Chapter Text
“A nymph?” the High Lord of The Night Court questioned quietly. His violet eyes were worried as he glanced at his high lady, his mate, lying on their bed, her eyes closed and her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm, yet rest of his features remained stone cold.
“A water nymph, to be precise,” the female Fae stated with a firm mask on her face. “The cure for my lady’s disease requires it, my lord.”
The High Lord stopped himself from rushing to his mate, from holding tight against his chest until there was no air between them and somehow make this sickness for himself. “You know they’re extinct. Or are you trying to make fun of me?” He had to breath, he had to remain calm. That’s what Feyre wanted him to do now.
Madja inhaled, her head bowing slightly. “I wouldn’t dare, my lord. It is the only cure for her. The book I’ve found at the library, it said that for this such rare sickness there is only one answer.”
“Then find another book,” he snapped at her. But kept his voice quiet, not wanting to disturb his mate’s calm sleep. “Find another cure. Find another fucking magic to help her. I want both my mate and my son healthy.”
Her face may be hard, but anyone could read the fear shimmering in her eyes. “We’ve been searching for… weeks, my lord. I have examined our lady carefully for over days. I have no doubt of the sickness; the name and its signs were repeated one time or two in the book. But I’m afraid there is no common cure for this is not a common disease. The only thing that can help our lady is a water nymph.”
“Help her how?” Rhysand’s fingers curled in to balls. “We have to kill the creature on the night of full moon and she would have to drink her blood from a golden goblet?”
“A drop of tear,” her serious face showed no sign of doubt. “Only a drop of tear out of love, from a water nymph can heal our lady and save her and the child’s life.”
He hesitated. “And both will survive… unharmed?”
She nodded. “Our lady as healthy as the day she was born and your son will be the healthiest of children.”
He pressed his lips into a thin line. That still didn’t change the fact the water nymphs were extinct. No one has ever seen another of those beautiful creatures since the great war against Hybern. He had destroyed the cities under water, killing every living thing, massacring every water nymph.
It was rumered that it was for their healing ability that he had targeted them first. Their blood, Rhysand had heard, had the ability to heal any wound. So Hybern had removed them first, so they won’t be able to help any other.
So that he could bathe Prythian’s lands with blood of the innocent, replace the running rivers and waters with it. Making their drinking water unholy for over days.
A nymph’s tear though, didn’t have much value except for a few magic spells. It was the first time he was hearing that their tear out of love can be the answer to… something.
“How much time do we have?” The bitter question stung his tongue.
“Three months. Perhaps four, if we’re lucky. But they will not last longer than that,” Madja peered at him, her eyes covered with grief and sorrow. She too, adored her high lady. “I am sorry, my lord.”
Three month. 90 Days to save his wife, his mate, his high lady. And their son.
How could he ever find a water nymph who was in love? The possibilities of finding a water nymph was less than nothing itself, but for that nymph to be in love? To convince the creature to shed a tear for his Feyre?
But… he will find one. His violet eyes darkened, a hint of fury flaming in each when he thanked the healer, as he watched her walk away with the petit bag in her hand. He is going to find the water nymph, tangle its tail and body with chains and shackles, if necessary. He will not let anything happens to his mate, nor to his son.
Rhysand walked towards the giant bed. Though it was late at night, the heavy curtains covered every bit of moon light which were crossing the glass. His mate’s face was pale, a few drop of sweat covered her long forehead.
He kneeled beside the bed. Every cruel, harsh and violent part of him calmed when he heard her healthy long breathes. Her belly was getting rounder day by day, and her breasts heavier. Her body was accustoming with the baby. With their child, his heir to the Night Court's throne.
He brushed away a lock of her caramel gold hair away from her beautiful face.
Feyre whined a bit, shifting to her side and changing her sleep position, clearly annoyed with anyone who’s trying to disturb her. Rhysand breathed out a quiet laugh and pressed his lips to her forehead, taking in the sweet taste of her skin. He breathed in her rosy scent once more before living their chamber and closing the door quietly.
He will find a water nymph…
‘Rhysand!’ a rough voice called in his head the moment he lowered his mental shields to summon his court to the war room.
‘What is it, Cassian?’ he questioned as he climbed the stairs to get to the war room. He felt tired, physically and mentally. Maybe he was getting old, five hundred and eighty-seven years seems like a long time to him… at the moment.
‘We’re all at the war room, can you come up for a moment? Azriel has some news.’ Cassian answered. Oh no, he massaged his temples. Whenever Azriel had some news, any news, something was going on. Sometimes good, but mostly bad. Moments later, he was in front of the dark tall door of the war room.
