𝐂 𝐎 𝐒 𝐌 𝐈 𝐂   𝐋 𝐎 𝐕 𝐄   !

𝙲 𝙷 𝙰 𝙿 𝚃 𝙴 𝚁   𝚂 𝙴 𝚅 𝙴 𝙽   !

( 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔱𝔯𝔲𝔱𝔥 ( 𝔰𝔬𝔯𝔱 𝔬𝔣 ) ! )

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

          𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄.

Lucien didn't say a word about what he witnessed as he brought Ana to the infirmary to take care of her wounds. The blonde tried to explain how she could easily heal herself by activating her Iratze rune, but Lucien didn't listen. Instead, he gestured for her to sit down on one of the beds while he prepared everything. Ana fiddled with the hem of her tunic as she waited, going over both the Suriel's words in her head and how she was going to explain everything to Lucien without sounding crazy.

Ana didn't want to tell him everything. No, she never wanted to tell anyone everything about who she was or what she's done. Lucien had witnessed her fight and kill Shax demons, so really all she had to explain was that demons had followed her from her world and she'd killed them. Nothing more and nothing less. Would he sense that she was holding back the entire truth? Of course. But that wasn't her problem. If Lucien planned on keeping secrets from her, he couldn't be pissed if she kept some from him.

Lucien cut the tunic's sleeve off above where the scratches were and began stitching the claw marks up expertly, like he'd done it a million times before. Ana kept her eyes on anything but Lucien, instead opting to study the infirmary.

It was a bit odd to Ana that people with magical abilities needed an infirmary in the first place. Then, she remembered how Feyre mentioned that the High Fae used to keep humans as slaves. They'd breed the women, work the children and men to death, and have their fun. The only reason this estate had an infirmary was probably to care for those injured slaves, and even then, the faeries probably didn't do as good of a job as they could have. 

The thought of slavery made Ana sick to her stomach. It reminded her so much of her old world, and how the South kept slaves for so long and treated them the same as the faeries had probably treated humans. This her probably tried to find human slaves for Under the Mountain. Ana would have to ask Rhysand about that if she ever managed to visit him again.

Ana kept still the entire time Lucien stitched up her wounds. She didn't flinch or whine or anything. Pain was numb to her at this point. If people saw the amount of scars hidden beneath her clothes . . . 

"You have questions," she finally said, her voice sounding loud as it broke the silence.

Lucien finished the last stitch and tied it off. "I do. Many, in fact." He set aside the needle and picked up bandage to wrap around her arm so the stitches wouldn't snag. "What were those things you killed?"

"Shax demons." Ana watched him wrap her arm. When he was done, he stepped away from her and sat down on the bed in front of her own. "They came from my world. Tracked me to this one."

The red-haired High Fae tilted his head. "Demons? There are demons in your world?"

Ana nodded. "Along with the Seelies, there are other creatures that roam my world. Demons are one of them. And the Shax are tracking demons. They probably only followed me so they could kill me and possibly try to kill any passing faeries of this world."

Lucien hummed. "The way you fought . . . in those wars you mentioned, was it demons you were fighting?"

The blonde swallowed thickly, images of bloody battles passing through her head. She clenched her eyes shut and drove them out. "Yes. Humans, Seelies, demons, you name it. I fought them."

"And yet you survived." It wasn't a compliment, nor something he seemed surprised over. Just a statement, as though he was thinking out loud. "Well, I suppose a thanks is in order for getting rid of those nasty creatures before they could attack myself or Tamlin."

Ana nodded. "You're welcome." She slid off the bed and rolled her shoulder to rid it of the slight soreness. It'd been a bit since she last fought against so many demons alone. "If you could, please don't mention any of what I told you to Tamlin or Feyre. I don't need them worrying about anymore demons coming from my world. If they do, I will handle it."

Lucien looked at her. Really looked at her. "You have my word, human. Just make sure that none enter the manor. Because if they do, they are then Tamlin's problem. And something tells me Tam does not know how to kill them like you do."

"You'd be right." She held a hand over her mouth to conceal a yawn. "Well, as fun as this has been, I'm exhausted. Kicking demon ass is not as easy as I make it seem. I will see you and the others at dinner."

