My eyes strained against the gloomy sight, bright colors flashed around me. A large spark of crimson was the only signal before a body was thrown to the ground, tumbling to a stop in front of my feet.
"Feyre, get out of here!" Rhys yelled, pulling himself up from the ground.
Cassian appeared out of the black, charging forward with his blade raised. I hesitated, scanning his facial features, he had a slight youth to him that he didn't before. Rhys reached out and spun me behind him as his lifted his own sword to block the attack. Their swords clashed, causing sparks to fly through the air as the steel met steel. I heard a hiss in pain as Cassian's blade slid across Rhys' hilt and cut across his knuckles, leaving a smear of blood.
"Please, Feyre." He groaned, looking over his shoulder to me, "Get out of here."
Cassian quickly attacked once more, lunging low towards his abdomen.
"Rhys!" I screamed, before Rhys could react I twisted out of his grip and pushed myself forward, blocking the blades path.
The world slowed as the sharp metal swung towards me, I could see small blood droplets rippling off of the cold steel as it sliced through the air. Two deep roars echoed through the valley in an ear splitting warning as Cassian's blade continued to soar down.
I could smell the fresh breeze as it rolled through the hills, the scent of moist dirt from the on coming rain. I could taste the metallic tang of blood. I closed my eyes, awaiting the inevitable.
Nothing.
I felt nothing as I stood there. Not the forceful impact, or the horrid pain. Not the slicing of flesh, or the splatter of blood. I squeezed my eyes open to see Cassian's blade laying on the grass at my feet.
Looking up, I gazed at Rhysand who was holding his gasping brother up off the ground by his throat, "Don't you dare touch her!" Rhysand spat at his face, tightening his grip to make emphasis.
A warm arm snaked around my waist and pulled me backwards into a hard chest. Rhys came into view as he stood behind me, giving me a small glare before turning his attention back at the two men in front of us.
I almost lost you, Feyre. Don't ever do that again.
In the distance, I could hear swords clashing against each other, flashes of blue and red lit up the murky clouds that stood between us. The battle between my Cassian and the younger Azriel building to a fierce battle. Growling, Rhys loosened his grip and let Cassian drop to the ground with a loud thud. Turning to me, I noticed the black swirling within his eyes.
"Come." He commanded, reaching out his hand for me.
"No, you prick."
"Come."
"She said no." Rhys cut in, shielding me from further damage as he wrapped a wing around my torso.
"I was not talking to you." Rhysand spat, he looked back at me and motioned for me to take is outstretched hand once more, "Feyre. Take my hand."
I shook my head, receding deeper into Rhys' warmth, "No, Rhysand."
Anger laced his every word, "Feyre, I am not asking again. Come."
"No."
"I am not going to let you leave me." He said before he struck.
Throwing his dagger at such a speed, I could hardly see it flying towards Rhys' shoulder. Rhys deflected it with ease, ricocheting it away and into the darkness that swallowed it whole. Rhysand lunged again, drawing out a long, curved, talon like blade as he swung down. Rhys pushed me back as he deflected and blocked the powerful onslaught of attacks, nimbly evading the dangerous blows.
In the corner of my eye I caught Cassian regaining his footing. He stared blankly at the two powerful men attacking each other. He stepped forward then hesitated, scanning them once more. I followed his gaze to the fighting High Lords, both men wore similar clothing, with their elegant Illyrian leathers and the multiple sheathed knives along their side. From a distance, with the dark haze setting between us, they look to be completely identical. Cassian drew out his blade and bounded forward.
Declaring his victim, he slashed out at Rhys' side, but before his blade met flesh I was already there. I unsheathed the weapon strapped to my leathers and tilted my blade across to intercept Cassian's. I severely misjudged the strength of his attack as the impact knocked me to the ground, sending a searing pain up my arm. I looked up to see his wide eyed expression, as the blades slid against each other.
"Stand back, Feyre. They will kill me if I hurt you!" He growled, pulling back to plan another attack past me towards my mates.
A large gust of wind howled through the valley, sending leaves flying into the sky, the gust pierced through the dark mist surrounding us, dispersing it throughout the air like smoke from a flame. The fierce winds encircled us, picking up everything in its path as it sliced through the clearing of the camp. I could finally see our surroundings as nearby tents and campfires became swept up into the haze of debris spiraling through the air.
