Alina's POV

I had left Night Court about 4 days ago, travelling through different Courts to gather more knowledge about what had happened after I got waltzed off to another world. And of course to gather a small fortune. Just enough that a High Lord would feel oblidged to help a poor business woman who was in a desperateneed of one. I had also hired a few villagers to work as my house staff for a few days. I had calculated everything, and had even glamoured myself so as to not get recognised by anyone. Rhys has tried to tell Feyre about the plan but for some reason he couldn't get through, which had only increased his panic. I really hope that I'm not too late.

I walked up to the gates of the mansion trying to keep myself in check. This wretched place that had taken so much from me. I wanted nothing more than to burn it all to the ground. Erase it from existence. But nothing good would come from dwelling on that thought right now. I had a job to do. My brother's mate and High Lady. I was really anxious to meet the person who could make my brother fall for her. Though I wasn't going to show her that of course. Gotta keep up the reputation. And also, what's the fun in an straight up introduction?

The gaurds at the gate asked what business I had here. "I am here to request an audience with the High Lord. It's very urgent so please hurry up if you can." "What is your name ma'am?" The gaurd  asked. "Madam Parince from the Summer Court."  I kept my voice firm and smooth but added a bit of panic in it. I was wearing a deep green gown with intricate designs; it also had a bit of low neck. Full sleeves, with an beautifully embroidered ocean blue belt around my waist. I also had a bit light but very expensive jewellery on. Giving out the status of someone important and wealthy. One of the gaurds went inside while the other asked me to wait outside.

A few minutes later the gaurd came back, "The High Lord welcomes you to the Spring Court. He has asked that you wait in the throne room as he is currently in a meeting. He will join you there shortly. Ma'am if you'd follow me" I nodded to myself and signaled to him to lead the way. The walk to the Throne room wasn't a big one, I had taken in every detail I could to use against him. Every inch of this place defined Tamlin. Sexist. Self-absorbed. Stupid. Arrogant. And a whole bunch of other things. A few minutes later Tamlin arrived, but with that bitch Ianthe in tow. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long." Tamlin curtseied. "I'm sure you had important things to do." I replied with an engaging smile. Ianthe didn't seem to like my answer. It wasn't one of complete submission, of course she didn't like it. " I'm sure you'll be wondering why I've requested to speak with you. You see the matter is a bit urgent." I slowly started adding a little bit of urgency and panic in voice. "Me and my soon to husband were travelling here from the Summer Court but got attacked by bandits on the way. We did manage to escape them but got separated on the way out. The bandits were still following us so I couldn't go back. They're still probably after me right now. I searched every spot we told each other we would visit in the Spring Court to find him. But so far I couldn't-" I  broke off letting a forlorn expression cover my face. I took a few deep breaths acting to calm myself down from a non-existent emotional trauma of losing my 'soon-to-be' husband. Tamlin seemed to realize what I had come here for. From what I've gathered  Tamlin liked being in control. He would help this poor woman who was asking for help because he wanted to establish his superiority on as many people as he could, and dealing with a few bandits wasn't that dangerous of a task. I continued "I've heard so much about bravery, surely a High Lord such as you would not turn away a woman asking for help." And the deal was sealed. He would do what I asked. Ianthe tried to argue but he silenced her. His instincts of self-importance wouldn't let him be swayed. "No Ianthe, I agree we have important matters to attend to but we also can't turn away someone asking for help. Miss if you'd like you can stay here for the night until you find proper accommodations." He said directing the last part to me. He then turned back to Ianthe and said."Ianthe  will show you to a guest room." And with that he took his leave. Ianthe gave me her best I-know-what's-best-for-you smile, but I could sense her frustration behind it. Not getting her way with Tamlin must have struck deep.

