The others arrived late.
We took our seats around the reflection pool, Thesan's impeccably mannered attendants bringing us plates of food and goblets of exotic juices from the tables against the wall. Conversation halted and flowed, Mor and Viviane sitting next to each other to catch up on what seemed like fifty years worth of gossip.
"Tarquin is here," Thesan announced an hour later. An uncomfortable silence spread.
"Heard about the blood rubies." Helion smirked at Rhys, toying with the golden cuff on his bicep. "That is a story I want you to tell."
"All in good time," Rhys promised.
But then Tarquin cleared the top step into the chamber, Varian and Cresseida flanking him. Varian glanced among us for someone who was not there—and glowered when he beheld Cassian. Cassian just gave him a cocky grin.
Tarquin ignored all of us, Rhys's wings included—as he made vague apologies for the tardiness, blaming it on the attack. He and Helion were nearly as tense, and only Thesan seemed to be on decent terms with him. Kallias had become even colder—distant.
An attendant whispered to Thesan that Beron and all of his sons had arrived. The smile instantly vanished from Mor's mouth, her eyes.
Evelina shifted uncomfortably, letting Azriel's wing wrap around her. His shadows were busy hiding her cleavage and midrift, as well as tugging down her skirt.
I was seated between Nesta and Morrigan. I took Mor's hand in mine and gave it a gentle squeeze, just as she had done for me when we entered.
Nesta glanced down at our hands, but her face remained emotionless. She trained her focus back on the scene in front of her.
The violence simmering off my friends was enough to boil the pool at our toes as the High Lord of Autumn filed through the archway, his sons in rank behind him, his wife, Marzia, at his side.
Her russet eyes scanned the room, as if looking for that missing son. They settled instead on Helion, who gave her a mocking incline of his dark head. She quickly averted her gaze. Oh, everyone knew all about their affair. I felt for the poor female. Being married to Beron could not have been pleasant.
Eve lifted her head to meet the female's gaze, a sad longing in her eyes. I knew how much she cared for the female.
Marzia had been a second mother to her. Eve had always felt like she bettayed Marzia by leaving her behind. Marzia gave Eve a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Rhys smoothly greeted him, though his power was a dark mountain shuddering beneath us, "Its no surprise that you're tardy, given that your own sons were too slow to catch my mate. I suppose it runs in the family."
"Mate—and High Lady," Beron observed.
Eris's attention shifted to Mor, sweeping over her with a disdain that made me see red. Mor only stared blankly at him. Bored. I squeezed her hand again.
"Rhysand, you have called this meeting. Pushed us to gather sooner than we intended. Now would be the time to explain what is so urgent?" Thesan asked.
"Surely the invading armies landing on our shores explain enough," Rhys said.
"So you have called us to do what, exactly?" Helion challenged, bracing his forearms on his muscled, gleaming thighs. "Raise a unified army?"
"Among other things," Rhys said mildly. "We—"
But then the door swung open. And Tamlin appeared, smiling like a wolf.
Thesan rose, his captain remaining seated beside him—albeit with a hand on his sword. "We were not expecting you, Tamlin." Thesan gestured with a slender hand toward his cringing attendants. "Fetch the High Lord a chair."
Tamlin did not tear his gaze from the High Lord and Lady of Night. His smile turned subdued—yet somehow more unnerving. More vicious.
"I will admit, Tamlin, that I am surprised to see you here," Beron spoke up. Tamlin didn't alter his focus from Feyre. From every breath she took. "Rumor claims your allegiance now lies elsewhere."
Tamlin sat, not saying a word.
"Lets get on with it, then," Helion sighed.
"It would seem congratulations are in order," Tamlin spoke up.
"We can discuss the matter at hand later," Rhys said.
"Dont stop on my account," Tamlin insisted.
"I'm not in the business of discussing our plans with enemies," Rhys declined.
"No," Tamlin said with equal ease, "you're just in the business of fucking them."
I could've killed him for that. Eve, Cassian, Azriel, and Mor were still as death—their fury rippling off them in silent waves. Rhys shrugged, smiling faintly.
"Seems a far less destructive alternative to war," Rhys said.
"And yet here you are, having started it in the first place. If you hadnt stolen my bride away in the night, Rhysand, I would not have been forced to take such drastic measures to get her back."
"And if you hadn't sold my mother and sister out to your father, my brother and father would not have been forced to go to such drastic measures to repay you," Eve snarled.
"Evelina, I don't think we've met," Tamlin observed. "Though, Lucien's always had good things to say about you. Despite the fact that you left him behind when you escaped."
