A Court of Fire and Lies

Whisper

"How, how is that possible, did you leave Tamlin?" 

The questions build up in my chest hitting me like waves. 

"We need to talk about this later, some where private." 

I scowl at him and the corner of his mouth curves up in a half smile and an aching part in my chest fills me because I know that I forgive him. 

I did long ago, none of it was him. 

It was and always had been Tamlin. 

He'd taken everything and manipulated it with Ianthe and he'd tried to suffocate me, put me down, drown me in a place of roses and parties and frilly dresses. 

He was killing me and he broke Lucien. 

Except he's free, dressed up and ready to rule. 

And he's on Rhys's side, he chose me. He doesn't want to hurt or break the boarder. 

And he's at war with Hybern. 

And I know why. 

After what he did to Elaine it's no wonder why he left, his mate was tortured by the one person who gave her to him. 

And he chose to bury Hybern.

A spark of hope flies through me and several more people walk in as I wring my hands. 

None of them are my mate. 

And soon the room is filled with men, none with women. 

Cowards don't think a woman can do anything. 

That we're weak. 

That's why Lili was forced to shove down her power until she couldn't remember it. 

Too bad powerful woman only lie in shadows till men break and we gain our place upon gold and crowns of midnight. 

I look across from me, three seats are still empty, for the Night Court. 

Is he not coming? 

I tug in the bond but am only met with a cold silence. 

I feel my heart begin to race. 

Please Cauldron let him come. 

I let loose a breathe and look around the room. 

Made entirely of glass. 

The High Lord of the Winter Court stands up suddenly, his frail body barely able to do it. 

"We shall begin without him." 

Out of the corner of my eyes I see Lucien shut his eyes tight. 

No one says anything as we wait a moment and then the High Lord of the Summer says, "I don't think anyone expected him to come." 

Chuckles full the room and fury flies through me. 

Just as we are about to begin the sound of thunder cracks and fills the room, shadows of starlight and darkness filling the room like ash.

I feel the wrath of the eternal night spilling over me, coating me like a second skin. 

And a moment later they fall, rippling into the floor and disappearing revealing my mate, Mor, and Amren. 

His scent hits me and I breathe in the intoxicating smell like heaven. 

"You didn't think you could start without me did you?" His voice is smooth, lazy.