Archive of Our Own ^beta

I was desperate and about to do something very stupid.

I had no choice really.

My family was on the brink of ruin. The debt collectors had only given them until the end of the week, threatening my father bodily harm. If I couldn’t make this one sacrifice, I was not sure how my family would survive.

I am actually not sure how we had survived this long with my father’s terrible investments. Perhaps it was the strange paintings I was able to produce that seemed to come true. Maybe it was luck or fate. Regardless, our time is up. Even if I were to produce a painting for the debtors, who knew how long the effects of the painting would take as it varied for each one. Once I had painted a picture of a beautiful ring for Elain’s birthday. The next week she was engaged to a lord’s son with that very same ring on her finger. When Nesta was betrothed, I gave her a painting in celebration, and the man she was betrothed to that was rumored to beat his servants died the next morning, the very same flowers found in the back of the painting in a vase found in his throat.

And I still had one more thing left to give. One more thing that could save our family.

My virginity.

High society has not enthralled me these past twenty years and there were no marriage proposals, much to my family’s disappointment. People thought me too strange and too other.

I had begged my father to go with him on a ship when the season ended, to travel and find new paints, perhaps even open an art shop or become a traveling Paintress or Colorman on the continent.

Everything was wrong here and he had agreed, until his three ships had sunk, and the debtors came.

And now I was to be sold off by the Children of Blessed in their yearly auction to the Fae.

★⋆. ࿐࿔ ᝰ🖌

I wasn’t expecting this, to find my mate of all people tonight.

As the final hour of Tamlin’s curse was nearing, I had mentioned that Tamlin may be desperate enough to find himself at one of these silly little auctions the Fae fanatics had to Amarantha and she bid me to investigate and thwart Tamlin if need be. I had gone, if only for a night of freedom and to see what Tamlin was truly up to, and now here he was, face to face with my mate.

She was beautiful and everything I could have dreamed of and more in a simple white gown as she approached the stage, the bond not quite snapping into place yet, but humming deep in my veins. There you are. I have been looking for you for so long. My nostrils flared as I felt Tamlin’s interest grow.

“We are honored for our lords and ladies to join us on this night. Please accept these pure devotees and take care of them in your lands. They are yours to do with as you wish and are untouched.” A speaker with her silver bracelets flashing in the lamplight said as she opened her arms to the small group of humans and fey alike that had gathered in a tavern near The Wall. I smirked as my little mate rolled her eyes, wondering what had driven her to do this and offer herself up. Was she being forced by her father perhaps?

Either way, I wanted and needed her. Just for one night. One night of hope and love and tender relief, so that I might endure the next one hundred years if Amarantha was indeed to win. Or… or… I could let Tamlin win her… Perhaps she hated our kind and was merely doing this for money. If that was true… then maybe she could break the curse.

I could play the villain, no matter how it killed me, and pray Tamlin would come to rescue them and I could go home and-

I froze as her eyes found mine in the darkness, holding my gaze with an intensity that filled me with starlight. For she was not just human. No… she was more and she would be their salvation.

I had to have her.

Tamlin growled and shot him a look as he was outbid once more, the amount of jewels and coin growing obscene as she gave a pleased smile, until I was nearly tempted to invade Tamlin’s mind and force him to concede. As Tamlin waived the little fox over to confer with, I grit my teeth. Amarantha had given me quite a bit to thwart Tamlin with and I had a bit stashed Under the Mountain, useless these fifty years of entrapment, but it seemed Tamlin was intent on emptying the Spring Court’s treasury. If I did force him to concede, would he realize she was my mate? He could fight me off, but perhaps if I took control of the speaker…

“My lords, I do not wish to hurry you but unless you are able to produce-” The speaker said before flinching and gulping as Tamlin snarled and raked his claws across the wooden table, my mate glaring him down.

“Fine, enjoy your little pet, Whore. I pity the human and what will be left of her.” Tamlin spat as he stood and exited the tavern, the fox hot on his heels and whispering intently about sending out Andras.

I took what Tamlin had left on the table of coins and jewels, sweeping it into the large bag I had and presenting it to the speaker with a slight bow that had them growing flustered.

