Chapter Text
I woke up in the afternoon, head pounding from the copious amounts of wine I’d drank the night before. Well, really until early morning. My two favorite males who worked at the pleasure house were sleeping soundly next to me.
The extravagant room I had rented for the night reeked of sex and drink. The deep purple silk sheets were covered in stains. The bedside table was knocked over, no doubt in the midst of last night’s sexual frenzy.
I should definitely tip the maid extra.
I groaned as I got up. I sat on the bed for a moment and rubbed my face before carefully crawling over one of the males. I looked around the room for my clothes. A shoe here, another shoe there, undergarments somehow hanging on the door handle.
Drink more water next time, you complete fucking amateur.
I let out a low growl when I saw the state of my dress. The low neckline which had already plunged just beneath my breasts was now torn so that it went to my navel. It wasn’t my fanciest but it was one of my favorites. It was sleeveless with gold beading in the shape of vines along the deep neckline. The deep teal silk pooled to the floor. The fabric shifted and emphasized every sway of my hips.
After having finished putting myself somewhat together I pulled out a hefty sack of gold coins from my thin overcoat and left it on the bed for the two males.
I heard pleasure girls giggling and males’ laughter as I made my way to the main parlor. The gilded room treaded a thin line between tasteful and gauche. Pleasure girls batted their eyelashes and smiled as they sat on the lush velvet seating, pretending to be amused by whatever their clientele was saying.
The males nodded at me as I passed by. Some of them were young like me, not even fifty years-old. But others were old and grizzled. They were all aristocrats though, either royal or extremely wealthy. Merchants, lords, lesser nobles, and the like.
“FUCK!” I heard a male angrily bellow from another room. The gambling room to be exact.
Asra.
I shook my head and chuckled as I walked into the room. I leaned against the doorframe as I watched my friend grin triumphantly as she collected her winnings, adding them to the large pile of gold she’d already won.
Based on the ten male’s clothing they had to be from the neighboring country of Vallahan. That, and no one in Montesere other than arrogant young males were stupid enough to play against Asra. As the daughter of the King’s Spymaster, she’d been trained at a young age to read people and find their tells.
Asra was tall and lithe. Her pale skin was like fresh snow, contrasted by her long straight raven hair. Her unfairly long thick eyelashes accentuated her black irises. Eyes so intense you could swear she was looking into your soul. She looked like beautiful death. Her looks were due to her mother, a shadow wraith, who’d worked for her father as a spy.
Next to her sat my other friend Myla, wickedly smirking at the pissed off males. She lounged with her legs crossed and an arm draped over the back of a chair. She twirled one of her daggers as she looked on in amusement.
Myla was the daughter of the Grand General. She was of average height with a strong yet feminine build. She had wild curly hair and eyes the color of caramel candies. Unlike Asra’s soul piercing gaze, Myla’s always had a glimmer of mischief.
What little scamps.
“Don’t you think you have enough gold, friend?” I teased Asra as I traipsed toward the table.
The males glowered at her. Part of their ire was definitely from the humiliation of being beaten so badly by a female. A young one no less.
One of them stood up and slammed his hands down on the table. It shook from the force of the blow. He was tall and barrel chested. His forearms were the size of hams. Layers of calluses covered his knuckles. This man clearly enjoyed fighting and was likely good at it.
“There’s no way you won fairly!” he spat at Asra. “You fucking cheated, girl!”
Asra sat there cooly and cocked her head to the side, “I didn’t cheat. You’re simply shittier at cards than you realize. Perhaps your friends let you win all the time because they pity you,” she said dryly.
Myla and I snickered as the male’s friends looked down uncomfortably.
“Of course they let that giant oaf win!” I laughed to my friends using my daemati gift.
Asra winked at me, “Called it.”
“Do not speak to me that way you little half-breed! Do you know who I am?!”
My eyes went wide at the insult and Myla quickly rose to her feet. Darkness began to swirl around Asra.
“Yes, I know who you are...You’re an insufferable cunt,” I spat at him venomously.
Myla leaned in and stared the male down as she put her hand around the hilt of her other dagger. “Call my friend a half-breed again, and I’ll cut out your tongue and wipe my asshole with it.”
“Gentlemales!” the madame crooned as she flitted into the room. She gave us a knowing glance to take the earnings and leave.
She’d seen how this scenario has played out before multiple times. The most recent, my father had to pay 700 gold coins to pay for damages to the gambling room. He was also furious that we’d sent four males from noble families to the healer.
Though I was smart enough to realize this time a fight would be a terrible idea. It was ten against three and the men were likely well trained in combat by the looks of them.
