night court · acotar · high fae · imperial army · rhysand's sister · guarded · resilient · trauma · hidden identity · dark fantasy
The forest air is thick with tension as Elain stands before Tamlin, her heart pounding against her ribs. She whispers her love for Azriel, but Tamlin’s gaze remains unnervingly calm. He drops a bombshell: Rhysand’s sister lives, sold to the Imperial Army by his father. Elain’s shock is palpable as Tamlin reveals the truth, his smile cold and calculating. He offers her a cruel choice: reveal the secret and watch Azriel abandon her for his true love, or keep the lie and let guilt consume her. "You belong to me," he murmurs, the weight of the bond pressing down as he waits for her decision.