Estelle packed the last of her things with a small sigh. The time had finally come for them to return to the Dawn Court. While it had been nice to be back in the Night Court for a while, she was relieved to be going home. She knew Mikael was too. He was struggling to contain his excitement.

Estelle situated her siphons atop her leathers and sheathed her sword and dagger. She scanned the room, making sure she hadn't missed anything. Mikael sheathed his swords in between his wings and waved a hand over their bags. At once, they vanished from sight.

"We have to unpack all of that when we get home," Estelle sighed.

"Not right away," Mikael replied. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as he kissed her.

"Yes, right away," she laughed. "If I don't unpack as soon as we get there, I'll never get around to it."

"What if I unpack while you take a nap?" She raised an eyebrow. "I know you're tired," Mikael said. "And you should rest while you can before the meeting. Everyone will arrive within the next two days and we'll become very busy."

"My nightmares..." Estelle began.

"They don't seem to come when you're napping. Only when you're in a deep sleep."

"We'll see. I have to help everyone else get settled, and Morai gave me a letter to pass on to Sienna."

"All right." Mikael kissed her again. "Then let's get going. It sounds like we have a lot to do."

They left the room and headed down the stairs. Azriel, Seren, and Lysander were waiting near the front door. Estelle hugged her brother tightly, then her mother. "Take care," Seren said. "We'll be coming soon. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom." Estelle pulled away and turned to Azriel. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, kissing her hair.

"You'll be all right on your own?" Azriel asked.

"I won't be on my own, Dad. Mikael, Thesan, and Ameer will be there. Nyx, Venelia, Rhys, and Feyre are coming with us too."

"You know what I mean."

Estelle smiled. "I do. I'll be fine. It will be nice to be home and sleep in my own bed."

"I'm still not used to hearing you refer to the Dawn Court that way."

"I'm not either. I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Little Bat. I'll see you at the meeting."

Estelle drew back. Mikael took her hand as they walked out the door. They spread their wings and flew across the Sidra towards Rhys and Feyre's estate. Their four companions were already waiting near the gates. Rhys and Nyx winnowed them to the Dawn Court without further delay.

◦═══✦═══◦

Estelle opened her eyes and saw the glistening opalescent walls of the Palace. They were standing out on a veranda. A cool breeze wafted through the air, proof that autumn would soon be setting in.

"Mikael!" Thesan exclaimed, appearing under an archway with Ameer at his side. Mikael released Estelle and joined his fathers. Thesan hugged him, while Ameer inclined his head to the rest of them.

"Rooms have been prepared for you," the Peregryn said. "I'll show you to them." He squeezed Mikael's shoulder and gave Estelle a warm smile, before beckoning for Rhys, Feyre, Nyx, and Venelia to follow him.

Thesan released Mikael and hugged Estelle. "It's good to have you back, Daughter."

"It's good to be back," Estelle replied with a grin. "I didn't realize how much I'd miss this place."

"I'll let you both get settled in while I check on how our guests are doing," Thesan said. He breezed into the Palace.

Mikael laced his fingers with Estelle's as they entered and made their way up to their room. Estelle stared at the familiar surroundings, a smile on her lips. She really had missed the Palace. She had missed the bubbling fountains and numerous verandas. She'd missed the purple morning glories and ivy vines. She'd missed the paintings and winding staircases, and the fresh scent of mountain air.

Mikael opened their bedroom door and Estelle entered silently. The room smelled mostly like him. Her own scent was faint. Mikael rested his hands on her waist as he brought his face towards her neck. He kissed her skin lightly, inhaling as he did so.

"Do you know how hard it was?" He whispered. "Being in here, surrounded by your belongings, but not seeing you? Your scent fading more and more each day? It was..." Mikael rested his forehead against her shoulder. "It felt like you had died, even though I knew where you were. Even though I knew you were alive."

"I'm here now," Estelle replied. "And I don't intend to leave again for a very long time."

"Good. I'm not sure if I could handle being separated from you for another three months." Estelle tilted her head away, baring her neck to him. Mikael's lips were soft upon it. "Our bed is a very lonely place when I'm the only one in it."

"I know," she murmured.

"When I come back, that is where we'll both end up."

"Where are you going?"

"To deliver Morai's letter to Sienna, while you rest."

"But..."

"But?" Mikael flattened his hand on her lower stomach, pushing their bodies closer together. Heat ignited within her veins as Estelle felt him, hard against her backside. He drank in her scent again. "Rest," he said, "and think about what we're going to do to each other when I get back. Starting with what I promised you in the cabin."

