The moon was high overhead when they finally returned to the Palace. Estelle was in less of a giggly mood than before, but for once, she felt relaxed. She hoped that meant there would be no nightmares tonight. Mother knew she needed to sleep for at least a few hours tonight.

    She sprawled out on the bed while Mikael closed the balcony doors. The covers rustled when he sat down beside her. Mikael began to rub soothing circles on her back. "I spoke with Father today, about your nightmares," he said.

    "And?" Estelle mumbled, her cheek pressed against the sheets.

    "He thinks it might have something to do with the fact that we never found out the truth about Ze'ev." Estelle cracked her eyes open, waiting for him to continue.

    "He suggested that you return to the Night Court for a time and do some investigating of your own. Maybe you'll find something that was overlooked the first time. It might put your mind at ease when you see that Ze'ev's gone, without leaving a trace in this world. I promised I'd talk to you about it."

    "If Rhys and Devlon couldn't find anything two years ago, how will I be able to find anything now?" Estelle asked.

    Mikael shrugged. "You likely won't, but the process may help soothe whatever subconscious fears you have. Father also said that being back in your childhood home with your family might comfort you more than anything else could."

    Estelle thought it over briefly. "He may be right. Being home again could be good for me. It would be nice to see my family, and I know they'd try to help however they could." She glanced up at him. "And you'd be able to sleep without me here screaming every night."

    Mikael tilted her face towards his, leaning over her. "I don't care how often you wake up screaming. I don't care how many times you throw up from sheer terror. I don't care if you accidentally hurt me. I don't care how much sleep I lose. I just want you to be all right."

    The Prince of Sunrises carries great concern, the shadows whispered. He longs to help you, but does not know how. Angel of Dawn. Your angel. Your mate.

    Estelle hooked her arms around Mikael's neck and kissed him, stroking the Bond as she did so. "If you want to go, arrangements will be made," he murmured. "And I'll stay here and keep researching necromancy, unless you want me to come with you."

    "I can go by myself." Estelle smiled, holding his gaze. "Celeste has been asking when we intend to have a baby. I think we should both be well rested before we start worrying about that. A little time apart might do us some good."

    "I agree," Mikael chuckled. He trailed a hand down her waist and rested it atop her stomach. Estelle kissed the corners of his mouth. His breath was warm against her cheek.

    She lifted a leg, situating it over his hips. Mikael's hand left her stomach to stroke her thigh. He kissed her as he slipped his hand beneath her dress, running his calloused palm over her leg. Goosebumps prickled her skin.

    "I think," she whispered, "you should show me how much you'll miss me while I'm gone."

    "Oh?" Mikael's voice was a husky growl.

    Heat pooled in her stomach at the sound of it, and a tingle raced down her spine. His fingers found the edge of her underwear and he traced the thin fabric down between her legs. Estelle whimpered as he stroked a particularly sensitive area. Her body tightened with need and she squirmed.

    Mikael unwrapped her leg from his hips and nudged her legs further apart. He pinned them down with his own, all the while teasing her with the tip of his finger. Estelle writhed again, arching her back. Mikael wrapped his hand around her wrists and held them just above her head as he leaned down to kiss her bared throat.

    Estelle's breath came in short pants. She shifted her wings into a more comfortable position and arched her back again, the low neckline of her dress sliding down even further. She detected the aroused change in Mikael's scent. His tongue traced the line of her collarbone, leaving scalding trails of heat in his wake.

    His mouth went lower, kissing the curve of her breast. He let go of her wrists, but she kept them crossed over her head. Mikael tucked his finger over the fabric of her bodice and pulled it lower until it fell across her stomach. His lips found the peak of her breast and Estelle gasped at the touch of his tongue. Mikael shifted to the other side, repeating the movement.

    A throbbing ache built within the pit of her stomach. Estelle dug her fingers into Mikael's hair as his mouth closed over her breast again. "Mikael," she whimpered.

    He brought his lips to hers, kissing her slowly, deeply. He slid two fingers inside her and Estelle moaned into his mouth. Mikael smiled, working his fingers in and out between her legs.

    "I want you," she breathed. "Please." Estelle reached for the buckles on his pants. He was teasing her. She couldn't bear it. He was going so slow. She needed him. She needed to feel him, to wrap her legs around him as he thrust into her, harder than he could with his fingers. "Mikael, please!" She begged, arching her neck with a moan.

    Mikael caught her hand and held it away from his pants. "You said to show you how much I'm going to miss you, Love." He kissed an invisible line down her neck. "I'm showing you." He drew both of his hands up and rubbed gentle, but firm circles over the sensitive peaks of her breasts.

    Estelle arched into his touch with a needy groan. "Mikael..."

    "The more you need, the less I give," he rasped, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "The longer you're gone, the more I'll need you. The more I'll miss you. But, the less I'll see you."

