Chapter Text
Celaena Saradothians should have been dead. The final stand she had taken by attempting escape from Endoiver should have killed her. She should most definitely not have been being half dragged across a marble floor into a hall full of fae.
The horridly ugly creature that had its talons encircling her arms threw her onto the floor.
"We've found something that might be of interest to you, my Queen." it announced, bowing gracelessly.
Why anyone would employ a creature that was so hard the eyes, she didn't know. Had the thing said Queen? Celaenas eyes darted around the room for any sign of Wendelln or Maeve, but when she lifted her head she some red haired female sitting atop a dias.
The ugly creature must have been mistaken. The ginger was fae, based on her beauty and the points of her ears, despite the unattractive sneed plastered on her face.
There was no way Maeve would permit any other fae female to call herself a queen, no matter how small the court she resided over. Celaena must have been a far way from the salt mines of Endoiver if this bitch was running around, pretending to have power.
Celaena shook her head, clearing her thoughts of Maeve to better find out where the fuck she was. From the demeaning position on her knees before the females throne she noticed a blonde male sitting in a small wooden chair, practically hidden by the female wearing an ornate masquerade mask that obscured his face. He looked ridiculous, she realized as she scanned the room. More grotesque creatures and fae of all colors and builds, but none of them wore masks. The blonde male must have been some kind of court jester, she decided.
"Attor, tell me why, exactly a human girl is under my mountain?" the red haired female purred, breaking Celaenas train of thought.
So she was in some kind of mountain cave. That certainly explained the dreary atmosphere and perpetual mildew sent.
"Found her knocked out in one of the hallways, figured you might find her amusing." the creature, the Attor, the female had said, hung its its head, like it was afraid of this bitch.
"Interesting..." the queen muttered as she studied her.
Celaena was growing impatient. She had anticipated death, but was now being gawked at by dozens of fae whose queen was so stupid that she couldn't think of any adjectives for Celaena, besides 'interesting'.
"Excuse me, should I continue watching your eyes glaze over as you try to form a sentence, or do you mind telling me what the fuck is going on?" Celaena sniped, inwardly smirking at the gasps and shocked looks from the crowd.
The female narrowed her eyes, then plastered on a smile. "Oh my. I don't think my court has ever seen such a fiesty human before. My name, is Amarantha. Queen of the fae."
Celaena was growing board of the ginger- Amarantha's theatrics. They would have to be in another world for this female to be queen of the fae. And she was most certainly making such a big fuss to assert dominance over the room, proving to Celaena that Amarantha must not have much loyal to from her court.
As Celaena met Amaranthas eyes, the female looked sorely disappointed in her lack of reaction. If she was looking for Celaena to break down and sob, she most certainly would not be getting such a reaction.
"Celaena Sarodothian." she said blandly, rising to her feet. "Pleasure to meet you"
Amarantha looked even more disgruntled, as if confused why Celaena would do such a thing. Pain ran up her spine as the Attor forced her back down to her knees.
She must have indeed been a long way from Aldaran if her name didn't strike fear into their hearts, let alone not spark recognition.
"Interesting..." Amarantha mumbled. "And pray tell, how did you get into my court?" she drawled, sitting forward in the throne to leer at her.
Celaena had no idea, but Amarantha didn't need to know that.
"I jumped through a portal that said it would lead me to a magical cave full of rainbows and wonder." she deadpanned, throwing in as much sarcasm as she could, lest the female be too dull to pick up on it.
"Interesting..." Amarantha hummed to herself, for the fourth time since Celaenas arrival. She cocked her head and beckoned someone with a finger. "Rhysand, come here."
A male in a dark suit stalker up to the foot of the throne and bowed deeply. Celaena rolled her eyes at the dramatics, and took in her surroundings once again.
She could probably take Amarantha hand to hand, even in her weakened state after Endoiver. Although, based on the frightened silence from the crowd, her magic must have been substantial.
"Look in her mind. I want to know how she got here."
Look into her mind? What the fuck did that mean? Was he going to cut open her head?
The male, Rhysand, turned, walking towards her. It was nice to finally give her eyes a break from Amarantha and creatures like the Attor. Rhysand was by far the prettiest of the fae she had seen in this Hel hole so far.
Celaena winked at his as he approached, though she knew she didn't look her best at the moment. She wore the tattered and stained shift from Endoiver, her hair was matted with dirt. Her face and body, she could tell, were near skeletal, but she wasn't here to flirt with this queens lackeys. She was here to go out with a bang, she decided. Celaena didn't particularly care about the rest of her own fate, but Amarantha had pissed her off.
If Celaena was going to die, she would make a spectacle out of her life. She was going to die with a big 'fuck you' to this bitch and her court by tearing everything to the ground.