A few more days passed and we finally reached the borders of the Night Court, saving the last part of the journey for Bellamy's winnowing and then my own for the final part, transporting us both to the outskirts of the Windhaven Camp.

The camp was surrounded by the legions of trees and the famous Illyrian mountains, huge domineering structures of jagged rock and the softest of snows that crested the peaks. It was a beautiful sight. Despite the rumoured harshness of the mountains.

I was pleased that I had finally learned how to winnow as my gifts had been manifesting, I could feel it pulsating and radiating through me. And with every day the beast prowling beneath my skin grew in strength and in rage both, still bursting with the energy that I had released days earlier with my encounter with the Mage. My transformation was the only thing that saved me from that death god. But still I had no real control over it.

Still I had almost hoped Bellamy and I would run into Rhysand so that I could test my new powers on him. Him and Feyre both. Those who had wronged my father and my family. Perhaps I should've added my dear mother to the list as well. How I would love to rip them all to shreds with the claws of my other form.

I almost couldn't tell if my rage was genuine or a consequence of my increased powers which in turn made my temper worsen by the day. Although there were benefits, such as my transformation powers increasing.

At first I could only change my eye colour but now I could change my hair from auburn to black, my skin from my natural tone to the classic Illyrian shade of bronze. Which is the only disguise I really needed since no one in the Night Court would recognise my face. Small benefits of my father barely letting me leave the Spring Court and I was sure no Illyrian has ventured far enough to the south to step foot in my territory.

Bellamy and I hadn't run into the High Leaders of the Night Court or anyone of note as we spied on the camp for most of the day, noting any weaknesses in the border control and assessing the best way to get in and get out without us both losing both of our lives. No one could get my father the cure if we were dead.

I was waiting at our makeshift camp for Bellamy to return from spying on the border. I had glamoured our camp using my new gifts, so that none of the airborne patrols would spot us from the skies or the fire that I'd made to cook us some dinner and also to keep us from freezing to death. We had come prepared, with warm clothes but nothing would've prepared me for the coldness that tainted in the air of the north. It chilled me to my very bones - I was used to living in a permanent springtime after all.

This environment was strange. And unfamiliar. Yet something about it comforted me. Something I couldn't explain. I felt drawn to it. Perhaps it was due to the contrast between the Night Court and the Spring Court. This place was not trapped in one season. Here the seasons flowed freely, always changing always growing.

At times I watched the Illyrian warriors on patrol flying overhead, unable to see me or my camp thanks to my glamour and I silently tried to memorise their forms shooting beneath the white sky, particularly those obsidian wings. As much as I hated to admit it. I admired their wings and wondered how exhilarating it must be to fly, unbound by anyone or anything - free to find comfort in the wind's embrace. I craved nothing more than that feeling. Unparalleled freedom. And I envied the Illyrians for that if nothing else.

Only a more minutes past and Bellamy returned, fresh faced and with his usual smile. I quickly glanced at him for any sign of injuries but he looked well enough as he sat down and helped himself to the rabbit stew I'd prepared over the fire.

"So how did the patrolling go?" I asked watching him from across the flames as the illumination turned his black curls to bronze.

"Barely an hour by yourself and you're already starved for my attention," Bellamy replied with a wink, taking a sip of the stew.

"Don't flatter yourself," I said, rolling my eyes, "and focus on the mission."

"I do love it when you boss me about," he said with another smile but when I gave him a hard stare in reply he sighed dramatically and answered, "fine fine, to answer your question love it was pretty boring."

"Boring is a good thing, means safety, less chance of us getting killed."

"Point taken," he said, "to the east of the camp is the less patrolled area, I propose we slip in there, glamoured and disguised in plain sight with your new abilities and scout out the area for Nyx, we know we're looking for a warrior with blue eyes, a feature that is very uncommon for Illyrians and that he will likely be training, the camp is always bringing in new recruits, if we find them and blend in no one will be able to tell we're out of place."