“You may claim your maiden. I can assure you we checked her innocence and purity. Enjoy, my lord.” The speaker said and as I pulled my mate close to me, I gave a feral little grin.

Claim I shall.

★⋆. ࿐࿔ ᝰ🖌

It was him. The male I had once painted. The one I kept dreaming of.

And now, he had me, but I was not going to make it easy.

I let him lead me close to The Wall, deep in the woods before a struck, pulling out my ashwood dagger, the bag of coin and jewels I was sold for half empty around my waist as I pressed him to the tree, dagger to his throat, and he, this bastard, had the audacity to laugh at me!

“You truly are not all human, are you? Your mind is a whirlwind of colors, my feisty little mate.” He said and I bared my teeth at him.

“Watch what you say. I will not let you take me. Go home with your life.” I said and though he may be able to disarm me despite some training I had, he seemed to decide to play along, his smirk growing wider.

Why did he have to be so beautiful and so infuriating?

“I usually at least know my enemies names first before they hold a knife to my throat.” He teased and my eyes narrowed.

“No. Names are power, especially to your kind. Tell me yours first.” I said and he tilted his head, leaning a bit into the dagger, eyes drawn to my lips.

“Rhys. Call me Rhys. Although I would not be opposed to pet names. Lover. Mate. The most handsome and powerful High Lord in Prythian.” He crooned and thought my veins were set alight by how right hearing his name was, I still scowled.

My paintings had warned me of the Fae. That they were out of control and evil. That there was a terrible blight on their side of the wall, each painting I tried to paint of what I imagined their lands to be growing strange moldy black spots that eventually overtook the canvas. Then there was what happened with what Children of the Blessed that did make it over the walls. And how they had enslaved humans for years.

But still… I sensed none of that from Rhys… just excitement and promise. As if he were the piece I have been missing all along.

It terrified me. I needed to get back to the manor before the debtors came. Nesta and Elain were engaged to men now they seemed to love and this could ruin them.

Even though everything in me screamed at me to stand my ground, I backed away slowly, dagger held in front of me to ward him off as I disappeared into the night, his eyes never leaving mine.

★⋆. ࿐࿔ ᝰ🖌

Nesta had given me a suspicious look when I handed Father the bag of riches and retired quickly to my room. I did what had to be done, what my mother had asked of me as she lay dying. They would be safe. For now.

But would I?

I sat at my easel as if I were possessed, broad strokes giving way to a… cave… the beautiful male, face in agony, chained far from the stars. I furrowed my brow as I took it in when I emerged from the strange fog that overtook me with these paintings. This… this did not seem like a prophecy, like so many of the others were, but it was still a horrible, wretched thing.

I would burn it… but it was still one of my creations…. and it needed to be saved.

★⋆. ࿐࿔ ᝰ🖌

Hello, Little One. My Little Paintress.

A voice whispered around me as I looked up at the glittering sky in the sea of stars I was softly cradled in. A dream? When had I fallen asleep? It was all so beautiful yet terrifying. But strangely in this vast cosmos, I felt warm. Protected. Loved.

“Hello?” I cautiously called out as the voice laughed, warm and melodic until the stars shifted and swirled together to make a large hand made of pure light that raised me to the face of a woman. No, a god. The god of these lands.

Mother. Not mine. But The Mother. The Mother of these lands as the Children of the Blessed crooned.

Yes, I have come to wake my champion. I have slept for too long and I loathe what my land has become. You must right it. It is why you are Cauldron Blessed.

“Me? I am one girl. What can I do?” I asked as she smiled and stroked my head with a large finger.

Use my gifts. Paint, Dear Child, and free them.

“I don’t understand.” I said and she kissed my head.

You will. Rest now, for the journey ahead.

★⋆. ࿐࿔ ᝰ🖌

No! Why is she here! Of all places! I had been so careful. I had spun a tale of what happened at the auction, claiming Tamlin had claimed a girl but that the girl was terrified of him and fled from him to Amarantha’s great amusement and glee. And now my mate was in the very place I had never wanted her to be.

Years of training kept my face placid as my mate marched into Amarantha’s court, a strange object wrapped in cloth attached to her back as she knelt, head bowed.

