Mikael crossed his arms, studying the maps laid out before him. He was accompanied by the High Lords. They were still trying to figure out where Melantha's hideout could be. They'd also been working on different plans that could guarantee Melantha's destruction and the safety of the hostages.

    Angry instincts burned through Mikael as he stroked the stifled Bond within his chest. He'd done as Azriel instructed and let his fears give way to instincts. The Shadowsinger was right. Mikael had never felt his instincts quite so strongly before. They roared through his veins. His heart. His mind.

    Find Estelle. Protect Estelle. Protect your child. Kill Melantha. Find Estelle. Protect Estelle. Protect your baby. Protect them. Mikael didn't fight the pulsing thoughts. He let them run their course and focused around them. He knew Nyx was doing the same.

    During the times when their instincts became too much, they would grab Calden, Lysander, and Corbin and go somewhere remote to work off some steam. It took all three of their friends working together to fend off just one of them, and when Mikael and Nyx worked together, the others simply picked themselves up and kept coming back.

    Magic crackled within Mikael, growing more wild each day. Thesan took him to the warded clearing to help him expend his energy and keep it at a safe level. Sometimes Azriel accompanied them. It was strange. Azriel seemed...worried for him. Almost as worried as he was for Estelle. Mikael couldn't help but think that perhaps Estelle was right. Perhaps Azriel was finally willing to admit that he liked him.

    Mikael glanced up from the maps as Nyx entered the room. He looked exhausted. Mikael wondered if he'd slept at all since Venelia was kidnapped. Likely not, and if he had, that had certainly changed after Melantha showed her to them. Mikael couldn't wipe the image from his mind. Venelia had looked so weak. She'd been coughing. She was in danger.

    Nyx dropped into a chair close by, massaging his temples. Mikael left the table and joined him. "Any ideas?" Nyx murmured.

    "None that are guaranteed to work," Mikael sighed. "We still have a few days though. We'll think of something. We know what Melantha wants now, and what her plan is."

    "Well, we know what few small parts of it she told us."

    "That's better than nothing."

    "I suppose you're right." Nyx closed his eyes with a sigh. "When this is over, I'm going to sleep for months."

    "Me too." Mikael began to say something else, then broke off as a bright light flooded the room. He stumbled back, a hand falling to the dagger sheathed at his thigh.

    The light faded and Nyx was on his feet, his chair overturned. Venelia lay on the floor before him, unmoving. "What the hell?" Tarquin gasped.

    "It's Venelia. Someone find Feyre," Mikael called. Thesan sprinted from the room. "And a healer!"

    Nyx dropped to his knees, staring at Venelia with wide eyes. She coughed and drew in a wheezing breath. Nyx pulled her onto his lap, smoothing hair from her pale face. "Ven?"

    Venelia couldn't reply. She was coughing again, shivering violently. Blood dotted her lips when her cough faded. Nyx lifted his gaze to Mikael's. "She's burning up."

    "Why would Melantha send her here?" Helion asked. "Is it really her?"

    Nyx nodded, silver rimming his eyes. "The Bond isn't stifled anymore. It's her." He pressed their foreheads together. "It's all right, Ven. You're safe. I'm here." His hand rested atop her round stomach.

    Tamlin took a step forward and Nyx's head snapped up. He snarled at the High Lord, dark magic swirling around him. Mikael held up a hand, halting Tamlin. "Wait."

    "She's my daughter."

    "She is my mate," Nyx growled.

    "Take her upstairs, Nyx. Make her comfortable," Mikael cut in. "Tamlin, you should wait until later to see her."

    Nyx lifted Venelia, shooting another glare at Tamlin. He left the room and Rhysand followed at a distance. "Why is she here? What is that Witch planning?" Kallias growled.

    "I'm sure Venelia could tell us," Tamlin replied.

    Mikael flared his wings out, blocking Tamlin again. "You can see her later. No one is asking her any questions until we know she's able to answer them." The other males nodded. "And no one tries to see her without her or Nyx's permission."

    "But..." Tamlin protested.

    "Nyx is liable to kill anyone he distrusts at the moment," Mikael interrupted. "And you have never given him a reason to trust you, especially around Venelia. If you plan on living, I suggest you wait to try to see her."

    Ameer left the table and gave Mikael a small smile, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Go on. We can handle things here." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I'll send additional guards to their room if Nyx wishes it."

    Mikael nodded and headed towards the door, ignoring Tamlin's protests. Just before he reached it, he heard a tiny voice holler, "Piss off, you prick!" He paused, glancing over his shoulder.

    Castiel was balanced on Eris' hip and everyone stared at him in surprise. Eris burst out laughing and Tamlin flushed red with anger. Castiel held onto his father tightly. "Mama doesn't like you saying those words. Wait until you're older," Eris chuckled. "But I am very proud of you." Castiel beamed and Mikael let the door close.

