Chapter 7

Aelin wondered if it would be okay to punch Astra.

She knew the princess's name thanks to the failed whispers of them arguing earlier. The conversation getting heated as they debated a solution. She watched her blue eyes, as the waves beneath crashed into each other, the ocean filled with confusion and anger. Fear even. Of course it was an absurd offer. One she'd sought. But if it would work. She'd make it work. She had no choice but to work with these wretched faeries in retreating her amulet. At least there was no other choice was what she told herself. She'd decided in the few minutes that she would not take Astra to the queen. For now. Until she would go and see if the king had the amulet. Besides, if the Queen was so desperate she would ask one of her slaves to retrieve Astra.

She had even considered helping this group while at her own task. Maybe she would help them a little. Of course she didn't want to die in war, who did?

She'd think of that later. By looking at how stupid they were, she had doubted she would.

The princess had been screaming at her for the past half hour. It seemed. "No Aelin, we gave you what you wanted now get the bloody hell out of here." Her name still sounded foreign on Astra's tongue, the princess ablaze. She looked behind, at the warriors and Fae's that stood behind with fury, each gazing at her with anger. She had made one hell of a first impression.

"Enough!" Aelin replied loudly, her voice dour. She was fed up now. Of all this nonsense. The loudness had seemed to set the princess quiet, yet the rest had taken a step forward, frowning at her, their hands clenched in fists at their sides. "The Queen sent me here to take you to her. If you don't let me come with you, I'll try to take you to her and if I fail she'll send someone else. Ten times better than me. It's as simple as that." She stood steady in the dark room, her heartbeats balanced, hand slowly moving to the dagger at her side. "If I do go without you, I'll just tell her of your plans. Surely you'll love that."

A smirk crept onto her face, as she crossed her arms, her jacket's soft material gently squeezing. Astra took a step back, her face a mixture of realization and regret. Aelin's heart pounded louder, her smirk widening. She had already won this debate. Like her they had no choice at all. Though it had seemed true. During this, Aelin had regardlessly wondered why Helena had sent her here instead of someone she knew. Someone she could trust, because Aelin, Aelin had already switched sides.

Adrenaline pumped into her further as the nine of them silently left, defeat and remorse still lingering in the air above. Unspoken words left unsaid.

She looked at the now even darker room, since the fire they'd been using to illuminate the room had left with them, taking in how miserable it looked. It was only one weary room, large and tin roofed. The only window was in the front, the rest dark and rather grimmy. It seemed ineffectual, cold as the breezes drew in, bringing more unpleasant smells swinging towards her.

She had to get out of here.

Aelin stormed out into fresh light, her eyes taking a minute to adjust. She drew in a deep breath, letting the stale and warm air settle into her. She looked up to see where she was.

The area was steady, the ground a mix of white and pale yellow, holding firm. There were no plants, only hoarse dry land as she walked further. A few feet away from her stood the nine companions she had met hours ago, drowsiness and rage seeping from them. Ones she was now going to travel off to god knows where. They still had to discuss where they were going and what they were to do.

~

"What the hell Astra?" Conan shouted abruptly as they stood aside. His brooding figure leaned over her, dripping with ire. His grey eyes had been clouded, his gaze intense and heated, as fear, anger, confusion, betrayal reflected on his face. "We didn't have a choice Conan, either way she had a point and besides she could prove helpful," Astra shot back trying to calm the harshness straggling in the air. Anger spread through them like a wildfire, his gaze sharp, muscles tense as he stood over her. He eyed her, disbelief resting on his face. Yet Conan still seemed hesitant, another pained look passing on his face as he slowly turned away from her. "Do what you want Astra." His voice seemed wobbly, scared even as he walked away, dragging his warmth away from her as she stood there watching his tall figure walk to stand with the rest of his friends who like him resented the idea as much.

She took a deep breath as she stormed towards the warehouse, her head clustered with various emotions and thoughts. There was no doubt what she was doing could fail in many ways, finish them entirely. Her friends could get hurt, their plan could get them into trouble, so many things could go, terribly wrong but she had a feeling that Aelin, no matter how ridiculous she seemed, could be of much help. And that maybe she would add to their team. Their group.

Her court.

And help her fulfill a promise she had made long ago. To a kingdom that once aspired, had once been a place of happiness. A promise to a memorable queen, who had died for that kingdom. Her kingdom.

She walked into the drowsy warehouse, the horrendous aroma arising again. She looked up.

Aelin was not there.

Panic arose in her, blood rushing into her veins. Her fire was only exploding now, begging her to let it out, the flames roaring at her. She took a deep breath, calming her magic, the fire fighting back. It pained slightly to keep them in, the flames galloping her veins. It had been over a week since she'd let the embers resting in her out. Let them breath.

"I won't leave you lot that easily," someone called from behind her. She already recognized the voice, the firmness, her stern tone, the hint of proudness. Aelin leaned against the warehouse door, her arms crossed. She had a wide grin pressed on her face, her winged eyelashes fluttering with exhaustion and excitement.

Astra had noticed how seemingly beautiful Aelin was but still there was no light there. Her face looked hollow, sadness clouding each feature. Her slightly round face looked thin, her sharp jaws becoming further sharper, her cheekbones higher. Her skin was pale, as if there had been a glow to it but it had been drained out. Her eyes still gleamed but there seemed to be pain in them, her bright emerald orbs dull.

"Well you know, I don't really trust you," Astra replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I? Looks like the rest of your group still doesn't approve of me." Astra shifted at the comment, tensing a little.

"You can rest for the day, we'll discuss the plans tomorrow." Astra walked out the room. She kept her gaze low, avoiding Aelin's graze as she did. She took unbalanced steps, her breaths slightly unsteady.

