CHAPTER THREE

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          CASSIAN STOOD IN THE HALLWAY OF THE TOWN HOUSE, BREATHING IN DEEPLY THROUGH HIS NOSE AS HE LISTENED TO HIS MATE'S SOFT VOICE. He felt a different kind of rage and was ready to destroy all of The Winter Court just to find her bastard of a father. He didn't deserve to have a daughter and most certainly deserved whatever Cassian was going to give him when he found him. He hadn't been able to stay away from the house, despite Feyre's warnings.      

He would not let her go now that he was holding her in his arms. When Rhysand had put her to sleep, keeping her from dreaming, Azriel had caught her before she'd fallen to the ground. Roman slid down the tree, nose covered in blood, as Cassian rushed forward and took her from the shadowsinger. He slid one arm beneath her knees and one around her shoulders, her head lolling into the crook of his neck.

"Kill him." snarled Cassian toward his High Lord. "He deserves to die."

"Cassian-" began Rhysand, holding up his hand.

"Look what he did!" Cassian cradled the woman to his chest as Azriel and his shadows now held onto the Illyrian camp leader.

"And he will suffer for it." said Rhysand, eyes narrowed at his general to try and make him listen. "But we need to figure out what has brought this on. Azriel, have at him."

The shadowsinger gave a single nod and both he and Roman disappeared from their sights. Cassian felt blood dribble down his cheek and glanced down at his mate sleeping peacefully in his arms. Her blood stained his fighting leathers and the scent of it nearly send him in another frenzy. "She weighs nothing, Rhys." breathed Cassian, helplessly. "How - h -"

He felt Rhysand touch his shoulder and the forest around them disappeared with a single blink, covering them in wind and darkness. "Let's take her home."

The warmth of The Town House enfulged the three of them and Feyre came thundering down the stairs with alarm on her face.

"I've set up a room." she urged as Rhys had told her through their bond what had happened. "Madja is on her way."

Cassian hadn't even noticed he had started walking until he reached one of the spare rooms, now readied with medical supplies and more. Not once in his life did he think he'd find her, find his mate. And then there she was, soaked in blood and scared out of her mind in one of the many Illyrian camps that had never obeyed to Rhysand. The female was so small and malnourished and his grip on her tighened slightly. He didn't want to let her go.

"Cass," Rhysand tried, placing his hand on his brother's shoulder once more. "let Madja take a look at her. She will be in good hands."

Madja hurried into the room, holding a bag of supplies by her side. Her dark skin was covered by a simple dress, one she always wore when she'd come to aid them. The High Fae was the best healer in Velaris and her dark eyes fell onto the girl in the general's arms.

Very reluctantly did Cassian lay her on the bed, hands moving slowly as he tried to make her comfortable. Dark strands of hair splayed around her head on the pillow, eyes still closed under Rhysand's thrall.

"I will need to undress her." said Madja, gently as she took in Cassian's stiff posture. "You and the High Lord will need to leave us."

"Of course," nodded Rhysand.

Feyre squeezed Cassian's arm when his eyes widened and reassured him. "I'll stay here. Go with Rhys, she is in good hands."

The General had a pained expression on his face and let Rhys pull him away from the room. Once the door closed he rested his forehead against the cooling wood and heard shuffling and soft murmers on the other side of the door.

"I know," uttered Rhysand with a clenched jaw. "we'll figure it out."

Cauldron, he'd never thought it would hurt this much. To feel a pain that wasn't physically his, an anger so sudden and fierce once his eyes met hers. It still didn't feel real. 

An hour passed and the stairs creaked when Madja stalked down the steps and into the seating area of the home. Cassian sat on the plush sofa, wings hung low behind him and his hands on his face. When the healer came into view he got to his feet immediately, taking a few steps toward her to hear the damage.

"She's going to be alright." said Madja, offering him a reassuring smile. "She had quite a deep wound on her side, but it should be completely healed by tomorrow. Make sure she eats enough, she's quite malnourished and this will speed up her healing."

The general managed a weak 'thank you' and disappeared toward the room she lay in, letting Rhysand speak with Madja. Feyre sat on a chair beside her, peering up at him when he hovered in the doorway.

"Cass," sighed Feyre, getting to her feet and making her way toward him. He couldn't take his eyes off of the female laying lifelessly in bed, though the colour had returned to her cheeks. Her heart rate was slow but steady and he was able to take a deep breath in relief. "she's going to be okay."

"Hm," nodded Cassian without meeting her eyes.

"Perhaps it should be me in here when she wakes." began Feyre, and she had expected him to snap his head toward her with furrowed brows.

"You think i'd scare her?" he nearly growled and he felt Rhysand behind him in warning.

"No," Feyre shook her head. "but we do not know what happened in that camp. She might not feel comfortable around males and this will all be very overwhelming."

Cassian hated the idea of leaving her but he trusted the female with his life and he knew she'd be in good hands. 

"Fine," he managed. "but I am not leaving the house."