Asra collected her winnings while the madame tried placating the males, “It is so nice to see you again, Lord Virtanen!”
I looked at Myla with a raised eyebrow, “Why does that name sound familiar?”
“Lord Virtanen has a considerable military force in Vallahan. He must be here to meet with my father.”
“Curious.”
Asra finally mouthed for us to go. We scurried away while the madame continued to distract Lord Virtanen and his men.
Asra grunted as she readjusted the heavy leather satchel on her thin shoulder. The coins jingled with every step she took down the narrow street.
“That was a close one,” she huffed.
“Please!” Myla scoffed, rolling her eyes. “We could have taken them. Winnow, slash, winnow, slash, winnow, slash!” she said confidently as she sliced her daggers through the air, pretended to fight the males, “I’d have turned them into mutton.”
Asra and I snorted as we turned down the small alleyway we normally took as a shortcut back to the palace.
“Who do you think you are?” I teased her, “Lord Cassian of the Night Court? Greatest fae warrior of our time?”
“Ugh! Cassian, Cassian, Cassian!” she sneered, annoyed. “My father once beat Lord Cassian in a battle during the great war, you know,” Myla bragged proudly as she strutted down the street with her hands on both dagger hilts.
“We know,” Asra and I groaned in unison and rolled our eyes, knowing that we’d just provoked another one of Myla’s rants.
“-- and I’ll tell you who else is overrated, that so-called Shawdowsinger.”
Shit. Another argument.
“Well my father said that Lord Azriel is one of the greatest spymasters in the Fae lands. He once -”
“Stop.”
My friends halted, dead in their tracks.
Something didn’t feel right. Something -
“There you are, you little whores!” Lord Virtanen barked behind us.
The three of us slowly turned around to look. He and his men stood behind us ready to draw their swords.
I narrowed my eyes at him and jutted out my chin, my hands placed firmly on my hips.
“You clearly don’t know who I am,” I sassed with my nose looking down at him, “I am Princess Thea of Monterese. So unless you want my father to put your head on a pike in the middle of the city square, you best put down your swords.”
The males paused and stared at us for a while. Then suddenly burst out in laughter. Lord Virtanen wheezed and slapped his knee.
“Princess? The princess?” he was practically crying with laughter. He wiped the tears from his eyes, “What kind of ‘princess’ goes to a pleasure house, let alone without an armed escort?”
“The people here in the Capitol know me,” I hissed defiantly as I tried to tamp down the scent of my now growing fear, “They know better than to lay a hand on me, lest they face my father’s wrath.”
“I don’t think he believes you, Thea.” Asra warned from the corner of her mouth.
“No shit.”
“Your father’s wrath, huh?” he chuckled darkly as he eyed me up and down lecherously, “I’ll show you my wrath...and then some, Princess.”
Oh. Fuck.
“RUN!” Myla shouted.
Asra and I turned and the three of us darted down the alleyway. We knew the city like the back of our hands and hoped we could lose the ten brutes chasing after us.
My heart slammed against my chest. Nothing but adrenaline and panic fueled me as I continued to run.
Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! I should have worn pants like Myla!
“To the right!” Asra struggled to yell, pointing towards a turn.
I looked over at her and she was having trouble keeping up with her satchel of gold.
“Drop the fucking bag!” I yelled, “You don’t need it!”
“But it’s mine! I won it fair and square!”
Myla let out a low growl, “Now is not the time to be principled, Asra!”
“Fine!” Asra panted before ripping the bag off her shoulder. She quickly stopped to toss it onto a small street. The gold covered the ground and nearby city dwellers scrambled to pick up the coins.
Asra pointed to another alley, “Over here!”
We followed suit after her. Halfway through the narrow alley I gasped. It was a dead end.
“Oh, cauldron help us! I’m so sorry,” she apologized frantically, “I - I forgot -”
“That we can’t run through walls like you?!” Myla snapped furiously, making Asra flinch.
I looked around desperately for a way out. Maybe someway to climb out, but we were trapped. The stone walls were far too high.
I took a deep breath and focused on glamouring us so that Virtanen and his men couldn’t see us. I wasn’t as good at it as my older brothers, but decent enough.
Asra and Myla held their breaths as we heard heavy footsteps approach. We watched in horror and confusion as they continued to stalk towards us slowly like wolves circling their prey.
Virtanen flashed a villainous grin, “We can smell you, but nice try, girl.”
The glamor slowly receded. I knew it was useless.
Myla took out her daggers and nervously got into the battle stance her father had taught her. Asra was panting and summoning as much darkness as she could. I hoped that it would be dark enough for us to have a fighting chance to get away.
