Chapter 57: Fifty-one

Time ceased to exist in the darkness. I wasn't sure if days or hours had passed since I'd last been let out. I always forgot that part of being locked up. The lack of time perception. In some aspects it made me feel like I was losing my mind. In others I was grateful. When you didn't know how much time had passed, you cared less about it.

I counted my meals as they came. Though, I wouldn't put it past the High Queen to order them to give it to me irregularly so I'd begin to lose track of time. Which I was. There wasn't much to do in the cell, I'd taken to drawing on the floors with stones and thinking about what Feyre and I's first trial could be. Amarantha was smart—as much as I hated to admit it. Someone who wasn't intelligent wouldn't be able to track the seven High Lords of Prythian into taking their thrones. I refused to underestimate her and be caught off guard. I needed to expect the worst.

Footsteps loomed from the corridor. I sat up in my cell, getting to my feet. I didn't bother to hide next to the door that time, after my run-in with Lucien I realized that the guards were so boring that they'd never try anything. Even if they did I was suited to defend myself. Since they still had yet to take my daggers. Honestly, were they just lazy? Did my show with the Attor when I'd first came here not convince them I could hold my own?

The door clicked and in came the guards. The one in the front made a move to grab me but I moved out of the way. I really wasn't in the mood to be manhandled, "Try to grab me again and you'll find that your hands have been cut off." I walked around the guard and out of the cell. The guards surrounded me. Blocking me in as we walked.

They practically herded me to the throne room like a lamb. The first thing I noticed as I walked into the room was my sister before the throne. I walked past the crowd that seemed to always be gathered here. I approached with my head held high, though my mind was racing as to why we were here. I stopped at the foot of the dais. Trying not to cringe at the faerie queen and her serpentine smile.

Amarantha clicked her tongue, still talking to my sister, "You look positively dreadful," she said to her before turning to Tamlin at her side, but his expression still remained impassive, "Wouldn't you say she's taken a turn for the worse?" He didn't reply. Didn't do anything but stare.

I was getting really sick of him just sitting there and letting Amarantha toy with us like dolls.

The angry troll looked at me then as if she was just noticing me, "You know," she mused, "I couldn't sleep last night, and I realized why this morning," she looked between us, "I don't know your names. If we three are going to be such close friends for the next three months, I should know your names, shouldn't I?"

Neither of us replied. I'd never give up my name to her.

"Come now, pets. You know my name—isn't it fair I know yours?" there was movement to my right and from my peripheral vision, I watched another Attor appear through the parted crowd. I'd make their species extinct someday. "After all," she waved a hand, her eye-ring reflecting the light of the room, "You've already learned the consequences of giving false names." Guilt ripped at me as I thought about Clare and Maya, still pinned to the wall.

"Rhysand," Amarantha called. Casual steps sounded from behind me. They stopped when they were beside me. He was close. So close I could feel the heat of his breath as he exhaled.

I saw him from the corner of my eye, his dark hair still shining like the night sky. He looked at Amarantha bowing at the waist. Even in the cramped room, I could still feel the power radiating from him in waves.

Amarantha lifted her brows, "Are these the girls you saw at Tamlins estate?"

Rhysand brushed an invisible speck of lint from his tunic before his studying gaze landed on me and then my sister. That was entirely rude, he definitely copied me with the lint. His eyes were bored—uninterested, "I suppose." he answered Amarantha.

"But did you or did you not tell me those girls," her toned sharpened as she pointed behind us to Clare and Maya, "Were the ones you saw?"

Rhysand stuffed his hands into his pockets and shrugged irreverently as he studied me, "Humans all look alike to me."

The dark queen gave him a menacing smile, "And what about faeries?"

Rhysand bowed again, "Among a sea of mundane faces, yours is a work of art."

I looked down, stifling my laugh and coughing to conceal the words, "suck up." only loud enough for Rhysand to hear. Rhysand released out an annoyed breath but didn't take his eyes away from Amarantha. I probably should have been scared about Rhysand's Daemati abilities, but for some off reason, I just couldn't hold myself back.

I knew he was lying when he told her he didn't know what we looked like. He had recognized me at the manor after Calanmai without a problem. And I was certain he recognized me after I held a knife to his groin and threatened to rob him of his favorite body part. But my question was more about why he would lie?

'    "What are their names?" Amarantha demanded of him.

"How would I know? They lied to me."

Her gaze found the two of us again, "If you're inclined to play games, then I suppose we can do this the fun way." she snapped her slender fingers, and the Attor off to the side of the crowd yanked someone out. Red hair glinted, and I narrowed my eyes as Lucien was pulled away.

