A Court of Song and Shadow

Chapter 62

I stand there in shock for a moment as I watch my mother fall to her knees--holding her hands to her chest where the sword stuck out. I could not move--could not scream--could not think.

"Take her wings." The High Lord of the Spring Court says to his sons. It takes me only a second to finally realize what was happening--I winnow in front of my mother and let out an earth shattering scream as I send my power spiraling out of me--sending the males flying feet away. I fall down to my knees in front of my mother as I stare at her wide eyed as she coughs up blood.

"Mama--" I let out a sob as she falls into my lap. I barely hear the footsteps as I throw up a shield around us. I vaguely hear the High Lord order his sons to use all of their powers to break through my shield.

"Please," I move the hair from my mothers face in my lap as she looks up at me. "Mama, please."

"I--" She coughs blood again as she tries to speak, "I--love you."

I watch helplessly as the life fades from her eyes. Her lifeless eyes stare up into the night sky--and I can only sit there for a moment--doing nothing--feeling nothing as I stare into her lifeless eyes.

"Get up," I push her lifeless body, "Please get up, I need you."

"Break through it you useless boys, what is taking you so long?" I slowly look up--tears spilling down my face and pure fury in my eyes as I look to the males of the Spring Court. It takes me a moment before I see Tamlin standing beside his father--just watching .

I only feel a pang of betrayal for a moment before it is replaced by pure anger.

Undying rage fills my entire body.

If they wanted my shield down--I would bring it down.

And I attack.

I send my shadows and violet shooting right towards them. They are caught off guard as they once again get sent flying back. I slowly stand up as I take in the four males before me, but I only look at one of them.

The one I had considered to be my friend.

The one that my brother had befriended--loved as if he were his own brother.

I look to Tamlin and knew in that moment--he was never my friend. He was never Rhysand's friend. The only thing he wanted was approval from his father and brothers, and he was using Rhysand to train and become stronger.

Tamlin was no different than his father or brothers.

"Surrender now and we will offer you a quick death." Osric says to me, and I laugh in his face.

I laugh in the face of death.

In response, The High Lord of the Spring Court and his sons use the full force of their powers and send them spiraling towards me. I wince as I throw up a shield--holding their powers at bay for a moment before I realize that this was a fight I would not win by myself.

Because I had already felt my powers fading--from using them too fast and too soon without any siphons or moonstones. I had let the rage consume me and I did not think before I used the majority of my powers--now that rage would be the death of me. I scream as their powers rip through my shield, and I drop to the ground just in time before the bright yellow powers would have went right through my head. I look up in time to see Tallisan and Toran unsheathe their swords and make their way towards me. I panic as I try to summon my twin swords--but my power was not strong enough to reach that far out to summon them. I quickly stand up and throw my hand out as a sword forms in my hand--a burning sword made of violet flames. I do not question the sword as Tallisan and Toran begin to swing their swords at me. I have no thoughts as I dodge their attacks--not attacking them myself. I was just trying not to get murdered by them in this moment.