Estelle's stomach dipped at the husky growl in his voice. Mikael breathed again, tugging a letter from the pocket of her pants. He backed away, a satisfied grin on his lips. He closed the door softly behind him.

Estelle glared at it, unable to keep her amusement at bay. As if I could rest after that, she thought to herself. She knelt beside their bags and began unpacking. The shadows tittered in her ears as she did as Mikael instructed, and imagined what they might do when he returned.

◦═══✦═══◦

Mikael stood in the Great Hall, staring at the portrait of himself and his mother. He'd already gone to the Peregryn training grounds and delivered the letter to Sienna. He only stayed for a few minutes, but by the time he returned to the Palace, Estelle was asleep. He didn't plan on waking her, although he did intend to make good on his promise as soon as she woke herself.

Footsteps echoed on the marble floor. Mikael caught sight of Nyx. "Is this your mother?" Nyx asked, eyeing the painting.

"It is."

"She's beautiful." Nyx studied him intently. "I always thought you looked just like Thesan, but seeing you side by side shows how much you actually take after her. What was her name?"

"Samanya." Mikael pointed to the names engraved on the painting's gold frame. "Samanya Anik. And I thought the same, before Father showed me a portrait of her. He had this made for me as a Solstice and birthday gift, along with a full sized portrait of her. That's in my room. I wanted this one to hang out here, so no one can deny who she is."

"That's a good idea," Nyx replied. "Do you think she would've married your father if she'd survived?"

Mikael shook his head. "She knew he wasn't truly happy without Father. She encouraged him to mend their relationship, before she knew she was pregnant with me."

"She wanted him there at my birth, but that was during the War with Koschei, and both of my fathers were in Hybern. Mother died and my grandmother brought me to the Palace. Father said if Mother had lived, he would've had both of us brought to the Palace. He wouldn't have separated us."

"Your father is a good male," Nyx said. "And I'm sure your mother was wonderful too." Mikael gave him a grateful look. "I was looking for you for a reason though."

"What is it?"

"Venelia has been sick to her stomach all morning. Mom told me about a few teas that might help. I was wondering if you could help me find them?"

"Sure." Mikael smiled, gripping Nyx's shoulder. "This way." He didn't press Nyx for more information, although curious thoughts and speculations floated around in his head.

◦═══✦═══◦

Estelle blinked her eyes open, hearing a soft click. Mikael crossed the room and began unbuckling his leathers, unaware that she was awake. Truthfully, she hadn't slept very much. Her nap had been light, but dreamless at least.

Estelle shifted beneath the bedcovers. The sound caught Mikael's attention. He kicked his boots off and moved his leathers aside, leaving himself dressed in a thin undershirt and pants. "How was your nap?" He asked, settling onto the bed beside her.

"Short and unsatisfying," Estelle replied. "But at least I know I'll be able to sleep tonight. Hopefully."

Mikael leaned over, smoothing loose dark curls from her forehead. "Hopefully. Sienna was happy about Morai's letter."

"Did she tell you what it said?"

"No, but she was blushing redder than Cassian's siphons."

Estelle giggled at the mental image. "I'm glad things are working out between them."

"Me too. I just hope that when the time comes, Sienna is willing to fully commit herself to Morai, regardless of what her parents will do."

"I hope so too." Estelle shifted, stroking his feathers gently. "I believe you made me a promise."

"Did I?" Mikael lowered himself on top of her, his lips tracing her jawline. "Remind me what I promised to do."

"Remind yourself," Estelle replied. She flashed him a coy smile as she let an image pass over the Bond. An image of herself beneath the covers.

Mikael stilled, his breath hot against her cheek. Shadows drifted between the two of them. His palms glowed as he restored the shields around the room. "You are a wicked creature, Batsy," he murmured. "And it's just as attractive as the first time I realized it."

Estelle's cheeks warmed as he sat up. Her gaze dipped below the waistband of his pants. Mikael's chuckle was a low rumble in his chest. Her body went molten at the sound of it. Mikael breathed in deeply as he tugged his shirt off.

"Does my laugh excite you?" He asked.

"Everything about you excites me."

Mikael bent down and kissed her, working on the lacings of his pants with one hand. "Everything about you drives me mad." He broke off the kiss and pulled his pants off, throwing them over the side of the bed.

"Do you remember your promise now?" Estelle asked.

"Yes." Mikael's brown eyes simmered with heat as he eased the covers away from her, revealing her already bare skin. "And I think I'll make a few more." Estelle's heart raced and her chest heaved with uneven breaths. "We are going to enjoy this, Batsy. Very, very much." Mikael captured her lips with his own.