Note: This chapter contains of Zaneabella and their backstory since they are amazing and very cute. And you all need need to know about what the mean to each other for the next few chapters to hurt. If you prefer not to read it, I'd advise to skip the whole chapter since it barely mentions Lilliana, though Eris will be mentioned a bit.
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Isabella frowned, It was not everyday, that you would get called to the mistress's office. Either the woman had learned of her spying on clients, or she was in service today.
But as she walked into the room, she saw two males in the room, one of them sitting and signing paperwork and the other too busy in looking regal, standing in front of the mirror. One of them was rather muscular than the other, and the two gave off different auras.
One seemed more stoic and serious and the other seemed chaotic.
And then the mistress noticed her and smiled like a snake and it took everything in Isabella to nor turn around and run to her room and lock the door.
"Yes." Isabella said
"Oh come in."
Isabella stepped in and the short one looked at her and passed her a grin. And maybe she looked utterly horrified.
"Isabella." The woman snapped and Isabella walked over to her.
"You called lady." She said.
"Of course, now sit down."
Isabella sat down beside the taller one and the mistress handed her papers.
"That's-
"Yes your contract."
"I don't understand. Are you extending it-
"This male is buying you."
And everything stopped for a second. Everything stopped moving and she stopped breathing.
"What?" It came out harsh but that was fine, after all she had spent most of her life in this place.
"Are you deaf girl, I said that you're leaving." The words were harsh.
"Since the male is paying in installments, your stuff remains with me and you will return for work."
"Now go, you'll be returning half an year later, if the next installment isn't paid."
"That's it." The male said
"The next installment will be due and you'll pay it, your grace or my beautiful girl will have to return."
And the mistress brushed her cheek and Isabella recoiled.
"Come on." The male said and she followed him out of the brothel, the two of them walked in front of her. She turned to look at the horrible place one last time and took a deep breath and prayed to the gods for her safety.
They made their way to a carriage and the taller one got in first, it was small leap to jump in and in her silks it was tough. She awkwardly tried to step on the ledge without falling on her face when she saw a hand extended to her and she took it and got in. The other one got in and shut the doors and they were off.
The carriage had the sigil of the ruling house of the autumn court stitched on the curtains that covered the windows.
She looked at the two, and one of them handed her a document.
She skimmed through it and-
"Is this a joke?" She asked, particularly from no one but as a rather general question.
"No, whatever you read is true."
"Look, why would you buy me-
"I'm not buying you but paying your indenture or rather freeing you of your contract."
"I don't even know your name." She exclaimed
"That does not matter." He snapped
"It does, I don't even know you, how am I supposed to work for you."
"You will."
"Of course I will. What choice do I have?" She spat
"You have a choice, if you will be willing to kill someone or fight, you will be given a mission. If not, you'll spend your days working in the kitchens." He said
"I don't understand-
"Miss I assure you, I'm not bringing you to warm my bed, I'll find someone else for that if needed."
"Is it so tough to understand? If yes then let me introduce myself. Zane Vanserra."
Were the eddies of the cauldron so cruel?
"You're-
"Yes." He interrupted
"Oh let me speak." She said angrily. The other one looked amused and chuckled
"Go ahead." He muttered scowling
"You, the son of the high lord want me to spy for you."
"Yes."
She sighed and glared at the floor.
"You're Isabella right?" the other one said
"Yes." She muttered annoyed
"Sirius, lovely to meet you." He said
She nodded.
And through the rest three hours of the journey to Oriaphia, Sirius kept sleeping, Zane just checked maps and asked a few questions. And Isabella, just prayed.
As they reached the huge manor, they got off. She felt uncomfortable as a few guards took their time to ogle and rake their eyes taking in every curve. Despite the fact she was used to it, she hated it and felt disgusted.
Noticing Zane took of his cloak and placed it around her.
She nodded in thanks, and followed Sirius who was muttering his hellos to a few guards who slightly bowed their heads.
As they entered through the double doors, Sirius turned right and left, she wanted to go with him, he was more friendly than the brute she was left with. She followed the male as he crossed two corridors and turned another left. And then he stopped so she did as well.
He turned to her.
"I'll take you in, I'll have someone show you to your quarters, you'll be sharing with another girl. She'll get you your necessary clothes. You must not indulge in unnecessary conversation. Let them believe whatever they want to. If I hear you broke a rule, You'll be in trouble." He said
"Trouble with you?"
"It vaguely depends." He said as the corner of his mouth quirked up.
And then he walked in and brought someone, a girl who looked pleased at the attention she got and then took her along. The rest of the day she took a bath and dressed into a beige skirt with a collared shirt and boots and got on to work.
