ACOWAR (Rhysand's POV)

Chapter 4

(Rhysand's POV)

We all convened in the living room of the town house later that night to discuss our preparations for Hybern. Azriel had returned from Cretea but, by the look on his face, it did not seem like good news. 

"It was abandoned." He leaned against the threshold while the others sprawled across the sofa and armchairs. I kept my place by the mantel as he spoke. "It was as if they just stopped what they were doing and left."

Azriel had shown me the deserted landscape—it looked like their home, but as he had said, it was abandoned. It looked as though the people had simply vanished.

"Is it possible they fled from Hybern?" Mor asked, lounging on the sofa with her feet in Cassian's lap.

"I don't think so," Azriel replied. "There have been no reports of Hybern making any attempts on Cretea. No mention of them, other than Jurian's obsession with Miryam."

"Something must have spooked them." Mor tossed her golden hair over the arm of the sofa, letting it spill over the side.

"We can send messengers again," I suggested, though I knew it was a hopeless offer. Better than nothing. Miryam and Drakon wouldn't have run from Hybern—they would have stood their ground. It didn't make sense that they would abandon Cretea, the one place they had hidden for years and felt safe. "Was there anything else, Az? Any signs of someone else being on the island besides Miryam and Drakon's people?"

"Nothing." The spymaster frowned, clearly displeased by the lack of evidence. I wondered if he blamed himself for it; it wasn't his fault there was nothing left for him to uncover.

Amren sat in the armchair closest to me, filing her nails. "What's next, then?"

"We can go to the continent." I met the surprised gazes of my family.

"It's not safe," Mor said, looking to Cassian for support.

"None of this is safe, Mor. We're going to have to take risks."

Mor scowled at Cassian's shrug and turned back to me. "What do we even know about those lands? How can we be sure Hybern hasn't already been there and spoken with them? What if they're lying in wait for us?"

"I've been there." Azriel pushed off the wall, coming to stand behind the sofa. "Rask is the largest Fae territory, followed by Vallahan and Montesere. Vallahan has a significant force that could help us, but I don't have eyes there anymore. Montesere could afford more soldiers, but they lack discipline. Rask is both wealthy and armed, but that might be the first place Hybern tries. We wouldn't stand a chance."

We fell silent, each of us deep in thought, trying to connect the dots that just weren't there. No Miryam and Drakon, no allies on the continent—no allies on Prythian. Especially with the blood rubies from Tarquin and the coming slight to Tamlin... but maybe...

Cassian broke the silence. "What do we know about Hybern's people?" All heads turned to him, except for Amren, who continued filing her nails. "How supportive are they of the king and his actions?" I liked where Cassian's mind was going. 

"Little," Azriel said. "The lack of information says enough."

"Perhaps." I crossed my arms. "Unless he's somehow keeping them quiet."

"He easily could, with that Cauldron." Amren chimed in.

If one of us were to infiltrate Hybern, to become one of their own... we could gather more information. It might prove useful. We might be able to sow some discord and get their people thinking—

"Oh, no." Cassian grumbled from his spot on the sofa.

I blinked. "What?"

"I know that look. And it's not happening."

"What look?"

"That look. The one that says, 'I'm about to sneak off and do something alone and stupid.'"

"Mmm. You do get that look, Rhysand." Amren's dry voice chimed in.

"I don't have a look." I shot back.

Mor raised a brow, lips parting to disagree.

I cut her off. "I do not have a look. But both of you—" I nodded toward Cassian, then Azriel who drifted toward the window. "—just got back on your feet. I'm not sending either of you there."

Cassian scoffed, tossing his hands up in frustration. I tried not to notice the flicker of hurt in his eyes—hurt that I had, once again, tried to plan without including them. If he hadn't caught me, I would have gone to Hybern tonight. Alone. Without telling any of them.

Mor, ever perceptive, noticed the shift and thankfully steered the conversation. "So if we can't rely on those three territories, and Hybern's people are fine with the king's plans for Prythian, Miryam and Drakon are gone—what's our move?"

"The wall extends beyond Prythian," Azriel said, his gaze fixed on something far outside. "The continent has Fae and human territories, too. And, like here, there's tension between them. Has been for years."

The humans below our wall were constantly wary of us—viewing us as a threat. The humans across the sea would be no different. And that was where the queen's palace sat. If they despised us, it was likely their people did, too. The lines started connecting in my mind as Azriel kept speaking.

"So that's where we focus."

"On the humans?" Mor asked.

"On the discord," Az clarified.

"We plant seeds," I added, catching on. "Get them focused on their own internal issues rather than anything happening beyond their borders."

"And if Hybern comes asking for aid..." Mor trailed off, falling into our line of thinking.

"They'll be too preoccupied to listen, let alone help," I finished for her.

"We might as well plant seeds among the three Fae territories too," Cassian suggested, a glint of mischief sparking in his eyes. "They've hated each other for centuries. A little spat with the humans won't keep them occupied for long, but if they thought Rask or Vallahan might attack..."

Cassian's grin widened at the thought of stoking chaos among the Fae, his excitement clear. It wasn't a bad idea. In fact, it was a damn good one.

"That's it, then." I said. "Cassian, Az—head to the continent and start sowing the discord. I'll go to Hybern." I paused, locking eyes with Cassian. "Mor, Amren, you'll stay here in Velaris while we're gone."

"What about Keir and his legion?" Cassian asked. 

"We'll get there. I'm fairly certain he'll cooperate. I want to start outside our borders and work our way in."

Both Illyrians nodded, while Mor sighed, sinking back into the sofa.

Amren finished her last finger, the emory board disappearing with a flick. "And our High Lady? How long are we supposed to wait?" 

The relaxed atmosphere immediately tensed once more. I looked at them, one by one—not a hint of fear or worry on their faces. Just determination. A family ready to protect and retrieve one of their own. It warmed my heart to see it, to know they had accepted her in her new role. Had come to love her as I had.

I straightened, my voice steady but lethal. "We'll wait as long as it takes. But make no mistake—we will get her back. And we'll cut down anyone who stands in our way."