Beron scoffed at the High Lord, but Eve's face contorted into an expression of pain and guilt. Azriel glared at the male, one of his free shadows stroking Eve's cheek in comfort.
"Enough," Azriel cut him off, his wing wrapping to fully hiding his mate from sight. I noticed The Lady of Autumn staring at her lap, trying to hide the grief from her expression.
She'd told me of that day. She had felt horrible leaving him, just a young boy at the time, behind in an abusive home. But she wasn't his mother. She would never have been able to get him out of there.
"Why are you here, Tamlin?" Thesan questioned.
"I bartered access to my lands to get back the woman I love from a sadist who plays with minds as if they are toys. I meant to fight Hybern—to find a way around the bargain I made with the king once she was back. Only Rhysand and his cabal had turned her into one of them. And she delighted in ripping open my territory for Hybern to invade. All for a petty grudge— either her own or her masters."
"You dont get to rewrite the narrative," Feyre breathed. "You dont get to spin this to your advantage."
Tamlin only angled his head at Rhys. "When you fuck her, have you ever noticed that little noise she makes right before she climaxes?"
Feyre's face went red. I felt Mor's hand squeezing mine, not in reassurance, but in pure anger.
"Be careful how you speak about my High Lady," Azriel said smoothly. I felt a hint of pride for my little brother. Surprise flashed in Tamlin's eyes—then vanished.
"It was not enough to sit at my side, was it?" he sneered at her. "You once asked me if youd be my High Lady, and when I said no. . . Perhaps I underestimated you. Why serve in my court, when you could rule in his? They peddle tales of defending our land and peace. And yet she came to my lands and laid them bare for Hybern. She took my High Priestess and warped her mind—after she shattered her bones for spite. And if you are asking yourself what happened to that human girl who went Under the Mountain to save us Look to the male sitting beside her. Ask what he stands to gain—what they stand to gain from this war, or lack of it. Would we fight Hybern, only to find ourselves with a Queen and King of Prythian? Shes proved her ambition—and you saw how he was more than happy to serve Amarantha to remain unscathed."
"Well played, Tamlin. You're learning," Rhys mocked.
"You asked why I'm here?" Tamlin asked Kallias. "I might ask the same of you." He jerked his chin at the High Lord of Winter. "You mean to tell me that after Under the Mountain, you can stomach working with him?"
"We came here to decide that for ourselves," Vivianne spoke up.
"I had no involvement in that. None," Rhys promised.
"You stood beside her throne while the order was given," Kallias insisted.
"I tried to stop it."
"Tell that to the parents of the two dozen younglings she butchered," Kallias said. "That you tried."
"There is not one day that passes when I dont remember it," he said to Kallias, to Viviane. To their companions. "Not one day."
"Remembering," Kallias said, "doesnt bring them back, does it?"
"No," Rhys said plainly. "No, it doesnt. And I am now fighting to make sure it never happens again."
"I was not present Under the Mountain. But I would hear, High Lord, how you tried to—stop her," Vivianne spoke up.
"Finally speechless, Rhysand?" Beron chuckled.
"I believe you," Feyre told her mate.
"Says the woman," Beron countered, "who gave an innocent girls name in her stead—for Amarantha to butcher as well."
"When your people rebelled," Rhys began. "She was furious. She wanted you dead, Kallias. I convinced her that it would serve little purpose."
"Who knew," Beron mused, "that a cock could be so persuasive?" Eve looked about ready to explode at the male, but Azriel kept a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Father." Eris's voice was low with warning.
"She backed off the idea of killing you. Your rebels were dead—I convinced her it was enough. I thought it was the end of it." His breathing hitched slightly. "I only found out when you did. I think she viewed my defense of you as a warning sign—she didnt tell me any of it. And she kept me confined. I tried to break into the minds of the soldiers she sent, but her damper on my power was too strong to hold them—and it was already done. She sent a daemati with them. The childrens minds—theyd been shattered. Rhys swallowed. "I think she wanted you to suspect me. To keep us from ever allying against her."
"Where did she confine you?" The question came from Viviane, her arms wrapped around her middle.
"Her bedroom."
"Stories and words," Tamlin said, lounging in his chair. "Is there any proof?"
"Proof—" Cassian snarled, half rising in his seat, wings starting to flare.
"No," Rhys cut in as Mor blocked Cassian with an arm, forcing him to sit. Rhys added to Kallias, "But I swear it—upon my mates life." His hand at last rested atop Feyre's.
