The next day, I awoke to an empty house, as usual. Azriel hadn't slept over- both to my relief, and disappointment. I'd had to fight against the urge to ask him to stay last night, but it would have been cruel after what I had said to him.I didn't regret making it clear to him that I only wanted sex. It wasn't true of course, but it was definitely for the better. Even if it had pained me more than I would ever admit to see the flicker of sadness in his eyes when I had said it. Azriel may not have known it, but he was better off not knowing me. Truly, knowing me.
I pushed the thoughts of Azriel out of my head and forced myself to get out of bed, ignoring the ache in my bones as I walked into the bathroom. I took a long time in the bath, considering I didn't have anything else to do today. Amren was busy, so we didn't have any lessons this entire week. It was a relief, but I was incredibly bored.
After I had scrubbed myself clean four times, and spent so much time in the bathtub that the water had turned cold, I lifted myself out and threw on a dull, light grey gown. I then grabbed a comb to brush through my wet hair- but the second I touched it, it turned to mist.
I cursed aloud, realizing that my power was indeed restlessly lurking under my skin. The Faebane had already worn off. I quickly rushed into the room and grabbed what seemed to be a box containing jewels- but upon coming in contact with my skin, the glamour was lifted to reveal the jar of Faebane. I didn't have anything to wash it down, but I could already feel the pounding beginning in my head, could already sense my magic beginning to rise up to the surface.
I squeezed my eyes shut as I poured a small handful of it down my throat. I almost couldn't swallow it, both at the horrific taste and the burning it caused. But I did, holding back the urge to retch.
Desperate to get the tase out of my mouth, I winnowed to the kitchen, only to find Rhysand already there.
"Rhys? I didn't realize you were back," I said, not holding back my smile. I hadn't seen him all week. Rhysand smiled at me, but it didn't reach his eyes. Which, I then noticed, were red around the edges. "What's wrong?" I asked softly.
Rhysand's smile dropped, and he shook his head. He ran a hand through his already messy hair, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke. "She's marrying him. Today." He whispered. I didn't think I had ever heard his voice sound so agonized, so defeated. I couldn't think of anything to say that might be comforting, so I wrapped my arms around him.
Rhysand hugged me back, so tightly I struggled to breathe, though I refused to say anythibg. I felt tears rolling down his face as he buried his head into my shoulder, his hands shaking. I held him as reassuringly as I could, so that he would know that even if there was nothing that could be done, I was here for him.
When we finally let go of each other, Rhys had stopped crying, though his eyes were still pained and distant. I then remembered he could see and feel Feyre down the bond. Was she walking down the aisle? Had they already been pronounced husband and wife? I couldn't bring myself to ask, so instead I opted for trying to distract him.
"Did you ever find out who sacked the temples?" I asked. I knew the answer- I knew they still had absolutely no clue, but I couldn't think of anything else to say. It wasn't the best distraction, considering the Court's temples being sacked was almost as bad as his mate marrying another man. I cursed myself in my head, wishing I was better at comforting people.
Rhys shook his head, but at least his eyes didn't look so far away anymore. No. Azriel was following a lead in the Court of Nightmares, but it didn't lead anywhere." He explained. The sound of his name evoked so many things in me that I could only pray Rhysand couldn't see them on my face.
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Dance of Fate
FanfictionThe continuation of Dance of Shadows Amarantha has struck. Asteria and Rhysand are being held captive Under the Mountain along with almost all of Prythian. Azriel can't do anything to save her. How ever will they find their way back to each other?