"Alright, first we will eat and gather our strength and tomorrow we will slip in unbeknownst to everyone, I suggest we do split up, each search different areas then come back at a meeting point, if we haven't found Nyx by then I'm sure we will have learnt some information about where he is likely to be," I replied, finishing my stew as I used my small gift of water magic to use the droplets to wash my bowl, part of the many supplies I packed from the Spring Court.

I loathed my mother but at times her Summer Court magic and heritage came in handy.

"Neat trick," Bellamy noted, "but you're going to need more water than that to drown Nyx."

"Water magic isn't my only trick," I replied dryly. I had my father's gifts after all and that power grew daily.

"I'd love you to teach me what your other tricks are," he said suggestively, finishing his stew as he did.

"Too bad you'll never find out."

He only smirked in reply, knowing how it would irritate me yet comfort me at the same time. I adored the consistency and simplicity of Bellamy. The harmless flirting. His constant happiness despite the hardships he had endured and had yet to endure. You could count friends like him on one hand.

"Right then mi lady let's get some sleep before we take that bastard down."

—

We awoke at dawn the next day, in lieu with the early schedule the Illyrian warriors were known to keep. And we armed ourselves to the teeth. Most weapons hidden of course but a few visible. And we were dressed in the classic black leathers of the Night Court, which we had purchased as soon as we entered the territory two moons ago, from a shopkeeper in a little town, I had disguised our appearances to fit the features of the court's inhabitants and the shopkeeper had been none the wiser. Just believing a married Illyrian couple were passing through to Windhaven.

And in recent years it was perfectly common for females to train as warriors as well. That was one of the few things I liked about the Illyrian regime for women were certainly not permitted to train or fight in the Spring Court, especially nobles such as myself. Patriarchal bullshit I thought with a grimace.

"How do I look," I asked Bellamy as I slid the last of my knives into my boots, coated with a poison I had bought from an apothecary in the same town we purchased the leathers. A small remote place, it was common for Illyrians to visit.

"Like a goddess of death," he said with a smile, "and one of beauty of course, I don't doubt that the Children of the Blessed would walk across hot coals to kiss your feet."

I felt my mouth twitch at that. The Children of the Blessed were fools. Young pious acolytes who worshipped the ground the High Fae walked on like we were gods. But we were no gods. And we were certainly not blessed. The High Fae didn't deserve such devotion.

"Be serious Bel."

He only inclined his head, "I'm being perfectly serious,  though I will mourn the loss of your auburn curls," he sighed, his fingers brushing gently through the ends of my new onyx hair," I've grown quite attached to my mouthy red headed spitfire."

"Mouthy?" I exclaimed, "you're one to talk you prick."

"I rest my case."

I ignore his retort, going back to his words, "As for you missing my red hair I think my natural hair would stand out here," I said dryly.

"I pity the Illyrians, with your natural form Nyx would only need to just catch a glimpse of you and the poor bastard would be on his knees in awe, we'd make quick work of him."

"I don't need my mediocre appearance for that," I replied, "my knives will do nicely, though I can't say after I've gutted him that he'll be feeling much awe." I almost smiled at that, remembering how I'd sharpened my knives this morning and how they glinted in the morning light. The balance of them were perfect, they felt like a very extension of my arm - a gift from Sabin of all people when she had noticed how much time I'd spent training with Bellamy. Father of course hated the gift but even he knew better than to argue with Sabin.

"Nothing like a little talk of murder to start the day," Bellamy replied cheerily as we both kept walking, nearing the east borders of Windhaven.

"Well it's him or my father and I have no qualms about spilling noble blood from those in the Night Court," I said with a venomous bite.

I had never forgotten all they had done to my family. My grandparents and my father. And among the High Fae with all our wealth, privilege and luxuries I valued blood above all else. That unbreakable bond. The feeling of being loved and protected.

Though I knew Nyx likely deserved his fate, being raised by Feyre and Rhysand, he had likely learned their morals or lack of. And even though my childhood and life had been sheltered from the outside world of Pyrthian I knew how the Illyrians behaved. How barbaric and awful they were, especially to females - as despite females being allowed to train as warriors my father told me the males behaviour hadn't changed much.

