The artwork above is not mine.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

    Eris looked over the report wordlessly. Evren stood before his desk, her arms crossed. "His throat was slit. There was no sign of a forced entry anywhere in the house. There were no detectable scents either. Some suspect his wife. Others suspect me. Either way, the message is clear to all." Eris set the report down. "Well done."

    He stood and grabbed a small bag. Eris pocketed it, gesturing for Evren to follow. She did so on silent feet. "Where are we going?"

    "To visit Selmor's wife."

    "Why?"

    Eris patted his pocket. They left the Forest House. Evren faced the stables, but Eris took her by the shoulder. Before she could question him, wind roared around them. When it quieted, they were standing in the village near Selmor's house.

    "What was that?" Evren demanded, her eyes wide. There was almost a hint of fear in her eyes.

    "It's called winnowing," Eris explained. "Many High Fae can do it." He carried on towards the house. Evren trailed behind.

    "There you are," someone called. Eris paused as a male approached Evren. The male slid a finger beneath her chin. "Selmor is dead. I think you were the last to see him alive."

    "He was lively when I last saw him, to say the least," Evren answered coolly. Eris narrowed his eyes. "If you're insinuating that I might know what happened to him, you're mistaken. I had another appointment following his." She inclined her head towards Eris.

    The male stumbled backwards, bowing his head. "My Lord."

    "I did say I wouldn't have time for you until tomorrow." At once, Eris caught on to her guise. She was passing herself off as a courtesan.

    "You won't have time for him then, either." Eris stepped into his role with ease. He turned Evren's face towards him. Anger blazed in her eyes, but she didn't resist. "I've already struck a deal with your Madame. You're mine." He fixed a hard gaze on the male. "Off you go."

    The male bowed his head again and dashed away. Eris pulled his hand away from Evren and approached Selmor's house. He knocked on the door. It opened moments later, revealing an older High Fae female.

    "What do you want?" She snapped.

    "To offer my condolences," Eris replied.

    "You already know of my husband's death?"

    "Of course. I've been keeping tabs on everyone still loyal to my father's cause." There was just a hint of warning in his voice.

    "Between the two of us," the female leaned closer, "I know you ordered his death." Tears gleamed in her eyes. "Why?"

    "I won't allow my father's ways to remain in this court. Those who support them and terrorize my people will become messengers for me as well." Eris revealed the small bag and handed it to Selmor's wife. "Use it as you will."

    She opened the bag and took in the few pieces of gold. "This does not replace my husband."

    "No, but it will do a better job of providing for you than he did." Eris turned away.

    "Wait! My son. What are you going to do with my son?"

    "He'll be released in a week's time. He was cooperative. He has not been harmed."

    The female sobbed with relief, closing the door quietly. Evren fell in step with Eris as they left. "Why did you give her that? You can't put a price on a living soul."

    "You put a price on his soul when you agreed to kill him for me." Eris kept his voice low. "And I've already arranged your first payment." He held up a slip of paper between two fingers. Evren took it and stifled a gasp. "Is that sufficient?"

    "I..." He looked over his shoulder. Her face was unreadable. "Yes."

    "Good." Eris took her by the shoulder and winnowed them back to the Forest House. "You passed yourself off as a courtesan to that male?"

    "How do you think I found an easy way into Selmor's house?"

    "You didn't actually..."

    "No, of course not." Evren narrowed her eyes. "I imagine it won't be long before the whole court knows of the High Lord's little Human courtesan, though."

    "Not long at all."

    "And to think I wasted my breath trying to tell Celosia that I was not your whore." Evren stormed into the house without another word. Eris tilted his head, slightly amused.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

    By the end of her first week in the Autumn Court, Evren had killed two more Loyalists besides Selmor. She did very little beyond her assignments. She spent time with Asper, accompanied the High Lord when he delivered compensation to the Loyalist's families, and remained hidden in her rooms.

    Evren had yet to sleep on her bed or wear any of the clothes the servants kept bringing in, even when she asked them not to. She never ate the food they provided either, but her own supplies were now exhausted.

    Evren near a window, staring at the colorful treetops outside. She could go out on the balcony for some fresh air. No one would see her there. Evren rose and stepped out. The air was warm and relaxing.

    The sound of clashing steel caught her attention. Evren turned towards it. Behind the stables was a large training ring. Two red haired males were sparring in it. Evren recognized the High Lord. The second male had long hair tied back in a bun. She didn't know him.

    Evren crept over the side of her balcony railing. She worked her way down the support beam until she reached the stone wall of the house. She dug her foot into a crevice and began making her way closer to the ring. Another balcony jutted over the stables. If she could reach it, she'd be able to hear what they were saying.