THREE MONTHS LATER
"Izzy?" Sirius asked
Isabella hissed in pain as she jumped down from the window.
Her hand was covering the wound.
Zane just took a look at her and stormed out.
She just ignored him. He had all rights to be angry, he had asked her to not get in trouble.
"Pass me my bag." She said to Sirius who obliged and handed her the bag and she took out a needle and a thread.
And she started stitching up the wound. Sirius gagged and made a face.
"You can watch a blade tear through a man but a needle's too much for you." She said as she winced
"Well, a blade is fast, does it's work. But this." He said as bile rose up to this throat.
"Where'd you even learn that?" He asked wincing as she did her work
"At the brothel." She said
"That's dark.
"That's why I can't go back, and this is why I am working for him. I'm trying so hard. And you're not making this easy." She said
"He won't send you back."
"He said he'd see if I was even good and then he'd complete the installments." Isabella said
"You're good." Sirius said
"And he knows that." He said quietly
And then Zane walked in and looked at her.
"Your movement is sloppy. He said
Then he stepped forward, and asked a silent question, his hand inching forwards.
May I?
She nodded.
He took the needle from her and as she held up her shirt, Zane's one hand steadied her. She tried to steady her breathing. Tried to calm herself down. And she kept her gaze to the ground. And with steady hands he stitched the wound up. And she tried not to cry. And after he was done he just got up and turned to his brother.
"She can't ride Zane, not even double." Sirius protested
"Can you walk?"
"Are you out of your mind brother? She can't? Sirius said
"So how do you expect to go back?" Zane asked
"I'll walk." She said
"No you won't. One, its to long of a way. Two, either of us will carry you." Sirius said.
"Well then enjoy carrying her." Zane said
"I'm the one who'll have to ride, I have to get back before she notices." Sirius said
Zane and Isabella looked at each other with disdain and Isabella huffed in annoyance. Despite him giving her a shot of freedom, she hated his behavior. Sirius got on his horse and said a goodbye to Isabella and rode off. Zane rolled his eyes and folded his arms staring at Isabella who just began walking, she was limping badly.
"Walk off alone and when Amarantha's cronies get you and throw you in a hole, don't say I didn't warn you." Zane said and a shadow passed over his eyes
"I'll be fine." She said
And continued her walk. And then a hand caught her wrist.
"As much as I'd want for you to have a good experience fighting for your life, I can't lose you." He said
"Because I flock to your bidding."
"No because you're a good spy-
"Basically an investment." She said
"Perhaps yes." He said
"Fine-
And she blanched as a winged creature appeared behind him. Silent. And he noticed it and turned to look behind.
And for the first time she saw Zane Vanserra pale with fear.
"Oh, look who I found." The creature said, it's voice a sharp rasp.
"What is the noble son of Beron doing here out with a whatever this is?" It said looking at her with dsigust.
She and Zane both were trembling.
"Attor." Zane said
The creature only remained stoic.
"You snuck out?" The attor raised his voice and Isabella almost peed her pants.
"So it does mean that her most ethereal majesty waits for a no-show." The creature rasped
"I just-
"Was out for release?"
Zane looked at her with a sadness in his eyes.
"Yes." he said before slipping a smirk on his face.
"Next time, do remember we have multiple hostages and servants in court for that." The Attor said
Zane nodded.
"Now I'll take her to the camps." The Attor said and pulled on her arm and she was sure both of them could smell her fear and yet the Attor hadn't spoke of it.
"I could do the honors, after all a girl like her should crawl in the presence of us." Zane said his voice almost a purr.
The Attor took into consideration, his claws hurting her.
She glanced at Zane whose face was still in a smirk and cool eyes. That's how fast he slipped into masks, with all his annoyance and irritation for her she thought he would be fine with the Attor taking her.
"No." The creature said
"Then take her to one of the cells under the mountain." Zane said waving a hand
And she was not surprised.
And the thing that took hold of her arm and vanished with her, It was whirlwind of hot air and then they stopped in front of a metal barred door. She closed her eyes and opened them in pain as the Attor scratched its claws down her stomach over the newly stitched wound and blood began oozing out. Tears formed in her eyes and she cried out.
"I should break your legs, shouldn't I, whore?
She cried out in pain as the Attor slammed her head into the wall.
"You, lesser fae, don't have any right to exist and my queen will make sure of that." The creature said
This was all at her expense, the pain, the cackles of the Attor at her pain, the smirk on Zane's face. She was going to rot away here. And he would find another phantom to spy for him. Someone who didn't get triggered. Then the Attor threw her in and locked the door.