“It’s going to be alright. It’s going to be alright.” I tried to assure Asra and Myla.
“How hard can a little winnow, slash, winnow, slash be, right?” Myla joked nervously.
I swallowed in fear. Some of the men licked their lips as they leered at us.
Beads of sweat began to dot my forehead. I could feel the blood flowing through each and every one of my veins. My fingers twitched and I felt like there was something brewing inside of me.
“We want the half-breed,” one of Virtanen’s men announced before him and another male rushed to grab Asra.
She shrieked as Myla quickly winnowed and stabbed one of them in the gut. He growled before he grabbed Myla by her hair and slammed her head against the wall, knocking her out cold.
I attempted to fight the other male trying to take Asra before I screamed.
“LEAVE HER ALONE!”
I heard my voice echo in my head over and over again. My vision refocused and I saw nothing but red mist where the males had been standing.
My body quaked as I watched it slowly waft away. My blood turned to ice as my lower lip trembled.
A new power. My grandfather’s power.
Now I feared for my life from a new even greater danger than what Lord Virtanen was.
Cain and Dagon.. They’re going to kill me.
~~~
The sight of Lord Virtanen and his men turning into mist - me misting them - played over and over in my head as I walked through the palace halls.
Bile rose in my throat as I thought about what would happen if my brothers Cain and Dagon found out. What would happen if any other of my grandfather’s powers presented themselves?
I couldn’t even worry about the fact that a high ranking lord from Vallahan would be considered missing. Missing because of me. The bastard deserved it, but there would surely be consequences. Who knew who those other men were?
“Thea! Thea!” I heard my niece Cerise calling for me as she trotted down the hallway to catch up. She held the billowing skirts of her turquoise layered chiffon dress as she ran.
Cerise was my older brother Tomos’ daughter and was slightly younger than me. She was more like a little sister than a niece.
Her mother was Illyrian, my brother having rescued her after an attack on her camp during the war. One would think she was pure Illyrian if it weren’t for her pointy High Fae ears. She also preferred the most feminine fashion, often weaving flowers into her hairstyles as well. She was as soft as Illyrians were battle hardened.
She giggled and looped her arm around mine, grinning as she walked with me to her family’s apartment in the palace for dinner.
The palace had white and blue mosaic marble floors with a blue and white pattern that extended halfway up the many columns surrounding the hallway. Intricate geometric patterns were carved into the ceilings circling large gold chandeliers.
On one side of the hall was the massive lush courtyard in the center of the palace. Peacocks strutted around, their sounds mixing with the ambient noise of the multiple fountains. It was filled with palms and date and citrus trees. Though my favorite plants were the jasmine vines that circled the columns, their scent filled the palace blending with the frankincense that burned in brass bowls placed around the halls.
“I’m glad you’re coming for dinner tonight,” she chirped sweetly. I could hear the joy in her voice.
Normally Cerise’s chipper demeanor would have cheered me up, but there was too much weighing on my mind.
~~~
Tomos stared at me speechless from across the table. I could see the worry in his already chronically weary eyes.
Cerise and her mother had been dismissed after dessert, much to Cerise’s chagrin.
I was anxious as he studied me. Each moment of passing quiet as he thought only increased my dread.
Tomos was my favorite brother. Despite our over 600 year age gap, we were always close. Perhaps in part because he couldn’t stand Cain and Dagon, and wanted to shield me from their wickedness.
He finally reached his hands across the table and grabbed mine gently. “If any of us was to inherit our grandfather’s powers, I’m glad it’s you, sister.”
I blinked at him, taken aback. “But..but you would be better suited. You -”
He shook his head. “I don’t want it. I don’t want to rule this wretched kingdom. I’m tired, Thea. This place could fucking burn for all I care. We’d deserve it.”
“Don’t say that!” I looked at him incredulously, “If you think we should burn then why not just support Dagon or Cain, hm? If you think we are beyond redemption.”
“Because you know damn well why,” he snarled at me, “They’re not just a threat to Montesere. And their cruelty -” he cut himself off and took a deep shaky breath to steady himself.
I squeezed his hand back. “Brother, what should I do?”
“You need to train to use your powers. Not just to protect yourself, but also so that you don’t accidentally hurt people around you. Misting is a dangerous power if you don’t know how to control it, Thea. And if you can do this, then who knows what else you’ve inherited.”
“Tomos, there is nowhere I can train here in Montesere without our brothers finding out. You know what they’ll do to me. Hell, there’s no one here who can train me anyway.”
