A Court of Trickery and Salvation

Chapter Nineteen

I wake up nestled under Casteel's arm pressed tightly up against him as if his nightmares affect his waking world. Every sense is heightened in my new Fae body, Casteel's scent now driving me crazy. Something inside me tugs my body up and out of the bed, after a lot of wiggling to get out from Casteel's heavy arm. He groans in his sleep and I can't help but laugh softly at him before fixing my clothes out of their rumpled state. I may have slept with Casteel but I didn't sleep with him and I don't want all these people thinking I did. That tug pulls again so I start walking in the direction, ending up on a balcony with Rhysand.

"How was your night with Prince Casteel?" He purrs tightly while he stares out into the early morning sky, the slight breeze blowing through his hair.

"Not as good as you're thinking it is." I offer softly, slowly making my way to stand beside him before leaning against the railing. The cool breeze sends shivers down my spine, that too heightened.

"You don't smell like sex. Did you back out?" Another tight response, his violet eyes void of those beautiful stars as he turns to look at me.

"He didn't try anything. He's my best friend Rhysand, he knows me better than I know myself sometimes." I look down at my hands, no amount of scrubbing will be able to erase the feeling of those Fae's blood. Casteel had walked in while I attempted to scrub my skin from my hands and gently took them into his own before resting them on his chest. Rhysand grabs my hand closest to him before bringing it to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss.

"They're deaths aren't your fault Kayla." Gone is the tenseness in his voice, replaced with understanding that nearly breaks me. "Look at me." I bring my burning gaze over to his, the darkness seeming to fade just a little as he brushes his fingertips across my cheek.

"I am the one that drove that blade into their hearts Rhysand. It makes it my fault." My voice threatens to break as tears threaten to fall so I quickly change the subject. "Can I say goodbye to him before we leave?" Rhysand simply nods then pulls away from me. I walk back down the hallway to the room Casteel and I shared but before I can open the door it swings open.

"Kayla, I was worried when I woke up and you were gone." Casteel says, pulling me into a tight hug that I return just as tightly. Ever since he revealed his feelings for me, Casteel has been more okay with touching me more than the occasional training maneuvers.

"Casteel, I-I have to go now." His grip tightens slightly, bringing his face closer to mine.

"I know I have to let you but I don't want to." Casteel buries his face in my neck, breathing in my scent before I depart to the Night Court.

"Rhysand said you two can figure something out. Maybe I can come visit you or you come visit me... something like that." The thought of visiting Atlantia makes me a little uneasy, here in Pyrthian I'm among other Fae, matched in strength. In Atlantia, surrounded by Atlantian's whose not only stronger but faster as well plus their bloodlust.

"Hey, I'm not going to rush you into my world. I couldn't do anything to keep you safe from this one but I can ease you into mine." He strokes my cheek, his face inching closer to mine before someone clears their throat. "Must you interrupt everything Rhysand?" Casteel growls, slowly turning his head to glare at the High Lord with a look the would kill if they could.

"Apologies Casteel but I'd like to take my leave now. I haven't seen my Court in fifty years." Rhys words shock me, fifty years locked down here with her? Enduring everything he did. His words hit me again. 'I understand doing everything in my power to keep my family safe.' Even Casteel seems to understand the meaning behind Rhys' words, he unwraps his arm from around my waist only for Rhys to tug me into his side.

"I'll be able to visit her?" Casteel questions, his eyes remaining fixed on the arm Rhys has wrapped around me in place of his own. Rhysand nods to Casteel which makes him visibly relax a bit.

"We will discuss how frequently and where once Kayla has settled in. Both in the Night Court and in her new body." Rhys says smoothly, his thumb rubbing soothing strokes on my hip that calms my racing mind. "You'll be able to write to her however often you wish."

"Thank you Rhysand." Casteel dips his head then stuff his hands into his pockets and watched silently as Rhys leads me away to the balcony. As we get closer my mind begins to race again as my senses become overwhelmed. The cold stone beneath my feet, the tingling warmth of Rhysand's hand on my waist, the intensity of his smell as it fills my nose, the sound of his heart beating.

"Look at me Kayla." Rhys demands softly, angling my body so I face him directly. "It will take some time to get used to your new body. I will be here every step of the way." The tenderness in his voice brings tears to my eyes but I force them down. "I will help you with everything if you let me."

"Thank you Rhys." I say softly, keeping my eyes trained on his chest to keep from falling apart completely by the sheer intensity in his eyes.

"Well, are you ready to see your new home?" He gives me a small smile that sends my heart fluttering. The wind swirls around us before we're plunged into a darkness then immediately we're on another balcony. He gently leads me inside into a beautiful room that screams 'royalty'  "Welcome to the Night Court."