Chapter Text
The sound of the water droplets from the ceiling of the cell have been both a comforting and haunting sound for Velaria. The walls were lined with overgrown vines. The body of her dead mice friend laid a few feet away from her malnourished body. It was quieter than usual today. The guards have not come for her weekly punishments yet. It was odd as they have been coming routinely every week for years. She heard a few screams but thought nothing of it. Hybern’s place was always like that. What she didn’t expect was to hear a familiar voice, smell a familiar scent after so long. She tried to get up. Go closer to the cell’s entrance. “A-“ Her voice broke. She hasn’t used it in so long it’s almost like she forgot how to use it. Azriel opened the door to every cell using the liver at the end of the tunnel. He was approaching her cell now. “A-Az” but her voice came out no more than a whisper, In Azriel’s arms was a female. He carried her in his arms with such grace looking like the gentlemen he is. Though he didn’t see her and had already took flight, she was thankful to have the opportunity to leave. Despite the pang in her heart of course. She held on from wall to wall until she finally exited the palace. Around her were multiple other fae and creatures who were captured. After being confined for so long and barely fed enough to stay alive, she knew she wouldn’t have it in her to walk all the way to the night court. Her wings too broken to fly either.
Fae around her took flight, others used magic to leave. They’ve been nullifying her powers for a while. It would take a lot of energy to replenish so that wasn’t an option for her. “Need help my lady?” She was startled before looking at the man next to her. “What?” He smiled, he looked nice. “I asked if you need help. You look like you have been here a while. Perhaps I can help you go home?” It’s been maybe 5 centuries since she was out in the world. It was impossible for him to have recognized her. “How did you know I’m a lady?” He held a hand out. “Despite your ruined features you hold yourself like a lady. Besides, Beauty like yours is only ever seen in ladies.” She took his hand. “Can you take me to the night court?” Winnowing across courts is difficult, not to mention, mostly illegal. Citizens cannot just pass from court to court. Papers and approvals are required. “My lady, I would love to but I would be killed if I step foot into Night without the proper identification.” She smiled. Yeah thats her courts reputation all right. “I’ll ensure that doesn’t happen. I have my connections. And I’ll pay you handsomely.” She looked more desperate than ever. “Please?” he sighed. God damn his hero mentality. “Fine. We’ll go to my house first, I need some energy if I’m winnowing you to the Night court. But you’re on your own there. I’ll give you my location for the payment and I’m going home.” She smiles. “Deal.” The male’s home was warm. It wasn’t big at all. It was clear he wasnt rich in money. But he was definitely rich in character. After being fed properly for the first time in centuries, she fell asleep right away. The next morning he woke her up telling her it’s time to go. He let her shower in his bathroom before giving her a black outfit he had bought from the market. Within minutes of holding his hand again, she was home. Well, technically one of her homes. Velaris is close but without magic it would be hard to enter. She looks back to thank the male but he was gone, in her pocket a letter containing the location she would send the money. She observed the court, she knew some people here. Though she looked too different to be recognized by any of them. Not to mention it’s been 5 centuries. She would need to find rhysand, or her father, Or literally anyone from her family. She walked in the court carrying the dark aura her family always held. Despite her weakened look, a dark aura will scare anyone. Shadows around her foot. In the midst of her struggles in Hybern’s cells, a magical shadow began manifesting inside her. Though her power had been nullified so they too were weak to fully come out back then. But now in the open? They’re free to come out. She brought herself to the center of the room. “Where is your high lord Noctaryn” she said in a commanding voice she barely managed to get out. The court laughed at her. Actually laughed. “Six feet underground probably” One of them said. So, her father is dead. She didn’t know whether or not to be upset about that. “Fine. Where is your current high lord? Where is Rhysand.” Some people shuddered in fear, Even his name brought fear to those men. Good. It was a 50/50 chance that rhysand was the current high lord. Her big brother is alive and god was she happy. “Why would you want that bastard?” In her weakened state she knew she shouldn’t fight with males. “Call him that again and I’ll destroy your mind worse than Rhysand ever would. Understood?” She may have been young when she was taken but she wasn’t stupid, she understood how the court worked. “Ahaha, little miss here thinks shes so powerful and scary.” She knew that voice. “Keir.” A distance family member. “Call Rhysand this instant” he laughed at her. “Why ever would I do that?” She smiled a terrifying smile. Without making them fear her she would look weak and they would know she holds no real power right now. So, She took a step forward, then another until she reached the Dais took a few more steps and sat on the throne. No sane person would do that. She knew. They knew. Even the ant in the corner knew what she did was insane. Hence, Chaos erupted at the court of nightmares. She embraced the Chaos, it’s been a while. Some time passed and the air stilled. People bowed down before the throne room’s door even opened. Rhysand was here.