ACOWAR (Rhysand's POV)

Chapter 8

(Rhysand's POV)

The world rushed past me in a blur. The second my boots hit the ground, I winnowed again. Not spending a second longer away from her than I needed to. My mate. Once the bond spurred to life again, I sent Cassian and Azriel to get her. As that connection grew stronger I could tell my mate needed help, but I couldn't get there fast enough. They - my family - were closer. I winnowed again, pushing myself as far as I could go. I was strong, but my power had its limits. Apparently being a full continent away was the edge of them.

My thoughts were as ragged as my breath, my mind spinning from the speed and panic. One more slip through the world-Velaris, just within reach. The landing jolted me as I tumbled into my bedroom, smacking straight into the bedframe. I groaned, lifting a hand to my head and pulling it away. No blood. I stood, shaking off the crash and stilled as voices floated from below.

"Looks like someone chewed you up, girl." Amren's voice called, muffled through the floors.

"What is this place?" Lucien.

"Home." Feyre.

Her words shook me from my frozen stance, wrapping around me in a tight embrace, beckoning me downstairs. I half-stumbled to the door but steadied myself, smoothing out my shirt and pants. Running my fingers through my hair; I was sure my desperate race hadn't done much for my appearance.

"This is - my home."

Swinging the door open, I glided down the steps and came to rest at the bottom. And there she was. I didn't see anyone else; I didn't care who else was there. It was my mate. Her back was turned to me, her hair a tangled mess, her clothes torn. But it was my mate. My heart thudded against my chest.

"This is Velaris, the City of Starlight." Her voice chimed through the air like the most sacred bell, ringing just for me.

Lucien spoke from somewhere, "And you are High Lady of the Night Court."

"Indeed she is."

Feyre's body stiffened at my words, turning to me slowly. Once her eyes locked onto mine, I saw that same desperation reflected in her face. Her eyes widened, quickly welling with tears, and then she collapsed, all the pain and torment of the past two months finally rising to the surface. The noise that broke from her tore my heart in half.

I was instantly there, meeting her knee to knee on the carpet of the foyer. Sobs shook her body. I pulled her hands away, cradling her cheeks and brushing away those tears. My mate. "My love." I said, leaning forward. I pressed a kiss to her lips with such intensity. Like it was the first and last we'd ever share.

Her fingers slid into my hair as I scooped her into my arms. My mate. I almost growled when Feyre pulled back to look at me again, staring at me as if I might disappear. "Go find somewhere else to be," I spoke to everyone, not breaking my gaze from those beautiful blue eyes-my mate's eyes.

I winnowed us up the stairs, my power slipping halfway as we hit the landing.

"Do you want to go over what happened in the Spring Court?" Feyre's voice was raw as she studied my face. But I continued storming down the hall.

"There are other things I'd rather do first."

I carried her over the threshold, setting her down in the middle of the room. My instincts were blazing, screaming at me to taste her, claim her, mate her. It wasn't natural for mates to be separated for so long and the bond throbbed fiercely between us, almost in agreement.

I took note of every place our flesh touched, the warmth of it, her scent. The scent I had been desperately searching for in that dark and hollow forest. It now filled my nose, my soul. I felt her fingers tighten on my jacket, just as claiming. I breathed in again, letting her presence fill me. She was so beautiful - more beautiful than I remembered. If that was even possible. My mate.