Shaera had sat there for 3 weeks they hadn't given her food in that time, only the occasional cup of water, she concluded she could possibly survive about two months without it if she kept having a steady intake of liquid. The cuts up her arms had healed, thank whatever god that helped heal wounds. The cell didn't bother Shaera that much anymore, it was only when the green eyes watched her, and his voice taunted her. Now she thought about it his face looked an awful lot like Tamlin's. Why didn't his face trigger her into an emotional meltdown?. They had the same eyes. Though She was a different person in Hybern... she was different before she dove mentally into the cauldron to save Elain.
Elain. Shaera had been thinking about the Archeron sisters a lot. At least she wasn't on Nesta's immediate to kill list. She had calculated she was about second or third on it, maybe fourth. Yeah fourth. The king, Lucien, Tamlin, then herself. Shaera wondered how Elain was after going into the Cauldron. If she too heard voices
The dark-haired woman soon figured out that the voices she heard in the shadows weren't a construction from her imagination. The ex-commander didn't know what they were. They just whispered, screeched and murmured amongst themselves, she could only make out single words but they weren't even in the common tongue...

"Mel"

"Ber"

"Girth"

"Naud" She did not have a single idea what they meant, but if the voices repeated them one more time Shaera was going to rip her hair out. Water dripped from the ceiling, Shaera picked the moss from between the cobblestone, the sound of the cell door opening snapped her from her thoughts

"They haven't fed you" the voice stated, Shaera turned her head and peered into the darkness squinting slightly. Morrigan? 

"They were told to feed you" the woman's voice trailed off. The ex-commander chuckled lightly. At least the high lord wasn't intentionally starving her and her suspicions were confirmed. That fae needs better guards. She cleared her throat 

"Why are you here Morrigan?" her voice still came out hoarse small curls fell sparsely across her eyes, she knew the blonde fae felt uneasy

"I need to ask you something." Shaera waved her hand as a signal to continue, she leant deeper into the wall, knees tucked to her chest 

"How old are you?" The dark-haired woman hummed then frowned.

"526" 

"What happened to you when you were nine years old" 

"I played with daisy chains and rode ponies" Shaera's throat stung as the sarcasm slipped so easily off her tongue 

"You are infuriating." Morrigan continued to stare at her, the dark-haired woman squinted at her and sighed. It depends on the month, she was playing with daisy chains in the early months of spring, yet when the leaves changed colour and the days grew colder, her mother was slaughtered, they chopped Shaera's wings off and for some unknown reason sliced the points off her ears. Thick scars adorned slightly misshaped tips, her hair hid them most of the time. She blinked and refocused on Morrigan. 

"Depends on why you need to know" The blonde fae moved closer and crouched in front of her. Shaera moved her gaze Mor was wearing a long deep mauve gown, a slit ran up her thigh and her chest. The neckline was low. That's all Shaera chose to ponder on the matter. Morrigan was stunning. She refocused 

"Because I do." 

"Yet again, why?" Morrigan just stared at her before she stood from her crouched position

"You're utterly impossible..." 

"Sweetheart I am sleep deprived and starving, sorry I'm not as perky as I was three weeks ago" Shaera mused tiredly

"This was pointless" Morrigan scoffed and made her way for the cell door, Shaera pulled herself up her fingers scraped against the cobble. 

"My mother was slaughtered." Mor paused, her back still faced Shaera. 

"Who...Who killed her?" The fae spoke softly her hand gripped onto one of the bars. Shaera opened her mouth, dry. No words came out. She blinked. Mor turned to look at her. The dark-eyed woman hung her head slightly, small strands of her fell in front of her face. 

"Green eyes" Shaera whispered gently 

"Blonde hair." Morrigan murmured in return. Shaera snapped her eyes up. Black connecting with brown. A deep frown etched its way onto her face. 

"Coth"

"Dú" Fantastic... Shaera snapped her head and sneered into the darkness 

"You don't hear the voices do you?" Morrigan stared at her but a puzzled look now adorned her features. Just like she thought, they were cauldron induced. 

"Shaera." The ex-commander looked over at Mor she raised her eyebrow 

"What do the voices say?-" Shaera's eyes unfocused, she was back in the water again, Elain gasping for help, the man was holding her ankle again. 

