A Court of Ash and Fire

Chapter Twenty

Aelin glided down the steps, feeling like the queen she was. Her hand on the barrister to keep her balanced on her delicate golden heels, she relished in the feel of everyone's eyes on her. She especially enjoyed the shock written across the Night Court's faces.

Once at the ballroom, Helion swept her into a smooth dance. "So, Aelin," he said, his hand on her waist. "How are you enjoying the ball?"

Aelin plastered on a saccharine smile. "You are an asshole. How did you find out?"

Helion chuckled. "Ouch, milady. Rhysand said to be on the lookout for a turquoise-and-gold-eyed female with a reputation for setting things on fire." His lips brushed her ear. "Of course, just changing the colour of your hair wouldn't be enough to disguise yourself."

Aelin hummed. "I agree, though, perhaps I have another way of escaping." The hand she had on his shoulder pressed her diamond dagger into his neck. "Let me leave, Helion. Though you have been kind to me, there is no way I can trust you. You bought Rhysand here."

Helion let out a wicked laugh, twirling her so her skirts billowed out around them. "His High Lordness has promise a night of none-violence. So, maybe I am trustworthy."

Aelin stared up into his handsome face, contemplating his words. She slowly bought the dagger down from his throat, her hand hidden by his should-length hair. "Fine," she hissed. "But I'm leaving tomorrow."

Helion rolled his eyes, dipping her as the final note sung, clear and loud. "As you wish."

"May I cut in?"

Aelin tensed as Helion inclined his head towards Rhysand, who swept Aelin up into his arms without another word.

"Nice to see you again, Aelin," Rhysand purred, his arm on her waist like a vice.

Aelin pinched his shoulder. "Can't say I feel the same way about you, I'm afraid."

"What a shame. We had such an enjoyable time at the Night Court."

He spun her away from his body, then tucked her against him. She bared her elongated canines at him. "Let me go."

Rhysand dipped his head closer, inspecting her teeth. "What odd canines you have. Why are they so long?"

Aelin ran her tongue over them, a poisonous smile growing. "So I can rip out people's throat easier," she said innocently.

Rhysand chuckled. "You know, if you weren't a criminal, perhaps we could've been friends."

"I don't think so. I pick friends very carefully."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

Aelin raised a brow. "All of my friends don't leave bruises on their dance partner's waists."

Rhysand loosened his grip slightly. "Just speak to me," he said quietly. "And I will let you go."

Aelin opened her mouth to snarl a reply when someone screamed.

~

Aelin ripped herself from Rhysand gripped, her diamond dagger back in her hand as they both whirled to face the ballroom stairs. At the top were three Valg, shadows rippling from their bodies like blood in water.

Guests disappeared into shadow as the Valg descended into the chaos, stabbing and slicing whatever they could reach. Adrenaline kicking in, Aelin hitched up the skirts of her dress and sprinted to the nearest Valg. It had cornered a group of females, who were cowering against a wall.

Aelin launched herself into the air and sliced the Valg's head clean off it shoulders using her blade, which was alight with white-hot fire. Black blood sprayed, but she was already moving onto the next one. Fae were shooting bursts of magic at it, but to no avail. Once she was directly behind the Valg, she propelled herself up and over it's head, carving its skull into two.

She whirled onto the third and final creature, who turned to her with a horrid screech. She let it run at her, and when it was within reaching distance, shoved her palm against its gaping mouth.

Fire erupted from its ears and eyes, the Valg contorting as she forced her flame into it. It let out one final, shrill scream as she disintegrated it into a pile of steaming ash.

Aelin panted, turned to face the remaining Fae. Blood leaked down her face, splattered and ruined her beautiful dress.

"What are you?" Feyre whispered.

Aelin lifted her chin. "I am Aelin Galathynius."