A Court of Tears and Starlight

Deep in the mines

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your comments - I will totally consider them all and see what I can do. Just a little warning that there's a section of this that is a bit darker than usual. It mentions rape- no graphic details but I just thought I'd warn you so that it's not a trigger for anyone.

Would love to hear what you think about Rhys' new "friend" and the plot development.

Thanks for all the comments and votes - it really motivates me to write knowing that you all want more and think it is worth reading!

Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!

Spinlight xo

___________________________________________________________________________

FEYRE

Something was tugging at me.

Beckoning to me.

Drawing me onwards.

Compelling me to come.

I should turn back. This place was creepy, yet the overwhelming need to go forward won out. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the utter darkness. I drew in a small fearful breath as a gust of chill air hit my face. The cave smelt of damp and cold and moss. As I strained my eyes to look around I noticed that deep within the cave there was a throbbing glow. I walked tentatively towards it. The path was scattered with small rock boulders ...or bones. I swallowed down that thought and made my way along the path until my foot may contact with something large and warm and furry. The unknown creature and I squealed in terror and then scurried off. I let out a shaky laugh and continued towards the source of the light.

I neared the back of the cave and discovered that the light was pulsing through a vey small  hole in the wet stone wall. I took a deep breath and steeled my will against the terror I felt, terror left over from the last time I was crushed in the crevice of the rock wall deep Under the Mountain.

I emerged on the other side, wet and scraped and more than a little be dishevelled. I heard the sharp intake of my own breath as it echoed around the cavern.

ahhh...ahhh... ahhhh...

I was in a square cut granite chamber. Four magnificent marble polished pillars held up the high ceiling of natural rock. The roof was so high up that I strained my eyes to see where it started. I got dizzy trying to crane my neck to far backwards. As I stumbled forward my foot stopped at the edge of a spiral staircase. It wove its way so far down that I couldn't make out where it ended.

Again something tugged firmly within me, pulling me forward, setting my feet on the smooth stone cut steps that trailed downwards.  I looked around me in wonder. There was something ancient and sacred about this place. The wall of the stair case glistened and shimmered. I reached out my fingers and felt the icy cascade of water trickle over them. The walls were all covered in water. There must have been a cleverly designed aqueduct for no water touched the steps and yet to the right of the stairs ran a flowing channel of deep blue. As I made my way deeper into the heart of the cavern an earthy ethereal hum began to fill the chamber and then I felt it humming within me. My pace accelerate as I hurried down the last remaining steps. I was at the bottom of a cylindrical room. The sound of cascading water dominated my senses. I stood frozen to the floor as my eyes took in the beauty of the light glowing from the centre of the room. I looked down at my chest and saw that the amulet around my neck was warm and singing in response.

I knew I should stop. I wasn't meant to be here. This place was too secret, even for immortal eyes but my feet moved of their own accord and as I moved towards the centre my eyes now made out a cluster of striking crystals. As I neared the crystal mass I gasped to see the glow of many coloured gems. My fingers reach out shakily to touch it and my whole world is obliterated.