"Cin tol naud, Tul-bar" he kept repeating the same phrase over and over. 

"-Shaera?" Mor's voice snapped her from her daze 

"What do they say?" Cin tol naud, Tul-bar... she blinked 

"I have no fucking idea" The blonde fae looked concerned, she lingered for a moment before she pulled the cell door open and closed it behind her, the metal groaned 

"Morrigan" Shaera called after her, Mor stopped and turned her head 

"Is Elain okay?" Confusion made its way onto the woman's face before she shook her head 

"No, no she's not" Shaera simply nodded and turned back to the moss between the cobble, Morrigan faltered for a second, only a second. Before she turned and left. The dark-haired woman aggressively picked at the moss, her fingernail started to bleed but she really couldn't care a less. If she had controlled her anger, she could've helped Elain, been allowed to roam more, guide the girl out of insanity. Shaera didn't know why she was so protective of the Archeron, maybe it was fate or just her ever-growing morals.

She slammed her fist into the wall. 

********************
Another week passed. They gave her stale bread. Morrigan probably reprimanded them yet they still protested by the means of not giving her nice bread. Shaera wanted olives. A male guard walked towards her cell door. Keys chimed together, the door opened. The man stood hesitantly by the doorway. Shaera stared at his silhouette

"You can come in, I promise I'll be extra good and not gouge your eyes out like the other guy" he scoffed and marched over to her, Shaera just watched him. His hand grabbed a fist full of her hair and yanked her off the ground, she hissed. 

"You watch your mouth" he growled his breath hit her face 

"Someone's a bit sensitive" she grinned, the guard threw her to the ground.

"Are you gonna start giving me daily beatings!?" Shaera laughed, her croaked voice, he leant down and grabbed her chin 

"No. We have to let you out" he hissed before her face was released. Shaera stared up at him her mouth formed a small "o"

"Get up" he growled, he was aggressive, growling all the time, she felt the need to question if he was half dog but reasoned against it. Didn't want to stir the pot too much, it was only noon. Maybe noon ... she didn't know. He yanked her up again, this time by her arm and shoved her towards the open cell door. Shaera stumbled slightly before she straightened herself and started to walk down the hall. Shaera knew she looked horrendous, her hair was disgusting, she'd kept it knot-free by running her fingers through it daily, but now it was greasy, the curls were nothing but frizz, her bags were dark and engraved under her eyes. She was skinner, it doesn't take long for someone to lose their healthy weight, Shaera had continued to try and maintain and form of strength in the cell, jogging, sit-ups... punching walls. Her knuckles were sore and dried with blood. They continued down the hall until the man grabbed her arm when they reached a door. Shaera frowned at him.

"Bathe, you stink" The dark-haired woman just stared at him as he opened the door and pushed her into the room. Lavender. Vanilla. Pine. She smiled at the large bath on the ground. What a random place to put a bath. Shaera didn't give a shit, she peeled her dirty clothes from her body and practically dived into the water. She was extremely aggressive with her scrubbing, her scalp was sore, her body now hairless and she smelt divine. Shaera just floated there for a second, she closed her eyes. 

"Gwil a dant"

"Sidh a dain"

"A ber" Shaera opened her eyes. She couldn't get a moment of peace anymore, she pulled herself out of the bath, peering around the room her eyes settled on a pile. The ex-commander practically sprinted towards it. Fresh undergarments, deep red leather pants and a black shirt. Oh the fabric, it was so soft. She groaned in pure contentment. Shaera looked off to the side and spotted some black knee-high boots which she slipped on quickly. Her hair had curls again, her skin was clean, and her clothes were fresh. She strolled towards the door, it opened before she got there. The man from earlier stood there impatiently

"You done?" He sounded bored

"Yes" She nodded her head, the dark-eyed woman found she didn't have the effort, or the same mentality to pull sarcastic comments and jokes, she was tired. the guard just turned and walked away Shaera just took it as her queue to follow him. They didn't see a lot of people in the hallways and those she did quickly avoided eye contact, a few even sneered at her. She didn't care, not anymore. They stopped at an oak door. Shaera knew the door, the gold embellishments, she frowned at the man as he just stood beside the entrance,

"Go in then" she just blinked at him before she turned and pushed the door open. Rhysand was sat at the head of the table, Azriel to his right, Amren to his left, Cassian beside her and Morrigan stood with her back facing Shaera. The ex-commander looked beyond the group... Elain. She was sat by the window just staring out of it... oh no, Shaera's breath hitched, she knew the cauldron did something...maybe Elain heard voices like her... or saw things. Nesta sat across from her talking, the youngest Archeron didn't even acknowledge her older sister. All the occupants excluding Elain turned at looked in Shaera's direction. From their reactions, Shaera concluded she still looked pretty bad. The ex-commander stood by the doorway for a moment her eyes scanned the room once more as she moved further into the room. 