Stubborn male. Feyre raised a brow at him as she spoke into his mind.

That was yesterday and she had only woken up late that afternoon, the sun already setting. He had stayed hidden, of course but he never strayed far away from them. He just wanted to make sure she was safe and he knew that she was, here in Velaris. He became restless, angry and wanted nothing more than to break something.

You'll scare her, brother. It was Rhysand who spoke into his mind and Cassian knew he was right. He couldn't stay there, he'd break something and she had already been frightened and distrustful enough. Cool off, and then come to dinner.

That is exactly what Cassian did as he left the home, wings splaying behind him as he shot into the sky.

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FEYRE HAD OFFERED WILLOW FREE REIN OF THE HOME AFTER THEY HAD LUNCH TOGETHER. She was allowed to explore any room she'd wish to enter and grab herself any more food from the kitchen if she pleased. Willow liked Feyre, she decided after that. Though she had only met her briefly and not under the best of circumstances, she felt familiar and that is exactly what the brunette needed.

"Do you have a library here?" asked Willow, voice soft as they walked through the hallway. 

"Oh, yes." nodded Feyre as they stopped in front of the window overlooking the gardens. "We have a few actually. Do you see that mountain over there?" Willow nodded her head, following the her gaze toward the large peak in the distance. "There is a house over there and underneath it is the biggest library you will ever see. It is run by priestesses and there are many levels to explore." 

"How many?" Willow raised a single brow, curiously. 

"I'm not sure. I've never been all the way down." shrugged Feyre, offering her a smile. "I take it you like to read, then?"

"I do, very much so." nodded Willow, as The High Lady led her down another hallway and into a small room covered in plenty of books. "I don't think i've ever seen so many books together before I came here."

"You're more than welcome to grab any of them whenever you'd like."

"Thank you." smiled Willow, finger gliding over the spines as she read the titles. Stacks and stacks of books were pressed on wooden shelves all over the walls. Not a single surface wasn't touched by a book. "It would take me decades to get through all of them."

"A millenia more like it." said a male voice. 

Willow snapped her gaze toward the entrance of the room and took a cautious step back when The High Lord strode inside. Her heart quickened in pace but she kept a straight face as she watched him saunter in. The rage she had seen on him before was now replaced by amusement as he looked toward Feyre, grin playing at his lips.

The female gave a small roll of her eyes before Rhysand set his gaze on Willow and offered her a kind smile. "It is good to see you awake."

Willow knew that he would not harm her, not after everything that had happened, but he was still a High Lord and she had no idea how to address him. Despite the fact he was very intimidating, he gave her no indication of expecting anything formal. Still, Willow bowed her head slightly and looked away from his violet eyes.

"Thank you," she began. "for saving my life."

Rhysand tilted his head with a smile and said, "You are most welcome, Willow. We were lucky to have heard the commotion and find you. I'm glad to see you've healed and are feeling better, you were quite injured."

"They were all stab first, ask questions later." she muttered, hand moving toward her side where the bandage lay absentmindedly. "To be fair, it was me who started it."

"They're animals." Rhysand narrowed his eyes slightly and leaned against the table, picking off a an invisible piece lint from his suit. "And you had every right to do whatever it is you did. Had I been there earlier, I would have encouraged you to do far worse."

Willow was relieved at his statement, the guild of having harmed anyone with her magic ever so slowly dispersing. She met Feyre's gaze again and pulled her lips between her teeth. "May I ask what happened after? To the camp and ... Roman?"

"There is no camp." declared Rhysand. "And as for that piece of filth, he's rotting away in my court somewhere deep within the mountains."

"Good." said Willow, head held high as she looked up at him.

His lips twitched at that and he inclined his head. He glanced toward Feyre and she raised her brows slightly, a silent conversation passing between the mated pair. Willow could see it, they way they stood by each other and she could almost spot the thread between them that bound them. It made her heart ache and she wondered if after all the heartbreak she had endured if she'd ever get to experience such love. It had only been her mother who had shown her that the world could be kind and she didn't have much experience with it beyond that.

It was refreshing to see it and she gave them both a genuine smile for the first time since she had been there.

"Would you like to stay here, Willow?" asked Feyre as her shoulder brushed The High Lord's. "We have plenty of space within our city and you'd be safe there. Free of any obligations."

"Oh," she was surprised at the offer and tugged at the loose skin around her thumb. "I couldn't possibly accept such an offer. You've done so much for me already."

"We insist." commented Rhysand.

"I -," Willow didn't know what to say. Could she live here? She hadn't even seen any of the court yet apart from the town house and the gardens from the windows. 

"You don't have to decide anything right now." said Feyre gently. "Take all the time you need. The bedroom is yours for however long you'd like as is the rest of the home. Me and Rhysand do not live far from here so you've got the place to yourself."

"Thank you, again." Willow let out a relieved sigh escape from her. 

"Now that that is settled," Rhysand clasped his hands together. "would you like to have dinner with us tonight?"