The drums felt as though they were vibrating in my skull. Telling me to go. Go. Go. But Tamlin told me not to go and gave me a stern look afterward as if he thought that his telling me not to go would only encourage me. They weren't wrong. I had to admit their warnings only fed my curiosity. What was so important or disturbing a mortal girl wouldn't be allowed, or couldn't bear witness to. Maybe it was a weird ritual and my mortal presence would taint it or something ridiculous like that. If it were, I wouldn't mind tainting this ritual out of spite.
I groaned into my pillow. Why did they have to tell me not to go? It's like they knew where my thoughts would stray to. Maybe I'd just sneak out for a peak. Just a little glance to be able to fit the puzzle pieces together. Then I could leave and be on my merry little way without a problem and they'd never know I was there.
Just a sneak peek, is what I told myself as I dressed in the most agile attire I could find, should things go South.
And like I'd done so many times in the nights since I came to this wretched place, I slunk into the shadows, seen by no one. Every time I sneak out I get better at it, my pace is faster and I know where to look for servants or anything else that could get in my way. It also might be because I needed to get out of the house faster these days because of Tamlin and Feyre's disgusting amount of tension. I know Lucien feels the same, I can always see nausea in his eyes every time they exchange a sultry look, I'm sure my eyes mirror his own. Even the thought of my sister's scarring looks makes me sick.
I reached the door in record time, to which I felt a small amount of pride. I quickly snuck to the stables, getting used to the unfamiliar route. Usually, I sneak off into the Haven to see the Wyverns instead of the horses. But I apparently wasn't allowed out of the house tonight.
I made my way to Amaris and let her out before mounting hastily, not without sparing her a small mischievous smile that I honestly think she understood. Amaris and I rode towards the glowing lights of the bonfires far off in the distance. The night seemed to be glowing tonight and as we rode I took only a moment to admire it.
I stopped and dismounted a few minutes away from the main festivities. I tied Amaris' reins on a low branch, though I had a feeling she wasn't going to leave. It was a long walk back to the house and my gut told me tonight wasn't the night to be out alone for more than a few minutes. Which is exactly how long I intended to stay here.
I navigated my way through the small grove of trees with ease, already used to it after a few weeks of sneaking through the woods. When I finally made it to the festivities it was not what I expected.
I thought this would be all about males trying to show off and look good near a big fire, while the females did one of two things, either indulging the males in their attempts to woo them or ignoring them completely. There was no in-between, at least not in the mortal lands. And of course, there would be the typical fae brooding that Lucy and Tamlin love and cherish so much. It would be hosted near a big rock with different Spring court markings like flowers and big poofy dresses. And Tamlin would be doing one of the weird dances I always accidentally catch him doing in front of one of the many, many mirrors in the manner while he held a sacred rock over his head and chanted a weird prayer or something like that. And as he did that he'd be performing some creepy ritual sacrifice near a mountain in a cave. That seems like a very Tamlin thing to do. Lucy would do what he does best and do whatever Tamlin says. And then they would all run in the woods with Tamlin in the lead in one giant race of faeries to see who would find a magic object, and thenâ
Oh, Cauldron damn me, why did they have to tell me about this stupid celebration? They had to know what scenarios and assumptions my mind would come up with. They were doing this out of spite, I'd accept no other option.
The festivities were being held near a large cave mouth that was on the side of one of the largest hills I'd ever seen; it might honestly be considered a small mountain. The cave was decorated with different kinds of flowers and vines, no doubt Tamlin's doing, at least I got that part right. Everything else was the perfect picture of a Spring Court celebration except for all the different people from other courts. It was a tad too... Flowery for my tastes. But I suppose we were in the Spring court and I didn't have the option to be picky.
People were dancing around the fire and mingling with each other. All of their clothes did seem a bit revealing, but good for them, at least they were allowed to wear whatever they wanted.
This was what they were keeping me from? I'm honestly a little disappointed. I was kind of hoping for a weird ritual so I could hold it over their heads for a bit.