"Why are you here, Tamlin?" Kallias repeated to Tamlin.
"I am here to help you fight against Hybern."
"Bullshit," Cassian muttered.
Tamlin glowered at him. Cassian, folding his wings in neatly as he leaned back in his chair once more, just offered a crooked grin in return.
"You will forgive us," Thesan interrupted gracefully, "if we are doubtful. And hesitant to share any plans."
"Even when I have information on Hyberns movements? Why do you think I invited them to the house? Into my lands? I once told you I would fight against tyranny, against that sort of evil. Did you think you were enough to turn me from that? It was so easy for you to call me a monster, despite all I did for you, for your family." A sneer toward Nesta, who was frowning with distaste. "Yet you witnessed all that he did Under the Mountain, and still spread your legs for him. Fitting, I suppose. He whored for Amarantha for decades. Why shouldnt you be his whore in return?"
"Watch your mouth," Evelina snapped.
"I sometimes forget—what you are. Have the masks come off now, or is this another ploy?" Tamlin asked Rhys.
"Youre beginning to become tedious, Tamlin," Helion said, propping his head on a hand. "Take your lovers spat elsewhere and let the rest of us discuss this war."
"Youd be all too happy for war, considering how well you made out in the last one."
"No one says war cant be lucrative," Helion countered.
"Enough," Kallias said. "We have our opinions on how the conflict with Hybern should be dealt with. Are you here as an ally of Hybern or Prythian?"
"I stand against Hybern."
"Prove it," Helion goaded.
Tamlin lifted his hand, and a stack of papers appeared on the little table beside his chair. "Charts of armies, ammunition, caches of faebane Everything carefully gleaned these months."
"Noble as it sounds," Helion went on, "who is to say that information is correct—or that you arent Hyberns 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?"
"You cant be serious," Nesta murmured.
"If we need to ally against Hybern," Thesan said, "you are doing a good job of convincing us not to band together, Tamlin."
"I am simply warning you that they might present the guise of honesty and friendship, but the fact remains that he warmed Amarantha's bed for fifty years, and only worked against her when it seemed the tide was turning. Im warning you that while he claims his own city was attacked by Hybern, they made off remarkably well—as if theyd been anticipating it. Don't think he wouldn't sacrifice a few buildings and lesser faeries to lure you into an alliance, into thinking you had a common enemy. Why is it that only the Night Court got word about the attack on Adriata—and were the only ones to arrive in time to play savior?"
"They received word," Varian cut in coolly, "because I warned them of it."
"Perhaps you're working with them, too," Tamlin said to the Prince of Adriata. "You're next in line, after all."
"You're insane," Feyre breathed to Tamlin as Varian bared his teeth. "Do you hear what you're saying?" She pointed toward Nesta. "Hybern turned my sisters into Fae—after your bitch of a priestess sold them out!"
"Perhaps Ianthe's mind was already in Rhysand's thrall. And what a tragedy to remain young and beautiful. You're a good actress—I'm sure the trait runs in the family."
"If you want someone to blame for all of this," Nesta said to Tamlin, "perhaps you should first look in the mirror."
Tamlin snarled at her. The hateful glint in his eye that was directed towards Nesta made me see red.
"Do not snarl at her," I sneered. "Don't even look at her."
Tamlin stared at me, his gaze flitting to Nesta, then back to me. He smiled cruelly, and I was suddenly feeling a lot less brave than before.
"Astraea," he greeted. "It seems you and your brothers have similar taste. I can't say I'm surprised."
"Save it, Tamlin," I warned him.
"Tell me, how did you manage to get away from your master?" he challenged, a smile flitting to his lips. I tensed. "I heard you stabbed him 25 times."
"Yes, I did," I confirmed. "And I will have no problem doing the same to you."
"Would I at least get to fuck you first?" Tamlin wondered. I snarled, Morrigan taking my hand again and squeezing it to keep me calm.
"Speak one more word to my sister, and I will carve your tongue out," Azriel warned.
The words were intimidating enough that Tamlin shifted his focus from Nesta and me, back to Feyre.
"What do you want?" Feyre hissed. "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 heartbeat, the poisoned words were spewing from his mouth—where fangs lengthened. Then they stopped.
Tamlins mouth simply stopped emitting sounds. He shut his mouth, opened it—tried again. No sound, not even a snarl, came out.
There was no smile on Rhysands face, not a glint of that irreverent amusement as he rested his head against the back of his chair.
"The gasping-fish look is a good one for you, Tamlin," Rhys joked.