I awoke with a jolt atop the horse, my legs aching and sore. Immediately my eyes scanned my surroundings, taking in the details of where we rode. Searching for enemies. Defining features.
And within a breath, it came flooding back. Remembering the last few--hours? Days?
I looked to the sky, finding the sun bearing down atop us very high. It could have been less than a day. Maybe more. That didn't help.
I turned toward the wretched faerie who strode in front of us, about to shout at the creature when I heard the merry chatter of birds in the trees. It had been winter in the mortal lands. It's a two-day journey from the woods and past the wall into Prythian.
That bastard kept me asleep for two days?
I had used to be better at resisting the effects of magic. Never fully could I rid myself of them, but I could hold it off for a few minutes at least, long enough to get away from a bad situation.
But, I had never felt magic that strong before. Only furthering my theory that I was in deep, deep shit.
I sat upright, looking over to the white horse carrying Feyre instinct. My sister was already looking around too, her head tipped back, lips parted as she took in the now green area around us. She must have just woken, too.
A large metal gate lay straight ahead, already widening for our entrance.
Dark and looming, part of me thought it looked like a sort of prison. A pretty prison, nonetheless.
As we neared, the gates swung open with a soft creak and the beast continued on toward the structure at the end. Whether I wanted her to or not, my horse followed.
âââ · ãï¾â: *.â½ .* :âï¾. âââ
The estate was sprawled across rolling green lands. If there had been any doubt in my mind before, now there was none that this was Spring Court.
The estate was giant, even our old manor could never compare to this. It was littered with roses and ivy. Bursts of color everywhere I looked. The yards were covered in gardens with vibrant flowers and plants.
Elain might very well die of happiness if she saw this place.
There were patios and balconies and staircases. Enough for hundreds of people.
How many people did live here? It had to be an entire village.
The grounds were encased in woods that stretched as far as the eye could see. Shadowed woods that contrasted the light and vibrance I had seen so far.
It was all so.... colorful. I cringed. Feyre would love it here, Elain would too. But me? I felt overwhelmed. I had never been a fan of too much color. When it came to my room at the academy, I had tried to keep it classy and elegant. Tasteful in a way that matched the energy of those around me.
This would take some getting used to.
What truly caught my attention was the fact for a place with so much warmth, it was utterly silent. Empty.
Of course, there is the fact it could be magic. The beast could be glamouring the people here and we'd never even know it. That seemed like the most viable option seeing as these lands were thousands of yards long and unless the beast did the yard work himself (which didn't seem like the case) I was definitely being glamoured. Asshole.
Before we had begun our walk towards the estate, we had quickly left the horses at the stable. Tying them up and not bothering with anything further. I was sad to leave Amaris. It was odd to be attached to a horse so quickly. But Amaris somehow made me feel safe, like home. It was...unsettling.
We finally neared the main doors to the house, walking on a gravel pathway through one of the many, many gardens.
The unnatural silence was bizarre. It was as if it was night and the world had gone to sleep, leaving only the quiet as company. Not that I minded. I much prefered silence over the mindless babbling of crowds.
The faerie meandered ahead, leaping up the grand marble staircase leading to the large oak doors of the house. They swung open for him on silent hinges and he prowled inside, claws making a small noise against the polished stone of the floor.
The beast had probably kept us unconscious so we had no idea where we were or how to escape. I have to admit the method was affective.
Searching for something familiar, I reached for my daggers. They had become a sense of comfort over the years when I'd need to feel reassured.
Only to find nothing sheathed at my sides. Did that beast really take my daggers? I pushed away the rage that began crawling its way to the surface and inhaled deeply. Fine. My fists would be enough anyway.
Feyre and I came to a stop at the threshold, and I looked behind me once more.
If I wanted to, I could try to run now. All I'd have to do is grab Feyre and run south and we'd eventually reach the wall. But we'd be running hungry---not tired, thanks to our two-day nap, but we'd be at a disadvantage. Feyre didn't have the proper training to evade faeries. We'd be dead in less than an hour, and that's if we even made it to the gate.
My younger sister suddenly grabbed my arm, gesturing to the gate. It seemed we had the same thought. My gaze flickered toward the gates again, weighing my options before turning back to Feyre. I gave her a resolved look and shook my head slightly. We'd never make it.
She looked as defeated as I felt. I turned back towards the house taking Feyre's hand and allowing myself one last steadying breath before stepping into the house.
The interior was even more decadent than the exterior. And gods there was so much marble, marble and green everything.
It was hideous. I may come from a hovel, but I do know something basic about interior design. However, the person who did this surely didn't. Everything was pastel besides the floors of black and white checkered marble that flowed to countless doors. A long hall stretched ahead, ending with large glass doors at the end. I caught a glimpse of yet another garden outside. I mentally groaned.
I was broken out of my mental spiral by a low growl that reverberated through the whole house, i could have sworn it rattled the nearby vases filled with more flowers. I'm not saying I'm a flower hater by any means. But who wants this many flowers, besides Elain.