I was about to ask a lesser faerie who was about to pass by what manner of activities were going to be performed tonight when I felt a warm presence at my back, telling me a High Fae was near, the presence got warmer by the second, telling me there was more than one, three if I had to guess. I could feel them getting closer, close enough for me to realize they were going to make a play to grab me.
The disrespect in that was enough to make me want to tear out their limbs and feed them to hungry animals. But of course, I couldn't do that here where everyone could see and it would draw too much attention towards me. I had to think quickly on my feet, luckily I have much experience with that.
I'd have to get them away from the crowds and deeper into the large grove of trees where no one could hear or accidentally wander near while I taught these males the lesson they deserved. I wouldn't kill them, of course, I didn't feel like incurring Tamlin's wrath anytime soon. I'd just scare them a teensy-tiny bit, maybe tear off a finger or two, nothing major, just enough to send a message that I wasn't to be approached again and neither was any other female without their consent, but more importantly, to never underestimate a mortal.
A plan formed in my mind and a feline smirk found its way onto my face just beforeâ as I expectedâ a hand grasped my arm just seconds after I sensed it and whirled me around. Just as my senses predicted, it was three High Fae males, I mentally praised my flawless instincts.
This was honestly going to be the most fun I've had since I came to Prythian. I was excited. But in order for me to have my fun, I had to play the part of the scared little mortal girl being dragged away by faeries.
"Human woman," the one who grabbed me muttered as he looked at me a few times with such male pride that it made my blood boil, "We've not seen one of you for a while."
"P-Please," I begged as I tried to yank my arm back, hating the feeling of the words coming from me. The faerie must have thought it was some kind of invitation as a smile formed on his face along with the other two at his back.
"Just some fire-night fun," one of them murmured as he reached a hand up to brush a lock of hair behind my curved ear. Oh, how I was going to enjoy tearing them limb from limb. I tried yanking my arms away again but their grip only tightened and I forced myself to wince, though the pain was nothing compared to the types of pain I endured in training.
The three faeries chuckled, a low breathy sound and I immediately knew what they wanted from me in that sound alone. Maybe, I'd reconsider killing them.
"Leave me alone," I pleaded again.
"Bold statement from a human on Calanmai," the one holding my left arm said as they began dragging me further into the woods, "Once the Rite is performed, we'll have some fun, won't we? A treatâ such a treatâ to find a human woman here." It was getting harder to keep my mask on, but I'd only need to deal for just a bit longer when we were clear from prying eyes, then I'd show them what a treat I was.
"Get your hands off me," I demanded this time. I nearly laughed at myself. If I wanted them off me then they'd be dead on the ground with daggers in their backs, but they didn't need to know that.
One of them ran a hand down my side and I stiffened as another ran a hand down my backside, Their bony fingers digging into me. Oh, I was most definitely going to kill them, and I'd make it slow. Just a little further into the woods. I jerked back only to slam into the third one who ran his hands through my white hair.
"Stop it," I spoke. One of them shoved me and I staggered but managed to keep my balance. We were so close to being far enough from the crowds just a few more feet and I'd give them what they deserved. I backed up a few steps feigning fear, which made them grin like fools.
But suddenly another set of hands grasped my shoulders, but this wasn't a bony hand, nevertheless, I'd kill them too for touching me without my permission.
"There you are," Said a deep, sensual male voice from beside me, "I've been looking for you." The male slipped his arm around my shoulders. But I kept my eyes on the three faeries, silently cursing this mystery male for ruining my much-needed fun.
The three fairies had paled, their eyes were wide with what could only be a combination of fear and surprise.
"Thank you for finding her for me," The male beside me spoke to them with a grace I had to admire, "Enjoy the Rite," A silent dismissal.
Without further comment, the three faeries scrambled away from us and I was forced to stay in the man's arms until they were out of earshot.
I broke free of the man's grasp with a sound between a hiss and a growl(Lucien and Tamlin would be proud), oh I was mad, so, so mad. My one chance to have just a bit of fun was ruined by this male and I was going to curse him for it.
"Stupid fool," I spat, "Moronic, incessant, fool," I whirled around.
But standing before me was, I think, the most beautiful male I'd ever seen.
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A/N: AHIUDHFIUEHFKHEFJPO