A Court of Fire and Lies

Make A Shadow

The hallways were softly lit and just as we turned a corner a waft of the scent of food hit me, and though it smelled delicious all I wanted to do is vomit my guts. Something wasn't right. It felt wrong. I tug on the bond but there is only silence. Nothing. Stress hits me so suddenly that I almost fall over but Lili catches me and gives me a small smile as the ghost of it is still there, like a shadow haunting me as she opens the doors and everyone begins to clap and I school my face into a tight smile even though they don't know. Don't know I'm hungry for information. Information to tear this place apart just as Velaris was almost destroyed. The memory plays back in my head as I sit down quickly not wanting to stand anymore, Lili taking the empty seat next to me. 

The bond is silent again. Food is immediately placed in front of me from a woman with short white hair and as she circles the table I see her look at me many times. What does she want? As she comes back she slips a piece of paper into my lap as she pretends to trip. I stiffen and place it in the sleeve of my dress. I'll read it later. And then I remember Lili's paper. What could that be? She seems as if only a moment before she had been in tears. I guess I'll find out somehow, even if I don't trust her I could make her trust me, through my power.  But I shouldn't, however, it may be good to have a strong ally considering she could be using me the same way that bitch Ianthe did, and I can't afford to lose again. Not now. Not when this war is just in its first few days. Plus, I am the High Lady of the Night Court which means I have to protect my family and home. Both my homes. The one across the wall and the one that is miles and miles away. And my first step is to get to the winter palace which isn't to far away. Suddenly a booming voice says, "So now that everyone is finished we can begin the discussion." I'm immediately alert. 

"News has reached that the Night Court has declared war on Hybern and as an ally with Hybern we must also be at war with them as is the Spring Court as Tamlin immediately returned the message, without consulting anyone first but since we are allied we also must find out who is with us and who is against us." He stops for a second when a woman comes forth with a tray holding an envelope. 

"It also seems the Summer Court will be joining us but the Day, Dawn and Autumn Court are with the Night Court." 

The autumn court is allied with the Night Court, I wonder what Lucien thinks of this? I may hate the Autumn Court but it seems they chose right with this. I doubt Lucien will claim his place as their High Lord even though it is his throne and crown to bear, he doesn't belong in the Spring Court anymore. I don't even want to know what Tamlin would do if Lucien left. The last person who might still believe in him. And maybe Ianthe. Other than that he is alone except my fake alliance. And that won't be lasting this whole war. Just long enough to bring him to his knees as I saw Rhysand do once. At that moment I thought him to be a bastard for doing that to him but now, now I think he was right. Right in more ways than one. 

He resumes a moment later, "The first meeting in taking them down will be held in the Winter Palace where everyone plans to meet. All the court's, each and every High Lord. Except the King of Hybern he has decided to stay behind." 

Coward. Weak. Weak coward. 

And then it clicks, now I'll be sure to see Rhys, and hopefully more than once. Maybe even unclothed. I doubt it. 

"Feyre?" I'm jerked back from my day dreaming. 

"Uh, yes?" 

"You are to be in the meeting two weeks from know. You know what happens next as does Lili. But courtesy to Jurian you will be in Hybern alone while Lili waits for you in the Spring Court." 

But I thought she was coming ith me? Great, I didn't even want to go there and now I'll be there alone? He has definitely got something up his sleeve. Will the king even be there or has Jurian also worked it out for me to only take orders from him. A shudder runs down my spine suddenly when the word orders echoes through my mind on repeat.