There were noises coming when he entered the room, which were shut the moment he walked in the room. His violet eyes were icy as he glanced over the room, noticing every person existing in the room. Cassian and his mate, Nesta. Standing next to the giant round table with the Prythian map painted upon it. Amren who was tasting a glass of fine wine she had in her hand. Though Rhysand was sure it was not on hundred percent wine, it definitely had a good amount of human blood. His cousin, Morrigan, was sitting on the table with her legs crossed and her lean body comfortable.
It took more than a second for Rhysand to find the dark, huge figure that was standing in the inkiest part of the room, leaning against the wall and smoke-like shadows dancing around his built body.
The Shadowsinger’s hazel eyes were even icier than his when they met him. He bent his head, saluting. Rhysand took his eyes off of him and stepped to the main chair.
Once he sat down, he glanced over at Cassian and Nesta. They looked rather annoyed more than usual, which meant they were just fighting the moment before Rhysand walked in the room.
“I’m listening,” Rhysand hissed.
“It’s Beron,” Cassian announced loudly, his muscled body leaning in on the table and his wings snapping a bit in anger, “That motherfucker’s trying to wake Koschei up.” Amren and Morrigan’s eyes snapped at Cassian, their attention fully on the conversation.
Koschei… lake… water… nymph.
He had to find a water nymph.
“We have the three troves. He can’t do shit,” Morrigan grunted. Her hands being fists on the fabric of her blood red dress. Rhysand’s violet’s eyes shifted to silent Amren who was once again busy with her blood mixed wine.
“Yeah, but there is the forth trove. We still don’t have it and the fact that someone as shitty as Beron might get his hands on it is pissing me off. Though that’s not what’s worrying us,” Cassian hissed. His hazel eyes shifted to the Shadowsinger, “Tell them, Az.”
Azriel took his weight off the wall, approaching them with a calmness that reminded Rhysand of a hunting cat. His enormous wings snapped slightly and the shadows around him curled over his chest, shoulders and neck. Moving away from the inexplicable darkness, now everyone could see his unreadable handsome face, his frosty cold hazel eyes that few line of green were shining between them.
“I figured Beron is looking for the troves,” he quietly stated. “He has been searching for them over a day or two, and he know the three troves are in The Night Court.”
Frowns covered the present faces.
“My spies told me about it, so I looked into it. There is no way he would’ve found out without a man… inside. So, there is a rat.”
“Are you… sure, Azriel?” Eyes turned their attention to the blonde, who was wearing a disbelief mask on her face and her gorgeous eyes held a hint of mockery.
“I mean, the only people who know about the troves are in this room, plus Feyre.”
Feyre… cure… water nymph…
“So, what exactly is your point, Az?” Morrigan’s red lips twitched.
Azriel’s voice was as cold as The Winter Court itself, “My line of work proved that you don’t need be in the room to know things, Morrigan. The leak can be through anything, most likely the cracks in the walls.”
“He’s right,” Rhysand agreed, “Azriel is not accusing anyone, Mor. Drop it.”
He ignored Morrigan’s lips pressing against one another with annoyance and placed his forearms on the table, “We’ll double the security for the troves. And Azriel? Send more spies to The Autumn Court. I agree, Beron needs to be watched more than any other of the lords.”
Nesta snorted, “Even Tamlin?”
Rhysand scanned Lady Death, her silver eyes looking into his with no fear nor hesitation. “Tamlin is under control, thanks to Lucien. He’s keeping an eye on him for us and he’s reviving The Spring Court.” He knew Nesta didn’t like him, but it was true.
Also Lucien was a dear friend to Feyre, so he was a dear friend to him.
The water nymph…
Azriel made a sound of annoyance, clearly sharing every bit of disliking or even hatred Nesta had towards Lucien. Rhysand shoot him a death glare, reminding him of things they talked about and warnings he promised.
He will not deal with a stupid drama when his mate was sick and there was a chance that Beron is waking up Koschei.
“Fine,” Cassian stated as he pushed his body away from the table, moving towards the door. Everyone assumed this semi-meeting was over, so they followed Cassian to the door when Rhysand announced, “Wait. I have a thing to say as well.”
Eyes were dragged to the High Lord who was now standing, his back to them as he locked his eyes to the dark sky which covered with dusting stars.
∞
The Shadowsinger
The shadows twirled around him, one curling around his ear as it whispered, ‘The high lord is worried and upset.’ Rhysand ice-cold face didn’t show anything, nor did his posture. Only shadows could read his true emotions.
“As you all know, Feyre has been sick for over two months. Her condition is getting worse by days and the healer couldn’t find any cure for her. She and the other healers confirmed of her rare sickness. It is an incurable disease.”