My grandfather had been one of the most powerful High Fae on both the continent, Hybern, and Prythian. However his full powers didn’t pass to any of his children. My father only became king because he was the most powerful of his siblings.
My father hoped that Tomos would have inherited them, but none of my brothers did. Unfortunately Cain was the most powerful and thus the presumptive heir. I was now a threat to him and he and Dagon would kill me to secure Cain on the throne.
“High Lord Rhysand.” Tomos started cautiously, “He can train you. He’s the only fae known to mist and is also a powerful daemati.”
I furrowed my brow at him in disbelief, “High Lord Rhysand?! There’s no way he would agree!”
He held his hand up for me to stop speaking.
“Listen to me, Thea,” his voice now low and gravely serious, “I knew Rhys - Rhysand - quite well before the war. He is smart enough to understand the threat that Cain poses and I know he ultimately wants peace. Training you would be beneficial to him.”
I sat in shock as I listened to my brother’s words. “Your suggestion borders on treason,” I whispered, “Collaborating with the enemy so that I could somehow take the throne -”
“Thea, Cain cannot be king.”
I paused as I gazed at him. I knew what he was implying and was thankful he didn’t say it out loud. I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I probably would have vomited right then and there.
“Father will never allow it,” I countered bluntly, “He will never let me go to Prythian, let alone the Night Court.”
Aside from Tomos, I was my father’s favorite child. Cain did nothing but remind him of his own mortality and Dagon was entirely without morals. It was another reason my older brothers hated me. It was also another reason my father wouldn’t want me to leave Montesere.
Tomos’ eyes were filled with determination. “He will. I will help convince him.”
~~~
“By the cauldron! You’re not going to the fucking Night Court alone, Thea!” Myla practically scolded me, arms splayed in front of her and as she looked at me in disbelief, “Wherever you go, we’re going too!”
We were arguing in my apartment at the palace after I’d just told them about my plan.
I shook my head adamantly, “No, none of you can come with me. It’s too dangerous. If this doesn’t work and my brothers find out you’re involved -”
“I’ll take that chance.” Asra snapped as she stood glaring at me with her hands on her hips. “And you’ll need us. You know I’ll be able to keep an eye on things going on in the Night Court while you’re training.”
Asra was right. I would need someone to be my eyes and ears. Even though Tomos said that High Lord Rhysand would likely become my ally, I needed to be careful.
“I’m going too,” Cerise piped up confidently, “You can’t tell me otherwise and I’m sure my father would agree.”
“Cerise -”
“There are Illyrians at the Night Court. Rhysland himself is half, just like I am. I’ve never met one aside from my mother and I deserve to. I deserve to learn about that half of me.”
Her eyes softened as she looked at me, silently pleading for me to say yes. I knew there was another reason she wanted to meet the Illyrians that she was too ashamed to say out loud. I couldn’t deny her the opportunity.
I was silent as I looked around the room at my friends and niece. All determined to support me on my journey. I knew deep down they would never forgive me for not allowing them to help and I would never forgive myself either.
“Okay,” I finally told them, “We’ll all go.”
~~~
Cain looked at me dismissively from across the long table in the council room. He, Dagon, and I were the first to arrive. I looked at his hands and noticed his knuckles were busted open and there was blood around his nail beds. It was likely from either beating his wife - his seventh to be exact - or one of the fairie servants in his own palace that he loved to torment so much.
Dagon was clearly hungover, sweating alcohol, with dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn’t slept for days. He barely noticed me. I didn’t want to know what he had been up to. I knew enough about him to be certain it was cruel, depraved, and would make my stomach churn.
The large doors to the council room opened and the ministers began to trickle in, along with Myla and Asra’s fathers. We said our polite hellos, though Cain and Dagon were curt as always.
I smiled when Tomos walked in with my father, hopeful that he’d convinced him to let me go to the Night Court.
We all stood and bowed to my father before he took his seat at the head of the table, Tomos sitting at his right hand side. My other brothers sneered at him, but Tomos paid them no attention.
My father studied me briefly before clearing his throat and turning to his ministers. “Before we begin this morning’s usual meeting, I’d like to make an announcement. Under the counsel of my son, Prince Tomos, I’ve decided to send an emissary to the Night Court in Prythian.”
“And for what purpose, Your Majesty?” the Grand General questioned him plainly, “We have no interest in signing their damned new treaty.”
My father leaned back in his chair and cocked his head to the side, “Do you think it is wise that Vallahan has an emissary from the Night Court and we do not? Especially when our defenses are high from a potential incursion by our neighbors?”
The Grand General huffed and straightened his jacket. I turned away, nearly unable to stifle my smirk.
