A Court of Scars and Steel (Completed)

Chapter 21 - Feyre

The moment we are spit out onto the field I know where we are. Erilea. There's no other place that makes sense.

And the moment the blonde hair blue eyed man steps out, I recognize him as Aelin's cousin Aedion. So then we're in Terrasen. At least we didn't portal near Morath.

"Who are you?" Aedion demands. He's staring straight at Rhys and I, as if expecting we're the leaders.

Tamlin, unfortunately, steps forward, growling, "We are the High Lords of Prythian..."

Thankfully, Aelin steps forward, mumbling, "Aedion?"

Aedion abruptly swivels towards her, eyes going wide. "Aelin?"

She nods, and I fight back my smile as Aedion scoops her up into a huge hug. Aelin deserves this reunion.

Tamlin and Beron, on the other hand, are fuming, but we can deal with them later.

"But how? Rowan felt the bond server," Aedion whispers softly, scanning Aelin's face.

Aelin winces. "I'll tell you later. Where is he?" He who? I then scan the sea of faces around us, picking out Ansel, Lysandra, a couple of the cadre, and a few others.

I suddenly realize who's missing as Aedion asks too innocently, "Where is who?" Aedion asked.

I can tell immediately something is wrong, and it has to do with Aelin's mate.

"Where is Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius?" Aelin demands, having reached the same conclusion.

Aedion's gaze shifts away from her face, still trying not to tell his cousin.

"Where is my husband?" Aelin pleads, her voice breaking. "Where is my mate?"

I grin as all the High Lords besides Rhys suck in a sharp breath. "Mate..." Helion murmurs, and I can tell he's probably the closest to putting the pieces together.

Aedion swallows nervously, pointing behind him to the lone figure holding a shield of ice and wind between Morath and Terrasen, giving Aelin's frazzled army time to regroup.

"All of us tried to stop him. But I think... I think that he would have rather died than lose another mate. But he knew you would curse his *ss out of h*ll if he died without helping us, so he decided to go out with a bang." Aedion winces. "We tried to stop him, Aelin."

All the High Lords try not to either laugh (Beron and Tamlin) or shudder (everyone else) as they realize Aedion is more afraid of Aelin's wrath than Rowan's.

"How long has he been holding the line?" Aelin demands, fear resonant in her voice.

"Six hours," Aedion breathes. I gasp. Six hours. That's as long as any of the High Lords can, maybe longer. Aelin really wasn't overestimating his powers.

"Don't go..." Aedion whispers futilely.

"Like h*ll I will," Aelin growls. "That immortal bastard has a thing or two to learn about self sacrifice."

Rhys and I wince at the irony of that, Tarquin giving us a weird look. He doesn't know about Aelin's first sacrifice or the upcoming one.

"Aelin we just lost you don't..."

Aelin ignores her cousin, drawing the sword from her back. I grin. Those poor High Lords. I wonder if any of them will faint if they get the chance to feel any part of Aelin's power.

"What could you do?" Tamlin snorts from nearby. "You're a mere mortal woman."

The entire Inner Circle chokes, Aelin's court, including Aedion, turning away to hide their laughs.

It was the woman who I had identified as Ansel who drawled, "This 'mere mortal woman'," she mocked, "could beat your *ss without even shifting."

Aelin's court doubles over laughing, my court barely resisting doing the same thing. If Aelin can beat Cassian... there's almost no doubt in my mind she could beat Tamlin in human form.

I laugh as Aelin shifts. All the High Lords except for my husband and Helion stumble back in shock. So Helion suspected the shift.

A power rumbles from the darkness, a behemoth rising. Tamlin and Beron swear. It's Aelin's for sure.

Her power even unnerves me a little bit, especially considering I have no doubt that this isn't even her full might.

Aelin full-on sprints towards her mate. It would have been quicker if she asked one of us to winnow her, but I remember that Aelin hates winnowing.

Gradually, Aelin's figure dwindles to a stick on the horizon as she approaches her mate. I can't really tell what happens, but suddenly fire flares in the distance.

Terrasen's army picks up the call "The queen has come!" "Aelin has come!" as it unleashed itself onto Morath.

Tamlin gapes in shock. Aedion looks at us. "Who are you?"

I step forward before Tamlin can do something rash and stupid. "We're from another world called Prythian. Aelin portaled from Maeve's to the Night Court, which is where my mate and I reside. We found her and helped her."

Rhys picks up. "Rulers from around the world had gathered to discuss a threat to us called Hybern, who Aelin called Orcus."

Aedion swears colorfully, as does the rest of Aelin's court. "A second Valg King." Aedion looks at us worriedly. "Did she mention anyone named Mantyx?"

Rhys smiles. "She said he must still be stuck in his home realm."

Some of the tension releases from Aedion. "Come with me," he says. "I'll bring you back to the palace. We can talk more later."

My court exchanges a glance. We do not flee. Aedion sees our looks and grins. "Unless you would prefer to help?"