Azriel dragged his eyes from the wall to his High Lord, his brother. Yes, they all did know that their High Lady was sick, but they didn’t know her disease had gotten this much…
Whispers and mutters echoed in his ears, the shadows took their job as an empath seriously, ‘Lady Death is distressed, her heart is beating fast out of fear’ ‘The General is heavy hearted, he is worried for High Lady’ ‘The Morrigan is sorrowful, she is fighting the urge to go to lady because she knows that would anger the High Lord’ ‘The Princess is gloomy’
“However,” Rhysand’s hoarse voice pulled Azriel away from the other’s feelings. “Madja was able to find one… only one cure for her. It can save both her and our son.”
And they were going to find it. Whatever it takes.
“The cure requires a water nymph,” Rhysand announced, his violet eyes were solid.
Every soul in the room remained quiet, breathing had seemed to become illegal. Mor was the first to speak, “A water nymph?” She asked as if she didn’t hear him.
“Yes. A water nymph,” Rhysand answered. He spoke the name of the creature so easily; it was as if as he saw one before him every single day and they had not been tragically massacred. Every single one of them.
The water nymphs had been extinct long before, it was one of the cruelest attack of the Hybern. Ending in the aftermath of the drinking waters that tasted like blood for days. Magic could not repay the shed blood of one of the most innocent. No matter what they did, the taste of blood didn’t leave the water for days and days.
“But… they are extinct,” Cassian remarked, his tone hesitant. When Azriel noticed Nesta who was standing next to Cassian, his brows formed a frown.
Her face was pale, probably for hearing the tragic news about her sister. About how her disease was incurable and the only cure that could cure her needed a water nymph. But no. It was something else…
Azriel studied Nesta’s posture with cautious as the shadows muttered in his ears, ‘Lady Death is hesitant and astonished.’ She shifted a bit, but not a word came out of her mouth as Rhysand stated, “I am aware that the water nymphs are known to be… gone. But I will not stand and watch my mate and my son die before my eyes. Therefore, we are going to find one.”
The violet eyes warned all of them, “There may be little chance, but I will take it. Find a water nymph and bring it to me. Do you understand?”
The heads were nodding and the mouths muttered a Yes as soon as the words left Rhysand’s lips.
Azriel kept his eyes on Nesta. The frown never left his brows when she whispered “If you’ll excuse me…” and left the war room, her long grey dress waving beautifully behind her. Rhysand turned to Morrigan and Amren, ordering them to search The Summer Court first, for the court was known as a home for water nymphs.
‘She was not acting normal, singer.’
Azriel peered at Cassian who was joining The High Lord, before walking towards the door. He strolled out, head snapping to find Nesta’s figure. His shadows whispered, ‘She is descending the stairs’ while he walked down the tall corridor. His burnt hand brushed over the dagger resting on his thigh. Although Nesta was basically family, his brother’s mate, that didn’t stop Azriel from feeling that he should be ready, armed. For anything.
His steps were tall, way longer than hers. he saw the grey fabric moving to the chamber Nesta and Cassian shared. He walked faster and before Nesta knew, Azriel pushed her body to the stone wall, the burnt hand curling around her neck, cutting down her air slightly.
The silver flames locked with the hazel, hatred and distrust flaming in both. Nesta’s fingers dig into the burnt skin, struggling immediately.
“Are you fucking nuts?! Let me go!” she hissed through the little breath he had saved for her. Azriel blocked the kick her leg shot to his groin with his thigh and held her neck with a firm grip, just enough to make her struggle to breath yet not chocking her.
His other hand grabbed her both wrists and slammed them against the wall, rough stones scarring her skin. He held her easily, as if he just caught a sparrow. He lowered his face to hers, the hazel eyes were sharp as he hissed, “What are you hiding?”
She never stopped struggling, trying to find an open angle, to punch or kick him were it was to leave unbearable pain. But her instructor was Cassian, and Azriel damn knew how or what he taught his mate for defending herself. Therefore, he blocked every attack before Nesta even had the chance.
“Talk,” he roughly ordered. His grip grew strong enough for her to hiss out of pain. “I don’t know what the fuck are you talking about,” she spat.
“You left the room way too early than usual,” his eyes narrowed. However, she snorted, “Believe it or not Azriel, Cass and I don’t fuck after every meeting. Now let me go!”
Azriel didn’t, he just held her harder against the wall. So that she could feel the rough stones nailing her back. The silver watered a bit… good.