    He reached Nyx's room just as Thesan arrived with Feyre, Seren, and a healer in tow. Thesan remained in the hallway while the three females went inside. "I've strengthened the shields over the room," Thesan said. "No one will be able to enter without an invitation from Nyx or Venelia."

    Mikael gave a sigh of relief. "Good. Tamlin didn't seem to hear a word I said downstairs."

    "Tamlin is..." Thesan trailed off. "He loves his daughter very much. Enough that he'll do anything to keep her safe."

    "Even keeping her prisoner?" Mikael scoffed. "Venelia said the first time she left the Spring Court was when Nyx brought her to the Night Court so they could be mated. I doubt she was allowed to leave Rosehall very often. Tamlin treated her like a prisoner, not his daughter."

    "Tamlin fears being alone. He fears those he loves leaving him, so he makes them unable to leave by, essentially, trapping them."

    "What about Venelia's mother?"

    "No one knew who she was," Thesan replied. "We knew when Tamlin married her and we knew when Venelia was born, but that's all we were ever told. No one ever met her mother and we weren't told how she died."

    "Did she marry Tamlin willingly?"

    Thesan shrugged. "I hope so, but I honestly don't know."

    "Venelia doesn't talk about her very much."

    Thesan didn't have a chance to reply. The door opened and Seren poked her head out. "Nyx said you can come in, Mikael."

    Thesan hugged him swiftly. "I'll find Lysander and Corbin and let them know. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they've already heard."

    Mikael nodded and his father continued down the hallway. Mikael entered the room behind Seren. He took up a spot near Rhysand, standing in front of the wall on the far side of the room. Nyx glanced up briefly, then turned his attention back to Venelia.

    Her skin had been cleaned and she was dressed in warm, comfortable clothing. Her old clothes and Wynter's tunic sat on a chair nearby. Her eyes were open but hazy. The healer, a female Mikael knew as Mavis, held a steaming cup to her lips and Venelia drank, grimacing. Nyx combed stray hair from her forehead, gripping one of her hands in his own.

    "Is the baby all right?" Venelia rasped when Mavis set the cup aside. Her eyes flickered to Nyx's.

    "She seems to be fine, but in need of more nutrients. Once you've rested and begin to eat and drink more, she'll be perfectly healthy."

    She? Mikael smiled. They're having a girl. His heart clenched as he thought of Estelle. Is she all right? Is our baby?

    Venelia gave a soft sigh and squeezed Nyx's hand. "Melantha was going to let me die." Her words were breathless and Mikael winced at the rattling in her lungs. Nyx bent over her, brows knit with concern. "She plans on killing everyone. All High Lords and Ladies, Heirs, mates, and potential heirs." She rested her and Nyx's clasped hands atop her stomach.

    "You can tell us later," Nyx murmured. "Rest for now."

    Venelia shook her head, her eyes shining. "Estelle is pregnant too. She won't admit it, but she knows."

    "We know," Mikael replied. "Melantha told us."

    Venelia attempted to look at him, but couldn't manage to sit up. Nyx gave him a curt nod and Mikael approached. He didn't come past the foot of the bed. Venelia's gaze met his.

    "She's all right. She's weak, like all of us, but she isn't sick or wounded." Venelia broke off as another coughing fit overtook her.

    Seren touched Mikael's shoulder gently, and he knew that information was just as important to her as it was to him. Venelia turned her face into Nyx's chest, tears running down her cheeks. Nyx stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

    "What is it, Darling?" He whispered.

    "Wynter made a trade with Melantha for my freedom," Venelia sobbed. "We told him not to, but he didn't listen."

    "What kind of trade?" Mikael asked, dread settling into the pit of his stomach.

    "He agreed to serve her forever if she let me go. He shouldn't have." Venelia's shoulders shook with sobs. Nyx held her tightly, whispering gentle soothing words. "She'll kill me anyway. I know she will. Everything he's done for us was in vain. She hurt him and used him and..."

    "It wasn't your fault," Feyre said. "It wasn't your fault, or his, or anyone else's. Only Melantha's."

    "But it was my fault," Venelia protested. "Melantha hadn't touched him before I arrived." Her tears fell harder. "He refused her and she left him alone, but then I came along. She began to threaten me and he gave in. He did whatever she asked and let her do whatever she wanted." Venelia coughed again, clapping a hand over her mouth. When she lowered it, her pale skin was stained by blood. "It's my fault. He gave in to protect me and now..."

    Nyx wrapped his arms around Venelia as she wept. Mikael backed away, his stomach churning with disgust and horror. Rhysand followed him out the door. Mikael braced a hand on the wall in the hallway, drawing deep breaths.

    "I'll inform Kallias," Rhysand mumbled. "And we'll let him tell Viviane."

    Mikael nodded wordlessly. Rhysand carried on and Mikael stumbled towards his bedroom. Once inside, he sat on the edge of the bed, grabbing one of Estelle's shirts. He drank in her scent, squeezing his eyes shut. Umbra touched his cheek. What was his mate truly facing in Melantha's prison? What was his friend sacrificing to keep her safe?