Rhysand

He doesn't think he's breathing. Not when he's faced with this nightmare of a scene. It's not a particularly unsettling image but everything surrounding the small frightened boy brings terror to his soul.

Oliver is clearly in shock and if Rhys is honest he thinks he is as well. Though Rhys isn't lucky enough to be bundled up in a thick quilt and protected by an army of shadows that are slowly drifting back to their master now that their job is done.

Azriel has gone silent. Though Rhys wondered if he was ever 'awake' to begin with. It was clear he was battling his own demons at this moment. But there was such darkness in his eyes. For a second Rhys opens his mouth to give an order of some kind, any kind just to get the shadowsinger away from the frightened boy but then his brother is gone. Disappearing into the darkness as he no doubt travels to the mortal realm.

Swearing silently Rhys begins to shuffle forward, praying that Azriel doesn't do anything rash and doesn't find–

Well he can't think like that otherwise he'll end up reducing the human realm to ash.

And as tempting as that may be he already has one war on his hands.

"Oliver." No movement. Not a single indication that he heard him. Rhys' throat bobs nervously. "Can I sit next to you?"

The barest dips of a nod but it has a flicker of relief sparking in his chest.

Oliver barely moves as he gingerly sits down next to him. Every movement is hesitant and unsure. Rhys takes the moments to mind-link with Feyre and Mor and have them set up spare rooms in the town house.

For a minute that feels like an hour they sit in silence. Rhys tries to think of what to ask, knowing he has so many questions yet he can't bear the thought of upsetting Oliver. Not that it seems to matter for the young boy's breath starts coming in heavy gasps, his whole body moving with the force of his panic.

"Hey, hey. Look at me." He slumps down, hands bracing against Ollie's shoulders as he tries to meet his gaze. "You're safe here Ollie. I need you to take a deep breath."

He can't hear him. Eyes glazed over in panic that Rhys begins to feel.

Fuck. What was he supposed to do?

Oliver's cries begin to get louder. Tears streaming down bright red cheeks as he begins to rock forward and backward.

"Oliver!" A panicked voice shouts from somewhere in the house. "Oliver!"

Closer this time. Rhys can't bring himself to care about the confused tone of Cassian's voice when he races into the room, slamming the door open with a resounding bang that shakes the pictures on Azriel's walls.

"Hey." His brother coos, falling to his knees before the young boy. "Oh what are you doing here, Tiny."

Cassian doesn't hesitate to scoop Ollie up into his arms, taking the quilt with him as the young human curls against his chest. Every gentle sway of Cassian's body seems to calm Olvier down and that little pinch of helplessness grows in Rhys' chest.

Why didn't he think to do that?

"It's so good to see you again, Little Man." Cas murmurs against the top of Oliver's head.

"I want Momma!" He blubbers and Cassian does his best to sooth him while Rhys feels his heart break. "She wasn't there!"

"We're going to get her."

"I want her now!" He wails and Rhys flinches at the noise, turning away as his eyes begin to burn. "I don't want her to leave!"

"Your mother isn't going anywhere, we're going to find her and get her back to you."

There's so mumbling that almost has Rhys turning round again but he's not sure his heart can take it. The memories of his sister blurring with that of the children harmed during her reign.

"What? What is it?"

"Mommy left me!"

"She's comi- Ollie, ollie look at me. She's coming back, okay! I need you to trust me, Tiny. She hasn't left you."

"She did! She did!" Rhys takes a shaking breath as the sound of small fists hitting leather echoes around his sobs. "You have to get her! You have to!"

"I'm going to!" Cassian voice is stronger now and Rhys finds himself turning instinctively at that tone. He's knelt on the floor before Oliver, pools of quilt around them as the small boy batters Cassian's chest and the general just lets him. "I need you to tell me what happened Ollie."

"I don't know!" He cries and a muscle in Cassian's jaw ticks.

"Please just think about it." He clasps the young boy's hands in his own, tugging them down and Rhys steps closer at the serious look in Cassian's eyes. "Ollie..." He clenches his jaw. "When was the last time you saw your mother?"

"In- in the drawing room, she just got back."

"I took him to bed after that." Rhys finds himself interrupting, meeting Cassian's irritated gaze with a fierce glare of his own. Not around Ollie. Cassian could be as upset as he wants but not around Ollie. "She was with Nesta last."

They hold each other's gaze, a battle of wills as Cassian no doubt fights the urge to race off to the human realm just like Azriel.

Rhys pauses at the thought.

Oh fuck.

Just like Azriel. The two of them share a mate, that's why they've been closer.

