Her first few nights in Velaris passed relatively quietly. For the first time in weeks, Estelle slept more than one night without suffering from a nightmare. She had shielded her room, just in case though. She had come here to put an end to her nightmares and give Mikael a chance to relax. She wouldn't unload her problems onto her family in his absence.

Estelle tugged her leathers on and buckled Aesira's sheath in between her wings. She slipped Znaniya into the sheath at her thigh, before making sure all seven of her gold siphons were secure.

A knock sounded at the door. "Let's go, Essie. Some of us are running on schedules here," Lysander hollered. His boots thudded against the stairs a moment later.

Estelle ducked out of her room and joined him downstairs. Seren lounged in a chair in the sitting room, a familiar book in her lap. "Do you like it?" Estelle asked with a laugh.

Seren smiled. "It's given me a few ideas for some new paintings. It's been a while since I asked your father to model for me." She looked back at her book, Sign of the Blood Rose.

"Gross, Mom," Lysander said with a grimace.

I haven't painted in a while, Estelle thought. I should later. Maybe I should paint scenes from my nightmares, just to get them out of my head.

Seren glanced up, and Estelle knew her mother had sensed those thoughts using her daemati powers. Estelle rapidly shielded her mind and flashed Seren a smile before following Lysander out of the house.

They spread their wings and leaped into the air, soaring away from Velaris. Lysander looped through the sky, giving a sigh of contentment. His emerald siphons glittered in the morning sunlight. Lysander wore a sleeveless tunic, flaunting his warrior tattoos. He smiled, catching Estelle's eye, and flexed his arms.

Estelle rolled her eyes. "Very nice, Lys."

"Hey, I earned these."

"I know you did. I earned mine too. So did Mikael."

It had been a year since her little brother, Corbin, and Nyx entered the Blood Rite, exactly one year after she and Mikael were dragged into it. The Boys had known they would enter the Rite, but that didn't make it any less dangerous, or them any more prepared.

They'd faced their share of struggles as they fought their way to each other, then up the side of Ramiel, and to the onyx monolith at the summit. The three of them had touched the monolith and won the Rite, becoming Carynthian warriors, just as Estelle and Mikael had.

"Nyx has been worried that someone will try to pull Ven into the Blood Rite next year," Lysander said. "Devlon promised she'll only enter it if she wants to. So far, she has no desire to. She just wants to be able to defend herself, should the need arise."

"As Nyx's mate and Tamlin's daughter, there will inevitably be a need," Estelle replied. "I'm glad she's willing to train, and I'm glad Devlon isn't being a prick to her."

Lysander snorted. "Venelia has that special charm. It's impossible to be mean to her. Everyone loves her, even Devlon."

"Or, maybe Devlon has softened up since his son was born," Estelle pointed out.

"That too. Do you know how strange it is to see Devlon barking orders to the warriors, while holding his son's hand, or letting him sit on his shoulder?"

"Strange, yes, but it also sounds adorable," Estelle chuckled.

"The words Devlon and Adorable should never be put in a sentence together."

"Fair point. Shall the shadows take us the rest of the way? You're on a schedule, if I recall correctly."

Lysander nodded and stretched a hand towards her. Estelle took it and shadows swirled around them. When the shadows retreated, they were soaring over the Illyrian mountains. Windhaven loomed below them. Estelle drew her wings up and landed beside Lysander.

"I'll find you later," he said. "Corbin and I have to take the Narrowlake warriors home and bring a group of Ridgeback warriors here."

Estelle nodded and Lysander dashed off, searching for their cousin. She caught sight of Nyx and Venelia in one of the training rings situated just beyond the camp. Estelle made her way towards them.

Venelia threw a punch at Nyx's jaw, but he caught it with one hand and blocked her second blow with his forearm. "Come on, Darling," he teased. "You tried harder with Corbin yesterday."

"That's because I don't care if I hit Corbin," Venelia giggled. "If I hit you, I want to have a reason."

"I've got a reason for you," Estelle hollered. Nyx glanced over his tattooed shoulder and Venelia perked up. "When we were younger..."

"Oh no," Nyx groaned.

"He dipped the ends of my hair in molasses," Estelle continued with a smirk. "It had to be cut off and of course Nyx, being the ashamed culprit, volunteered to cut it for me. He did a terrible job and I had to have my hair cut even shorter. I've worn it at this length ever since." Estelle gestured to her short curly locks.

Venelia swatted Nyx's shoulder with a gasp. "Asshole!"

Estelle couldn't stifle her snort of amusement. She seldom heard Venelia curse. Apparently, spending time with her mate's family was influencing her. "Yes, yes," Nyx sighed. "I was a mischievous child."

"A little devil more like." Venelia tightened the bun that her auburn hair was tucked into and curled her hands into fists. "All right. I'll hit him for you, Estelle."

