Estelle dropped out of the shadows and caught herself with her wings, soaring over Velaris. She inhaled deeply, relishing the salt and lemon scent of the city. She caught sight of the Sidra, winding below her like a sapphire serpent. Rhys and Feyre's estate was just up ahead. She banked to the opposite side of the river, heading to her parents' townhouse.

    Estelle landed in the street beyond the gates of the grounds and passed through the perimeter wards. A heartbeat later, the front doors flew open and her mother raced down the marble steps. Estelle laughed as Seren pulled her into a tight embrace. Estelle's shadows flocked to Seren, and her father's shadows that accompanied her.

    "Are Dad and Lysander here?" Estelle asked, when Seren finally released her.

    Seren shook her dark head. "They're in Windhaven. Devlon needed Azriel's help with something, and Lys is with Nyx and Corbin, training Venelia and other novices." Seren wrapped an arm around her shoulders, guiding her up the steps. "Let's get you situated, Little Bat, before you run off to play Spymaster."

    Estelle grinned, hearing the familiar nickname. It was one her father's shadows had coined for her when she was a baby. The name stuck and nearly everyone in her family called her by it. Lysander had a similar one, Little Dragon. That was obviously a play on her mother's most notable title, the Illyrian Dragon.

    Seren Marzena was no Illyrian. She was High Fae, part of the reason why Estelle was only half Illyrian herself. Seren had earned her title thanks to the powerful fire magic she possessed, and the way Azriel's shadows were known to take the form of Illyrian wings on her back.

    Seren led the way through the house, her brutally scarred hand resting on a railing as they mounted a flight of steps. She pushed open the door to Estelle's old room. Estelle smiled, seeing how little the room had changed in the two years she'd lived in the Dawn Court.

    Her belongings were already there, courtesy of Mikael's magic. He couldn't winnow, but had recently learned a new skill that allowed him to transport inanimate objects from one place to another. Mikael was always researching things and learning new tricks, specifically magical ones.

    Recalling her mate, Estelle tugged on the shining Bond within her chest. I just arrived, she said. Mikael returned the gesture shortly, but didn't speak. He had his emotions shielded from her as well, which was unusual.

    Seren began going through bags and arranging Estelle's clothes in dressers and the closet. Estelle followed her lead, unpacking the box of books she'd brought along. "As if we don't have enough books here already," Seren chuckled.

    "I know." Estelle arranged them on a shelf. "But these are some of my favorites that I've recently acquired. You should read this one." She held up a crimson book, embossed with gold roses.

    "Sign of the Blood Rose," Seren said, reading the title aloud. "Interesting. Is it something I would approve of?"

    Estelle shrugged, placing it with the other books. "It's something Aunt Nesta would approve of. Celeste recommended it to me."

    "So no, but secretly yes," Seren laughed. "Maybe I'll take a look at it later." Estelle grinned and set to work on another bag. Presently, her mother asked, "Are you doing all right? Mikael wrote to me after you told us you were coming. He asked me to keep an eye on you, though he didn't say why."

    Estelle sighed and perched on the edge of her bed. "I've been having nightmares about Ze'ev for months now. They're so bad that I've hurt myself, and Mikael...without even realizing it. He talked to Thesan about it and Thesan is the one who suggested I come home and investigate everything again. He thinks that even if I don't learn anything new, the process itself could help me work through whatever subconscious fear I have that's giving me nightmares."

    "And you didn't want Mikael to come because...?"

    Estelle worked her hands together as she came up with a response. "I do want him here, with me, but it's for the best that he isn't."

    "Why?"

    Estelle met Seren's amber gaze, so much like her own. "Because I hurt him. Because my screams terrify him. Because this is having just as much of an effect on him as it is on me. He'll be able to relax while I'm not there. Maybe he'll be able to sleep without fearing I'll attack him when I wake up from a nightmare."

    "It happens to all of us at some point or other," Seren said, brushing her knuckles over Estelle's cheek. "I've experienced it. Your father has. Rhys. Feyre. Cassian. Nesta. Mor. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's a natural response to trauma and underlying fears."

    "I know." Estelle rubbed her temples, thinking. "But it's my problem to deal with. Not Mikael's."

    "I'm sure Mikael doesn't see it that way. He's your mate. His first instinct will always be to protect you. To care for you. Just like yours are to protect and care for him. I don't think he'll care how often you scream or accidentally hurt him. He just wants to be there for you and help however he can."

    A small smile tugged at Estelle's lips. "I know. He told me that himself. But for now, I think some space will be good for us."

    Seren inclined her head. "But don't ignore the poor male while you're here, or the next thing you know, he'll be breaking the door down looking for you."