"You had me worried there, Tiny." Cassian interrupts Rhys' internal revelation and he finds himself scoffing as Cassian curls Oliver into a tight hug. He was still worried if the harsh glare over the top of the child's head is any indication. Rhys clears his throat, rising to his feet so he can help Cassian up off the ground without jostling Oliver who seems content to just curl up against Cas.

Because of course Isabella's son would be comfortable around his new father figure... or rather one of his new father figures.

That is really bizarre to think about.

"Azriel just said we had a situation and then disappeared." Rhys murmurs so only Cassian can hear. Rhys carefully marked the way Cassian's grip tightened on the young boy and was grateful Azriel wasn't here as well to cause more issues around the youngling.

It's not like Rhys hasn't known polyamorous families over the years, he just wasn't expecting his brother to share a mate. They had always been close, power wise, physical strength and there had always been an unspoken divide between the three of them. Rhys had always assumed it was an illyrian thing or maybe the whole High Lord thing that created a near unnoticeable split between them.

But this could still go south real fast if Cassian thinks his mate is in danger. For now though the illyrian seems content to walk over to Azriel's bed, settling himself leant back against the headboard as if owns the room.

Oliver seems to slowly calm down as Cassian begins humming a soft tune. Cautiously, Rhys walks over to the other side of the bed, perching at the end so he can face the pair. It's only when he watches the father and son duo that Rhys realises that Cassian isn't humming.

Rather the soft purring noise that the pure blooded illyrians can make seems to be lulling Oliver to sleep. Hesitant to interrupt the moment Rhsy remains silent, content to just silently order Morrigan to go out and buy the necessities for Isabella house and scream against Azriel's mental walls as he keeps him locked out.

Because why would it be important to keep your High Lord informed when you decide to do a solo mission into enemy territory where your magic works differently and you're emotionally attached to a person involved in the mission.

They would be having words once this was all dealt with.

And then a very long drink as they discuss whatever the hell is going on with him, Isabella and Cassian. Not that he wants the explicit details but it would be nice to know if they were butting heads or if he should avoid them both when Isabella gets here and they go all overprotective.

"Can you stay with him?" There's such a complete calmness to Cassian's tone that Rhys finds himself wary. "I need to be with Isabella and Azriel but he can't be alone."

He's not going to question why he said Azriel's name with that tone because quite frankly Rhys can't deal with any more confusion or surprises tonight.

"He's clearly attached to you Cas," Rhys murmurs, looking at the fragile child as he's slowly tucked into the bed. "You saw how bad I was with him."

"You'll be fine." He states, voice firm and Rhys gets the impression that his general isn't listening to him and doesn't have any intention of listening to him. "And he's perfectly safe here, right where he should be."

"Isabella will be with us in Velaris soon and then everything will be okay." He steps away from the bed and Rhys can feel his hackles rising. He's never heard Cassian sound so- so insane. Or delirious. Or dead inside.

But– Isabella.

Rhys had done his best to focus on her son instead because he was here. In his city where he would be safe and looked after. But Isabella– his friend, was by no means safe because what the fuck happened out there?

She would never leave Oliver on his own like this without a damn good reason.

Rhys watches his brother with barely concealed worry. For a second he considers keeping here and risking his wrath but then the curtains are pulled back. Just then, for a single moment, all that burning rage and endless fear broke to show the care and love beneath as he stared down at the little boy entrusted into their care.

He watches his brother with baited breath, feeling as though he is intruding on a private moment as Cassian brushes hair from Oliver's brow and places a gentle kiss on his forehead before leaving the room.

A deep sigh drags from his chest and Rhys feels his shoulders sag as he slumps down into a hastily chair at the bedside.

Today was going so well.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･

Cassian

Morrigan seemed hesitant to leave now that she had winnowed him to Archeron Estate, especially with Azriel nowhere in sight. He assumed that Azriel had gone straight to Isabella or whatever the problem might be.

"Are you going to help or go?" He murmurs, scanning the surrounding area and glancing down the street towards the village and its lit pyres. Or rather the two lit pyres and one in shambles.

He doesn't have a good feeling about this.

"Cassian–"

"Stay or go?"

"I'll come with you." He doesn't acknowledge her agreement, choosing to stride towards the dark manor instead.

The hallways are shrouded and quiet as they stroll through with silenced footsteps and glamoured weapons. The house staff are in bed but Cassian can hear a single person pacing in the kitchen. Nesta Archeron's scent drifts up through the narrow staircase and it's followed by the sharp smell of expensive whiskey.

He finds her slowly pacing the length of the empty room. Her knuckles white around a tall glass and this close up he can smell the underlying fear and anxiety cloying her scent. For a moment he watches her, scanning her as if he could find Isabella through looking at her twin. What he did find was badly washed off blood that smelt far too familiar to him.