Illyrian soldiers ducked and weaved throughout the hazardous weather, collecting all the valuables they could grasp before winds swallowed them whole. I could barely see through the haze the Illyrian Camp Leader in the distance. His arms were lifted shielding his face as he stood at the edge of the storm, his wings tucked in safety behind his broad frame as he fought the wind for footing.
His gaze shot to me and our eyes locked but before he could react, I felt a harsh shove at my side. My eyes shot back, glaring at what hit me. A large barrier made of glistening red magic was formed in front of me, it's energy radiating off of Cassian's Siphons which was glowing like burning embers in the setting sun.
"This is for your own good, Feyre." As soon as the words left Cassian's lips I felt a soft pressure against my whole body, reaching out my hands I hit nothing but the crimson barrier that was now encircling me. Locking me away from the fight.
"Cassian!" I screamed, thrashing my balled fists against the impenetrable wall that trapped me.
"Cassian, let me out now!" I growled but he did not stay long enough to hear as he spun on his heel and stalked towards the black cloud that was erupting in front of us.
The darkness flashed and moved, black tendrils whipping through the air before lashing back into the centre. I could sense the booming presence of Rhys, I could feel the way his power gracefully moved, like a beautiful dance it flowed in a mesmerising rhythm through him.
I flinched as two dark figures shot out of the dark and into the air, their familiar leathery wings beating against the winds as they drew apart before colliding together in a force that shook the ground beneath my feet.
My breath caught in my throat as one figure plummeted from the skies before smashing into the earth.
"Rhys!" I screamed, clawing at the red magic restraining me.
Closing my eyes, I let a lone tear roll down my cheek as I sucked in a ragged breath. The power within me writhed, begging to be unleashed. I knelt down to my knee, running my hand over my protruding stomach as I calmed my racing heart. Soft kicks jolted through me but I ignored it and tried to focus, letting my power seep through me. Darkness pooled at my feet, crawling up my legs and arms, filling the small space that confined me.
"I am Feyre..." I whispered "High Lady of the night court..." I found my footing and got to my feet, "Mate to the most powerful High Lord in history."
Reaching up, I placed my palm flat against the barrier, letting the warmth of the magic soak into me, "Saviour of Prythian and Cauldron blessed."
I could feel my magic coil under my skin, begging to be released.
"Nothing can restrain me."
I opened my eyes. The power I held so tightly restrained finally surged through me in a title wave of strength. In a flash of light, I bursted through the barrier as if it were nothing, leaving it to disintegrate into the winds.
The soothing weight of my wings hung down on me as I lifted them up to their full extent. Flames flickered at my fingertips, entwining with droplets of water. My power roared from within me, exploding into the field and distinguishing the spiralling storm that continued to rip through the camp. The magic tore through the dark clouds, leaving everyone and everything quite and bare.
"Feyre?" A voice called in the distance, I looked over to see my mate standing a few paces away from another form laying on the ground, the form pulled itself up to his elbows and turned to me.
Rhys' face came into view and I could of sworn a flash of pride crossed his eyes as he gazed at me. I took a step forward, noticing the way darkness rippled out from behind me and seeped up into the air above. As quick as light i windowed forward, stepping out right in between my mates.
I could see Azriel across the field, standing defensively between two Cassians. He held his arms up wide, pointing twin blades at both of the men that stood beside him, scanning their movements.
"Move," Rhysand hissed, pulling me behind him and lifting his wings. I could see his left wing had a gaping hole rip through it, and it was bleeding heavily.
"Don't touch her," Rhys growled, finding his footing and standing to his full height in front of us. Dark magic knotted at his fingertips, ready to strike as he stepped forwards.
"Stop this, now!" I demanded, pushing past Rhysand and lifting my hands to hold both of them apart. Uncurling my fingers, I laid my palms flat on their warm chests, soaking in the way their bodies slightly relaxed to my touch.
"Don't fight." I begged, making eye contact with each of them. "Please don't fight."
"Too late for that, Feyre."
Just as the words left his lips, I felt a sharp pain shoot through my head and I collapsed to the ground.