“You are hiding something, Nesta. And you’re going to tell me,” the shadows were standing watch, Cassian didn’t need to see this. Some of them over his shoulders, moving around Nesta like hungry snakes.
“Or what?” she grunted, “I’ll get to see your precious dungeon? See what you do to those poor souls who won’t stop screaming?”
The stone-hard features didn’t change, “Talk, Nesta. What are you hiding?”
“I am not hiding anything!” ‘She lies,’ the shadows whispered. “And if I was hiding something, it wouldn’t be any of your business, Azriel.”
“Did you do something to Feyre?” his cruel words bit her soul, but he did not care. He only watched as her silver eyes widened with shock, then pure fury flamed the silver, “How fucking dare you?!” He had to harden his grip in order to keep her violent struggling under his control. “You’re a disgusting son of a bitch! A bastard and a fucking dickhead if you ever assume I have done something to my fucking sister.”
“Elain has always been your favorite." He studied her, ignoring the way his shadows flicked away with the mention of the name.
A bitter smirked was formed on her pink lips. “When I was a child, yes. I’m wondering how long is everyone planning to punish me for it. But now Azriel, I will do anything to save my sister and her son. So get off me.”
Azriel observed her once again, hardening his grip one more time before roughly letting her go. He was not convinced, not even slightly. Nesta’s eyes didn’t soften as she stormed to her chamber’s door. Azriel turned his back to her and started to walk away, the shadows curling and dancing around his body. Before he had the chance to reach the stairs, Nesta’s voice echoed in his ear,
“She’s just using you, you know.” Azriel stopped, yet did not face her. “She has eyes for Lucien, she wants him. This little thing between you and her, she’s just trying to make him jealous.”
‘She’s distracting you, singer. Do not pay attention,’ the shadows whispered. One of them brave enough to curl around his fingers in attempt to drag him away from her, from her words. Azriel did not shift an inch.
“Just wanted to give you a heads up. Don’t get too disappointed when she leaves you for him,” her tone was bitter, mocking him a bit.
‘Singer! She wants you to stop thinking about her strange behavior.’ His shadows practically shouted in his ears, begging him for his attention. A moment passed before Azriel turned around. As he stepped towards Nesta, the shadow of his tall and broad body started to overcome her. He stopped at mere inches, looking down at her as he muttered, “Don’t sniff around anywhere near me, Nesta. I don’t take it kindly when people want to fuck with me, or my brothers. So if you ever think to go behind Cassian or Rhysand’s back, I’ll make sure those poor souls be grateful of what I did to them when they see what I’ll do to you.”
The sharp hazel eyes didn’t miss a slight shiver that ran through Nesta’s body, her pupils growing with fear. His lips formed a cruel, dangerous smirk.
“Have fun with Cass tonight,” he muttered before he left towards the stairs. The smirk bring wiped away from his face.
The lonely, dangerous, fearsome Shadowsinger of the Night Court had two targets at the moment; one, to keep an eye on Lady Death for she may definitely be up to something. And two, he will find a water nymph. He will hunt the creature down to save his High Lady. No one will break apart his family…
He found himself at the library, browsing through hundreds of thousand bookshelves which were filled with undeniably rare and precious books. He knew this place better than Velaris itself, for this was his second home. One unique place he could feel like himself and not the monster everyone saw and know.
It took more than thirty minutes, but he found a number of books. Each filled with different information and data about the water nymphs, physics and body parts, minds and glamour, everything. It’s not enough, yet agreeable.
The shadows hid behind his enormous bat-shaped wings, finding a comfortable angle to sleep in. They were tired, which was rare. Only one stayed with him, curling around his burnt fingers, dancing around his wings, turning the old pages if it wanted to help.
Azriel didn’t lose focus, however, he grew rather pissed at the shadow’s energy and hissed quietly, “Go to Cassian’s chambers. Keep an eye on her. But don’t let them see you, none of them.”
The shadow twirled, clearly upset about being dismissed, though did not question and obeyed his command quickly and vanished into the air.
He turned his attention back to the book. The hazel eyes locked with the inky words as he swore silently to catch a water nymph.
He will drag the creature enchained and tangled with fetters if he had to.
∞
The Water Nymph
Gwyneth Berdara walked down the dark library, the only illuminance being the moonlight, shining through the glass windows. Her steps were as quiet as possible, but with not even a soul at the library at this hour, she could hear her breathes and light footsteps.
She walked and walked, passing every corridor and pass until she met the dark door. She looked around, glancing at every angle to see or hear anyone awake or present. When she was rest assured that she is alone, her hand turned the handle and the door opened, revealing the gorgeous backyard of the library where not everyone had the chance or permission to see.
