A Song of Ice & Shadow

Part 2

"She'd fit right in at the Night Court" Rhys whispered to Feyre.
"Is that why it took you so long?" Feyre asked her sister.
"I don't know what you're talking about" Y/n tried to hide her smile.
Just as Cassian was about to comment, the queens appeared.

Rhys and Feyre started the conversation with the queens, introducing everyone present in the room. Elain curtseyed, while Nesta and Y/n stayed straight-backed with their heads high. They wasted no time and got to the reason why they were there; to discuss the war looming on their doorstep. -"This territory is a slip of land compared to the vastness of the continent. It is not in our interests to defend it. It would be a waste of resources" one of the queens said, to which Rhys replied "surely the loss of even one innocent life would be abhorrent".
"Yes. to lose one life is always a horror. But war is war. If we must sacrifice this tiny territory to save the majority, then we shall do it".
"And here I thought Fae kind was the worst. It seems there's even worse. You're shameless. As queens, you have a responsibility towards your people. You're supposed to protect them, all of them. The war hasn't even started and you're already doing a bad job of it" Y/n blurted.
"Excuse me?" the queen was taken aback, but so was everyone sitting there.
"Y/n!" Feyre warned.
"What? Is it not your duty to defend your people?" Y/n didn't back down.
"What my sister is trying to say is that there are good people here" Feyre spoke, before things escalated.

The queens suggested that the Fae defend this little territory, but there were counter arguments to that, until the queens mentioned that it was their job since the threat is caused by their own kind and their blood should be the one to spill, to which Y/n didn't disagree. But then the queens continued to be insensitive, stubborn, selfish creatures, refusing to listen to reason. This made Y/n feel rage; knowing her temper, she excused herself before she screwed up whatever chance of peace they had. "Where do you think you are going?" one of the queens asked.
"Away from here. I am afraid if I stayed, I'd hurt your ego and you'd leave without considering peace, so I am removing myself, respectfully" she bowed mockingly, and a soft smile graced Azriel's face.
—
Satisfied with the research she had done, Y/n was able to take a day to relax when a knock interrupted her solitude. She waited a few minutes before reaching the door, silently hoping that someone else would answer it for once "You'd think with many people living in this house, someone else would get the door for once" she sighed as she opened the door, only to find no one there "Ah, I suppose you're glamoured again. The servants are here today and Nesta isn't, so unfortunately, we have to go to a more private place. Follow me" she muttered to herself, pausing briefly before shutting the door and retreating upstairs to her room, closing the door behind her "what can I help with today, General?" she turned around to face Cassian, whom by now his cloaking would've vanished, but she was met with the other illyrian. Taken aback, she took a step back "you're not the General".
"No, I'm not. Nice to see you again" Azriel hid a chuckle.
"I'm sure" Y/n managed to force a polite smile, unaware she was holding her breath.
Noticing her sudden reaction at the sight of him, Azriel inquired "Are you alright?".
"I'm fine. So, what can I do for you?" She wasted no time asking, not wanting to be distracted by those beautiful hazel eyes.
"I'm here to check if you've received a response from the queens".
"Aren't you the court's spymaster? Wouldn't you know if we had received a letter?" Y/n questioned.
"My spies are positioned in courts, not among mere humans. Besides, I didn't think you'd appreciate being spied upon. But, I do have other methods to obtain information".
"Like torture?" she crossed her arms.
"That too".
"Are you threatening me?" she took a step towards him, but he stood his ground.
"I don't know how you came to that conclusion. I simply answered your question. Violence is not always the solution" he replied, frustration evident in his tone.
"But it's often the most effective, wouldn't you agree?" she smirked, meeting his gaze as his shadows appeared behind her.
"It depends" he held her gaze. For a moment they stood in silence before she finally spoke "to answer your question, no, they did not send word back. I suppose that concludes our meeting".
"Are you kicking me out" he snorted.
"No, I'm simply stating the fact that you've gotten what you came here for, hence, there's nothing left for you here anymore, or am I mistaken?" she shrugged.
He contemplated for a moment "no, you are absolutely right. I'll be on my way. Have a nice day" he said, striding towards the window.
"What-? You're leaving through the window?" she was taken by surprise.
"I have wings, it's faster" he explained.
"Right, then. Goodbye" she muttered to herself as he left, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding "What the hell was that?" she thought to herself.