A World Away

44. The meeting (part 2)

Eve was surprised when Tamlin showed them the charts and ammunition of Hybern. Maybe, Tamlin was an idiot and a jerk of the lowest kind, but at least he was useful in some way.

"Noble as it sounds," Helion said, "who is to say that information is correct—or that you aren't Hybern' agent, trying to mislead us?"

"Who is to say that Rhysand and his cronies are not agents of Hybern, all of this a ruse to get you to yield without realizing it?" Tamlin countered. Question for a question- did this meeting have a point?

"You can't be fucking serious?" Eve finally opened her mouth, exasperated. "You really think after all that has happened, we would ever stand with them?" Tamlin just gave her a once over before he scoffed and looked away. Az, standing beside Eve, stiffened. Eve started feeling the fire underneath her skin.

******

"You're insane," Feyre breathed to Tamlin as Varian bared his teeth after the accusation. "Do you hear what you're saying? Hybern turned my sisters and Eve into Fae—after your bitch of a priestess sold them out!"

"Perhaps Ianthe's mind was already in Rhysand' thrall. And what a tragedy to remain young and beautiful. You're a good actress—I'm sure the trait runs in the family."

Eve snarled. "Maybe we should put you in the Cauldron and see how you fair. Maybe, for once, the only person who carries the blame is you, Tamlin. You and your stupidity that landed us in this mess in the first place. Maybe, think on that."

Tamlin snarled. Az snarled right back, making him blink. He turned back to where Eve stood, "I let you in my home and gave you protection, yet, this is how you repay me?"

"The debt is owed by you to me, Tamlin." Eve replied quietly. Az shifted and let few of his shadows go to Eve. Tamlin noticed the interaction and his face morphed into a bitter smile, "seems like preferences run in your court." Az stiffened.

"What do you want?" Feyre hissed, gripping the edge of her seat. "An apology? For me to crawl back into your bed and play nice, little wife?"

"Why should I want spoiled goods returned to me? The moment you let him fuck you like an —" One moment he was about to say something, the next his voice was taken away and fire burned his throat like a brand- not hot enough to burn him, but hot enough to make him reign himself and feel bit of the warmth.

"The gasping fish look is a good one for you, Tamlin." Rhysand said, smiling, though the rage was not missed by anyone present.

Everyone turned towards Beron but he merely shrugged. They only looked at Eve when she opened her mouth and said in a deadly manner, "you will learn to respect women, and you will learn to start acting like a High Lord. Or, you will burn." The intensity of rage in her eyes made Tamlin gulp. The others gave her a double take- wondering if they had been too quick to judge and overlook her.

Eve then turned to others. "You all have a duty. A war is coming and instead of bickering around like bunch of five-year old's, start preparing." Someone snarled at her- she didn't care, not when Rhys knocked on her shield.

Let him go, Eve. He said softly; she could feel the pride and gratitude in his tone. So, she did what the High Lord of the Night Court told her to.

"If you want proof that we are not scheming with Hybern," Rhysand said nonchalantly, "consider the fact that it would be far less time-consuming to slice into your minds and make you do my bidding." Not one face was amused. "Yet here I am. Here we all are."

"Despite Varian's unsanctioned warning ..." Tarquin finally broke the silence that had settled upon the group, "You were the only ones who came to help. The only ones. And yet you asked for nothing in return. Why?"