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

Chapter 37 - Dummy

Daughter of Night....
                             
            Find him.......
                                                  Free him.....
Rhiannon groaned as she awoke, her head pounding and mouth bone dry. She opened her eyes to slits before hissing against the bright sunlight that flooded through the windows of her room. She blinked slowly as her eyes adjusted, hoping that her whole experience in the past few weeks with the horrific creatures and Draconis was all just a fantastical nightmare and she was still nice and snug cuddled up to Azriel in Velaris.

After a few moments of hopeful wishing, pinching, and a light slap to her face, reality sunk in and Rhiannon flopped face down into a pillow. She felt fuzzy, like her mind was coated in a layer of the snow that constantly fell outside the castle walls. Running her fingers through her hair she frowned as she tried to remember the most recent events but could only draw up the memory of finding Azriel in that dark, damp cave.

Azriel.

Rhiannon launched from the bed and wrenched open her closet looking for something practical to wear. She tore through the gauzy gowns and chiffon skirts before her fingers grazed leather. With a whoop of triumph she staggered around the room yanking up her new leather trousers. She winced as she buttoned up the waist, no Illyrian training for a few weeks really showed. She yelped when her toe collided with the wooden post of her bed as she frantically wrestled her way through a shirt. Hobbling around the room, she managed to finally jam on soft leather boots that laced up to her calf. There was no jacket to match her ensemble so she settled on a short coat, she presumed was for riding. Finally dressed she set out on her next mission, to find a weapon.

Thirty minutes and an apple later she found nothing. Rhiannon sighed, threading her silver hair into a neat braid that snaked down her back. At least she could whip someone in the face with it. Plus she had had decent training with Tyrus in hand to hand combat.

A distant memory of a blood slicked marble floor and shredded wings tugged at her memory and she frowned at the gruesome thought. But the more she tried to chase it the more it slipped from her grasp. She sighed, this place was driving her crazy. Rhiannon wrenched her bedroom door open and strode into the now not so empty hallway. She reeled back in surprise at the scattered number of monstrous ilk that now roamed the halls, flames burst from her fingertips in defence. They guttered when she realised none paid attention to her and carried on with their duties. She stiffled a shocked laugh, they were all dressed in servants livery. She cast her eyes over the odd scene noticing that some were similar to the leathery monsters that had invaded Velaris. Her stomach tightened and her veins itched as a tide of magic urged by reminiscent anger rolled over her.

"Your majesty," A cool, quiet voice startled her.

Rhiannon turned to the source of the address, heart thumping heavily. Monsters dressed in clothes didn't change what they were. Her eyes widened at the slim figure cloaked in shadows, a wraith or something similar to Nuala and Cerridwen.

Nuala and Cerridwen.

A lump formed in her throat. She hoped that Azriel's two spies had survived the attack on Velaris. How many others had fallen?

Rhiannon cleared her throat. "Yes?" she asked the barely corporeal form that seemed to float next to her. Glowing eyes like the embers of a forge blinked.

"Breakfast is ready in the dining room. His majesty has ordered you join him." The translucent figure bowed gracefully.

Rhiannon arched a brow so high it may have disappeared into her hairline. "Ordered me to have breakfast." Her tone as icy as the frozen lakes in the Winter Court. "We'll see about that," she seethed. "Well, lead the way." Rhiannon snapped, flames sparking at her fingertips before they dissipated in a flash.