"Fennis," she called out, anger persisting in her voice.

He looked up, fret reflecting his expression. "Take Aelin to a spare room at the inn, we'll discuss our plans with her tomorrow."

She didn't wait for a response, all she had heard was a huff from Conan, as she averted her gaze, staring at the ground blankly, walking abruptly to her own room, the air kissing her skin smoothly.

~

Conan stormed behind Astra, his gaze remaining on her back. He watched as she moved tensely, his own body storming with prostration. He was scared for her, about her safety. Aelin he did not trust whatsoever. He still thought she had some plan brewing and this was all part of some game of hers.

"Astra," Conan screamed as he entered the room behind her. The wood-paneled floor creaked slightly as he stormed towards her. She sat on her side of the bed, the pale sheets neatly folded after they had left. Even though the room was compact and old it was still congenial.

The air reeked of jasmines, light dancing around. He moved closer to the bed, closing the door mildly behind him. "This isn't right and you know it. She could put us in danger, worse, put you in danger," he spoke softly, his voice humming a tune of concern. She closed her eyes as Conan took a seat next, to her placing a hand on the small of her back, moving it around in gentle soothing circles as the bed groaned in response. "It's the only way Conan, I don't know what else to do. She can help us," Astra replied in a low voice, her unsteady breaths audible. Her hands shook slightly as she clutched them tightly. "What about you Astra?" Conan started, his voice full of disbelief. Distress flowed through him as he stood up, a scoff escaping his lips, "What about the last standing heir of Ethopia, the last standing flame bearer! Does that mean nothing to you? If something happens to you what will the rest of us do, what will I do?" He screamed the last words at her. He wasn't balking from this. No he'd fight this decision till the end.

More rage signaled him, a scowl formed on his face, his thick eyebrows furrowed. His pointy ears twitched slightly. How could she have done this to him? It felt like betrayal. How could she not care about her own safety. She could get hurt. Why didn't she understand this. And Aelin, he'd deal with that shit piece of a woman later. He wanted to smash something, his eyes straining because of the anger.

"Just don't Conan, I've made my decision," Astra replied her voice breaking further, tears welled in her eyes, hurt flashing on her face. She let out a scowl, frowning back at Conan as her breaths shuddered.

Conan knew better than to argue anymore. He left the room as quickly as he could without running, his steps impatient. He wouldn't care about this anymore. But Aelin, he'd sought things out with her soon enough.

~

Fennis walked lazily, his eyes straining due to exhaustion. He hadn't slept in two days, both being miserable and confusing. He wasn't ready to believe Astra had really just made a decision like that. Such. A. Stupid. Decision. A yawn escaped his lips, his steps becoming heavier as the thoughts drowned him further into a relentless ...

"How long till we get there?" Aelin asked from behind him. Even her voice sounded gentler, its roughness and rawness still lingering. "We'll get there when we get there," Fennis answered, annoyance fluttering on his face. He didn't like her at all, her presence only a burden. For what she had done to Astra, to his friends - He heard her mumble something to herself, a small sound. He passed her a side glance, his face pulled into a frown. She looked up from the ground to meet his stare, as if feeling his stare on him and returned his frown with a smile. A cunning, curious smile. He didn't dare smile back. He was angry at her, that was absolutely certain but it was more than that, curiosity, annoyance, he couldn't quite put it together.

He noticed as Aelin's smile disappeared slowly, her face now a mask of composure. Longing shone in her eyes for a brief second before disappearing quickly as her attention turned towards the front. He followed her gaze to the inn that stood in front of them. The brown chirped in the almost set sun, its plain wall standing firm in the humming breezes.

The place was quiet. Not many people were in this area, the land bare, this inn had only been made for travelers to stay before they left or rest once they came to Belarus. And so the area was merely hushed, only the crackling noise of the winds whispering thanks to Esma, blowing their scents away.

Fennis cruised through the empty corridors, unbothered by the excessive dark brown wood used everywhere. He rushed up the two flights of stairs, aware of Aelin's presence the whole time as she quietly followed behind him, grumbling every now and then at the creaking floorboards, the noise an uneasy groan. It had seemed, the inn was old and unchecked for, merely because no one really stayed here. Like they did.

Fennis stopped in front of another plain wood door. "This is your room," he told her. "You can rest for tonight, we'll discuss the plans tomorrow, the conference room is two flights down and the first room to the right." With that he was gone, not waiting a second for any kind of gratitude or answer from her as he stormed towards his own room.

~

Aelin rumbled inside her room, sick of the brown. It was a shit color. One she was not at all fond of. Her room was the same. Everything so brown. And simple. And dull. And boring.

It reminded her of her room in Rick's manor. He'd raised many children her age and older. To become killers like her, she didn't know. But none stayed with him. Except Aelin of course. No matter how he had been to her, whipping her, beating her to a pulp, starving her, she'd always felt his affection for her. It wasn't father-daughter like. Gods no. It had always been different the way he'd treated her. He'd claimed he'd loved her. What way she hadn't known. Not until Rick had crossed a line, done something that had made the rattling monster inside of her, shake every bone inside of her. That had almost broken its cage. Almost.

She stormed towards her bed. The rickety structure creaking in welcome. The plain sheets cringed as she laid down caging all her thoughts for tomorrow. A new day. The sun sunk behind the mountains, a dark blue creeping into the sky masking over it like a blanket.

Exhaustion took over as soon as she closed her eyes, drowning her with fatigue. It had seemingly been three weeks. Since everything had started. This new life had cracked open in front of her and she had claimed it. It was not fate that brought her here. Neither her destiny. It was Aelin's own will. Her own decision. She had taken a step that changed her life within minutes. Yet the question that was the most important of all remained. Was it for the best or worst?