If She Had Known

Calanmai

Stay in your chamber.

Go. That wicked voice said, tugging at me. Go see.

The woods were darker and the paths more twisted than I remembered them being. My sight had been a million times better then, not to mention the ability to shape shift my eyes into ones that would allow me to see in the dark. I let the fires and the drums guide my way once again.

My stupid skirts and cloak billowed behind me as I half-ran to the clearing. Even the slightest possibility of seeing Rhysand again was enough to warrant Tamlin's ire. He would be angry with me for leaving, but I knew how to handle his anger.

Leaves and branches snapped and crunched under my feet as I neared. I wandered around the outskirts for a moment, searching for any familiar face. Until a voice spoke in a familiar way that only brought a chill to my bones.

"Human woman," the Fae spoke, a hand gripping my arm. "We've not seen one of you for a while."

I tried to yank my arm back, but he held my elbow firm. "What do you want?" I demanded, keeping my voice steady and cold. I knew exactly what he wanted.

The two faeries that flanked him smiled at me, and one grabbed my other arm — just as I went for my knife. "Just some Fire Night fun," one of them said, reaching out a pale, too-long hand to brush back a lock of my hair. I twisted my head away and tried to step out of his touch, but he held firm. My human strength was not enough, yet again. None of the faeries near the bonfire reacted — no one bothered to look.

There was no point in waiting or hoping for someone to save me. My luck had most likely run out. There was no guarantee Rhys would be here tonight, and I wasn't going to depend on that, especially after what the Suriel had said.

I yanked my arms in earnest. Their grip tightened until it hurt, and they kept my hands well away from my knives. The three of them stepped closer, sealing me off from the others. I glanced around, looking for any ally. For Rhys. The three faeries chuckled, a low hissing noise that ran along my body. Once again, I hadn't realized how far I stood from everyone else — how close I'd come to the forest's edge. "Leave me alone," I said, louder and angrier than I'd expected, given the shaking that was starting in my knees.

"Bold statement from a human on Calanmai," said the one holding my left arm. The fires didn't reflect in his eyes. "Once the Rite's performed, we'll have some fun, won't we? A treat — such a treat — to find a human woman here."

I bared my teeth. "Get your hands off me," I said, loud enough for anyone to hear.

One of them ran a hand down my side, its bony fingers digging into my ribs, my hips. I jerked back, only to slam into the third one, who wove his long fingers through my hair and pressed close. No one looked; no one noticed.

"Stop it," I said, but the words came out in a strangled gasp as they began herding me toward the line of trees, toward the darkness. I pushed and thrashed against them; they only hissed. One of them shoved me and I staggered, falling out of their grasp. The ground welled up beneath me, and I reached for my knives, but sturdy hands grasped me under the shoulders before I could draw them or hit the grass.

They were strong hands — warm and broad. Hands I might have known. Not at all like the prodding, bony fingers of the three faeries who went utterly still as whoever caught me gently set me upright.

"There you are. I've been looking for you." Said a deep, sensual male voice. My heart soared. But I kept my eyes on the three faeries, bracing myself for flight as the male behind me stepped to my side.

The three lesser faeries paled, their dark eyes wide.

"Thank you for finding her for me," my savior said to them, smooth and polished. "Enjoy the Rite." There was enough of a bite beneath his last words that the faeries stiffened. Without further comment, they scuttled back to the bonfires.