Chapter Text
Feyre looked at Rhysand as he settled back onto his pillow, his violet eyes trained on the dark ceiling, his body stiff under the blankets.
“Are you okay?” She whispered.
He nodded, not looking at her.
Perhaps she had gone too far by bathing him. Perhaps he regretted saving her from Tamlin.
“Don’t even think that.” Rhysand suddenly hissed, his head whipping to face her. “Don’t ever think that I could regret saving you from anything.”
She couldn’t help but notice his eyes dilate as her heart beat faster.
“Then why are you so upset?” She asked, scooting closer.
This time he groaned as though he was in pain from the proximity.
“I’m not upset.” He said finally, adjusting his body to face her entirely.
Feyre couldn’t help but remember that he was naked beneath the blankets, only about half a foot away from her.
Rhysand laughed, a bitter, tired sound.
“Exactly.” He breathed. “Exactly what you are thinking about, is exactly why I am so… frustrated.”
Feyre blushed in the dark, unable to help herself from laughing. A true laugh broke from her chest, and Rhysand looked at her with furrowed brows.
“I’m set to die in a matter of hours, and yet all I can think about is you.” She muttered, not caring how pathetic she sounded now.
Rhysand shook his head, reaching out and cupping her cheek with his hand.
“You will not die.” He breathed. “I will not allow for you to die.”
Feyre searched his eyes, finding something in them that led her to believe every word he said.
“You will set us free, Feyre.” He told her, his thumb tracing small circles against her cheek. “And then you will have the freedom to decide your own fate.”
Feyre nodded, leaning against his hand as she relaxed against his bed. Her eyes became heavy in the darkness, his scent and the soft circles of his thumb lulling her to sleep.
“I wish we met under different circumstances, Rhysand.” Feyre whispered. “I think you and I could have been friends. In fact, I think you would have been my only friend.”
Rhysand’s dark laugh rumbled through her chest, as a melody began a moment later. Her breathing matched the tempo of the soft lullaby as her world faded into sleepy nothingness.
And for the first time in a long time, Feyre did not have nightmares.
Instead, she dreamt of a starry sky—a beautiful rainbow. Sparkling streets. A family who loved her.
A court so open, so safe, so free, she longed to be there forever.