The next hour was spent on controlling the urge to strangle Ianthe and trying not puke from hearing her sickening voice and words. "If you don't mind me asking.." I waited for her permit me to continue. Gods just kill me now! She gestured me to continue. "I have heard a great deal about Feyre the Cursebreaker. I have also heard that she is back from that Night Court. If it's not too much trouble I really wish to meet her once." I said frowning in distaste as I said Night Court. Ianthe smiled widely. Oh how I wanted to wipe it off her face! "Oh yes of course! I was just going to meet Feyre after I had showed you around. I guess you can come along."
"That would be great." I returned her smile.
A few minutes later we were on our way to meet Feyre. My brother's mate. His High Lady. It was going to be interesting. Feyre was in the gardens, painting flowers and trees. Looking as ignorant as a brick wall. "Feyre! Look who I have with me today." Ianthe exclaimed like I was some sort of jewellery she just purchased. Feyre turned around to look at us. She gave me a polite smile. "And who might that be?" She asked. "This is Madam Parince. She will be staying here for a while." Ianthe introduced me and I just looked at her like she was a goddess or something. I could tell that my devotion to Ianthe was getting on Feyre's nerves. She was starting to dislike me. I smirked internally. It was fun playing with her. Ianthe was just about to say something when a servant interrupted her and told her that Tamlin was looking for her. As Ianthe started walking away. I felt a nudge in my mind. My internal smirk widened. Not completely opening my find I pushed some imaginations of the character I was portraying to the surface to act as memories, for the daemati thinking they're invading my mind. I could practically feel Feyre's distaste for me grow from what she saw. I acted like I was just about to start asking a shit ton of unimportant questions, which was a habit of Madam Parince. Feyre noticed this and hurriedly excused herself. Leaving me to my thoughts. Or so she thought.
It was nearing evening now and if I had to be gone before sunrise than I had to act now. Feyre had only walked a few feet away when I caught up to her.
"Look I know you want to talk dear-" Feyre started, trying to shake me off. But I cut her off, "Yeah Damn right I wanna talk."  The sudden change in my tone caught her by surprise. She stopped and looked at me. "Okay..." she allowed. I felt another nudge in my mind. She was trying find out what she had missed. She tried to enter my mind only to find herself incapable of doing so. Her eyes widened as she realized that she couldn't get in, that she had been played. "Who are you?" Finally she asked as she probably didn't see any other way to get more info. I smirked at her. Wicked and sharp. This only surprised and confused her more. "I'm someone who's going to save your ass." She raise her eyebrow, asking me to elaborate. I just shook my head and said. "Not now. Meet me up at the gates after dinner. We'll be getting out of here tonight."  She looked skeptical. "And why would I come with you?" I took her to sides. To anyone watching it would appear that 2 women are just taking in the view. Nothing harmful. "Because your mate wants you out of here. It's getting more and more dangerous here. And they need your help up in the Night Court more than whatever the fuck you're doing here. So have your ass back at the gates after dinner. Don't be late." I whispered harshly and walked off to make preparations for our leave. Leaving a flasburged Feyre behind. This was going to be more fun than I thought.

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I hadn't encountered Ianthe for the rest of the day, and I was very grateful for that. Cause if I did I wasn't sure I could restrain myself from killing her, and that would raise more problems for the task at hand.

It was time now. Feyre should be here any minute. Even if she wasn't too convinced on coming with me she was too curious to not come and meet me. I had scoped out the path of our escape. The guard were always on duty. Even if there was shift change someone was always there. But that wasn't that big of a problem. I've had broken into more secure places than this.

I was wearing Illyrian training leathers with about a dozen weapons cleverly concealed all across my body. The leather suit was covered with a pale purple shrug and a green plaid skirt. I was just waiting for Feyre now, humming softly in rhythm with the sound of the wind. I could see an outline coming towards me, I narrowed my eyes as I noticed it was actually two people. What's going on? A couple moments later when they came into view, I could see that it was Feyre, and the other person was Lucian. Had she been made? It didn't look like that with tone of her walk. Whereas Lucian was looking unsure and unsettled. I racked my brain for any info, to figure out if I had missed out a detail or something, when I remembered it. Lucian was Elain's mate. Is he coming with us then? That was the only logical solution. Why else would he be here.

Feyre and Lucian had come up to me now. Lucian looked a bit surprised at seeing me here. I turned to Feyre with a raised eyebrow, looking for an explanation. "He's coming us." She said looking into my eyes, my experience of dealing with stubborn Queens told me that she would not take no for an answer. "I gathered that much." I said looking at Lucian, analysing him. "The real question is why would I take him along when there's no guarantee that he won't go bitching about it all to his Master." I said looking Feyre in the eye. Lucian looked furious at the insult and disrespect towards him and his High Lord. I didn't care though, my message was conveyed, what's the guarantee that he won't tell Tamlin about Velaris. The city her mate gave up so much for. She pursued her lips but didn't budge. "Alright then. He can tag along." Feyre relaxed a little. "But if I feel like he's gonna betray us. I'll chop off his head." Feyre looked at me sharply at that. "You wouldn't do that." "Sure won't. Now stay right here, and come down after me in exactly 1 and a half minutes." With that I jumped over the low decoration fence and walked over to where the guard was. It was shift changing time so while there wouldn't be an absence of guard, there would only be one guard at the position. And disposing of one measly guard is not a hard task.

I walked up to the guard demanding his attention. I didn't look like a wealthy educated woman from the clothes I was wearing, but a simple village girl. And as I had found out, some guards had a habit of calling up girls here, to pass their time on the duty. The guard, assuming I was one of them, approached me with a cocky smirk on his face. "Well aren't yo-" he got cut of by his neck snapping. I took off my skirt revealing my Illyrian leathers and wrapped the body with it and placed it behind the workbench. Making it look like he was making out with someone. And just as I was done Feyre and Lucian came up behind me as I had instructed. Lucian looked enraged at seeing one of his soldiers dead but didn't say anything. Feyre looked a bit skeptical but she too wisely kept her mouth shut.

"Alright then. There are some clothes. Wear them till we cross the Spring border." I pointed to a bag that I had left behind a tree hours ago. They nodded quietly, not to attract much attention and put on the clothes. And we were soon on our way.

It was about morning and we had covered a good distance from the Spring court. Both me and Feyre were winnowing turn by turn to get a good head start. "Who are you?" Feyre finally asked. Honestly, I had thought she would have asked that sooner. Oh wait.. she had. I internally debated the pros and cons of telling her. But who was I kidding? I love dramatic introductions.

"Oh don't you know?" I said with a mocking smile, staring into her eyes as if I could read every secret she's had. "I'm your mate's sister."