Heart of Flame

《12》

Sorry for the wait guys, I've been tryin' to think of something to write. But I have finally written it. Enjoy :) 

Tamlin 

I paced my chambers in Maeve's castle waiting for Feyre.

The power she had just shown, by the cauldron it was a lot, and I understood then why that bastard Rhys had stolen her away, that power could change our world. And he had wanted it for his own fell court of monsters under that mountain he called a home.

It was why Hybern had sort after her. Why she needed- still needs- my protection. And being here, in this land with this queen- I was under no illusion that Maeve was no better if not worse than Rhysand, but if being here kept Feyre away from the bastard then I would gladly help the queen, and if that help meant that in return she would aid Hybern in destroying the wall and Rhys that it was worth it.

Finally, I heard the door crack open, I scented Feyre before I saw her, quelling the rage that began to boil in my stomach.

Feyre

I entered my shared chambers with Tamlin a few minutes after my meeting with Maeve, wondering all the while what she could want with my abilities.

Tamlin was already in the room when I entered, I tried not to let the disappointment show as he ceased pacing the room to look at me. 'What did she want?' He asked, eyes darting over my body. I try not to shudder at the words she had spoken to me earlier, 'she has a mission for me,' I answer going to the small bathing room, Tamlin follows, 'What sort of mission, Feyre?' he asked me as turned to face him. 'I don't know yet, she told- ordered- me to report to her in the morning,' I placed a hand on his chest, it was warm and corded with muscle, but it wasn't the chest that I wanted to touch, to lean on, he wasn't the person that I needed.

'I don't know anything else,' I said slightly exasperated. 'Now out, I want to bathe.' I lightly shoved his chest, well aware that I could send him flying.

A glint appeared in his eyes, as they roamed over my chest, my waist as if he was imagining the creamy flesh beneath. I was repulsed, how could he be thinking of bedding me at a time like this, mere moments after I told him that Maeve had plans to use me. 'Out.' I say again, this time with more force, Tamlin obeys after her surveys my body one more time, a faint smile on his lips.

~~~

I emerge from the bathroom a short time later. Tamlin is sitting on the edge of the bed, sharpening a dagger in the flickering light of the fire burning in the hearth. His shoes and shirt discarded in a corner. He hasn't noticed me yet.

I studied the muscles of his back, shifting as he slid the whetstone along the blade, imagining how easy it would he to grab a dagger or use the claws that had appeared at the ends of my finger, to end him right here right now...

But his head lifts and a twists to face me. The claws disappearing into wisps of steam.

Tamlin opened his mouth to say something, but I moved to the window, it overlooked a simple yet somehow lush garden, and beyond that a dense forest. But it wasn't to the earth that I looked, no it was to the sky.

The stars were bright and shimmering, but different. The constellations and the very stars themselves were different to the one I had come to cherish. But I had to admit that these stars were, in fact, beautiful.

On the edge of the horizon, to the north, was a bright vibrant star, perhaps brighter than the rest. And my mind began to wander, to wish to be in the north, in my home, in that cabin with-

Before I could finish the thought; before the longing could take me over, I hear Tamlin's voice from behind me, 'Come to be Feyre,' he says and I obey.

The next morning I awaken before the sun had had a chance to rise, and I am well and truly ready when a pretty fae serving girl knocks on the door to bring me to her dark majesty. I follow the girl without a word, leaving Tamlin fast asleep.

I followed the servant through winding halls and corridors, never seeing another fae. 

Finally, we reached a door that the fae girl stops in front of on knocks once. A moment later the door swings open and the girl vanishes back down the passage.

I enter the room, It's smaller than the hall that Maeve had used the day before, but the roaring fire and dark curtains framing the windows made the room just as imposing. And there was Maeve sitting in a high-backed cushioned chair, her blood red robe like dress flowed around her, like blood.

'Ah, Feyre,' she said in a voice like velvet, 'sit, please,' she lifted a finger to the chair I was to sit in. I obeyed, but an air around Maeve made it impossible to look her in the eye without flinching. 

My simple tunic and tight black pants rustled as I took my seat, the only sound in the otherwise quiet room. 'Your majesty,' I murmured as I bowed my head slightly.

'Now, for you little task,' she said with a little smile. Formalities over. I straighten, bracing myself for what ever this task could be. 'I want you to find my keys,' Maeve said bluntly. 'What?' I blurted unable to stop the word from slipping out. 'I want you to use abilities to find out where my wyrd keys are. And you will start by looking through lovely Aelin's head.' Maeve answered.

My stomach dropped, no matter how many times I had slipped into Tamlin's mind to find out his plans, I still hated to invade another's mind, I hated how powerful it made me feel. And I had a feeling that Maeve somehow knew that.

'And if I refuse?' I ask, a challenge in my voice. 'If you refuse,' Maeve mused. 'Well, to put it simply, terrible things will happen,' a wicked smile played on her lips, as I couldn't help but imagine Cairns' sneer and that blood-drenched whip. I swallowed, my throat bobbing, I wasn't arrogant enough to pretend that the thought didn't scare me. 'Oh, my dear you think I would hurt you?' Maeve chuckled, 'No, I won't hurt you because although you may not look it, you are strong, and I believe that torture would not yield what I want from you. No,' her smile was that of vipers. 'No, your sisters on the other hand...' she didn't need to finish the sentence, fear was already coiling in my gut, a cold sweat was sliding down my back and my heart thumped in my ears.

'When?' I ask, I don't need to clarify my question, 'Now.' answered Maeve.

Hope you guys liked it, I think it was a bit rambling  but oh well, until next time. XO