2_-_court_of_mist_and_fury_a_-_sarah_j._maas

“If you inherited some of Tamlin’s shape-shifting, perhaps you can make wings of your
own.”
A shiver went down my spine at the thought, at the claws I’d grown that day with
Lucien. “And the other High Lords? Ice—that’s Winter. That shield I once made of
hardened wind—who did that come from? What might the others have given me? Is—is
winnowing tied to any one of you in particular?”
He considered. “Wind? The Day Court, likely. And winnowing—it’s not confined to
any court. It’s wholly dependent on your own reserve of power—and training.” I didn’t
feel like mentioning how spectacularly I’d failed to even move an inch. “And as for the
gifts you got from everyone else … That’s for you to find out, I suppose.”
“I should have known your goodwill would wear off after a minute.”
Rhys let out a low chuckle and got to his feet, stretching his muscled arms over his head
and rolling his neck. As if he’d been sitting there for a long, long while. For the entirety of
the night. “Rest a day or two, Feyre,” he said. “Then take on the task of figuring out
everything else. I have business in another part of my lands; I’ll be back by the end of the
week.”
Despite how long I’d slept, I was so tired—tired in my bones, in my crumpled heart.
When I didn’t reply, Rhys strode off between the moonstone pillars.
And I saw how I would spend the next few days: in solitude, with nothing to do and
only my own, horrible thoughts for company. I began speaking before I could reconsider.
“Take me with you.”
Rhys halted as he pushed through two purple gossamer curtains. And slowly, he turned
back. “You should rest.”
“I’ve rested enough,” I said, setting down the empty mug and standing. My head spun
slightly. When had I last eaten? “Wherever you’re going, whatever you’re doing—take me
along. I’ll stay out of trouble. Just … Please.” I hated the last word; choked on it. It hadn’t
done anything to sway Tamlin.
For a long moment, Rhys said nothing. Then he prowled toward me, his long stride
eating up the distance and his face set like stone. “If you come with me, there is no going
back. You will not be allowed to speak of what you see to anyone outside of my court.
Because if you do, people will die—my people will die. So if you come, you will have to
lie about it forever; if you return to the Spring Court, you cannot tell anyone there what
you see, and who you meet, and what you will witness. If you would rather not have that
between you and—your friends, then stay here.”
Stay here, stay locked up in the Spring Court … My chest was a gaping, open wound. I
wondered if I’d bleed out from it—if a spirit could bleed out and die. Maybe that had
already happened. “Take me with you,” I breathed. “I won’t tell anyone what I see. Even
—them.” I couldn’t bear to say his name.
Rhys studied me for a few heartbeats. And finally he gave me a half smile. “We leave in
ten minutes. If you want to freshen up, go ahead.”