A Court of Blood and Feathers

3

Branwenn

The room is quite beside the lulling trickle and movement of water in the reflection pool in the middle of the room. I have stationed next to one of the pillars on the side, a bouquet of peonies of the most delicate pink to my left on a table. A water vase in hand. I am the only one out here as there is only need for one water pitcher to take care of the small number of guest today. The rest are in the kitchen, preparing to bring out the food when signaled by Lord Thesan. 

I watch the koi fish darting beneath the lily pads, in and out. Three mahogany furnished chairs are placed near the looking pool. Myself only a few strides from the nearest chair facing diagonally from me. I trace the grooves of the water pitcher as I think. One chair is for Lord Thesan, I assume another is for his lover, the captain, I believe who is known as Captain Aule. I think.

Shaking my head to clear it, I flick my eyes to the arching white doorway as voices echo and slippered feet move towards me. I straighten up, pulling my shoulder back a bit while bringing in my wings tightly to my body. Focusing my gaze to the reflection pool again, I wait. 

"I am glad you finally took me up on my offer," purrs the voice of the High Lord of Dawn. "You have managed to show up to my court after three centuries or so of dodging the offer."

"Well you can't really blame me," a smooth, masculine voice replies, "I didn't want to step into a place that will make me jealous. I won't ever want to return back to Cretea after staying here. I will be too fat and spoiled." A chuckle as all three males strides into the room. 

Lord Thesan appears as always. A well-fitting white tunic, embroidered complements his slender figure. Flowing soft brown pants ride low on his hips, and synching at his ankles in cuffs of walnut colored cuffs. His tan skin and dark hair flecked with gold, eyes rich with life. Hands intertwined, Captain Aule, walks in pace with the high lord. Handsome, the male has his free hand clasped on a fine sword belted at his waist. Medallion armor glinting in the after rays of the sunset. Mates, I think as I sniff the air, their scents mingling. I can smell the mating bond between them. Oh most definitely.

Then the ambassador. I catch myself staring at the male strides in. Strong, ivory feathered wings are held high as he prowls into the room. A lithe but muscular chest fills out his coin hued tunic, belted by a darker shaded sash that matches his freed hair that falls past his shoulders. Similar to LordThesan's frame, but that was where the similarities ended. This Seraphim is probably the tallest male I have ever seen. Lanky but unusually well-coordinated legs fitting charcoal pants, carry him along with the high lord and his mate. Sharp angles of his face break into a grin as he observes the room, hands shoved into his pockets.

"Intriguing," he whispers turning to take it all in. His emerald eyes meet my own of burning rosewood. Pausing, he blinks and tilts his head in curiosity, eyes roving over me, "extremely intriguing." My hands clutch the cool pitcher a bit tighter. The ambassador turns back to Lord Thesan and Aule, "I already wish to stay. I am taken with this marvelous Palace and view," he sweeps a slim hand out of one of his pockets and gestures to the view the open windows provide.

The golden glow from outside bounces and glimmers off of the reflection pool as all three take a seat. The High Lord's eyes flicker over to me, rich as freshly turned earth, and gives an inclination of his head, a signal of summons. Steadying the water pitcher in my clean hands, I walk over steadily. Halting at the side of his mate's chair as the High Lord sat in the middle of the other two males.

"Water, High Lord?" I ask, as loud as a breeze. He nods his head and I travel around to in front of him as three crystal glasses and a small table appears. Slowly I pour the water, being extra precautions as to not spill any and look like a fool.

A chilly prickle runs up my spine, causing my feathers to ruffle and wings to twitch.

  Someone's looking at my wings.

My shoulders drawback in defiance as I look up to meet the eyes of those who stare. I can feel their eyes roving my back. But as I raise my eyes, none of the elder males are watching me. The three are in deep conversation, a few chuckles and playful verbal jabs here and there. My lips tighten as I try to shake the feeling off, but it wouldn't leave me. Plaguing me as I step back and move behind the males, heading towards the window.

The wind ebbs and flows, carrying the Dawn Court's smell throughout the palace. Eucalyptus and fresh dew in the morning. A calming normality. But the hairs on the back of my neck still raise, something isn't right.

An object speeds towards the window, making a whistling sound as the projectile cuts through the air. I don't have any time to move. My eyes widen as a sharpened, metal feather shoots through the window and lodges into the right side of my stomach.

Instantly, pain encompasses my every thought. The feather barrier itself deep and begins to burn. Burn burn burn. The water pitcher slips from my hands and shatters on the ground into pieces. Water congregates around my feet as a thousand fire ants enter my skin at that point and then spit acid into my muscles. Destroying and eating my tendons.

 Ash.

 These feathers are somehow laced with some substance from the Ash trees. Oh and it's poisoned, definitely. Agony tears through me as I let out a scream as my raven wings flare out from behind me as I stagger, trying to find balance as the world around me tilts. My fingers grab hold of the window sill. I hear the mahogany chair legs screech as the three males jump from their chairs. Yell's ring and the screech of a sword being drawn echoes through the room. I am gasping and sweat runs down my back as blood trickles down the front of my dress. 

Red blooms and spreads below me in the water, circulating around my feet.

The Captain Aule appears next to me, the golden sword drawn from his side, poised for danger. Lord Thesan and the Ambassador also join him seconds later. The hand of my High Lord rests on my back, trying to stabilize me. I cough and look up at him, unable to form any words as the iron feather seems to bury itself deeper into my stomach. A whimper escapes my lips, where tears of fright and pain stream down my cheeks.

"Oh dear.." The High Lord pears at my wounds, his tanned face going starch white.

"Not now,  Thesan!" Captain Aule growls, hefting his sword higher, eyes darting through the sky. "This isn't safe, we must get the young one to safely."

I watch the sky, trying to hold onto consciousness. "Agreed," the Ambassador's face comes into my field of view, his face calm and almost soothing. His hazel eyes meeting mine again, reassuring me silently everything would be okay.

Something glints in the sky. Then another, and another. One metal arrow is joined by thousands. Hurtling towards the High Lord, Ambassador, and the Captain. I choke as I behold this gruesome sight. Ensured death. No back up was coming and we had no way to shield ourselves.

My knees give out. If this is how this will end. The Ash Feather twists one last time into my stomach. My vision flickers as I can't hold on much longer. I scream through my teeth, gritting them and close my eyes.

No. This wasn't enough. Fae are in danger. My High Lord. My friends here in the palace, Ophelia. My mother. Mother.

Breath hitching, my heart burns with heartache at what might-not-be, almost as hot as the feather in my side. My mouth moves in a silent prayer of one word.

Mother

A fiery burst radiates from me. But this fire, it's scarlet. Scarlet mixing with silver. Like water and blood. One but different.

The magic expands, covering and converging. I feel the thousands of feathers hit the shields. They sting, but I hold. I am stronger. I fight the pain spreading through my abdomen as the venom seems to spread. With one last thought, I lose consciousness.

Protect, I command.