A Court of Watchful Shadows

Home

We tried again and again and nothing. Rhysand drawled "new trick?" Earning a shrug from Jurian "I was sent to distract you — while he worked his spell." His smile turned lupine "you won't leave this castle unless he allows you to. Or in pieces."

I felt the colour drain from my face, and everyone else's. I looked down and realised I was no longer in shadow form, I tried again to slip into shadow, perhaps I could make it back to Velaris and warn Amren but I couldn't. I could see Azriel trying to as well, but to no avail.

Jurian had clearly taken note of it "then there's that." He said to Rhysand "didn't you remember? Perhaps you forgot. It was a good thing I was there, awake for every moment, Rhysand. She stole his book for spells — to take your powers."

"He made sure" he went on "that particular book was returned to him, she didn't know how to use half of the nastier spells." My blood ran cold at the thought of what King Hybern would be capable of if he was able to use nastier spells than Amarantha.

"Your suffering will be long and thorough" Jurian crooned. How did I get roped into this mess?

"Sounds delightful" Rhysand said flatly, turning to face Feyre and the rest of us, a silent warning to run.

But he appeared atop the stairs. King Hybern.

He had hateful, depthless black eyes and shoulder length black hair resting atop his surprisingly muscular body.

"The trap was so easy, I'm honestly a bit disappointed you didn't see it coming."

Faster than any of us could see, Jurian fired a hidden ash bolt through Azriel's chest.

My entire world crumbled as I screamed and began charging at Jurian. To which the king stopped me by telling me the arrow was coated with bloodbane and claimed it flowed where he willed it. We had to go with him.

Cassian and Rhys hauled Azriel between them, his blood splattering over the floor, I stared at the arrow protruding out of his back in between his wings. Silent tears streamed down my face as my entire being shaking with fear and rage. If King Hybern was to kill any of us today it should be me, not my mate.

~~
The throne room doors were open, and there on top of the block of dark emerald was a throne made up of human bones. I didn't bother looking for long, not being able to take my eyes off of the ash arrow impaled in my mate's chest.

The doors shut behind us, and the king spoke again "Now that I've upheld my end of the bargain, I expect you to uphold yours." Two figures emerged from the shadows near a side door. Tamlin and Lucien. I couldn't believe it.

I stared at Lucien ahead who refused to look at us, Coward. Azriel had tried and failed to lift his head, every wince of pain causing my heart to break a little more.

It was revealed that Tamlin and Lucien were there to claim Feyre, who was enraged at that as were the rest of us. Though I couldn't bring myself to tune into the ordeal.

My ears rang as this roaring echoed around me as I stared at Azriel. His head hanging low, the ash arrow poisoning him. My blood could heal him. A power that would reveal my Dawn court origins. I internally battled with myself that it would be worth revealing the truth, to save my mate, my kind, handsome mate who was now dying on the floor before me. Even his shadows appeared weaker by the minute, as mine reached out for his, what little was left of them with King Hybern's spell taking a toll on them. Azriel wasn't going to die, not like this, even if he hated me forever after this we would make it out.

"Bring them out!" Hybern's shouting snapped me from my daze as two human girls resembling Feyre slightly were dragged into the throne room by Hybern's guards, kicking and screaming, gagged and bound. They had to be her sisters, based on the look of horror on Feyre's face.

As selfish as it may seem, I couldn't bring myself to care about them, not as I took a step towards where Azriel laid dying on the floor, and as I did, large arms wrapped their way around my body and mouth and a blue dust was blown in my face.

~~
I was dragged out rapidly, silently as I tried to fight my way out of the arms, none of the others saw, I'd been stood behind them. I began to panic as I was dragged through a side door into a dark corridor, I bucked and bucked trying to break free from the reach but it was no use. The blue dust had weakened me, my attempts to break free were to no avail.

I tried to scream but the hand around my mouth only became more firm and whoever had me pinned leant down and crooned in my ear "stop fighting it, I'm taking you home Ziláa."

I instantly stilled as fear coursed through my bones hearing that familiar voice. As a swift uppercut was delivered to my face, once, twice, thrice. Finally knocking me out cold.