A Court of Blood and Feathers

16

Branwenn

"Will no one let me sleep?" I groan as I approach Teagan.

The cocky bastard leans against one of the posts of my tent, "If the Mother wills it, Lieutenant Branwenn." He wiggles his dark blonde eyebrows.

He lets out a sharp whistle and my keen fae hearing picks up a far off crash.

My head whips in that direction and moments later, Wren bounds out of the snowed-in tree cover. He gives a small yip, for such a large hound, and skids to a stop in front of me. A tidal wave of freezing, powdery snow dusts me in the process. Wren settles himself, happily panting and slapping the ground with his muscled tail.

"What do you want, Teagan?" I look him over.

"Not even a thank you for the save that I sent you in the Rite?" He mocks, pretending to be offended.

Of course, he's right.

"Thank you," I let through my teeth. I'm not letting my guard down with this one. If what the rumors have been saying is true, that he is cunning and wants a trade for a favor, I need to be cautious. Especially with our history of his first day here.

"You're quite welcome, Lieutenant," he sketches a faint bow.

I wait.

"Ah," he says dryly, "so you really are onto me? See right through, huh?"I scoff, still not dignifying his tom-foolery with a response. It's not even worth it if he's going to demand repayment in the end. No use arguing or beating around the bush.

"Out with it," I snap, "I'm tired, cranky, and hungry. My patience has run out, Princeling."

"My my, aren't we wound tight."

"You would be too if you had just spent a week slaughtering and being hunted."

"Hmmm, I suppose so." He makes a circle around me, surveys me as if a prize. I give a warning snarly. Teagan clicks his tongue, "now now, Branwenn. I mean no harm. Just inspecting what all the courtiers in the Night court are gossiping about concerning you."

"Yes, I got your message about that. As well as your father and Cassian wanting me to gain a position amongst the court." Teagen stills.

"Ahhhh, yes. I had heard that my father is in camp. But he has not sought me out." Teagan runs a hand along the plaited dirty blonde hair that hangs over his shoulder. The color of the High Lady's hair I believe, or at least a lighter shade of it.

"I suppose being the middle child of the Night Court does warrant forgetting me in their daily agendas of checking on their offspring," Teagan shrugs as he references his lower status as opposed to his older brother, the crowned prince.

"Anyways, yes, something is stirring in the court. You."

I flick an eyebrow up at this, crossing my arms and trying to listen as my exhaustion continues to fight me. This is important, I must stay alert for this conversation.

"Any idea why?"

"Still checking into that, my sources are not close enough either with the information sources to know the exact reasoning. I just know there is some trouble in Prythian and they want to try and bring you up in the ranks as soon as possible to have your head and input."

I chew at my lip once more and nod, thinking on this information.

"Keep me updated?"

"For a price."

I glare, "can't you just rope that in with the asking of your help in the Blood Rite?"Somehow he has coaxed my too tired mind into talking, avoiding the final asking of the debt I owe him after this week. He seems to notice how my eyelids are bloodshot, my wings sagging from their usual alert and upright position, my posture drooping a bit more.