Lucien only sent her a nod and a small, barely noticeable smile before gesturing for her to leave. Ana quickly navigated her way through the first-floor corridors to the stairs, her body aching as she scaled them. The second she entered her room, she threw off her clothing and set her weapons and stele aside, not even bothering to change into night clothes as she collapsed on her bed and fell into the world of dreams.

And when she opened her eyes, she found a pair of violet irises looking back at her.

⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯

"Well, well, well." Rhysand's voice was as smooth and sultry as she remembered. "Look who finally decided to show up again. After . . . how long has it been? A week?"

Ana rolled her eyes, quickly taking note of how she was dressed in a silky nightgown. She thanked whoever was in control of her dreams for giving her clothes, since she would have been pretty embarrassed if Rhysand had seen her in just her underwear. They were getting close, but she wasn't sure if they'd ever be that close.

"A week sounds right. I needed a break from your face," Ana said, crossing her arms. He was dressed similarly to how he was the first time she saw him⎯black shirt, black pants, and messily-styled hair. But now that she knew he was the High Lord of the Night Court, the dark colors made sense.

A feline-like smirk tugged at his lips. "You needed a break from my pretty face?" Ana rolled her eyes, but she could feel the blush rising to her cheeks. He'd never let her live that comment down. "Well, I certainly have missed your face, Anastasia."

The blonde felt her heart skip a beat, but she scowled on the outside. "Okay, Rhysand. Last time I was here, you said if I managed to show up again, you'd answer my questions. Was that a lie or were you telling me the truth?"

Rhysand moved over to the bed in the corner of the room and sat down, gesturing for her to do the same. Ana carefully sat down across from him, watching his every move. Like last time, he reached out and traced a finger over the silencing rune, the rune reacting to his touch. Ana felt a shiver run down her spine, but she hid it well behind a stony face. She was not going to let him know how he was affecting her. 

"I was telling the truth, Ana darling. I'm no liar, unlike Tamlin and Lucien." Ana's eyes widened a fraction in surprise. "Yes, I know you reside in the Spring Court with that poor excuse of a High Lord and the exiled son of the Autumn Court. I may be stuck here, but I have my informants."

Ana wondered if his "informants" were just like the woman she'd seen leaving his room the first time she visited. Shadowy figures that weren't entirely solid and could slip through objects. If Ana didn't know the things she did, she'd think they were ghosts. But ghosts didn't exist outside, only inside ones mind. 

"What's her name?" Ana wanted to dive right in. She needed to get as much information as she could from this visit so when she finally got in contact with her old friends, she would be able to fill them in on everything. "The person keeping you trapped. What is her name?"

Rhysand's eyes moved along her face, taking in everything about it. There was a healing cut under her left eye from the battle she'd fought earlier, and the bandage around her arm was visible. If Ana had been paying close attention, she would have seen the way his eyes raged at the sight of the injuries. The way he'd looked absolutely murderous.

He casually waved his hand about. "Amarantha."

Ana pulled a face. "What kind of stupid name is that? Let me guess . . . she's a redhead with a god complex and family issues?"

Rhysand blinked. "Yes, actually. How did you⎯?"

"I knew someone with a similar name who had the same problems." She shrugged, not at all bothered by his astonishment. Amanda. What a bitch. "How was she able to take power from the High Lords? If she's just some general of the Hybern King, she shouldn't be powerful enough to suck the magic from people."

A charming smile painted his lips. "Someone did their research." Ana rolled her eyes and gestured for him to continue. "She stole a book of spells from the King of Hybern. That's how she managed to steal our powers." The Fallon girl hummed. "I have a question for you. How did you come across this information?"

"Trapped a Suriel." His eyes grew wide. "What? It wasn't that hard. Just had to offer it a new cloak and bam, answered every question I had."

Rhysand chuckled, dark and soft like the night. "A human girl managing to trap a Suriel. My, you are full of surprises."

Ana gave him a look. "If you have your informants, then you should know that I'm not entirely human." Rhysand nodded, amusement dancing in his eyes. She ran her fingers through her blonde hair, trying to come up with something to talk about. Since she didn't know how to control whatever this is, she didn't know when she'd snap out of it. "The Suriel mentioned that there is a connection between us."

His eyes widened just the smallest fraction. "They did, did they?"

