knee in between the legs of the one standing before us.

Then a voice I dreamt of hearing again flowed into my ears. "There you two are. I've been looking around trying to find you both." His scent overwhelmed me. It was the smell of home.

The faeries went utterly still. "Thank you for finding them for me," instead of their predatory faces, it was now paled and their eyes widened with fear. "Enjoy the rite." Without further comment, the faeries scrambled back to the bonfires.

Feyre turned around before I did. I took a few seconds trying to will my wildly beating heart to calm down before facing someone I thought I'd never see again. At least not this soon.