This was better than returning to the brothel, were Liriope and the scary clients waited, the place she grew up in. Where the other girls waited, some were just phantoms on the wind.
This was better than returning to the brothel.
This was better than returning to the brothel.
She kept repeating the words in her head as her side kept bleeding.
She was going to find Zane and split his skull.
She could find her freedom if she gave Zane and Sirius away.
Amarantha could free her if she helped and sniffed out the dogs.
Call on someone and give Zane Vanserra away.
She could easily snitch on him and win her freedom.
But Loyalty was earned, and the red haired bitch queen hadn't earned it.
"You're telling me what!"
Zane nodded
"Do you want me to rip your head off?"
"Technically no."
"Then why would you lose the only spy, who can actually spy and not ogle you?"
"Brother calm down."
"Where is she?"
"The cells beneath us."
"Get her out, she can tell on you, you idiot."
"Sure, But there's a problem."
"What?"
"I don't know which wing."
If looks could truly kill, Zane would definitely be six feet under.
"I'll go." Zane said
Eris scowled and walked out of the parlor.
Zane sighed before sitting on the arm chair and running a hand through his hair.
You, the son of the high lord want me to spy for you.
She was his spy, the only one who put his ego in check, the one who would risk her life for him. His right hand woman.
His spy.
An important asset. An investment.
It does, I don't even know you, how am I supposed to work for you.
She mattered.
Zane cursed and stood up, they should hand Isabella an award for being in his thoughts this often.
He pulled on his fingerless gloves and grabbed a cloak before heading out of the parlor.
He had trained her and it was all on him, that she was down in one of those cells.
Mother would want her out.
Isabella was not suited to the darkness, she loved the sunlight, she loved the hues of the sky, the nature. She appreciated it.
There were many curses in his life and many blessings, and Isabella was one of them and he lost her trust.
So he would get her out, or risk her death and his by Eris. Eris wouldn't care much, but she was a good spy and did her work and didn't flirt.
He crossed two corridors, this place always smelt like coppery tang of blood. And was filled with screams, of a crowd cackling, the same crowd he was supposed to be a part of right now and sing and dance and get drunk. Even have a tumble or two. But all he could think of was dark skin and silky hair.
He sighed before turning to the staircase and rushing down, three floors and the stink of gore and rotting flesh hit him. He scowled and then made his way.
It was very dark despite the lanterns hanging on the wall. The guards wouldn't be on their shifts so below.
He snapped his finger and a fire lit in his hand and he strained his hears for hearing any heartbeat. He passed two cells and then came across a dimly lit one. And there she lay in a corner, reeking of blood, her silky hair falling on her face, her eyes closed, as if she was trying to fight a nightmare.
How was he going to open the door without the keys?
He examined the lock by crouching down, It was old one and easy to break, He took out his small blade and tried to snap the lock open, but the tip was still to large.
He could try to melt down the bars. He placed his hands on two bars, and thought of fire raging, flames burning down the bars. And he felt the warmth then, the bars heated up and then in a few minutes turned to ash, he stepped and walked to her.
Her back was against the wall, and she was lying on the floor, her skin looked wan and her breathing was shallow. He crouched down beside her.
"Isabella?" He asked in a light whisper
No reply from her.
"Isabella?"
As she didn't reply again, he placed her head on his knee as he checked her face for anything, his eyes trailed down her body to her abdomen, her vest was torn in a scratch mark over the wound he had stitched before hand. Blood was leaking out of the wound, he winced at seeing it. He touched the wound and he stifled a gag. He pushed her hair behind.
"Isabella."
"Izzy, get up."
She moved slightly.
"Yes, get up." He said
Her eyes opened and she looked around, her eyes met his.
And there was shock on her face.
"You?" She said as she sat up
He nodded.
"I have to be taken to the-
"No." He said and placed one hand beneath her knees and the other on her back and pulled her up as he stood up.
"What are you doing?" She hissed
"Do you really want to walk?" He asked
"I'd rather." She said
"Well I don't want you to." He said
She squirmed and tried to jump down.
"Look, Isabella-Izzy, let me do this." He said
"I don't get it-
"I know, I shouldn't be here."
"Then why are you?"
"I don't know Izzy." He said before giving her the cloak.
He took the staircase that mostly the maids used, as they climbed the stairs and appeared in the middle of two corridors or gray stone, he checked both sides and took the more safe route, there was one route he had seen Rhysand take. He made his way across the corridor and entered an abandoned parlor. He closed the door behind him, there was a trap door.
He heard her hiss as he climbed up from the trapdoor ladder, as he climbed out and the sunlight hit his face, he sighed. Living under the mountain with just an escape for half a day, once two months. The reason behind Isabella was his absence and yet the need for information to find traitors to ensure his family's survival.