    Estelle laughed with a nod. "Don't worry. I'll be sure to talk to him regularly." She stood and hugged her mother. "I'm going to go to Windhaven now. I want to see Dad, Ven, and the Boys before I get started with my investigation." She opened her balcony doors and leaped into the air, leaving the townhouse behind.

◦═══✦═══◦

    Mikael lay on a rug in the library, dozens of books spread around him. He rolled onto his back, holding a book above his face as he read. There were plenty of other things he could be doing right now, like training at the grounds, or accompanying his father to a meeting that was currently ongoing. But, he wasn't in the mood for either of those things.

    Honestly, he wasn't in the mood for researching either, but he knew he needed to keep himself busy. Already, Mikael was struggling against his instincts. They told him to go after Estelle, but he knew he couldn't. Whatever she was doing, she needed to do by herself. For now, anyway.

    At least she told me she arrived safely, he thought. I should've replied to her. He knew he should've, but he hadn't been able to form the right words. It was all Mikael could do to keep his emotions blocked off from Estelle.

    He twisted onto his stomach, slamming his book against the rug. Mikael groaned, burrowing his nose in the spine of the tome. Umbra coiled atop his head. "This is pathetic," Mikael grumbled. "She hasn't even been gone a full day. No one told me having a mate would make me clingy."

    You're not clingy, Estelle's laughing voice drifted across the Bond.

    Mikael flushed red, grateful for the book that hid his face, even though there was no one there to see him. You heard that?

    Your thoughts are a little loud right now.

    Mikael sighed and reformed his mental shields. Better?

    Yes. And you're not clingy.

    Yes, I am. He rolled his eyes. You've been gone a few hours and I'm acting like a dog with separation anxiety

    All right, you're a little clingy. But it's understandable. We can't help our instincts, and we've spent almost every day for the past two years together. It's strange for us to be apart.

    Mikael sighed. You can say that again. Are you still in Velaris?

    No, I'm at Windhaven right now. Apparently, the war camps have been rotating the novices so that everyone has a chance to train with the Peregryns, even if they aren't selected to go to the Dawn Court very often.

    That's a good plan. How are the Boys and Venelia?

    Ven is fine. She just kicked Corbin's ass in hand to hand combat. Lysander is the same as usual. Did you know Nyx grew his hair out?

    Really? Mikael smiled to himself. How long is it?

    Shoulder length. He has it up in a bun right now. Estelle laughed again. He looks like Uncle Cassian. I wonder if he'd let me braid his hair.

    You have hair shorter than mine and you know how to braid?

    Venelia taught me last year. She has really long hair. So does Mom, in case you forgot. And Aunt Jorah. And Mor. And Feyre. And Nesta. Basically every female in my family with the exception of Amren and myself has long hair.

    Apparently.

     Mikael breathed a small sigh of relief. She had only been gone a few hours and already, she sounded better. It didn't matter how badly he missed her, or how hard he had to fight his instincts. As long as she was safe and content, he would be happy.

    I'll talk to you later, Estelle said. The Boys want me to spar with them.

    Did you leave to investigate or to roughhouse? Mikael teased. Hand their asses to them, Batsy.

    I will. I love you.

    I love you too, he answered, but she was already gone. Mikael sighed, dropping his face onto his book again.

    The library doors creaked open and footsteps approached. "Thesan said I'd find you here," Calden said. Mikael didn't look up. "By the Cauldron. You're acting like she's left you forever."

    "I know."

    Calden kicked his leg. "Get up. We're going to do something productive."

    "I am doing something productive. I'm researching."

    "Mikael, we both know you're pouting. Come on. Get up." Calden kicked him again.

    "What are we doing?" Mikael turned his head, looking up at his friend.

    Calden lifted a hand and began to count off items on his fingers. "First, I think we'll go grab a drink. I'm not spending an entire day with you in that kind of mood. A drink will help you lighten up."

    "Secondly, I need to buy a new pair of boots and possibly get fitted for another set of leathers. Thirdly, there's some sort of tournament going on in Nimbus tonight that Sienna is participating in and she wants us there for support."

    "So you want me to go shopping with you and then watch Sienna be overly competitive as usual?" Mikael raised an eyebrow.

    "Precisely." Calden crossed his arms. "It's not like you're doing anything better."

    "What about Celeste?"

    "She has a date tonight with some male. I offered to shadow her, but she said no. They're going to the tournament later too, so if they don't show up, we'll add a fourth item to our list and go hunting."

    Mikael sat up and Calden pulled him to his feet. "All right. I'll come." He waved a hand and the books on the floor flew back to their shelves. Calden grinned, slinging an arm over his shoulders and pulling Mikael out the door.