    He settled his hips against hers. Estelle moaned, feeling the hard bulge within his leather pants. She rolled her hips against his, craving any bit of contact she could create. She raked her fingers through his hair, pulling him down for a kiss. Mikael ducked his head, dropping kisses along her jawline.

    She gave a frustrated growl and Mikael shuddered. Estelle clenched instinctively, half closing her eyes as he ground against her. "There you go, Batsy," he moaned. "Now you know how frustrating it's going to be." He kissed her finally. "Frustrating, but necessary." He kissed her again, grinding harder. "Shit, Estelle," he groaned. "Take my fucking pants off."

    She needed no further invitation. Estelle set to work on the buckles and lacing of his belt and pants. Mikael shucked off his leather shirt and the thin undershirt he wore beneath it. He leaned down, unbuttoning her sleeves using his fingers and lips. Estelle tossed his belt aside and tugged his pants down. She started on the lacing of the thin fabric pants beneath them. Mikael worked her dress off entirely and she pulled his pants off.

    Mikael didn't bother removing her underwear. He moved it aside with his fingers and thrust in. Estelle scraped her nails over his back, kissing his neck and throat eagerly as he rocked into her. She shivered with pleasure, moaning in his ear.

    Mikael thrust harder, hoisting her leg to his hips with one hand. Estelle moaned louder. He was hitting all the spots that made her see stars. "Mikael," she gasped, leaning her head back.

    He echoed her moan, kissing her throat. "More, Love?" He groaned. "Oh, fuck, Estelle." A warm feeling fluttered through her stomach.

    "Just like that," she replied breathlessly. "I love how dirty mouthed you can be." She matched her movements with his and he pressed his forehead against her shoulder, shaking with pleasure. "Just like tha..." she was interrupted by a loud moan.

    Estelle dug her nails into Mikael's shoulder blades, kissing his neck hard enough to leave a mark. The ache in her body swelled with the roaring heat in her veins. Her heart hammered against her chest as she kissed Mikael hungrily. He braced a hand beneath her back, hitting that spot again.

    Estelle cried out as she reached her climax. She clung to Mikael, gasping his name and trembling with release. Mikael clenched his jaw, still thrusting into her, even as he climaxed as well. Her name was a reverent prayer on his lips. He didn't stop until she was wrung out and limp beneath him. Mikael moaned as he pulled out, his forehead damp with sweat.

    He rolled onto his back, chest rising and falling as he struggled to catch his breath. Estelle gulped down deep breaths of her own and shifted closer to him. She slid her arms around Mikael and he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. He stroked her hair gently, caressing the Mating Bond as well.

    Drowsiness tugged at Estelle's mind. She let her eyes close. "I love you," she mumbled.

    Mikael kissed her forehead again. "I love you too." He held her as she drifted off into a blissful, dreamless sleep.

◦═══✦═══◦

    The next few days passed by all too quickly. Arrangements had been made for Estelle to return to the Night Court and Mikael was helping her pack. He didn't know how long she planned on staying in Velaris, but judging by the looks of things, it was going to be a few weeks, if not a few months.

    Mikael bit his lip, buckling one of Estelle's bags shut. He set it with the others as Estelle emerged from the closet with one more satchel. "Is that everything?" Mikael asked.

    "I think so." Estelle rubbed her chin, surveying the bags. "If it's not, I can ask you to bring things to me." She patted his cheek with a coy smile. "We wouldn't want you to be without me for too long anyway."

    Mikael let his hands fall to her hips as he kissed her. "No, we wouldn't. Keep me updated on your investigation."

    "I will," she promised. "Tell me if you find anything new here."

    Mikael nodded and with a wave of his hand, Estelle's bags had vanished. She laughed and his heart twisted with longing already. She looked back at him. Worry filled her warm amber gaze as Mikael cupped her face in his hands. He swiped his thumb over her cheek and across her lips, studying the precious features he knew as well as his own.

    Her shadows flocked to him, as though sensing his emotions. They curled against his cheeks and squeezed his arms comfortingly. "I love you," Mikael murmured. "Be careful."

    "I will." Estelle brushed her lips against his. "I love you too." She headed towards the door and Mikael trailed after.

    His fathers were waiting outside on a veranda, just down a flight of stairs. Thesan gave Estelle a tight hug. "We'll see you soon," he said. Estelle nodded with a smile. Ameer gave her a smile as well, inclining his head.

    Estelle took one last long look at Mikael, then waved and spread her bat-like wings. Mikael studied the scars that marked them, from the criss-crossed ones that spread up her central tendons to the curved horns at the apex of her wings, to the faded scars she'd received during the Blood Rite.

    She leaped into the air, soaring away from the Palace. Thesan and Ameer each rested a hand on his shoulder. "She'll be all right," Ameer said.

    "And I'm sure she'll be back soon," Thesan added.

    Mikael sighed as shadows swarmed Estelle and she vanished from sight. Already, the urge to fly after her was almost overwhelming. "I hope you're right."