Ruler of Shadows

Chapter 12 - Rhysand

Cauldron. This Illyrian girl's wings... not to mention the other wounds on her body. She was covered in scars, each more gruesome than the last.  In all of my years, I don't think I've ever seen anything like this.

She was standing over something, trying to shield it. My heart stopped when I realized it was a body. It was a young Illyrian male, from the looks of it. He was fit, and looked dangerous. Except for the fact that his face was twisted in agony.  There were obvious signs of torture all over his body. It was horrifying.

The female was in a similar state. Not to mention the fact that she looked like all life had been sucked out of her.  She looked around in a panic, noting each of us coldly, as she assessed us with the eye of a warrior. She was breathing heavily.

My talons caressed her mental shield. They were like Azriel's. They weren't solid, but a darkness, seemingly made of shadows. Shadowsinger.

I had thought that they were all dead, except for Azriel.  Az had a strong shield, but ultimately, I could break in.  The female, on the other hand, had an impenetrable shield.

I stayed mostly quiet and watched the girl. She had golden blonde hair, not unlike Mor's. She had beautifully tanned skin, and bright blue eyes. She was pretty, I suppose, but with Feyre, I didn't care for those things at all.

She only made it a few steps inside before passing out. Before that, she made sure to annoy Azriel with a few snarky comments. I couldn't help but snort at that. It had taken me a few months before I wasn't scared of him, and that was when he wasn't actively trying to kill me with his eyes. I had to admit, the girl was brave. Insane, but brave. It didn't hurt that she was as sarcastic as me. I couldn't help but think that this could be the start to a great friendship.

******

I watched as she snuggled into Azriel's chest.  My eyebrows rose when he laughed.  Did Az like this girl?  He wasn't being his usual quiet self, but that may be because of today, whatever it was.  I had no idea why he was always pissy this time of year.  He usually got drunk.  Usually he mutters one thing over and over. Ariah.  I didn't know who she was.  This had happened a while ago, and I had looked for her, but quickly gave up.

Even though Az tried to hide it, he seemed to care for the new girl.

Stop playing matchmaker Rhys. It's weird that you're acting like me. So, stop. Feyre hissed through the bond. I chuckled.

Now you're acting like me. Feyre gave a gasp of horror.

How dare you say that to me. You just insulted your High Lady. Off with your head!

But Feyre darling, if I was dead, who would -

Don't. Finish. That. Sentence.

I snorted. Females could be so prickly.

I heard that!  Feyre snarled at me through the bond. You can deal with the girl and boy by yourself. With that, she closed our bond.

I stifled a chuckle as a I stood and stretched. The girl was still passed out. The healers has looked over her, and one of the more experienced ones nearly vomited, until Madja came. Her arm was crushed in places, ankles snapped, shoulder dislocated, three cracked ribs, multiple lacerations, marks from fetters and magic suppressing cuffs, a punctured lung, and traces of faebane in her system. There was also signs that showed someone had tried to heal her in a hurry, before inflicting more damage. Before, she was suppressing the pain. Pain was in the head and nerves. Being a daemati, she could technically shut down most of the pain. I figured she was daemati because no mere Shadowsinger was that powerful.

Even though I was acting like Feyre, I couldn't help but feel like pushing Az and the girl closer.  He had been in love with Mor for centuries, whilst she basically ignored him and treated him as a friend. But I always thought his love for her was strange. When looking at her, he looked almost wistful, as if he was thinking about something he missed. It happened often, but around Mor a lot.

I was worried for my brother. First this apparent "Ariah" depression, then his sad love life, and all the stress from Hybern. Most of his spies in Hybern were killed before he could call them back. I knew he was still pissed about that, and blamed himself.

                                   ******

"The blood of my mate."  Wait. She needs the blood of her mate to cure her of poison?  That doesn't make any sense. And she knows who her mate is. I look at her with pity. I know exactly what she's going through. Although it seems to have been a long time, from the look on her face. And since she hasn't been with her mate in a while, then that means that Azriel and her could definitely be together. Thank the Cauldron that works. Except for the fact that she's dying.

She needs to find her mate. I don't trust her to go alone. She seems trustworthy, but I can tell that she's hiding something. And no one just has immensely powerful mental shields that can block me out. I can tell Az isn't convinced either. I'm worried that Az will fall for her, and then discover whatever she's hiding. That would truly break him.

Then again, as my esteemed Inner Circle has told me time and time again, I seem to have a certain flair of dramatics.  I'm sure this girl, ahem, woman, can't be that bad.

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967 words.