Estelle crossed her arms as Nyx took up a defensive stance. Venelia aimed a punch at his gut. Estelle understood her tactic immediately. It was a move she favored herself. Nyx blocked the punch and Venelia swept her leg up in a kick. He caught her leg with his other hand, but her fist was already flying. Nyx grunted as Venelia socked him in the jaw. He let go of her leg and rubbed his cheek with a grimace.

"How was that?" Venelia's vibrant green eyes sparkled with delight.

"Much better." Nyx glanced at Estelle. "Now, did you come here to make sure she beats me up, or did you need something?"

"Do you know where Devlon or Jorah is? I need to gather the reports they have from our initial investigation of Ze'ev."

"Jorah isn't out here yet," Venelia replied, "but Devlon is over there." She pointed to another ring where the Warlord was working with several young female novices.

"Thank you. Keep up the good work, Ven."

"I will."

Estelle made her way to the other ring. Devlon caught her eye and gave another set of instructions to his pupils, before sprinting over to her. "Back again?" He asked.

"Rhys said you had some reports from the original investigation that I should look over."

"Doesn't he have some too?"

"Yes, but he has to dig them up first. He said you're much better at organizing than he is."

Devlon crossed his arms with an almost amused huff. "And which of us is High Lord? You'd think Rhysand would have more documents to organize than I do. Come on." He leaped over the fence around the training ring and started back into Windhaven. Estelle trailed behind him.

They reached a small hut presently. Devlon pushed the door open and they entered. Jorah was kneeling on the floor beside a young Illyrian boy, labeling the shapes and letters she'd written on a paper. The boy leaped to his feet and ran to Devlon, completely disregarding his ongoing lesson.

"Orion," Jorah called with a frustrated huff. Still, she smiled as Devlon scooped him up and balanced him on one hip. "What are you doing back so soon?" She asked.

Devlon jerked his head to Estelle. "She wants the reports from our investigation on Ze'ev." He turned his attention back to his son, swiping unruly black hair from Orion's tan face. Orion's large brown eyes, reminiscent of Jorah's, practically glowed with affection as he looked at Devlon. "Go back to your lesson and do as Mama says."

Orion nodded as Devlon set him down. He headed further into the hut, beckoning for Estelle to follow. Orion peered after them, fluttering his small wings, before Jorah took him by the hand and pulled him back down beside her.

"He doesn't say very much, does he?" Estelle noted.

"Not yet, but he'll get there eventually," Devlon replied. "At least he's not like you and Nyx. No one could get the two of you to be quiet." He opened the door to an office and began sifting through boxes of papers and several loose leaves.

Estelle waited patiently. She knew better than to offer her help, or simply start looking for the reports. Devlon was in an abnormally good mood for once. She had no intention of disrupting it.

"Here." Devlon pulled a few pieces of paper out of a box and handed them to her. "Those are all I have. The original investigation didn't turn up much. I doubt you'll find anything new now."

"I know," Estelle took the reports and folded them. She stored them in a pouch attached to one of her belts.

"Why are you investigating this again?" Devlon asked. He hesitated, then added, "I know Ze'ev hurt you and Azriel...you and Mikael...but searching for answers that can't be found won't put your mind at ease."

"Maybe. Maybe not," she replied. "But I think I've been haunted by all of this long enough. Doing this myself, without you, Rhys, Mikael, or anyone interfering, might be the only way I can prove to myself that there are no answers to be found. Either way, I have to do something."

"Well, good luck," Devlon said. "If you do manage to find something, let me know."

His hazel gaze slid past her, landing on Jorah and Orion. Orion was studying the paper and naming the shapes Jorah pointed to. She beamed and tweaked his nose as he named an entire row correctly.

"Especially if it's something that might pose a threat to them." His voice carried a hint of a protective growl.

"I will," Estelle promised. She brushed past Devlon and called a short farewell to Jorah. She paused in the doorway as Devlon crouched beside his mate and son.

"Look!" Orion grabbed the paper and held it in front of Devlon's face, grabbing his shoulder with one hand. "This is a circle. That's a square. This one is a trangle."

"Triangle," Devlon corrected.

"Triangle," Orion echoed. "Can I come with you to watch the warriors train?"

Devlon glanced at Jorah and she nodded with a smile. Orion slipped his hand into Devlon's as the Warlord stood. Estelle walked away swiftly before they left the hut. She laughed to herself when Devlon lifted Orion to his shoulder and hollered another set of instructions to the female warriors in the training ring.

Lysander was right. The sight was strange. But she was right as well. It was also adorable. Estelle tugged on the Bond and let the image pass over to Mikael. His delight flooded the Bond a heartbeat later. She smiled and continued on her way.

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For a bonus chapter of Nyx, Lysander, and Corbin's Blood Rite, please see the short story titled "Rite of Passage" in my additional book "Beyond the Books".