Tethered to the Starlight: A Court of War and Starlight

Chapter 3: Feyre

Alis left my room shortly after the tears had subsided, leaving me in a perpetual state of numbness. She was right. Of course, she was right. No one can sustain themselves on minimal food only to vomit it up again. No one can live in perpetual fear of Tamlin's next sexual advance. I am the High Lady of the Night Court and I have the capabilities to destroy every single person in the court if I so choose.

Rhys?

"Holy hell, Feyre! I have been so worried! Why did you block me out?"

Well Tamlin came in. I was vomiting again and he came. I was worried he was going to bed me or idk... Just I want to protect you in any way possible. I mean what if there is a daemanti in the Spring Court. You can never be too careful. The tears were beginning to flow again. I could feel them seeping down the solid walls of the bond only to be confronted with an overwhelming wave of warmth.

"Feyre darling, shhh. I didn't mean to make you cry, I just- it tears me apart that you are in that shit hole. The fact that I can do nothing to save you kills me. You are my everything..." Heat rushed to my cheeks and I couldn't help the smile that radiated from within.

Just remember, I'm doing this for us. For my sisters. For everyone that has suffered because of Tamlin. For everyone that has suffered because of Amarantha. For everyone that has suffered because of Hybern.

"That's my mate!"

Chuckling slightly, I decided to appeal to his devilish side. I guess it was that chocolate cake. Gave me the confidence I needed.

"I mean, I am pretty great. And my wingsoan, you better look out Archeron..."

Prick.

"That's what I'm here for. Now please get some rest."

Aye, aye, Captain. Relief flooded the bond as I sent images of myself climbing into the too rough sheets and closing my eyes.

___________________________________

Morning came rather too quickly for my liking, the sun too bright on the Spring Court horizon. Just another detail about my prison that seemed wrong.

A knock sounded at the door and Tamlin shuffled in, his brow furrowed. "Good morning, love. How are you fairing?"

Struggling not to spit an answer in his face, I contorted my features into an amiable smile. Allowing just enough of my teeth to show, I replied all too sweetly, "Perfect."

Moving to sit down on the bed, he crossed a leg over his knee. He turned so I would have to look directly at him, and could not avoid his gaze. He began to scan my face, skepticism clearly written within his thoughts. All it would take was one stretch of my mental claws in order to wipe him completely.

"Feyre. I'm not doing this again."

Extremely confused, I furrowed my brow and burrowed deeper within the sheets.

Running a frustrated hand through his hair, he huffed, a feral snarl ripping through his throat. "It's been weeks since you've touched me. Feyre, I realize he did unspeakable things to you, but- you're safe. Just try to understand where I am coming from."

It took everything I had not to wring his neck right then and there, to castrate him for negligence and lack of regard for me as a person. To him, I am a subject that he can order around. Wait until I make him my subject.

Lifting my eyelids to look at him, I sighed. "I know. I know." Leaning in, I planted a fluttery kiss on his lips to drive my performance home. When I was about to break away I felt him press into my back and deepen the kiss. Trying desperately not to gag, I reached out to Rhys in my panic.

Help!

"What's wrong?"

He is trying to bed me!

"Do what you have to...I'll understand."

Rhys you can't be serious!

"Feyre you are strong." And the walls of the bond sealed shut, Rhys shying away from the scene that was about to unfold. Tamlin had begun to trail his kisses down my neck, trying to nip at the once sensitive spot. I was letting silent tears roll down my cheeks as the kisses trailed to my stomach and down each leg.

He tried to caress each body part but it was all wrong. His movements were that of ownership, not mutual adoration. Moving to wipe away the tears, I shifted my weight upwards to give myself a moment to breathe. Stupid bastard thought that was a hint to begin to unbuckle.

His shirt came next and before I was fully aware, he was completely naked. Nothing about the situation aroused me or made me feel anything, really.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured 'seductively' into my ear before nibbling on it. Trying to get the ordeal over faster, I bucked my hips in reply. I braced myself for his entrance. He was tentative at first but then began to push inward.

Pain ripped through my entire body, radiating through my every fiber. This was a new pain, one of excruciating levels I had never felt before.

I screamed and pushed him off of me as if he were nothing but dead weight. Fleeing to the bathroom, I locked the door behind me and gripped the countertop like a vice. The tears plunked onto the granite in scattered motions, making the sink a watery mess.

"Feyre? Talk to me." I could tell Tamlin was resting against the door in confusion.

I chose not to reply and instead finally lift my head to look at my own reflection. My wings had somehow unfolded, my tattoo visible. My eyes were sharp and focused. But my body, my body was giving off that glow that I experienced after Rhys and I mated.

My skin was a beautiful incandescent gold that captured my attention and wouldn't let go. The pain had finally begun to subside, allowing me to indulge my curiosity. How is this possible?

Turning to face the opposite wall, I examined myself in the full body mirror scanning every inch of my fame. Somehow, my body had filled out. I didn't look so frail. One might even say I looked strong. But something caught my eye.

My abdomen began to glow of deeper shade of gold, resembling the hues within a crackling fire. Looking down, I noticed that the gold was swirling around a central object in a circular path. Pressing my hand to the intricate glow, my hand heated up almost immediately. The heat wasn't uncomfortable however, more like cozy and familiar. The heat began to fan around all of my fingers, pressing into my skin; almost like a friend leaning on another's shoulder.

It can't be.