“What is this? Who is this bold little girl?” Amarantha cooed as The Attor flapped above his mate.

“I am a humble artist and I bring a gift to the great queen who has brought the Fae under her control. I hope that it will inspire your greatest desires.” My mate said, still not lifting her head.

“Let’s see it, then. If it is good enough perhaps I will let you leave with your life.” Amarantha said as everything in me screamed to winnow her away. The Attor took the object from off his mate’s back when she gestured to it, pulling the cloth off of it with his claws to reveal… a painting.

It was a painting of Amarantha staring into a mirror with a wicked, delighted smile, the candle light in the painting seeming to make her even more powerful and triumphant. I could feel her sickening pleasure and enchantment by it, my mate’s head still bowed.

How… how had she even known Amarantha? Even with Amarantha’s monsters that tested The Wall and slipped into human territory, or the fey Tamlin had desperately sent over…. how could she have captured Amarantha’s likeness and known to come here?

I was terrified. The last time I had been caught unaware, my powers were stripped from me and I was torn from Velaris, from my family.

“Well, well. This is rather remarkable. You did well, girl. Not only shall I let you live, but you will live here in my court. You’ll find I am a gracious patron.” Amarantha said, my mate nodding once and being led away with a flick of Amarantha’s wrist as she gestured for The Attor to bring the portrait closer to her so that she might admire it.

“What do you think, Rhysand?” She asked, tilting it slightly towards me as dread filled my stomach.

“It’s exquisite, although it pales in comparison to the real thing.” I said as Amarantha nodded.

“I shall hang it in my chambers. Do come and see it tonight.” She said, trailing her nails over my chest as I smirked before standing and bowing.

“I look forward to it. If you’ll excuse me, let me prepare for this occasion.” I said as she leered and inclined her head, dismissing me.

I stuffed my hands in my pockets, striding towards my chambers as I cast my mind out to find my mate. I found her talking with a few of the musicians that had been trapped under the mountain after that night. I hated it, but I would gladly be a villain to scare her into leaving.

“Human. Come here. I wish to speak with you and commission you.” I said as I heard ‘whore’ whispered in the cavernous room. I smirked as my mate approached, leering and grabbing her roughly by the shoulders.

“My bedroom has excellent lighting, you’ll find.” I said as I picked her up and winnowed her to my chambers. She gave me an unimpressed look as I tossed her on the bed and crawled towards her.

“You should do it for free, since you are already bought and paid for.” I said, grabbing her delicate ankle.

“Prick.” She said, sticking up her middle finger at me as I chuckled darkly.

“Yes, soon you can see mine. And careful, Darling, the next time you are so rude, I will take the offending appendage." I said, trying to look every bit the monster she must think I am, cloaking myself in darkness and letting my wings loom above her menacingly.

But she… she had the audacity to look bored! This little…. She may be my equal, but she is infuriating.

“That would be a shame, I think you will love my paintings.” She said, kicking me in the side so I would let go of her ankle before rolling off the bed and standing.

I don’t know if she felt the bond or if my eyes betrayed me, but she cupped my face with a soft smile.

“Everything will be alright, Rhys. You’ll see. The Mother is not far.” She said as she breezed out of my chambers and I sat there, frozen with hope and fear at war in my chest.

★⋆. ࿐࿔ ᝰ🖌

I had wondered when she would summon me again. So far she had been doing her best to play off her madness during the nightly revelries. But I saw… every time she twitched and looked at someone who was not there. How she stiffened as a ghostly spectre would whisper in her ear. I had not lied when I hoped it would inspire her deepest desires. To be loved and feared. The paint may give off certain toxins I had found, but this was all thanks to Mother making Amarantha see her dead sister once more and to have the lover she so desired at her beck and call.

The night after I first arrived I was invited to the nightly banquet, I kept to the shadows, mostly observing and avoiding Rhys, lest he ruin the plan Mother had laid out. Amarantha had shrieked, pointing at the air with nothing there asking what foul tricks were at play for her sister to rise from the grave. She had turned on all of the High Lords until they gave her such bewildering looks that she was forced to laugh it off as indulging herself and retired quickly. The next night was worse when she gave a pleased coo from her throne that a male named Tamlin finally came to his senses, only for no one to be there and the court silent and fearful.

