ACOWAR (Rhysand's POV)

Chapter 16

(Rhysand's POV)

My head was still swimming with the thoughts our conversation had stirred up earlier. Where does this come from, Rhys? Feyre's question echoed in my mind, but still, I had no answer. One day I would need to sift through each of those rising emotions, each of the memories, but that was not today. That was not a week from now. A war was looming, and my attention was needed elsewhere. Perhaps, my family just couldn't understand why this kind of sacrifice would be necessary. I had seen such horrors, such terrible things done to people - I would do anything to keep it from happening to them. Even if it meant giving my own life to ensure it. 

Cassian was out on the terrace, as usual, stretching his wings - I was surprised Nesta wasn't watching him from the balcony above. Feyre was currently seeking out her elder sister, to discuss with her and Amren what, if anything, they had learned of Nesta's powers. I was glad to not have that as my task for the day. 

"No audience today?" I asked, striding to one of the low-lying chairs on the terrace's edge. The cushions, warm from the afternoon sun, pressed comfortably against my back as I settled in

Cassian scoffed, wing rustling slightly as he tucked them in. "I don't know what you're talking about." 

Taking a deep breath, I stretched my arms overhead, letting them come to rest behind my head with an exhale. "Sure, Cassian."

"I have no idea what you mean. It's just me, the sky, and some peace and quiet out here." I cracked an eyelid open to see the scowl on Cassian's face, his arms folded in a protective stance.

"Whatever you say."

Cassian's cheeks flushed red. "Is there a reason you're out here? Or did you just feel like pissing me off?"

I chuckled. "Both."

He sighed heavily and stomped to the chair next to me, the wood creaking under his weight. "Get on with it then." He lifted a finger as my mouth opened to retort. "The reason—you already did the pissing off part."

My mouth closed, pulling into a grin that quickly faded as I remembered why I was out here. "You and Feyre are off to the Prison tomorrow morning."

Cassian's posture straightened, his instincts immediately on high alert. "Why?"

"She has an idea. Something that might actually get us an advantage against Hybern."

"What kind of idea." His words hissed out through gritted teeth. Cassian knew about the Prison and its inhabitants more than anyone else - thanks to his morbid fascination and because he was responsible for jailing most of them. 

"She needs to speak with the Bone Carver." 

Even with the warmth of the sun, Cassian shivered at the name. 

"If both of us were to go, it would look too. . . desperate, too vital. But if the High Lady and her general went to visit to pose some hypothetical questions. . ."

Cassian rolled his neck, another shiver running down his back. "I'm not about to let her face that alone."

"That's exactly why I chose you for the task. You know what's at stake—you know the Prison better than anyone."

Cassian nodded slowly. "We won't be able to contact you while we're in there."

"I know," I replied, glancing down.

A few beats of silence passed before Cassian spoke again, his voice firm, resolute. "I'll protect her with my life."

"I know you will. But it's more than that. She - that place, it's too. . .  reminiscent." I couldn't bring myself to explain further, to voice those unspeakable horrors she and I had endured Under the Mountain. The feeling of being trapped - the memory of Feyre's fear the first time we set foot into the cavernous Prison.