A Court in Flames

Chapter 4

Aelin's POV

By now the moment I woke up from my unconsciousness I remembered that I was pregnant. Although, it did somewhat ease things up. He seemed to want the baby to survive the pregnancy which I didn't quite understand, but was thankful for.

And after another pain-filled day, the man came up to me again.

"Hello, Aelin, darling." I mustered the strength to snarl at him.

"Now, now. That's no way to treat me. Do you know what day it is?"

I just made my face say, 'How the heck would I know, you've had me trapped here for months'.

"It's Yulemas, today. Which means that I'll give you one thing. Now think carefully because there are some things I cannot give you."

He was giving me something? My head screamed that this was a trap, but if it wasn't- And I just turned it down. If it is a trap then he can't do much worse.

"What happens if I ask for something you can't give?"

"Then you've wasted your gift."

"I want you to swear that you will never ever harm my child, in any way. Never."

"I swear that as long as you don't try to escape, I won't harm your child, in any way." He then proceeded to cut his hand. A blood promise.

I nodded in satisfaction and then he started erasing the memories again and as he reached the end of the day someone entered.

"This is an urgent matter."

"What is it?"

The person whispered in his ear and I was forgotten as he left the room in a hurry and I hugged this one memory. It'd be taken away sooner or later. I pushed it to the back of my mind so he would never find it. So I could remember I had a child and I'd remember it forever.

Rowan's POV

My mind was focused only on finding my mate and bringing her home. 

The castle had grown quiet over the months Aelin had been gone. I was tempted to start searching for her by myself, but I had sworn that I would protect Terrasen and since Lysandra had stopped pretending to be Aelin and we'd announced what had happened to the world. We were in constant fear of being attacked.

No. I would protect Terrasen so that when Aelin returned she'd find her kingdom safe.

"Any sign of her," I asked Fenrys while I continued my walk through Orynth.

"Not yet. But, we'll find her, Rowan. And we'll bring her home. Almost all of the kingdoms are searching for her now."

"Good," I told him.

"But, everyone's taking a break for today."

"Why," I growled while fury built in my chest. Our Queen was gone and people are taking a break.

"Rowan. Have you lost track of time? It's Yulemas of course, people are taking a break to spend time with their families. You need a break, too, Rowan. You're stressed."

"I can't. My mate needs me."

"Rowan. She needs you to be strong and take care of her kingdom. She escaped Maeve by herself. I think she'll be able to escape whoever this is, too."

"I'm not taking that chance."

"Fine! Elide and Lorcan are coming to visit. So you better show up." I just rolled my eyes.

"I don't care." Fenrys just smiled sadly at me before walking off back to the palace.

My cloak just continued to be blown behind me as I continued my brisk walk through the mostly empty streets.

I'd lost Lyria I couldn't lose Aelin. I remembered the time Maeve had stolen Aelin away. She'd already been captured for longer than she had been with Maeve. My anger built with each passing day she was held captive and the longer I stayed in Orynth the more I longed to search for her myself. But, I knew I wouldn't rest until I found her if I went. And Terrasen needs a protector. For Aelin I would stay behind to protect her kingdom.

Lysandra's POV

"Elide! You made it!" We hugged while Lorcan came in carrying all of their luggage. "And if it isn't Lord Lorcan Lochan." He just rolled his eyes and continued past me while Elide laughed.

"I'm so glad to see you, Lysandra."

"It's good to see you, too." We started walking towards the sitting room.

"It's terrible what happened to Aelin, isn't it? I've had all of the soldiers in Perranth searching for her."

"It is. We only got her back ten years ago. And now she's disappeared again. Reckless idiot. The guy who got her probably threatened one of us." Elide smiled.

"You're probably right. I mean, there is no way in hell that she would let anyone just take her away like that unless she didn't have a choice. But we have wonderful news. I'll tell you later when everyone is together."

When we reached the sitting room we found Aedion and Fenrys already waiting for us. Lorcan and Aedion were in an intense staring match while Fenrys just looked bored.

"Cut it out." Elide scolded Lorcan and he looked at her with a smile on his face. "Where's Rowan?"

"The idiot's been too busy sulking around, didn't even realize that it was Yulemas," Fenrys said.

"While that might be true, I'm still here. And I don't appreciate you calling me an idiot, pup." That comment resulted in an intense staring match between the two and ultimately Fenrys looked away first.

"So, Elide. Now that we're all here, mind sharing your news?" I smiled sweetly while placing my head in my hands and my elbows on my knees.

Elide looked around nervously, before sharing a look with Lorcan. "I'm pregnant."

I stood up. So that's what that change in scent was. A smile bloomed on my face, "Congratulations!" Elide smiled, too.

"Thank you. We're really excited."

"How far along?" Aedion asked breathlessly.

"Three months."

"Now, wait a second. Why am I the last of all our friends to get pregnant?" I said, rounding on Aedion, who spat out the drink he had in his hand.

"Aelin isn't pregnant. And neither is Manon," Aedion said as he tried to get out of the awkward situation.

"We don't know that. As you know, Aelin isn't here and neither is Manon so we can't exactly ask them," I drawled as I examined my nails.

"Aelin's not pregnant." When I turned towards Rowan I saw that his face had drained of colour.

Oh. Right. Lyria.

"Anyway... Why, Aedion?" I asked and turned around only to find that he'd vanished. "Huh? Guess I'll just have to corner him later to find out that answer."

Elide laughed before the door flew open revealing Manon, Dorian, Chaol, Yrene and Josefin.

"Hey, we can figure out one of the questions!" I shouted and Lorcan groaned.

Dorian just looked confused, "Did we miss something?"