A cool wind kissed her freckled skin, welcoming her outside. A smile bloomed on her rosy lips as she walked gracefully out of the library, closing the door behind her with cautious, not wanting to wake anyone up.
She took in the sky; the stars which were sparkling like diamonds, the inky blackness of the space that held the stars with a warm hug. The crescent moon, dangling from the black.
Her heart beat faster. An unknown feeling flamed through her body. That was how she felt whenever she was facing the night. Like it talked to her, inviting her to dance with a silent music.
The teal eyes focused. She observed her surrounding before walking to the fence and jumping over it. The orange and golden leaves cracked with every step, but there was no one around. There never was.
She never lost her wary as she booted down the small road. The tall trees accompanied her as she grew closer to the river, the crashing sounds of waves inviting. Threatening, to others.
She was standing next to the running river moments later. A deep river, this one was. Allowing one not to swim but to drown.
Gwyn looked around once again, this time warier. When she was indeed certain that she was alone, she took a deep breath and moved her freckled hand to the band of her librarian robe.
The white robe fell off her lean body, showing off the alabaster skin covered with countless of freckles under the pale moonlight. With hesitance, she removed her panties, wrapping the thin fabric between a clean cloth and placing the cloth among the robe, leaving the band that was covering her breasts on her body.
She folded the robe neatly before placing in an old hollow tree, hiding the old white fabric with a few orange leaves and climbed down the cliff, walking on dirt of the small river area. Her toe touched the water, testing the heat. She shivered, it was cold. She slowly walked in, the water covering her ankles, her knees, her thighs and finally her spine.
Her shivering stopped after mere minutes. The chilly water felt warm to her skin as she waited. She leant against a rock and started to untangle her braid, freeing the long copper locks to dance with the breeze and soon, with the water as she waited.
Her legs started to change, shifting slowly. She smiled as she peered at the new skin covering her legs, holding them together as the soft teal flakes started to appear. Her thighs disappeared slowly, her ankles and toes grew longer and longer, until they lost their Fae form.
The high Fae who had left the library didn’t exist anymore. Now, there was water nymph among the waters, swimming with the waves and traveling with them.
She moved her tail and started to swim, fast and soft. Like she was part of it, she was one with it. The moonlight was following her, up and down, left or right. She knew she wasn’t wholly alone.
For minutes, she swam. Feeling every bit of cold water against her skin and closing her teal eyes with satisfaction. But now, she was here. The Night Court was rather far from The Autumn Court, which was why it took her a good hour to reach here.
She swam, not taking the risk of bringing her head out of the water before she reached the cave. Though she always wished to see the inexplicable beauty of the Night Court. To feel the divine taste of a pure night.
However, she couldn’t. Not now, at least. There were eyes everywhere in that court, people said.
She swam and passed the petit waterfall. The deepness of the water lessened bit by bit as she got closer to the shore. And finally, she was out of the water. Her hair like molten copper around her shoulders and chest, sticking to her back. Slowly, she dragged her body out of the water, waiting for her tail to be gone and be replaced by her legs.
She glanced around the cave, a joyful smile on her lips. She was always pleased with the blue crystals that illuminated the midget cave. Any second now, she had to show up. After moments of waiting, her legs were back, so she walked to the hidden robe that she had saved for her here, in the cave.
Once she put on the robe, she heard footsteps, descending the stone stairs quietly. Gwyn knew who it was, yet she hid behind a giant boulder. Safety was her, their first rule. No one could know what Gwyn was, she always warned though Gwyn herself knew.
The light steps were followed by a quiet, feminine voice, “Gwyn? Are you here?”
Gwyn smiled brightly as she came out of her hiding spot. Meeting Nesta Archeron who was holding a pile of books, “I’m here, Nes.”
“Oh, thank The Mother,” she breathed, placing the books on the ground and embracing her, holding Gwyn against herself tightly, “I’m always so worried about you.”
Gwyn smiled, to both Nesta and the delightful feeling that warmed her heart, “Thank you. Believe me, I’m fine.”
“Yeah, but if anyone, anyone sees you when you come here…” she pressed her lips together. What they would do to her. How they would drain her blood, chop her body into pieces. Only for her blood. For her rarity.
“It’s never going to happen,” Gwyn tried to smile and forget about the possibilities that it actually could happen, “How’s the court? Are you and General getting along? Any news?” she tried to change the subject.
Nesta seemed hesitant, sad even, “Actually, there is a thi…” Gwyn looked at her curiously, waiting for her to finish her words, “Well?”
Nesta shook her head, a petit smile on her lips, “Nothing. It’s nothing. Did you finish the book? I only went half way through it.”