Hoarse coughs wracked Venelia's body. She was curled up beside Evren, her head resting in the High Lady's lap. Evren stroked her auburn hair, eyes dim with worry. Estelle caressed the Mating Bond, closing her eyes as her headache ran its course.

    I wish you could hear me, she said over the Bond. This makes me think of the Blood Rite. We couldn't hear or feel each other, but you kept looking for me. We refused to believe that something had happened to the other. I know you're looking for me now. I know everyone is looking for us. All of us. If there was a way we could help, we'd do it in a heartbeat.

    Estelle traced her fingers over one of the shadows. I miss you, Mikael. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. I'm sorry my plan got us into this mess. I'm sorry for everything that has happened.

    She opened her eyes as the metal door grated open. Wynter receded further into his shadowy corner. Estelle angled herself towards the stairwell, partially spreading her wings in an attempt to shield Wynter from view. Cresseida and Elain sat up, chains rattling around their wrists.

    Melantha appeared, wearing an unnaturally bright smile. "Today is a very important day for all of you. I'm sure you're curious why I've brought you here and kept you alive." She strode further into the cell, kicking a bucket aside. The last of their meager water supply seeped into the cracks of the stone floor.

    "What do you want from us?" Evren demanded.

    "Your deaths." Melantha picked at her sharp nails. Nails that had torn through the skin of Wynter's back. "I want Prythian, but I can't have it unless all of its rulers are dead."

    "I like to be fair, as I've stated before. Your people don't have to die or go to war with me. Why waste their lives when I only need kill you? Once you're all dead, they'll be given a choice. They can swear fealty to me, or die as well. When they see the strength of my forces, I think I know which option they'll prefer."

    "If you want us dead, why haven't you killed us already?" Elain asked.

    "Because I need you to lure the other High Lords, Ladies, and Heirs into surrendering. The Mortal Queens too, of course. I want all of Prythian."

    Estelle narrowed "You said one of us will leave here alive."

    "Yes. Can you guess who?" Melantha pulled a sealed letter from a fold in her gown. "All High Lords, Ladies, Heirs, and future Heirs must be eliminated. She must die," Melantha pointed at Evren. "And her." The finger shifted to Elain. "Her as well. She represents two Courts." She pointed at Venelia. "And you, little Shadowsinger."

    "Wynter is an Heir so he should die too." Melantha peered past Estelle's wings. "Although, I'm half tempted to keep him around. I'll need heirs of my own someday. That just leaves us with you." Her black gaze settled on Cresseida. "The cousin of a High Lord. You alone might survive this."

    "If I do, I will spend the rest of my life fighting to rid the land of your foul carcass," Cresseida spat in a moment of bravery.

    Melantha tipped her head back with a laugh. "I'm sure you will."

    "Why do you want Prythian?" It was Venelia who whispered the question.

    "Because I deserve it," Melantha replied simply. "I was once Human, and now I'm High Fae. I have a right to these lands, where Mortals and Fae abound."

    "Why don't you take the Black Lands?" Estelle sneered. "I'm sure you'd fit right in there."

    Melantha's smile faded and she narrowed her eyes. "I debated between capturing you or your mate, Shadowsinger," she said. Her voice carried the hint of a growl. "Perhaps I should settle for both. Mikael Anik is a very fine specimen, despite the unfortunate circumstances of his birth. I'd have to keep you separated of course, and make sure you could never reach each other, but it might be nice to have two males in my bed."

    Estelle lunged with a scream of rage. The ashwood collar dug into her throat and she gagged, crashing to her knees. "You leave him alone, you fucking bitch!" She snarled. "I will rip your fucking head off if you touch him!"

    "Mates. So touchy," Melantha cackled. "I'm even more tempted now. It would be fun to see what pain I could put you through, just by hurting him."

    Estelle curled her nails into her palms, the burst of pain grounding her. Quick as a whip, Melantha grabbed Estelle by the wrist. There was a flash of steel, and Estelle gasped, blood welling up within her palm. Melantha squeezed her hand tightly, holding the letter beneath the blood that dripped from the wound.

    Estelle cried out as Melantha shoved her hand against the ashwood collar. Pain flared instantly and Estelle trembled, salty tears rolling down her cheeks. Melantha released her and smeared the letter across Venelia's arm, bathing it in her scent. Venelia stared in horror at the streaks of blood left behind on her skin.

    "Wynter!" Melantha barked. "Come along."

    From the corner of her eye, Estelle saw him rise. Melantha strode towards the stairs, the letter vanishing from her grasp. Wynter paused beside Estelle, flicking two fingers. She offered up her hand, watching Melantha's receding form. He pressed his fingers against the heated wound.

    Wynter's throat bobbed and he looked away, but didn't move his fingers. His skin was cold as ice and almost at once, the swelling in Estelle's wound went down. Wynter jerked his hand away and followed Melantha, not looking back. Estelle watched them go, nausea churning in her stomach. She leaned her head back, drawing in measuring breaths as she waited for the feeling to abate.

◦═══✦═══◦

    Mikael sat in a booth at the dance hall. Nyx was beside him, staring blankly into his drink. Calden and Corbin sat beside them. Lysander and Celeste were out dancing. As were Sienna and Morai.

    "I can't believe Lys is actually giving her another chance," Calden huffed. "If someone treated me the way she treated him, I'd never be able to forgive them."

    "It was his decision to make," Mikael replied. "And they look happy."

    "Happier than I've seen them in a long time," Corbin agreed.

    "Estelle won't like this very much," Nyx remarked.

    Mikael's heart clenched at the thought of her. He took a sip of his drink, focusing on the burning sensation it left behind. "I think she'll support Lys, but it will take her a while to look past what Celeste has done."

