A Court of Smoke and Shadows (An ACOTAR sequel fanfic)

Chapter 19 - Aftermath

Cassian and Rhysand had winnowed into the camp hours ago to meet with the commanders and to survey the damage as the siblings had traipsed through the forest. They collapsed now, as a pair, into the plush cushions of the simple sofa in the cabin reserved for the commanders and higher ups.

"How are you both?" Rhysand asked, pausing in his letter writing to survey his children.

Gabriel dragged a dirty hand down his muddy face. "Alive." he murmured.

Beside him Rhiannon fought to keep her eyes open. Tiredness dampened the grudge she still held against her parents.

A clatter and the scrape of a chair sounded as Rhysand moved to sit in front of them. "I'm glad." he said seriously.

Gabriel sighed, "You said there were other attacks?"

His father nodded, steepling his slender fingers beneath his chin. "In all courts. The same demands were made, the High Lords are in outrage. A few towns were completely destroyed. We're having a meeting in two nights to discuss it."

Rhiannon's lolled with sleep and she startled awake, "He's looking for me." she blurted drowsily.

Her father reached out and squeezed her hand, "We don't know that. It might not be related to your prophecy."

"I think it is." Rhiannon whispered, "I tried to open the lock you put today and I think a little bit leaked out."

Rhysand stilled, "What do you mean Rhiannon?"

"I mean some power escaped and I felt it." she explained. "And it felt right." she added pointedly.

Her father frowned. "You should not have been able to unlock it."

Rhiannon straightened in her seat, "But I did." she said proudly, then promptly deflated as she remembered she was the cause of this afternoon's carnage.

Her father considered her, "Whether or not your power leak was the cause, it doesn't change the fact that there are beings even I have not encountered before looking for something." He sighed and rubbed his temples. Rhiannon had never seen him look so old or weary.

"If these beings are as old and powerful as you say, and Rhiannon's power is supposed to be more than even you have seen, shouldn't we let her try?" Gabriel asked.

"You would see me turn your sister into a weapon?" Rhysand asked, his voice cold, "No."

"Papa I might be able to help! You weren't there this afternoon, you didn't see what he did, how many of us died." Rhiannon reasoned, her voice faded into nothing as she remembered the burning bodies and screams of pain.

Her father gazed at her with the same eyes she saw in the mirror every morning. They tightened in sorrow, "I saw alright. They also attacked the Court of Nightmares. I was there. Thank the Cauldron your mother was at home with Mor."

Rhiannon gasped. Gabriel thumped the arm of the sofa, startling his sister. "They will pay for this." He growled.

Rhysand turned to his son, "They will. But we need to find out more about them first."

Rhiannon swallowed, "You don't mean Azriel is..." her voice trailed off at her father's pained look. "You sent him to follow that thing." Her chest tightened painfully. Should anything happen to him, oh mother, she couldn't breathe.

"He knows to be careful." Cassian assured from his perch near the crackling fire.

Rhiannon whipped her head towards him, "He could be killed!" she hissed.

Cassian's fist tightened, "I know. He knows. He knew when he agreed to go."

"He is your friend!" she surged from the sofa to confront her mentor, "How can you be OK with this?"

Cassian stared at her sadly, "I'm not OK with it, no one is. But he's the only one with the skills." he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Trust him to return." He gave her a squeeze. Rhiannon's eyes burned. She was too tired, she could feel her emotions start to fray.

"Get washed up and get some rest, we'll discuss this more in the morning. We'll be staying the night." Their father rose and returned to his seat behind the wooden desk.

Mixed emotions swirled within her as she surveyed her father. Anger for locking her powers away and sending Azriel to track that monster, understanding that he did so to protect her and his people, and guilt that she may have caused the chaos today. Gabriel hauled himself onto his tired feet and herded his sister out of the room. She could hear her father's and Cassian's deep voices murmuring behind the simple wood door as they continued to discuss the events of today and its consequences.

"I didn't mean to cause this." Her lower lip trembled and she bit it to make it stop. "Maybe if I wasn't born they would still be alive." she whispered.

Gabriel ruffled the top of her head, just like when they were children. "Don't blame yourself. Your power is rightfully yours. Those warriors died bravely and in battle. It is what they train for." He said gruffly. "Now get washed, you stink like a horse's arse."

She snorted, "Like wise." She appreciated her brother trying to lighten the mood, but the worry and fear from today still sat like a stone in her belly. That night she fell asleep to nightmares of a white haired creature, burning white flames, and blackened lands that stretched all the way to the seas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yaaaas Rhysand and Cassian are back! It's challenging writing the scenes where Rhys has to be a father. I feel that he would be super caring and empathetic, and listen to his children. Rhiannon especially, seems to have a good relationship with him....not so much with her mother.

Our poor girl thinking about if she's the cause of this creature's arrival. Vote and keep reading to find out if she is! Thank you so much for the ongoing support! For those who are new, welcome, and I hope you enjoy my fanfic series!