"So why'd you summon me?" The voice was blunt 

"We have a -" Mor spoke but was quickly cut off by the scraping of a chair across the room. The young Archeron sprinted towards the ex-commander. No one else knew. Nesta knew Shaera had assisted, but no major details. Nothing. Everyone else watched, Elain launched herself into Shaera's arms and sobbed, just sobbed. Shaera hesitated. Everyone was confused, Nesta had stood from her seat. The dark-haired woman wrapped her arms around the young girl, her right hand resting on Elain's back rubbing circles. She didn't look at anyone else in the room.

"Shh, shhh, shhh" Shaera whispered in her ear. 

"I-I keep seeing faces, t-things. I keep seeing the people in the water... t-they tell me things" Shaera pulled away and cupped either side of the Archeron's face

"You're safe" the girl's lip quivered 

"T-they say your name... then C-cin tol -n-na"

"Cin tol naud, Tul-bar" Shaera finished and smiled softly down at the brunette 

"Don't pay the waterman any more attention" She wiped the tears from Elain's face 

"-and for the things you see, if you can't ignore them, just watch-" Elain sniffed 

"-Watch and listen" 

"Only you know" Shaera shook her head 

"Your sister knows too, don't push her away, she'll keep you safe" Nesta appeared behind her sister, Elain looked behind her, she sent one last look at Shaera, she suddenly grabbed her wrist quickly, and her eyes widened.
"It left its mark" The youngest Archeron's voice was surprisingly dull in those few moments. Nesta stepped forward and wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulder. Elain released her wrist and moved into Nesta's arms. The eldest Archeron stared Shaera down before she guided Elain out of the room. The door shut a clicked softly

"Told you she was connected to Elain" Morrigan's voice suddenly cut through the silence 

"How are you connected to Elain exactly" Amren sat forward and stared at Shaera, her eyebrow raised in question, the curly-haired woman turned her head towards the shorter woman and licked her lips. 

"The Cauldron" 

"You went into the Cauldron?" Cassian sat up slightly as he spoke his mouth was open slightly in shock

"Mentally yes, Physically, no" Her voice was blunter than it used to be. Azriel avoided her gaze. 

"What did you see?" Rhysand spoke up now one elbow rested on the arm of the chair, his other rested against his temple 

"Someone who died a long time ago, a pool of sorts, and people circling in its depths. Very enthralling" 

"Is that it?" 

"I didn't exactly sit around and ponder the scenery, someone was trying to drown me" Shaera snapped in the high lord's direction

"Was the person who died a long time ago the blonde man" Morrigan suddenly spoke up,
"I don't know if he lived or died" Shaera spoke truthfully... one month he was there, the next he never returned and she was left there to rot 

"Blonde man?" Amren asked no one in particular 

"Who is the blonde man!" Cassian exclaimed and threw his hands in the air. Shaera straightened her patience had grown thin, she was tired and hungry and pissed off. 

"Well I didn't exactly ask his name as he carved my wings off did I?" All the Illyrians in the room stiffened. Her eyes widened. Azriel must have told them...

"You're Illyrian..." Cassian breathed his eyes were wide as he stared down at the table. Azriel didn't tell them... his family. Azriel turned and looked up at her. Their eyes met. Her heart burned for him and from the look on his face, he burned for her. Shaera blinked and coughed slightly

"Females have their wings removed all the time, what's the difference?"