As if in response an open set of polished wooden doors swung wider to my left, a silent command for Feyre and I to follow. Feyre rubbed her eys in disbelief, I was as shocked as her. I knew high fae lived in luxury, but I never imagied this.
I felt Feyre tense beside me as we entered the room. I however put on a mask of sardonic young girl who knows nothing of Prythian, and swaggered into the room. Though I probably should have gone for a mock innocent act, I had played this part at the cottage and it would be odd for me to suddenly change personalitites over night.
We came into what looked like a dining room. The table stretched across the room was as long as the ones at the academy. Were they planning to feed 100 9 year olds?
The table was laden with food and wines. So much food. I hadn't seen this much food in years. It was a waste. The food was familiar, no faerie delicacy's that I could see. There was chicken, bread, peas, fish, asparagus, lamb... it was a feast. The beast padded over to the head of the table. Not a suprise. He was establishing rank. Saying he was in charge. I would have scoffed if it weren't for the looming sight of food.
Feyre and I lingered by the threshold making eyes at the food. All that hot, glorious food- that we couldn't eat. I know that faeries don't have any magical food that will force you to do their bidding, but I did know they had poison. Even though that would stand to reason why the faerie had brought us here in the first place. Better to be safe than sorry.
The beast plopped into the chair and in a flash of white light, the beast was now a man.
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "Glad to see you've finally shed your fur." The beast-now man, looked up at me with annoyed eyes.
He looked young- but i knew better, based on what i've noticed i'd say he's four hundred give or take. His face was covered in a beautiful golden mask. I found that odd. Maybe he was trying to hide his identity. Though that would be stupid, who were we going to tell? Maybe it was fashion statement.
"Both of you should eat somthing." He spoke, I could tell he was a warrior. Based on his tunic and stature alone. He looked like a worthy opponent. Though I doubt i'd ever get close enough to try, He may have glamoured me but that doesn't mean I can't sense the presense of the other faeries.
Each faerie omits an aura of sorts if you know where to look. "Lesser faeries" as those who reside in Prythian call them, have more of a cool aura, like goosebumps on your skin, you can sense them wherever that chilled feeling follows of your body. High fae, have more of a warm feeling, like the sun hitting your back. They are a bit trickier to sense than lesser faeries. But still manageable. It all depends on the amount of power they have. Like right then, I could sense a lesser faerie passing behind me. Though I showed no sign of knowing it was there I could feel it.
The faerie filled his glass of wine nonchalantly, but his posture was tense. He was nervous or worried about something. I wonder what?
Feyre backed up a step. Oh great, she just broke one of the major rules of dealing with faeries. Never show your fear.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"Sit." He replied gruffly, "Eat."
When neither of us gave any indeicasion of moving he finally looked up, "Unless you'd rather faint?"
"It's not safe for humans," Feyre replied, I inwardly cringed.
"More like its probably poisoned." I added. Oh, i'm most definetly going to get myself killed.
The male huffed a laugh, "The food is fine for you to eat, human." He spoke looking at Feyre before turning to me, "And I assure you it's not poisoned."
I scoffed, "You say that like it's supposed to give us any reassurance at all."
"Leave if you want," He added with a flash of teeth, oh hes angry now, "I'm not your jailer. The gates are open- you can live anywhere in Prythian."
Neither of us made a move towards the food.
"Fine," he said, the words laced with a growl, and began serving himself.
Neither of us had time to refuse again when a stranger strode past us, heading right for the head of the table.
"Well?" The stranger asked. He had firey red hair. Most likely from Autumn court, then. He was finely dressed like the other male. This male also wore a mask, except his was red and orange like his hair. Maybe it was a way to signify positions? The stranger sketched a bow to the seated male and crossed his arms. The stranger must have assumed us lesser faeries. A fools mistake.
"Well, what?" The seated male cocked his head in question.
"Is Andras dead, then?" The red haired male clarified. I'm going to take a guess and say thats the wolf Feyre killed.
Our captor nodded, "I'm sorry," He said quietly.
"How?" The stranger demanded, His knuckles turning white with rage. These people really aren't good with concealing body language.
"An ash arrow," said the other, the red haired male hissed. I decided to give them both make shift names until I knew their real ones. The red haired one will be "Hissy", and the blonde will be "Growly", they both seem to do that alot, so i think its fitting.
Growly continued, "The treaty's summons led me to two mortal girls. I gave them safe haven. They refused to tell me which of the two slew Andras, so I was forced to bring both. They said they would confess once they were here."
"A girl- A mortal girl actually killed Andras." Not a question, more like a venom coated string of words.
I scoffed under my breathe, so quiet even fae ears couldn't hear it.
"And the summons found one of them responsible?"
Growly let out a low bitter laugh and pointed at us, "The treatys magic brought me right to their doorstep."
Hissy whirled with the fae grace I rememeber so well. I could now see his mask was fashioned after a fox. Fitting for him and his nickname. There was a wicked slashing scar than ran from his brow to his jaw. It seemed the eye was replaced with a golden orb. I wonder what kind of magic, or science it was, maybe i'd ask him if he stopped looking at us like he wanted to kill us.