"The didn't have time to tell me what type of connection, but they did say that it's because of the connection that we are able to talk to each other right now." Ana stood up. She had to be moving or else she was going to lose it. Sitting still was something she despised after years of learning to constantly be on the move. "But maybe . . . maybe the connection is also why you can activate the runes despite not having angel blood." Her brows furrowed and she turned to face him. "Do you have angel blood?"

Rhysand shook his head. "There are no such things as angels and demons in this world, Ana darling. Only faeries and monsters." 

Ana hummed. "The Suriel answered most of my questions, but they did mention something strange. They said that someone hasn't told me the truth yet because the Fates and Raziel said it's not time for me to know. But if I'm supposed to finish this battle, how can I do that without complete knowledge of my situation? None of this makes sense."

There was a soft sigh from where Rhysand was perched on the bed, causing Ana to turn around and face him once more. He had laid back along the mattress, stretching out and reminding her a bit of a cat. "The fates are so complicated . . . for something that doesn't exist. It's the Cauldron that decides, and if it says you are not to know something yet, then you don't know it."

Ana groaned. "I despise secrets more than anything. Especially the one that Tamlin and Lucien are keeping from me! They said the blight is why they have the masks stuck on their faces, but if the blight is Amarantha, then she spelled the masks onto them. For what reason, though? Why spell a mask onto a shit ton of people if not for some big reason?"

Rhysand chuckled. "You are too smart for your own good, Ana darling."

Another shiver ran down her spine at the nickname. She forced down a blush. "And don't even get me started on how Tamlin is treating Feyre. She killed one of his sentries and yet he's acting like it's no big deal. Someone he cared about was killed, but he's letting the murderer roam his house freely? It makes no fucking sense. If someone killed the people I cared about, I'd kill them in return. No hesitation, no second thoughts. They'd be dead."

He whistled lowly. "Such violence behind such beauty."

She perked a brow. "You think I'm beautiful?"

"You think I'm pretty?" The smirk was back, causing Ana to roll her eyes. If she kept doing that, they'd end up stuck at some point.

"Do you know why their masks are stuck and why Tamlin is so desperately trying to get Feyre to like him?" Ana asked. She needed to know everything. Even the smallest detail mattered at this point. 

Rhysand hummed in thought. "I do, but if I tell you, you won't be able to tell Feyre. It's part of the deal that Tamlin made forty-nine years ago. Are you willing to keep such a big secret from your friend?"

Ana grit her teeth. Was she? Was she willing to keep such a big secret if said secret would impact someone? 

With a clenched jaw, Ana nodded. "Tell me."

There was a glint in Rhysand's eyes. He gestured to the bed once more, Ana reluctantly sitting down beside him as he began speaking. "Forty-nine years ago, Tamlin was invited to a masquerade ball by Amarantha, along with the rest of his court. Of course, this was a ruse for Amarantha to cast her spell, but that idiot didn't know."

"Wait. How long has Amarantha been in power?" Ana asked.

"Fifty shitty years." Her eyes widened. "Anyway, Tamlin had previously made a comment about how Amarantha's sister deserved the death she was given by mortal hands, resulting in Amarantha cursing him. He had forty-nine years to get a mortal woman to fall for him and admit she loved him. A mortal woman who killed a faerie in cold blood."

Ana's breath caught. "Feyre." Her mind was racing. "By the Angel . . . that's why he's so lenient with her. That's why he hasn't killed her for killing Andras. Andras was on a sacrificial suicide mission to lure a human girl for Tamlin. Meaning . . ." She felt her fingers curl into fists as rage washed over her. "I'm gonna carve that fucker's heart out."

Rhysand chuckled. "While I do agree with that sentiment, I doubt you'd be able to cause such damage without ash wood."

"I stabbed him in the chest the first day we met with my kindjals," Ana deadpanned, giving him a look. "I think I can manage to carve his heart out for tricking my newfound friend into loving him just so he can break some stupid curse that he had coming his way! Angel, he's a fucking idiot!"

Ana was sure she hadn't been this angry since . . . well, it had been a while. Unbeknownst to her, golden tendrils of power began to curl around her shaking fists, her eyes flashing the same color as something writhed beneath her skin. Rhysand's eyes widened at the display of power. It was both beautiful and terrifying, much like his own.

