Battle Scars

The Harp

It had not been the best morning.

Eve had awoken with nausea and something she couldn't quite place her finger on. As if he had sensed her, Az had gotten up too, and decided that instead of trying to go back to sleep, they would enjoy the fresh morning air till he had to leave for his check-up with Mor near the border.

And so, Eve was sitting with Azriel on the couch watching the sunrise when Nesta rushed in, panting. There was a sense of panic and urgency in her eyes.

Instantly Az stood up, his shadows surrounding Eve who got up comparatively slowly. "What is it?" Azriel asked before Eve's feet even found their footing on the cold ground.

"I think I know where the Harp is," she rushed out. Az' hands found Eve's.

Eve slowly stepped forward, "where?"

"The Prison," she said and Azriel stiffened. Eve tilted her head, already knowing that the Spymaster was contacting his High Lord. "How did you find out?"

"I was listening to the morning practice of the priestesses when I heard the Harp calling to me. I think," she gulped, "I think I awakened it."

Eve furrowed her brows as Rhys came landing in. "Do you think Briallyn felt it too?"

"Did you feel it?"

"I-" Eve gulped, shifting on her feet, "not really. I woke up feeling a bit nauseous and uncomfortable," she glanced at Az who had his brows furrowed together in a slight frown, "but I tallied it up to my nightmarish dreams." Her face went a bit pale as she carried on, "but maybe it wasn't as much as a sordid imaginative nightmare as it was a call."

"What did you see?" Rhys demanded.

"There was a male- he had a crown in his hand. Someone was behind bars and then it shifted suddenly to a scene which I thought were the Northern lights until I heard someone scream and then there was music but it was so haunting. There was someone else too but I can't quite remember."

"You think Briallyn heard the music too?" Nesta asked. Eve gulped, "I hope not but when has hoping ever bought anything but disappointment when it comes to that woman."

**************************

They were in Rhys' study.

Az had winnowed to a meeting point on the eastern coast to get a report from Mor about the Vallahan situation, much to his chagrin and Eve's insistence that he go. Az had only agreed after secluding Cassian who then had promised to look after Eve while he was away.

Feyre was out to an early breakfast with Amren, so it was just the three of them. Cassian had suggested that Nesta come too, but she'd refused. She'd been shaken- had needed some time to pull herself back together. And since Eve was still angry at her, she had decided to come with Cassian instead of staying back with her friend.

Rhys drummed his fingers on his biceps. Stared at his desk for a long moment. "When we heard about Beron's treachery, I had Helion show me how to apply a shield like the one I had around Feyre to the Prison itself."

"You guessed this would happen?" Cassian asked.

"No." A muscle ticked in Rhys's jaw. "Feyre and I were concerned that Beron would try to free the inmates to use in a conflict—just as we used the Bone Carver in the war. Give me today, and I'll get the shield untangled and open for you tomorrow."

"It takes that long to undo a shield?" Eve asked.

Rhys dragged a hand through his hair. Worries etched deep lines into his brow. "It's a combination of magic and spell work, so yes. And I'll admit I'm distracted enough these days that I might need some extra time to make sure it's done correctly."