After that, there were no more revelries… until tonight.

“Painter… you are to entertain all of us tonight by painting in front of us. If your painting is too crude your hands will be forfeit.” Amarantha declared as a canvas and easel were brought before me with an array of paints.

I wonder if Rhys had been forced to fetch them. It was of no matter. The poison was in the painting itself or rather the gift The Mother has blessed me with. After she showed me the horrors my mate has faced and who he truly is, I was more than happy to do this. I relished each stroke that began to form of Amarantha on her throne, feeling a sense of purpose and duty finally. Finally I would feel whole.

I turned the easel with a bow as Amarantha gasped. Her flowing white gown cascaded down the dais in ghostly form emanating power in the painting. And in one of the flames of the braziers I hid the number fifty. A countdown to her demise.

“You are a strange one but talented at the very least, baring me no ill will. Tell me your name and swear fealty to me.” Amarantha declared.

I pressed my lips together saying nothing as I watched the numbers fall.

49… 48… 47…

She would be dead within the hour and they would be freed.

★⋆. ࿐࿔ ᝰ🖌

I had to find what game my mate was playing at, before she got herself killed.

Answer her. I tried to urge only to be hit with a wall of swirling colors in her mind. And what was she watching so intently… not Amarantha who was now glaring and tapping her fingers.

“I am waiting, girl. Or have you suddenly gone mute and dumb?” Amarantha snarled and oh… the number in the flame was counting down.

My mate finally drew her eyes from the painting cocking her head defiantly as she stared at Amarantha.

“Are you alright? You’re bleeding.” She asked in faux concern as Amarantha scowled and we all held our breath as a bloody tear slipped from one of her eyes. She wiped at it, staring in horror before standing and pointing a finger to my mate.

“You! What have you done? A witch?” She hissed and my mate lifted her chin high.

“I have done nothing to you. All things must return to Mother, and I will have my mate.” She said and Amarantha hurled her power towards my mate as I yelled, until all of us stood in shock as the many hues and colors from her paints swirled around her to protect her before forming a large, multicolored wolf that snarled.

Amarantha trembled, clutching her face with a scream as it began to peel and crack, clawing her eyes out with her bloody fingernails for relief. The bloody sockets seemed endless as she screamed and wailed.

“No! It won’t end like this!” Amarantha sobbed, trying to hobble towards my mate, only for ghostly white hands to rise up from her gown, holding her in place.

10….9…8… the numbers were falling faster and faster, each half a minute until 0 showed and Amarantha let out a final scream, disintegrating into dust and—

I let out a wet, incredulous laugh as I felt my powers returning fully and without a second thought, I was in front of my mate, lifting her up with a delighted spin as she gave a surprised laugh.

“Why? How?” I asked, holding her close, freedom on my tongue as she gave me a wry yet tender smile.

“The Mother showed me. I could not let my mate suffer any longer.” She said and I did not care if the other High Lords saw the tears that escaped me as she wiped the tears.

“Truly?” I whispered and she nodded, leading me over to the banquet table and pressing a sliced section of pomegranate to my lips.

“If you’ll have me.” She said and I nodded, heart in my throat. There was just one more thing. One thing I had to know.

“What is your name?” I asked as she smiled.

“Feyre. Now Silly Boy it’s my turn to claim you.” She said with a wink as she drew me in for a kiss. I moaned into your lips, my head spinning.

Feyre. Feyre. Feyre. My mate. How sweet everything was now after so long.

The room seemed to melt away and perhaps it was Feyre’s strange magic and being as the cosmos shimmered beneath her skin and we were bared to one another in a sea of stars. I entered her, the bond singing beautifully in my mind as the sea of stars lapped around us, cradling us and keeping us afloat as she moaned and clung to me, the two of us moving as one until I didn’t know where I ended and she began. Silver trickled down my face as she kissed me over and over again until I was trembling in her arms as she clenched around me and I spilled into her.

I lifted my head, hardly able to see her through my tears as I kissed her, trying to pour love through the kiss as she smiled.

And then I said the only words I could for now.

“Thank you, Feyre Darling.”