Lucien thrashed in the Attors hold but was unsuccessful. Lucien was forced to his knees. The Queen flicked a finger in Rhysands direction, "Hold his mind." she commanded.

I was speechless. Lucien went utterly still as if he was caged by invisible bonds.

"Their names, emissary," Amarantha asked, Lucien begrudgingly glanced at Tamlin before squaring his shoulders to prepare himself.

Amarantha sighed, "I thought you would have learned your lesson, Lucien. Though this time your silence will damn you as much as your tongue. Lucien stayed silent, refusing to answer.

"Their names?" She asked Tamlin. He still didn't reply. Amarantha smiled and lifted a hand at Rhysand and he cocked his head. Rhysand seemed to focus and Lucien lurched.

"Danika." I started quietly yet I didn't lack confidence. I turned toward the queen and looked her up and down, silently scrutinizing her dress made of what I assumed to be pure rubies—it was a little theatrics, even for my taste, "A pleasure, I'm sure."

Amarantha narrowed her eyes and I had no doubt about how much she hated me. She looked at Feyre, "And your friend."

"Feyre." My sister answered for herself.

Amarantha nodded at the High Lord of the Night Court and he took a step back as he released his hold on Lucien's mind. Rhysand seemed to have more power than the others, I wondered if it was because he was in favor with Amarantha and she allowed him more power than the rest, or if he'd just been born with more power.

I watched as Lucien slumped to the ground taking large intakes of breath as he tried to gather himself but failed.

"Feyre. Danika." Amarantha spoke our names as if she were testing them on her tongue, "Old names—both from our older dialects." she hummed as she focused her attention on my sister, "Well, Feyre, I promised you a riddle." her lips tilted upwards, "Need I remind you your friend Danika isn't allowed to help."

I sighed angrily as I narrowed my eyes on Amarantha. I hated that if I were to fail the fate of Prythian would rest solely on Feyre's shoulders. I may have cracked under that pressure, I wished that Feyre didn't have to feel that.

"Solve this, Feyre, and you and your High Lord, and all his court, may immediately leave with my blessing. Let's see if you are indeed clever enough to deserve one of our kind." Amarantha's dark eyes glittered with ill-intent as she began to speak,

There are those who seek me for a lifetime but never we meet, And those who I kiss but trample me beneath ungrateful feet.

At times I seem to favor the clever and the fair, But I bless all those who are brave enough to dare.

By large, my ministrations are soft-handed and sweet, But scorned, I become a difficult beast to defeat.

For though each of my strikes lands a powerful blow, When I kill, I do it slow...

Amarantha repeated herself once more, and I memorized the riddle. I may not be able to help Feyre, but I can always subtlety hint at random moments...that's not helping, right?

Riddles were typically metaphorical, it was best to think outside the box. There are those who seek me in a lifetime but we never meet, And those who I kiss but trample me beneath ungrateful feet...I'd never really been very good at thinking abstractly. I was good at finding patterns. Estimating. Clues. Evidence. All the things I wasn't taught. Though my training seemed to lack solving riddles.

I felt a pair of eyes on me. Different from the others. I looked over to the edge of the crowd, seeing Rhysand with his head cocked as he stared at me. I narrowed my eyes, tilting my head as well, as we stared at each other.

I rolled my eyes at him before I turned back to the Queen. He confused me. Like a puzzle, I couldn't figure out.

Amarantha looked at the guards at the edge of the ballroom, jerking her chin at the two of us, "Take Feyre back to her rooms. Leave the other." Amarantha's eyes met mine and a feline smile spread across her face. I listened to the steps that loomed on the floor as my sister was escorted out of the ballroom. My eyes had never left the evil queens as I heard the loud boom of the doors closing.

"Need something?" I asked.

Amarantha's smile was unfaltering, "You're required tonight."

All traces of humor faded from my mind, my expression turning cold as ice, "And what entertainment will I be providing?" that was our deal. I provide entertainment in exchange for my sister being treated as a guest here.

"I figured I'd make a show of your...fighting capabilities. You'll go up against the people of my choosing." Amarantha leaned forward in her chair, "they won't kill you, of course. Only seriously harm."

"And can I kill them?" I questioned.

She hummed leaning back in her chair once again, "If you get that far. My guests are fair game."

"What a merciful ruler you are. Sacrificing your subjects to a mortal."

An amused look crossed Amarantha's face as her lips curled up, "I guess we'll have to see who comes out of the fight on their feet."

And we would.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

A/N: OMG