Tethered to the Starlight: A Court of War and Starlight

Chapter 6: Feyre

"For the final time, I have fulfilled your deal. Done. Feyre is not working with you," Tamlin spat, his claws threatening to unsheathe. I could tell he was trying desperately to control the anger that boiled beneath his skin. His every statement dripped with the word mine.

Wiping at his mouth nonchalantly, Hybern finally spoke up. "Silly High Lord, haven't you learned your lesson from Amarantha that we 'all powerful Fae' decide when we feel our debts have been payed?"

Tamlin stood and placed his hand at his weapon's belt. "Enough," he said, "it is enough that she has been suffering under Rhysand's scornful hand, but to place her within your grasp is preposterous!" He began to lower his voice to a menacing whisper; his k-9's sharpening. "You will never lay a hand on her or use her for whatever game you intend to play."

Lucien picked that particular moment to stroll into the kitchen and lounge in the nearest chair. His posture was sheepish and but his movements calculated. Both Tamlin and Hybern turned so to draw even more attention to the new visitor. Sneering, Tamlin questioned, "Do you not have places to be Lucien?" (A transparent hint to be anywhere but this very room.) Lucien provided us with a simple shake of the head.

Hybern decided to take a stab at Tamlin, his tone cool. "Can you not control your pet?" Stand up for yourself Lucien. You have every right to be in this room.

Interjecting, Lucien finally spoke. "My mate is stuck in the Night Court and by the Cauldron, I will be involved in her rescue." I nodded to him, showing my approval.

"Enough!" Hybern shot from his chair, plunging the court into an eerie silence. Sighing deeply, he smoothed back his hair. I watched in fear as he lifted his hand, palm toward Lucien, Tamlin, and I. Invisible chains had begun to snake their way around my body, tightening as they wound further and further up my body. I began to panic wondering if the excruciatingly tight grasp would harm the tiny life form within me. A look to the right revealed Tamlin and Lucien in a very similar predicament, each with their shoulders drawn taut at their sides. "Now listen here, and listen good. Tomorrow, I will be back here at seven a.m. Tomorrow, we launch an attack on Velaris. I expect all three of you on the front lines. The sooner we strike, the better."

He looked at us with disdain, bloodlust leeching from his thoughts. I dared to speak up. "And if I refuse...?" The grip on my body tightened even further, cutting off the blood circulation to my baby. But I refused to let him see me crack, and plastered a stoic look on my face.

"Well then, Feyre Arecheron, I guess it would be lights out." The chains tightened once again, digging into my flesh, and rivulets of blood began to run down my arms.

They lashed into my flesh repeatedly, Hybern cackling and Tamlin pleading, I suppose. I suppose the High Lady of the Night Court was accustomed to the blackness that had washed over me.

_______________________________

The light broke through, creating a fuzzy image behind my eyelids. I tried to shift slightly, but the pain was blunt which made me groan in pain. Wiping away the crust that formed in my tear ducts, I blinked rapidly only to be met with Alis' brooding figure.

"How long have I been out?"

Moving to my bedside she propped my battered body up with a few feather pillows. She sighed, "about four hours. So that makes it three p.m."

"Alis, I need pen and paper." When she retrieved it for me, I immediately informed Rhys of the impending attack on our home. Expect the unexpected it said with a small rainbow on the back. Of course the original meaning was to arm Velaris, but it was also laced with the news of my pregnancy.

If I was to be on the front lines tomorrow, I was going to do whatever was in my power to defend my city. The message was clear, send a signal to the Night Court I no longer sided with Rhys.

But I had other plans, if I could signal to Rhys where I was, we could take Hybern down together. I realized how unrealistic my plan really was. But, this baby needed a father and I needed my mate.

Winnowing the pen and paper out of the Spring Court, I looked to Alis. "How far along do you think I am, Alis?"

"Well sweetie, that would depend on when your last bleeding was," her eyes shone in what I believed to be wonder.

I thought to myself for a couple seconds. The last time I had bled was a week before Rhys and I mated two months ago.

Sliding a hand down my abdomen, I met her gaze, "two months."

She smiled and laid her hand on top of mine, "well protect that little two month old for me."

Rhys' note appeared on the table; safety ensured.

"Do you think he knows?" I asked.

"About Velaris or the baby?"

"Both, I guess."

Chuckling slightly, she patted my hand. "Well honey, men are not very good with hints. So I'd imagine he assumes it is only about Velaris. But once he gets a whiff of you, oh honey, you're in for it."

I snorted, in for it.

"In for what?"

Rhys!

"What are you in for?"

No time, there could be a daemanti here. Hybern has the court surrounded.

"So, what's the plan?"

Meet at Rita's tomorrow at eight. Hybern plans to launch the attack around seven.

I could feel him stroking the bond with pride. "Anything else?"

Like what?

"You tell me."