"Oliver is safe." She flinches back, hip banging into the wooden table. Nest wouldn't normally let her surprise show. Though he supposed she wouldn't normally be drinking so much either. "What happened?"

"You didn't read the letter then." She sounds tired and defeated. Cassian has interrogated enough people to know when they're moments away from snapping. "Oliver alright?"

"He's with Rhys... missing his mother."

Nesta nods, or rather trembles hastily in something that resembles agreement.

"She's not back yet."

"Back from where?" He's grateful Morrigan took over because he was quickly losing patience.

"Home– Mandray's."

Cassian turns in place intent on striding from the room but–

"He's dead."

He angles his head, just enough to watch the eldest twin from the corner of his eyes as that raging fire comes back to her.

"The eldest Mandray. She killed him... for what he did to them... to Oliver."

Cassian doesn't bother waiting around for answers or explanations.

"You are her mate– yes?"

Why the fuck is this taking so long?

He stops in place, hoping it would be answer enough.

"I'll make what she did to that man look like child's play if you hurt her."

He didn't hide the savage grin that split his face as he strode from the manor.

They tracked her movements from the manor to the Mandray homestead, Nesta's scent was still intertwined with hers though it was clear when they got closer that Nesta had doubled back and then taken a different route home. There was no sign of Isabella coming back this way.

Her house was quiet when they entered. Such stillness encompassing the whole room as if it had become a mausoleum. Any sign of Isabella's care seemed to have been sucked from the room. Even the decorations he had made with Oliver for the Solstice no longer hung from the windows. He prayed that Isabella had intentionally taken them down and that there hadn't been an argument where they were thrown in her face.

"Reeks of blood in here." Morrigan comments, eyeing the floor as Cassian stalks around the room. "And cleaning products."

"It's not Isabella's."

"Did she stay to clean up the mess or do we need to take care of a witness?" Cassian would like to know that as well. There's so many scents trapezing through this house that he can't tell which ones were fresh.

That is until the sounds of footsteps echo through the house.

As if on silent command the pair slink back into the shadows, glamorous falling into place as they draw their weapons. A human female enters the house, laundry basket on her hip and cleaning products stacked on top.

The mother in law.

Cassian has seen that look in her eyes. He's seen it on every female's face in illyria. Abuse wears a person down, makes them someone else. Twists their soul until they look in the mirror and no longer recognise the person staring back at them. Takes a long time to heal from that sort of thing.

She's silent as she walks around Isabella's home. There's something proprietary about the way she puts away clean dishes and leaves clean clothes at the bottom of the stairs. Isabella was never alone in this house. She was surrounded by these people. They could have been in this hell-hole together or did the males in this house turn them against each other.

Unless Mrs Mandray was broken beyond repair before this and was just another person keeping his mate trapped.

It must be that thought that has him stepping out of the darkness and into the view of the window, allowing the moonlight to illuminate his wings, to shine across the blades in his hands.

Fear drenches her scent. A soft tremble overtaking her as she freezes in place.

Cassian arches a brow, a sharp grin tugging at his lips as he toys with the terrified little creature before him. Taking slow measured steps towards her, he begins to hum a little as if appraising his prey.

"Wh-h"

"Who- who-o." Cassian mocks, grinning in delight as she begins to back herself into the wall. "You must be Mrs Mandray... or do you prefer Jennifer?"

She goes white as a sheet.

"How.."

He shrugs, smirking. "You know a friend of mine."

"You're Oliver's father."

He tilts his head to the side, letting all amusement fall from his face.

"I am."

Her throat bobs.

"Are you going to kill us?"

"Maybe." He watches her, wondering if she's worth the effort. "I've not decided yet."

"What about–"

"Isabella?"

"She wouldn't want you to–"

"Wouldn't she?" He takes a step closer, clenching his jaw. "You've not done anything to help her."

"Who do you think helped her get those glamours from the village over?" She hissed at him, indignant fire building in her eyes. "You didn't exactly make it easy for her to contact you."

Isabella hadn't mentioned that part. He hadn't realised the father was still trying to look out for them. Or maybe she had mentioned it and he hadn't wanted to listen to her. Denial has always been an illyrian trait.

"And we appreciate your help for that," she waits with bated breath as he thinks through his next words. "Where is she?"

The woman pauses, glancing for a split second to the blood on the floor.

"It's not hers." He comments and watches her blink in surprise. "Though it's clear you didn't care that it might have been."

"I–"

"You know what," He snarls, eyes lighting up with barely concealed fury. "I think I've made my mind up."

A/N: I think the next chapter might have to just be plot because this is moving way too slow.