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"I am not yours, I am my own and I do not belong to anyone."
Quiet Whispers and Wild Hearts
~
During the night I'd spent a couple of hours intricately telling vines and Elain's favourite flowers to curl and curve around her window frame, just as a little extra apology.
The next day I got called into the study room by Rhysand and Feyre, as well as Amren, Mor, Cassian, Azriel and Kaleb. I thought it was odd how they called in the inner circle as well as me, but I didn't speak of it as I entered and everyone was already in there.
I perched on the side of the couch where Kaleb was sitting, everyone else finding surfaces for themselves to sit on. Feyre sat behind the desk and Rhys leant against her chair, they were wearing High Lord and Lady attire.
"There will be a High Lady and Lord meeting at Tarquin's house in the next four days. Everyone has agreed to attend." Rhysand spoke and a couple's of eyes slid to me.
I wasn't surprised, if my father was attending then they would naturally inform me. But what came out of Feyre's mouth next was what I ddint expect. "You're all invited."
I blinked and me and Kaleb exchanged a look. It looked like he was thinking the same. Facing my father in a meeting and showing up with The Night Court? That will cause even more complicated family drama.
I won't let him deter me from my life. I won't let him dictate it anymore. He proved he doesn't love me, so I won't let him affect what I will and won't do. "I'll go." I admitted and Rhys and Feyre's eyes softened as they nodded.
Everyone knew what this meant to me, even Azriel sent me a look that was blank but there was something warm there. Me going would mean revealing my presence as Tamlin's daughter, unless I wished to keep it secret. All those High Lords and Lady's know nothing of my existence.
Everything felt so sudden and for some reason I felt like I was running out of time, what for, I have no damn idea. But there is a nagging in my the back of my mind, as if I'm under pressure.
Somethings not right. I don't know why or how I know, but something is off. I can't explain it, but my heart started beating quicker and I felt cold sweat begin forming on the back of my neck. I didn't even notice as everyone else began talking about this meeting, trying to figure out what it could be about or why The High Lord of Summer called it.
Kaleb nudged my thigh, nothing my stern expression. "What's wrong?" He mouthed as I looked down to meet his blazing blue eyes.
The pit of my stomach twisted and turned as if the butterflies there were going wild. I shook my head, something nagging at my gut. "Nothing." I mouthed back, trying not to think too much of his large hand that patted my knee, as if sensing my lie.
"Acacia." A voice called and I blinked, concentrating on Cassian's face that was suddenly in my view, a questioning look on his features.
"Sorry, what was the question?" I asked, my pointed ears tinting pink in embarrassment.
Cassian stepped out of the way and I spotted The Blue Rose on Feyre's desk had suddenly wilted. Guilt flooded through me and I waved my hand; the pretty flower coming back to life and sitting straight again.
"We know this will be difficult for you." Rhysand said, assuming the wilting of the flower was from my sudden change of mood because of my father. "It's completely up to you and even whilst we're there you'll be free to leave at any given moment."
I nodded in appreciation, looking out the window behind Feyre. Something still stirred inside my heart and I fought the urge to sigh.
Just then, a tremble rattled through my body and the winds outside picked up, rocking the leaves and grass. I frowned, being the only one who noticed it, and rushed over to the window. I felt something bubbling inside me and I opened the window, allowed the breeze to float through and whisper to me.
I breathed heavily as the wind sighed 'help'. Something was happening to nature, something I can feel but can't determine. I sprinted off and out the room, ignoring the shouts and calls of the inner circle as I fled the house.
The trees and plants that filtered through the city all seemed to be nervous moving, vines twining together as if they were hanging on for fear life. What was going on? Nothing seemed amiss, the city still seemed beautiful and active as always but there was something underlining that perhaps only I could feel.
I wandered over to the nearest tree and pressed my hands against it, able to feel down to the roots and up to the branches with just this one touch. Something was seriously wrong. The tree was weak and fragile and I was worried it would blow over with the slightest wind.
The texture was different and so was the aura, and then it hit me. It hit me so suddenly I stepped back, distantly hearing calls of my name behind me.
My lip trembled and my body shook as I turned around, staring into the eyes of Feyre who reached out to me. I took a step back, feeling everything rush through me as if it was-
Poison.
"They're dying." I muttered, my heart clattering against my rib cage unevenly. The winds picked up slightly and it continued sighing against my ears, whispering for help that I didn't know how to give.
"Who?" Rhysand suddenly spoke up, his eyes firm as if he knew what I was talking about. "Who's dying?"