"Ana darling." His soft, smooth voice seemed to calm the anger swelling in her chest. The magic disappeared, the writhing creature beneath her skin vanishing. She slowly turned to look at him, her fists still clenched. "Breathe, darling, breathe."

She did as he said and sucked in a deep breath. "There is nothing I can do to stop Tamlin, is there?" Rhysand shook his head, and that's when Ana noticed the glint in his eyes. "You . . . you want this to happen. You want this curse on Tamlin to break."

The pieces were snapping into place the more she thought about it. "You want the curse to be broken so his power comes back and he can kill Amarantha . . . which will then release the power she took from all seven High Lords."

His violet eyes glimmered. "As I said before, you are too smart for your own good, Ana darling." She shrugged casually. "Such beauty and brains. I wonder . . . do you have anyone waiting for your return?"

Ana knew what he meant. "Don't worry, Dark and Stormy. I'm as single as one can be. The only relations in my life are friends, family, and the occasional hookup here and there with no strings attached." She perked a brow. "Why?"

Before he could answer, Ana felt a tug at her gut. Rhysand's eyes dimmed. "You're waking up. I guess we will have to continue this next time."

Ana nodded. "But next time, you visit me."

He chuckled. "As you wish."

⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯

Ana sat in the library the next day, a stack of books on one side of her as she finished writing the letter to her friends. She'd send it via Fire Message and pray that the Suriel was right. The letter was as simple as she could make it, detailing her predicament and the rules of her new world, while also explaining how she could not return until she ended the ongoing battle of this world. She was sure they'd be freaked but understand nonetheless. 

Right as she finished the final sentence, the doors to the library opened to reveal Feyre. The honey brunette spotted Ana hidden between the shelves and made her way over curiously.

"Good morning, Feyre," Ana greeted, setting down her pen and picking up her stele. She drew a rune in the air, held the letter up to it, and snapped her fingers. Instantly, the paper burst into the flame as it traveled to Izzy's hands. "What can I do you for?"

Feyre wrung her hands nervously. "I was wondering . . . and you can say no if it's too much of a hassle for you . . . but I was wondering if you could help me out."

Ana tilted her head. "With what?"

She sucked in a deep breath. "Could you help me learn how to read and write?"

The blonde was shocked. Feyre, who seemed the most civilized out of all of the people that resided in the manor, didn't know how to read or write? Well, Ana guessed she shouldn't have been so surprised. Feyre's mother did die when she was young and they'd lost their fortune not too long after, so schooling wasn't really around Feyre while she grew up. But still . . .

Ana nodded with a smile. "Of course, Feyre. I'd love to help you learn to read and write."

A breath of relief escaped Feyre's lips as she settled into the spot beside Ana. "Thank you. Really." She paused, then sheepishly met Ana's blue eyes. "Could you also teach me to fight? Like you?"

Ana laughed but nodded nonetheless. "Yes, Feyre. I will teach you to fight like I do. But be prepared. By the end of our first lesson, you'll be wishing you hadn't asked."

"I can take it." Ana gave her a look. "I will try to take it."

She patted Feyre's leg. "We'll start training tomorrow morning. Today, we'll begin your reading and writing lessons."

And with that, the two girls spent the rest of the day holed up in the library.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

𝐀 𝐔 𝐓 𝐇 𝐎 𝐑 𝐒   𝐍 𝐎 𝐓 𝐄   !

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Okay, a lot went down. Lucien knows just a snippet of Ana's past. Ana and Rhysand had another moment, this one longer and more detailed. She knows about the curse on Tamlin and his court, and she knows Rhysand's plans (sort of) because she's a genius badass who figures everything out. Finally, she's agreed to help Feyre not only learn to read and write, but also learn to fight. Because I think that with Ana teaching her early on, Feyre will be stronger when Under the Mountain.

I have so much planned for Ana and Feyre, as well as Ana and Rhysand. I just have to get through ACOTAR before I can get to the fun stuff I have planned for ACOMAF! And, BTW, you will REALLY hate Tampon when I get into ACOMAF for the things he's going to do to Ana.

Please comment and vote!

Love you all!

~ a.h.