It was an easy yet complicated system, but what a weak system if it can be collapsed with a few willing souls. Rhysand was obviously as her whore was around to visit around, with her permit of course, gloating about it. He was also an exception, he may have not fortunately warmed her bed, but he was another personal favorite since he was the dirty work doer. Just a half a day, in two months. And it was the small while he got to visit Isabella and they spied together and she'd fill him in. There were a few people in the forest house that they had rescued from one of the imprisonment camps. And other than that, sometimes both of them would be sitting on rooftops, talking.
This once, Sirius who was good at winnowing, had come with him, there was this autumn court civillian who had broken out of the camps and Amarantha had issued an order for his killing, and Isabella was the perfect choice for that and now she was here.
"I'm tired." She mumbled as they took one of the fast leading doors to the autumn court, the quietness of the market stalls hit him badly as always. The quiet, the abandoned streamers that had been torn, broken carts. Amarantha and Rhysand had done that.
This place was home.
And so was-
He wanted to stop thinking. He reached the broken bark of the huge tree and opened the latch and got in, he carefully stepped down the ladder and sighed upon seeing the underground base.
He placed Isabella on the couch and she flinched.
"Sorry." He said
"Shut up." She said
He nodded
And then found a pack of bandages and her herbal paste she used to apply on wounds to lessen the infection and pain.
"Go back." She said
"No." He said
"I don't want you to be in trouble." She said
"I'm always in trouble, meeting you was trouble." He said
She scowled at the heartfelt confession.
"Why?" She asked him
"I-
"He was going to break my legs." She said softly
Zane looked down.
"He was going to break my legs, tear them off. Would you have come then?" She said
"Would you have? When I wouldn't be able to spy, or kill a man or be on my feet. Would you come?" She asked, her voice breaking
"I would. I would come, always." He said
"I'm fighting for my freedom, I have been, I don't want to do this. I....My mother...she...we have strong faith, now tell me would a goddess forgive me for sullying my hands with blood." She said
"Would your gods leave you in a brothel, damning your life in hands of men that you can easily kill now."
"I feel like a murderess, like a stone cold, killer, I feel like a....monster." She said
He placed a hand over her heart.
"When I look at you, I see you, When ever I..when our hands brush against each others, I have always felt you Isabella, the girl with a heart of gold." He said
He then backed away, his hand dropping to his side.
"I feel you." He repeated.
"Just you." He said.
And then he disappeared into a room and came back with her bag and dropped it in her lap. And then he grabbed her hand and placed a knife in it.
"I can't compensate for anything that you have gone through. But keep this with you for comfort, drive this into their hearts." He said
It was a sharp knife, it's hilt was multicolored, it had a bone handle and a few roses painted over it.
"I have to go." He said
She nodded as she kept her gaze on the knife that fit perfectly in her hands as if it was made for her. The corners of her lips tugged upwards and when she looked up, he was already gone and she realized she was once again wearing his cloak.
AN YEAR LATER
It had been an year since she last saw him.
An year since she saw all of them, she remained in the base, keeping to herself, only going out for hunting or for looking for Zane. She missed him, every time she used the bone handled blade, his face flashed in her memory. It hurt.
He could have died, she had seen the youngest son, Lucien, she had been scouting along the spring court border and she had seen a flash of red hair and had almost called out Zane's name but she saw the face and stopped in time. She had to keep holding on.
Keep stretching out your hand.
FOUR MONTHS LATER
It was rather loud, for a morning. Sounds of crying were heard, sounds of joy were heard.
Isabella got up, with her knife in hand.
It was surprising, a few merry songs were heard.
Her heart was racing. She unlatched the door and got out, and tears began streaking down her cheeks.
The civillians of the autumn court were back. It was some fever dream, she walked around, her gaze going from house to house as residents filled the streets, calling out some name.
Feyre cursebreaker
This was some dream.
It couldn't be.
Hope filled her heart.
Life was returning to normal after fifty years.
Amarantha was dead,
The words sunk in and a smile formed on her face.
She had to find Zane.
But-
"Isabella!"
She turned around and her hand flew to her mouth as she gaped in shock.
Sirius ran towards her followed by Zane and a scowling male.
Sirius enveloped her in a hug, tears began streaking down her cheeks.
After Sirius let go, she turned to Zane, he looked a lot more pale and tired.
"I thought you were dead." She said
He shook his head with a sigh.
He ruffled her hair.
And she, surprisingly, hugged him.
She was happy he was safe and sound, she was relieved he was very much alive. She was relieved because he was her person and him dying would have hurt a lot.
After all, you can love and hate someone.