DISCONTINUED A Court Of Blood And Night (Tog & ACOTAR crossover)

2 - Feyre

"Hello, Feyre!" A voice chirped as a woman cloaked in blue swept into Tamlin's room. I grimaced when she wasn't looking; I'd hoped Ianthe wouldn't show up again until the next big celebration. So much for that one. I guess good luck only goes so far.

I had woken up to find Tamlin mercifully gone. Likely talking with Lucien about Hybern's little pawns that he was sending to the Spring Court territory more and more frequently. It was disrupting the... Well, everything. I wasn't too sympathetic-- he brought this on himself when he made that deal. He may have mellowed his behavior since I came back, but I knew it was only to stop me from being scared away like a rabbit or something. Still treating me like an animal-- but a different kind of animal.

"Ianthe," I replied, forcing a smile as she looked me up and down. "It's good to see you." I didn't move from where I sat in bed, a book in my hand. By the Cauldron, so much had changed since I last saw her. I could read fluently, for one-- no thanks to anyone in the Spring Court.

"And you," she replied, her smile even larger. I wanted to tear out a few of those perfect teeth so that she might not smile at all for a while.

She removed her hood, and her blonde hair flashed like gold in the sunlight dancing through the window. Almost like Mor's hair-- maybe a bit more coppery.

Mor. The Night Court. Rhys.

Ugh, I was a mess over leaving him and I didn't know what to do about it. Why couldn't I be more like... Well, Rhys? Calmer, more collected-- with a mask as perfect and unbreakable as the bond we shared?

I saw Ianthe's lips form my name, and I blinked. "What?"

She huffed. "Typical," she said with a teasing note in her voice, but I wondered if she was actually offended. "I said, 'When are you and Tamlin going to marry?' You two never made it official, since..." she winced delicately. "Never mind that, now," she carried on quickly. "I think we should do it within a few days of announcing, so that the Night Court doesn't overhear this time!"

Marriage? With Tamlin? I wanted to laugh. Even if I hadn't married Rhys the night before I came back to the Spring Court... Tamlin was no longer someone I felt I could love. Sure, he'd kept his promise from before, of making sure I was in the loop, and he'd certainly changed his behavior... But it was all a mask. A way to keep me here. I couldn't love him, and not just because I loved Rhys.

I forced myself to nod. "I think that would be best," I murmured, nodding. "When are you thinking we should... Marry?" I had to force the word, and it tasted like bile.

She beamed almost proudly. "I believe right before the Summer Solstice would be perfect. I'm already making plans." She frowned. "Unfortunately, your dress is gone forever, so we'll just have to get another!" The cheer returned, and I wanted to grimace, remembering all of the poofy skirts and fabrics and... Ugh. Disgusting, really. I'd been groomed like an animal. Then a sudden horror filled me.

The Summer Solstice was merely a month or so away-- I'd already spent so much time in the Spring Court. It made me feel sick, the idea of spending that enough with Tamlin for that day to come, let alone one more day. There was no way I was staying around for it, but I certainly wasn't leaving without doing what I came here for. Or, if I did stick around, it'd be the perfect time to cause a scene. Rhysand would enjoy that-- we always did love playing our games together. And where Tamlin's horror and mortification was involved... A slow smile spread across my lips.

"Okay," I said simply. "That's perfect." Absolutely, utterly perfect. I glanced at my glamoured arm when she wasn't looking, and reached out for that bond, that connection. I could feel Rhysand on the other side, feeling me and understanding I had something to say. Not that either of us could actually send words while we were such a far distance from one another-- just fragments and images and feelings. I sent a very simple thought down that mating bond, made of feelings and images that narrowed to a promise: soon. Soon, I'll come home.

And though he couldn't technically understand what I was saying to him, Rhys sent something back. A message as earnest and loving as mine had been to him. And as I half-listened to Ianthe's prattling, I silently deciphered his message. And though the ending of our bargain had taken his voice from my head, I could've sworn I heard him purr, I'm waiting right here, darling.

I was in a suspiciously good mood for the rest of the day.