ACOWAR (Rhysand's POV)

Chapter 10

(Rhysand's POV)

When the sunlight faded, casting long shadows across the floor, I knew it was time to get up. We had laid there for who knew how long, entangled in each other's arms as we spoke about everything we had missed. Feyre hadn't mentioned her sisters again, but I knew she would want to see them. 

Before we reluctantly removed ourselves from the comfort of our bed, I floated two boxes over to us on a dark wind: one the contained the ring she had stolen from the Weaver, and another I had bought for myself while she was gone. I had gone down to the palace of Threads & Jewels one of the nights I couldn't sleep and selected it. It was a simple silver band to match the silver of hers. 

Without any fanfare or prying eyes, I wanted to exchange the rings with her. It was something intimate and meaningful, something we needed after spending so long from each other. A renewal of the vows we already made, forged anew. I slid the sapphire ring onto her finger, it fitting perfectly. 

Feyre stretched her arm away from her, splaying her fingers. "I had almost forgotten how lovely it was." The blue of the gemstone sparkled in her eyes. I set the black, velvet box that held my ring into her hand. "You know," she said, her fingers stilling on the case. "I have half a mind to deposit this ring at the Weaver's cottage and make you retrieve it." 

I chuckled, the sound easy and free. "If you truly think that's necessary to settle the score, perhaps you could find another creature for me to battle." The Weaver, after what Feyre did to her cottage, might not take too kindly to us showing up again. A risk—not to mention, she unnerved the hell out of me. "I'd prefer one that wouldn't delight in removing your favorite part from my body." 

Feyre leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. "Someone thinks mighty highly of themselves." As she leaned back, she opened the box and slid the silver band onto my finger. We both stared at hour hands together, the adornments that marked our promise to each other. We would not be separated again. 

***

Any lingering joy vanished at the sneer Lucien leveled at me and my mate. After giving the silent order for my family to return, Feyre and I made our way downstairs to find Cassian, Azriel, and Lucien at the dining table. Both Illyrian's we're watching closely over the red-haired male, analyzing each one of his movements. 

Lucien twisted in his seat at the sound of our footsteps, his eyes - eye, rather - sweeping over Feyre and landing at her hand in mine. Where the evidence of her status wrapped around her in black and blue ink. Where the evidence of our commitment lay, too. Lucien did not bother to hide the slight curling of his lips, the feeling of disgust that emanated from his form. 

"I assume," I said, leaning against the carved archway, "Cassian or Azriel has explained that if you threaten anyone in this house, this territory, we'll show you ways to die you've never even imagined." The smirk on Cassian's face confirmed they had. 

I didn't harbor any real hatred for Lucien. But I despised how he stood by—how he failed to act while Feyre suffered at the Spring Court. I knew him and Feyre were friends - or had been friends. I still wasn't sure where they stood with that. With how long they traveled together, fighting his brothers together, I wasn't sure if that had changed anything about their relationship. 

"But," I continued, "I can understand how difficult this past month has been for you. Feyre has likely explained we're not exactly what the rumors suggest—but hearing it and seeing it are two different things." Lucien kept his gaze on Feyre, not ignoring my words, but with an intense curiosity. "Elain is being well cared for." His eyes flicked to mine at the mention of his mate's name, longing and pain etched deep in his features. In that moment, I felt a pang of empathy, knowing all too well what it was like to be separated from your mate. "Her involvement in this life has been entirely her choice. No one but us, and a few trusted servants, have entered the House of Wind." I hoped my words offered him some small comfort, at least in that regard.