His remaining russet eye widened as he sniffed, his lips curved into a sneer like face. I turned to the other faerie again, "You're joking," He seethed quietly, "One of those scrawny little things brought down Andras with a single ash arrow?"
Oh, how I'd enjoy killing him. I wish I had my daggers, I'd hurl one straight at his head, show him exactly what this scrawny little thing could do.
"They both admitted to it, Neither tried to deny it," He paused as he faced us, "Speaking of, Which of you did kill him?"
I cocked my head, a predatory move I used with many of my quarry. "And what will you do with one of us once we tell you, hmm?" I spoke coldly.
Hissy straightened, his face going into one of rage, oh well. "You will both still live here." Growly replied.
"Alive?" I asked, a serpentine smile spreading across my face.
Growly lowered his brows to glare at me, but nodded. "Perfect." I added.
Hissy sneered at me, "How dare you talk to him like that, you pathetic little-"
I cut him off my smile unfaltering, "Think before you speak, the last male who didn't lost more than just his tongue."
I know both faeries caught the wording of male, indtead of man, when their eyebrows rose a fraction of an inch.
"Is that a threat?" Hissy asked.
"No," I replied, "It's advice."
Growly interupted, "Which of you killed Andras?"
Feyre stepped forward, "You swear we will both live?" Growly dipped his head in confimation.
Feyre opened her mouth, "Say it out loud." I interrupted.
I could see the growing hatred for me in growly and Hissy's eyes. Good. "I swear you will both live."
"Thank you," I smiled in triumph again.
"I killed him." Feyre spoke spoke quickly.
Their heads whipped to Feyre in a bit of surprise, I could definitly tell they thought it was me. Probably because of my threats about killing males, and it was true, i've killed many males, it just wasn't me who killed their Wolfy friend.
Their heads turned back to my smirking face as if looking for confirmation, I nodded at Feyre's words.
Hissy spoke first as he stepped forward, "Did you enjoy killing my friend, human? Did you hesitate, or was the hatred in your heart riding you too hard to consider sparing him? It must've been so satisfying for a small mortal thing like you to take him down."
I scoffed, "All you fae are the same with your god complexes, believing your invincible."
Hissy glared before turning back to Growly, "Anyway," He continued completely ignoring our presence, not that I minded, being untouched means more information, "perhaps there's a way to-"
"Lucien," Growly said, "Behave." I nearly laughed at that. But atleast I fianlly had a name. I read about a Lucien from Autumn court once. I wonder if they are the same. Knowing my luck, probably. Now all I need is Growly's name.
Lucien went rigid at Growly's words, but turned back to the two of us, and bowed deeply, "My apologies, ladies." I snorted, maybe we could be friends after all, "I'm Lucien. Coutier and emissary." He gestured to Feyre, "You're eyes are like the stars," He turned to me, "And your hair is like the fairest snow."
He cocked his head at us waiting for our names, I only crossed my arms and shook my head in answer.
"That one is Feyre," Growly pointed at my sister, "That one is Danika." I turned to Growly shooting daggers into his head. He turned to the door, "Alis will take you to your rooms. You could use a bath and fresh clothes."
I began walking towards the door before replying, "And you could use a better personality," a woman with dark brown hair was waiting by the threshold, she wore a mask aswell, except hers was styled after a bird. She looked high fae, but based on the feeling I was getting from her she was a lesser faerie. Most likely another glamour.
She made to grab my elbow but I quickly stepped out of reach, "Do that and you'll lose your hand." I warned and kept walking out the door.
I heard Lucien from the hall, "Thats the hand the Cauldron thought to deal us? She brought Andras down? We never should have sent him out there- none of them should have been out there. It was a fools mission." He growled, maybe Lucien should have been growly instead, but I stand by Hissy. "Maybe we should just take a stand- Maybe its time to say enough. Dump the girls somewhere, kill them, I don't care." I snorted, as if they could, "They're nothing but a burden here. They would both rather but a knife in your back than talk to you- or any of us, escpecially the murdery one." He's not wrong, though I would prefer to shoot him with an ash arrow, it would feel poetic, I think.
"No," Growly bit out, "Not until we know for certain there is no other way, will we make a move. And as for the girls. The stay. Unharmed. End of discussion. Their life in that hovel was Hell enough." Also not untrue. I could feel Alis' eyes on the two of us, but I refused to pay her any mind.
"You've got your work cut out for you, old son." Lucien remarked, "I'm sure their lives will be a fine replacement for Andras's- maybe they can even train with the others at the border." Actually that doesn't sound half bad. I'll need to keep up training here, and probably train Feyre. It would be useful not having to sneak and do it in private.
Growly only snarled in irritaion, I'll take that as a no. Ugh, Males. Such fragile egos.
The shiny halls swallowed us up before I could hear more of their conversation.
I marked exits as we passed, and could feel more lesser faeries than I've ever been around. It was going to be harder to escape than I thought.
âââ · ãï¾â: *.â½ .* :âï¾. âââ
ðð FINALLY IN PRYTHIAN! Also, this chapter is rlly long, and I don't no whether to apologize or say ur welcome