Feyre/Rhys/Tam Fanficfion ACoTaR

Chapter 12

At this moment, the door decided to swing open by itself, and unprepared for the motion, I was suddenly falling forwards towards the ground.

In my shock, I landed on my face with a thump. Less than a millisecond later I was back on my feet and brushing myself off, but it was too late. Instead of the laughter that I had expected to be in everyone's eyes, they looked at me with barely concealed pity.

I clenched my fists and took a step back, when my vision was filled by broad shoulders.

"Feyre are you alright? I'm so sorry. I was going to help you down," Tamlin said, his voice sounding perfectly apologetic.

Of course he was the one to open the door, I thought grimly.

I nodded stiffly and tried to smile, when suddenly I was enveloped into familiar arms and my face was being smothered by Tamlin's shoulder.

Immediately I tensed and went to push with enough force to throw him into the next dimension, when I remembered my plan.

Look normal, look normal, I told myself desperately, trying not to give into the anger.

When Tamlin finally relinquished me, he turned to partially face the crowd.

"I am so glad that you were able to come," he told me, sounding genuine, but the way he phrased it made it sound like I'd had to escape or something.

"Well," I replied pleasantly, addressing the crowd and Tamlin, "It wasn't as if I had much of a choice or anything, did I?" I laughed softly, and in the quiet it sounded almost threatening.

Good, I thought viciously. A High Fae to the left cleared his throat, and I immediately recognized him as the one who had been talking to Tamlin while I'd been in the sky.

He was attractive, with shockingly white-blonde hair and dark eyebrows, silver eyes and a strong jaw. He stepped forward to take my hand, and kissed it while bowing deeply. In my surprise I let him, wondering why he was addressing me as such.

He straightened gracefully, making his muscles ripple and let go of my hand. His touch burned slightly and I quickly placed my hand back at my side.

"I hope you were not worried by the crowd," he told me smoothly, "we've all gathered to greet you, and get another glimpse at our famous saviour. Jolly job you did with Amarantha, if I may say."

I didn't laugh, but allowed myself to smile graciously.

"Thank you, Brahms. It is my pleasure to hear that." I realized that I'd just called him by his name, but decided there was nothing I could do about it. If I wanted to display my abilities, I suppose now was a good time as any to start.

I knew Brahms had at least heard it, by the quick spark that lit up his eyes. He didn't say anything however, and instead grinned widely at me.

I was taken aback for a moment, by the beauty of his smile.

For the gods sake, do all the men I know need to be so beautiful? I thought crossly, and Brahms smile widened even more. I narrowed my eyes as this, having now learned not to pass anything over for coincidence, and made a mental note to talk to this Brahms later, when we weren't in front of a massive crowd.

Meanwhile, Tamlin pressed the palm of his hand into the small of my back, now guiding me past Brahms and down the pathway between the crowd. I tried not to bristle at his touch of guiding me, as if I wasn't even able to support my own legs.

As we walked by, everyone looked down at the ground in respect. I knew though that this action was reserved for Tamlin, and not for me. The only people who didn't look down were the other Lord's of the Courts, who stood next to their people.

As I passed, the High Lord of the Summer Court caught my gaze, and I remembered seeing him Under the Mountain. Now, his gaze was impassive, at odds with the warm glow that radiated off of his skin.

I quickly snapped my gaze back into place and resumed looking forwards. My pace quickened, in a hurry to get inside, and also to stay ahead of Tamlin's pressing palm.

The massive doors swung open as we approached, something that I had once thought was magic. Now though, I could see clearly the two Fae who manned the doors. They stood stoically as we passed but didn't close the doors once we'd entered. I turned with my hands on my hips, the words with which to confront Tamlin on the tip of my tongue, when I saw what was happening behind him.

My welcoming committee had turned around and abandoned their orderly lines, to approach the manor doors rapidly.

"What... what is this?" I asked Tamlin, shocked.

"You didn't think that they were just here to greet you, did you?"

"Well, I wasn't sure..."

"They are all here for an impromptu celebration, which will last a few days. Just a few more festivities, now that we are not bound to Amarantha." Tamlin shrugged, but his tone was smug. I quickly understood why. While everyone was here, there was no way that I would be able to confront him.

"And where is Rhysand? Was he not invited? In my opinion, the first requirement of a gracious host is the invitation," I demanded, feeling frustrated. This was not going the way I thought it would, at all.

For a moment, Tamlin's face darkened dangerously.

"Rhysand was indeed invited. He chose to decline." Shock filled my stomach, but I quickly tamped it down. Did he not want to see me? Why hadn't he told me this before I left this morning?

"I see." My response was cold.

"Now, I am sure you are much too exhausted to dine with us all. You may go to your room, to sleep. While you were gone, I had your room proofed so you will not hear as much. To make it easier on you, of course."

The passing Fae who were trickling in through the doors and overheard this glanced at me, sympathy written across their face.

I wanted to scream.

My body was tired, and I was fed up and seriously wanting to escape to my room and ignore the hundreds of Faery. But despite the troubles I had so far encountered, I was still following the plan. And that was trying not to look weak.

"Oh no! I am perfectly alright. I'll join you all, just let me go change," I answered, smiled widely up at Tamlin. His face was still registering surprise as I brushed past him.

I remembered that he also didn't know that I had learnt to control my abilities. As I dashed up the stairs to my old room, I smiled inwardly. It'll just be that much sweeter of a blindside.