    Evren kept her head beneath the windows of the house and tried to stay out of the two males' sight. She reached the other balcony's support beam. Evren wrapped her legs around it and shimmied up to the railing. She swung onto the balcony and sat down, listening.

    "Are you sure killing them is the way to go?" The unfamiliar male asked.

    "What other way is there? I arrest those who are merely accomplices, but the ones who murder, steal, and destroy? They won't be silenced behind the walls of a cell."

    "Aren't you worried that killing them will turn more people to their side?"

    "Of course, but that won't stop me from doing what needs to be done."

    "And your assassin?" The male asked. "She's Human?"

    "She is."

    "What was a Human assassin doing in the Autumn Court?"

    "She was coming to kill Father to avenge her parents. She thought I was him."

    "It's not wise to spy on a High Lord, you know," Celosia said behind her.

    Evren stood, crossing her arms. "Who is that male?"

    Celosia peered over the side of the balcony. "Lucien. Eris' half brother. He lives in the Night Court but comes to visit occasionally."

    "Isn't he Helion's heir?" Celosia nodded. "Then why does he live in the Night Court?"

    "That is where his mate and her family live. His mate is Elain Archeron, one of Feyre Archeron's sisters. He serves as an emissary for Rhysand, but I'm sure that will change if he becomes High Lord of the Day Court someday."

    "I see." Evren watched the two males again. They'd ceased talking and were back at sparring. "Did you need something?"

    "I've decided I should apologize for my behavior towards you when you first arrived. I was rude." Evren glanced at her, but didn't reply. "Eris explained your role to me a little more. He said you deliver messages for him. Important ones that he can't trust to someone who might be recognized. He also mentioned that you're pretending to be a courtesan so no one will suspect you."

    "How kind of him to clarify."

    "Generous," Celosia corrected. "There is nothing kind about Eris."

    Evren thought back to the compensation the High Lord had been giving out. She wasn't sure if that was a show of kindness or bribery. "If he isn't kind, why do you want to marry him?"

    "For wealth. For power. He has other redeeming qualities that make up for his lack of kindness."

    "Such as?"

    "He's handsome. He's smart. He knows how to get what he wants. He wields his power well and is respected by almost everyone."

    "What of his personality?" Evren asked. "What qualities in his personality make up for his lack of kindness?"

    Celosia thought for a moment. "Well, as I said, he is generous. He is empathetic." Her brilliant sapphire gaze flickered towards Evren. "Why do you think he hired you?"

    "He hired me because he needed me, whether or not he'll admit it," Evren replied. "Will Lucien be staying long?"

    "No, they'll likely finish up sparring and he'll leave. He and Eris have never been close, due to their history. Now that things are changing though, they're trying to amend their relationship and trust each other at least a little."

    "What is their history?"

    Celosia just laughed. "I can't tell you all of my High Lord's secrets, now, can I? Ask him yourself and see if he's willing to answer." She waltzed back to the door, then paused. "I'd like you to visit my house sometime so we can get to know each other better. I always seem to come here when you're not around. Eris can bring you or tell you the way, I'm sure."

    Evren didn't reply. She stared at the doorway after Celosia left. "I don't want to be your friend," she whispered. "No Fae will ever be a friend of mine."

    And not just because of her prejudices against them. No, having a friend meant having someone to mourn her when she was gone. She wanted to die as a forgotten soul. She wanted her death to be quick and painless for everyone.

•~ ❘ ۞ ❘ ~•

    Eris watched Evren as she poked at the food on her plate once more. She'd been there a week and he had yet to see her eat. The servants reported that she never touched the food they brought to her rooms.

    "Celosia told me she invited you to visit her sometime," Eris said. "I can take you if you like."

    "I don't want to visit her," Evren replied. "I don't want to make friends. I want to avenge my parents and..." she trailed off.

    "And?"

    "And leave this place. Forever."

    "I see." Eris continued to watch her. Her expression was blank, but in her eyes sat a torrent of emotions. He knew that look. He'd seen it so many times. He knew what it led to. Eris stood. "Eat."

    "I'm not hungry."

    "What have you been living on for the past week? It can't have been filling. Eat." She stared straight ahead. Cauldron damn him, he'd not watch another person wither away beneath this roof. Eris slammed a fist on the table beside her. She flinched. "Eat, or I'll feed you myself."

    Evren lifted her gaze to his. "Why should you care?"

    "If you want to die when you've finished here, be my guest, but you will not begin that process while you're under this roof," Eris said, his voice low. "I will not watch another female let herself decay before my eyes." She just watched him with that awful, empty, yet somehow emotional, gleam in her eyes. "Eat."

    Evren looked down and took a bite. He saw how her hand tightened around her fork and knew she was trying not to shovel her food down. She made herself take slow and small bites. He didn't care if she was trying to slight him. She was eating. Eris remained standing beside her until her plate was clean.