    "It will take a while for all of us to."

    Corbin laughed, suddenly. "Do you know what Nyx did when he found out that she'd called things off?" Nyx rolled his eyes with a groan. "He almost came here just to beat her ass."

    "Really?" Calden raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you?"

    "Dad told me that I should probably wait until I'm High Lord to do things like that. I need to make as many allies as I can right now, and beating up a Peregryn seems like a good way to lose their respect."

    Mikael inclined his head. "You would've had a good reason though."

    "Not good enough, I suppose," Nyx said through gritted teeth.

    Calden tucked an arm around Corbin's shoulders, shaking his head with a grin. "I'm going to keep flirting with you occasionally, but just so you know, I never want to be a part of your family."

    Corbin grimaced and laughed. "I wouldn't want you in my family. You'd be a bigger embarrassment than I am."

    "And Mother forbid anyone take that role from Corbin," Lysander chuckled, sliding into the booth beside him. Celeste sat next to Lysander, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watched him.

    "Are Sienna and Morai still dancing?" Mikael asked.

    Celeste nodded. "I'm not sure how much longer though. Sienna's parents are here."

    Calden's blue eyes widened. "They never go out."

    "Never?" Nyx raised an eyebrow.

    "I've never seen them here since we first started coming," Mikael replied. "Not even once. Her parents don't really believe in having fun. They're dedicated soldiers. They don't have time for anything but training."

    "Then why are they here?" Lysander asked warily.

    "Calden, let's go," Mikael said.

    He slid out of the booth and Calden followed. They picked their way through the crowd, keeping out of sight of Sienna's parents. They appeared to be looking for someone, and there was only one person here they'd be interested in finding.

    "Over there." Calden gripped his shoulder, pointing to the far corner of the dance floor. Sienna and Morai were laughing as they danced. "Sienna!" He hissed.

    She whipped her head towards them. Instantly, her green eyes narrowed with suspicion. "What is it?"

    "Your parents are here."

    "What? But they never..." Panic flooded her features.

    Morai squeezed her hand tightly. "Go with Mikael. I'll dance with Calden for a little while, so they don't ask questions. I'm sure it will be fine."

    Sienna nodded, but Mikael could tell she wasn't convinced. He took her hand and led her into a dance as Morai and Calden melted away. "Thank you," Sienna murmured.

    "Thank Celeste. She's the one who saw them."

    Sienna pursed her lips. "This isn't fair. Not to me, and not to Morai. I shouldn't have to keep her a secret just to avoid losing my family. I shouldn't have to choose between them." She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry. Your problems are worse than mine right now. You don't need to listen to my complaints."

    "We might be going through different things, Sienna, but both of our problems are valid and real. Complain if you need to, and I'll listen."

    She gave him a grateful smile, then stiffened. Mikael clenched his jaw as her parents approached them. "Sienna," her mother called. "We've been hearing a number of rumors about you and..." She trailed off, her gaze resting on Mikael.

    Sienna's father crossed his arms, glaring at Mikael. "And we've told you for years not to associate with that."

    That? Anger and hurt gripped Mikael's chest.

    "Mikael is my friend and your future High Lord. I suggest you show him the respect he deserves," Sienna growled.

    "I'll respect no halfbreed bastard," her father scoffed. "As for you..." He grabbed her arm, jerking her roughly.

    Mikael reacted on instinct. He jabbed the heel of his palm against a sensitive area on the male's arm, forcing his arm up. His grip loosened and Mikael shoved his hand away from Sienna.

    "How dare you?" Her mother gasped.

    Mikael ignored her, facing Sienna. "What you do next is up to you. Talk to them, or leave with us."

    Sienna lifted her chin proudly, glowering at her parents. "I'll talk to you when I know you're willing to listen to what I have to say." She fell in step with Mikael as they headed out the door.

    The others were already gathered outside. "We'll go back to the training grounds," Calden said. Morai slipped her hand into Sienna's, and Celeste nodded her agreement. The four of them spread their wings and took off.

    "Let's get back to the Palace," Mikael sighed. Nyx touched his shoulder lightly. Corbin and Lysander held onto Nyx as he winnowed them out of Nimbus.

    They arrived on a veranda shortly. A cold breeze blew through the air and Mikael fluffed his feathers out against it. Umbra pinched his arm, catching his attention. The shadow had barely moved since Estelle was taken. Now, it tugged him forward.

    "What is it?" Nyx asked.

    "Umbra is moving."

    "The shadow?" Lysander frowned.

    Mikael didn't reply. He entered the Palace, following the shadow's guidance. It led him up the stairs and down the hallway, towards his and Estelle's bedroom. He heard footsteps behind him and knew Nyx, Corbin, and Lysander had followed.

    Mikael opened the door, heart pounding within his chest. He saw nothing out of the ordinary. Umbra was still leading him somewhere. He approached his desk and paused. A letter sat atop it, soaked in blood.

    He snatched it up, scenting it quickly. The other males raced to his side. "Estelle," Lysander realized.

    Nyx stared at the letter, horror etched onto his face. "And Venelia."

    Mikael inhaled again. Overshadowed by the scent of Estelle's blood was Venelia's, but it was different. It was richer. Sweeter. "Her scent has changed," Corbin said, swallowing hard.

    "What does it say?" Lysander urged.

    Mikael hastily opened the letter. "Melantha is demanding that we, the High Lords, Ladies, Heirs, and Mortal Queens of Prythian, meet with her to discuss the terms of our surrender. We're supposed to meet her in two days at the spot where Estelle and Elain were taken." No one replied. They just stared at the letter, breathing in the familiar scents that clung to it.