A Court of Thrones and Thieves (ACOTAR FANFIC)

Chapter 39

The court of Nightmares was a place under the mountain where the original Night Court resided. It is a place of monsters and demons and overall evil. 

Loki Brekker thrived in such conditions. 

She allowed her face to go completely blank, her eyes cold like icy steel. Before the doors of the throne room opened she allowed her power to invade the air. 

Keir's POV

Inside the courtroom, where Mor had ensured everyone gathered, time seemed to freeze.

Even Keir, who was usually unshaken by these little visits from Velaris, felt a chill run down his spine.

An unnatural quiet fell over the room as they felt the shift. Faes began to shake in terror as an unfamiliar feeling washed over them, the feeling of death itself approaching. It was as if the reaper was standing behind each of them waiting to end their lives. 

They had no idea what was so different. 

They assumed the High Lord and Lady were coming for a visit, and as intimidating as that usually was this felt different... darker.

There was no way to truly describe the sinking terror that filled Keir's chest as he heard the unhurried footsteps approaching. 

It was slower, more casual. The way they walked was different but he couldn't pinpoint what it was. 

As the doors opened, the feeling amplified one hundredfold. 

They still couldn't see the High Lord or Lady but the power surrounding them forced everyone down onto their knees.

Keir felt the irresistible desire to fall onto his knees. Gravity became so much more insistent the closer the steps got and he found himself kneeling on the hard stone floor.

The sound of loud heartbeats and muffled sobbing was the only thing to distract them from the impending footsteps as the pair finally arrived at the door.

Keir's eyes grew wide as he was able to lift his head enough to see the couple who entered. 

On the right stood, not Rhysand, but his mirror copy in the form of Nyx. They shared the same unbothered, arrogance that hid what true monsters lie beneath. His eyes were cold and daring, holding the woman's hand in a protective possessiveness. 

Keir shifted his gaze, only to feel his terror magnify. 

Next to Nyx stood a woman he had never seen before. She was gorgeous, she had pale blonde hair that looked nearly white and ivory pale skin. She was dressed in all black, even her lips had been painted the color of darkness. 

But her eyes were what made breathing truly difficult. They were a sharp silver that cut straight into anything she looked at. 

She was cold, emotionless, dark. There was a maliciousness that surrounded her, an evil that sent ice into Keir's veins. There was a casual, yet imposing grace in the way she walked that made her look like she was just barely a part of the physical realm. 

She looked like death incarnate.

For the first time in a very long time, Keir found himself utterly terrified. He thought he would think so but he longed for Feyre and Rhysand to be there instead.

He remained on his knees as they continued their unhurried stroll straight to the two thrones at the front of the room. 

Nyx remains standing as he led the woman up the few steps to stand on his left, the crown on her head already making it perfectly clear who the walking nightmare was... his mate.