"You served Hybern...how, how could you betray your people..." Cassian looked confused beyond belief as he stared at her, Shaera laughed 

"I don't have a people" she didn't mean for her voice to sound so venomous yet the words slipped off her tongue like thick poison 

"And if you want another small detail he looked a lot like Tamlin. I've had weeks to ponder the notion, and perhaps the High Lord has a crazy sadistic cousin" Rhysand had frozen, his face dawned with realisation, Shaera moved her hair behind her ear around. Rhysands eyes snapped up and captured the thick scars that adorned her misshapen ears. The high lord's mouth went dry. 

"Brother. He had two brothers" Rhysand's voice was blunt he gripped the arms of his chair harder. Shaera stared down at the seated High lord. Then he was gone. A shadow cast over her. A hand gripped her arm.
The room faded.

***************
She was standing on a mountain top, the sun was dipping down past the horizon. Shaera couldn't believe it was so late... she was quite off when it came to her time predictions. The dark-haired woman turned her head her gaze fell on Rhysand who simply stared ahead. Shaera went to open her mouth 

"Shhh, just watch" His voice was softer than before, sad and vaguely hopeful. Shaera turned back to the horizon, the sun had fallen completely, stars began to appear in the night sky. She knew these stars. She knew that forest below. 

"We used to fly away up here away from Father." Shaera frowned, the cold wind stung her face. 

"Rhysand... I don't know what you're talking ab-"

"You do, you have to remember... Your name was Sahriel" Shaera looked over at him, she thought she saw the glaze of tears in his eyes. He blinked and turned to look at her 

" I don't know what life you've lived, the paths you've followed. But this is your home" Shaera turned away and stared off down the mountain
***
Two Illyrians flew through the night sky laughing the boy gripped onto the significantly younger girl's hand as she soared rather unsteadily
***
"Look at your big brother in his armour Sahriel" the young girl scrunched her nose

"He looks weird" A younger Rhysand scoffed and charged at his sister, she bolted screaming. The woman just chuckled and shook her head
***
"Choose a weapon" her father growled. An eight-year-old Sahriel stared at the rack of swords, spears, bows, hammers. She sighed and bent down plucking a small dagger from underneath a shield

"Pathetic" he spits and stormed from the room

"Fuck you too" She stuck her middle finger up

"SAHRIEL!-" Her mother exclaimed and kneeled in front of her

"Who taught you that word?" Rhysand stood in the corner shaking his head, she grinned devilishly

"Rhys" Her mother snapped her head around and scowled at her son,

"Just don't let your father hear them come from your mouth" The dark-haired woman turned and looked down at her daughter who grinned and nodded, she chuckled gently and patted the small Illyrian head.
***
The blonde man had a handful of her mother's hair in his grasp, tears run down her small face. 

"Mama"

"FLY SAHRIEL! RHYSAND WILL FIND YOU!" She screamed, a knife came down slicing across her throat, the older Illyrian woman gurgled, The green-eyed man grinned at the small girl who stared at her dying mother. "Run" she mouthed before the fae released her from his grasp and she fell into the snow, blood pooled around her. Sahriel darted off into the forest, her wings trailing behind her. The trees were too dense, she wasn't a strong flier, not yet. She ran, and ran, a clearing was ahead an escape. Just before she broke into the clearing a hand reached out and grabbed her by the throat. She screeched and clawed.

"Fiesty little thing aren't you" green eyes peered down at her

"I should kill you little Illyrian" he lifted her chin with his other hand. Her wings flapped as she kicked

"I don't think I'll kill you" he hummed in thought, Sahriel hissed her wings flapping harder. The man's eyes lit up

"But I'd quite like those mounted on my wall" Sahriel screamed in terror
***
Rhysand heard his sister scream. He dived through the air and descended upon the forest, he swerved through trees until he came to a clearing. A metallic smell hit his nose, he looked down, his feet stood in a pool of blood... his sister's blood.
***
Shaera blinked.  She saw them all, the things she'd forgotten from that day and before then. She let out a shuddered breath, goosebumps ran up her arms. She had made her way home unknowingly. Shaera turned around to face Rhysand. Their eyes locked
Violet met Violet.

________________
3286
I do be depressed 😂
But ai thats showbiz baby

Edit update: I still do be depressed, spelling checks and IDK why but my tenses were confused in the flashbacks 😂
Don't forget to vote and comment ❤️
Thanks for reading

edited:12th May 2022, Depression has lessened, yet it still comes and goes at times but we move ;)