“I will gladly go, father,” Dagon said presumptively, leaning back in his chair with a crooked smile, “It would be my honor to represent Montesere.”
“You will not be going,” my father snapped quickly, causing Dagon to look as if he'd just been slapped in the face.
Cain snickered at his side. I could tell the bastard assumed it would be him instead.
“Thea will go.”
Gasps filled the room. The ministers grumbled, expressing their disapproval of the decision. Dagon glowered at me hatefully from across the table.
“And why would we send her, father? Has she run through all the cock in Montesere that she needs to go all the way to Prythian?” Cain taunted loud enough for everyone to hear with a cruel glint in his eye.
Before I could make a snarky quip, my father stood and drew his dagger, pointing it at Cain. Tomos’ hand was on the hilt of his sword.
“Do not dare address your sister that way!” he barked at Cain, “I will remove you from these chambers and permanently ban you from this council, you intolerable spoiled little shit!” He put his dagger away and stared down my brother, “Apologize. Now.”
Cain was shaking with rage and embarrassment. His lip curled as he stared at me, “I apologize,” he gritted out, “sister.”
I felt Cain’s angry talons clawing furiously scratching against my mental shields. “Always daddy’s little fucking princess,” he sneered from the other side.
I focused on keeping my body from trembling with a mix of fear and rage. Tomos grabbed my hand beneath the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
The room was awkwardly silent as my father sat back down to continue. “It is time that the Princess has some responsibility. Emissary to the Night Court would be an excellent start.”
“With all do respect. The Princess’ role in helping the royal family is to get married in an advantageous match,” the Minister of Finance countered while looking at me with condescension.
Shit. Think, Thea. Think.
“And who says that I can’t find a match on Prythian?” I questioned him with a raised eyebrow, “Eris of the Autumn Court is suitable. Then there is also the matter of High Lord Tamlin.”
“Tamlin? You must be mad! He fought in the war against Hybern. His court has been destroyed by that unnatural abomination Feyre.”
“Yes, but,” Tomos jumped in, “Tamlin is a broken-hearted mess and his coffers are empty. Our country is wealthy and can help rebuild his court, giving us an advantageous foothold in Prythian. And frankly, I think my daughter Cerise would be a good match from what I know of him.”
“Tomos, do not tell me you are seriously considering marrying Cerise off to High Lord Tamlin.”
“No, but this should help sway the council.”
My father turned and looked at Tomos, wide-eyed in shock, “Cerise is too sweet and too kind for such an endeavor!”
“And that is precisely why she would be perfect,” the spymaster said with a crooked grin. He tapped his fingers on the arms of his chair as the cogs began to turn in his mind, “Tamlin would never suspect a thing.”
The other males nodded their heads in agreement as they started to come around. Dagon simply rolled his eyes while Cain pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a frustrated sigh.
Now for the hard part…
My back stiffened and looked down the table at the council members before I announced that Myla and Asra had also volunteered to join me.
Tomos’ head snapped to me, having been entirely caught off guard by the declaration.
“Absolutely not!” Myla’s father growled as he pounded his fist on the table, “I will not send my daughter to be around those filthy Illyrian brutes!”
“Watch your tongue,” Tomos warned in a low menacing voice as he stared down the other male, “You forget yourself, General.”
The Grand General swallowed, having quickly realized his mistake, “My apologies, Prince Tomos.”
The Spymaster reclined in his chair as he contemplated the proposal.
“Entrusting High Lord Rhysand with the daughters of the highest ranking families in Montesere would utterly throw him. He’ll be suspicious, yes, but it would ultimately be seen as a sign of burgeoning trust. And frankly, I have faith in our daughters' abilities.”
I gave him a large grin. My father nodded at him and then focused his attention on me.
“Thea, it is settled. You will all go as emissaries to the Night Court should High Lord Rhysand agree,” he declared with a smile at first, but then his face turned serious, “You will be representing all of Montesere. You are to be on your best behavior. That means no partying until odd hours of the night, no pleasure houses, no fraternizing with any males who are not marriage worthy - and most importantly - no fucking fighting.”
I cleared my throat and took on a dignified courtly posture, “I will represent our Kingdom with honor and pride, My King.”
My father gave me a small smile with a proud glint in his eye.
“Very well,” he told his council, “Now let us move on to other matters.”
Now I just had to wait for High Lord Rhysand’s response and hope that he’d agree to host us in his court. And the waiting, that would be difficult.
“Lord Virtanen failed to show up to our meeting, Your Highness. Him and his men’s belongings are all in their quarters, however they are nowhere to be found.”
Fuck.