Still, I couldn't help but wonder if this Nyx may have defied all odds and turned out different. And would I be able to go through with it if that was the case. 

For that small doubt I had to blindly follow all the feelings of hate I had towards the nobles of the Night Court. It was easier to let the anger consume me, then let guilt drown me. Whether that made me a bad person I didn't know. And honestly I'm not sure whether I even cared. Not with so much on the line. I couldn't afford to be weak, to let my own selfish sentiment stop me from saving the life of my own flesh and blood. My only family member that I actually gave a damn about.

"I know you have little love for those in the Night Court, especially his family," Bellamy replied breaking my chain of thoughts, "but you have still only killed once, and that was just."

At that I lowered my eyes, not wanting to let the memories of what he said spark up. To the men I killed in revenge for their crimes against me.

"But this is different, Nyx is not someone you know or have a personal vendetta against and though killing is awful in every circumstance this is different, and I don't want you to have that kind of blood on your hands or torment yourself with that guilt," Bellamy said, his tone unnaturally solemn, "and because of that I will kill him for you, at the necessary time."

My heart swelled at that and I wondered what in the Cauldron's name I'd done to deserve such loyalty. Nyx was not his burden to bear but still he insisted on sharing the weight of my mission.

"Bel I can't let you do that," I rejected immediately, "the sin is mine to bear, you have already done more than enough even accompanying me on this trip, helping and supporting me at every turn and I know my father is your High Lord but I can't let you be the one to do this, it's not your responsibility."

"Of course it is," he said, puzzled at my words, "you have and always will be my responsibility, as both my friend and my future High Lady, besides I'm not doing it for Tamlin, I'm doing it for you."

Though as much as I tried I couldn't keep the grin off of my face at that and gave him a massive hug, squeezing him tightly and even taking in his scent. Though he didn't smell like the flowers in the Spring Court he still smelt like home. And in his warm embrace I felt safe. And for that I was forever grateful to Bellamy.

I broke away first, though he still grinned from ear to ear as he reluctantly withdrew his arms from around me.

"I'm forever grateful for your loyalty and friendship," I said fondly.

"My sword is yours as is my life Thea," he said fondly but his smile disappeared as we neared the camp, the sound of voices and the clang of steel filled the air.

"Remember," he said turning to me for the last time before we entered the enemy's camp, "once we enter the camp find a safe place to remove your glamour, Nyx is more powerful than the average Illyrian and will likely be able to sense it." He paused, making sure I was taking it all in and I nodded.

The glamour I put on both of us to hide us as we arrived outside the camp was strong but not strong enough to deceive a creature such as Nyx. Hence our change in clothes and appearance, to catch him we needed to look like we belonged.

Bellamy continued, "we meet here in an hour, regardless of whether either one of us has located Nyx and if anything goes wrong do not hesitate, shift into your animal form if you need to and you cut down anyone who comes at you.

I nodded again, hoping that I didn't need to resort to such violence. Nyx's blood would already be on my hands in the near future, despite the brutality of the Illyrians I had no desire to cause a massacre. I just prayed the alleged bond the Suriel gave me to track Nyx would work, I hadn't felt anything yet but I was sure it would work when I was in nearer proximity.

"See you on the other side," Bellamy said, giving me one last hug and smirk before making his way to search the left side of Windhaven.

Before I could talk myself out of it I started towards the right, finally entering the Illyrian camp. I was by the outskirts, just past the tree line and I walked past a dozen strange buildings, all grey and all built by stone. I wouldn't be surprised if they carved out rock from the very mountain to build these places. Luckily they all sounded vacant.

Growing a little in confidence that I hadn't been discovered straight away I kept walking, following the sound of voices, careful to walk quietly as every surface below me was covered in thick mud.

This place was in stark contrast to the Spring Court, it had a certain joyless quality about it. Everything seemed very and harsh. Though in some ways I welcomed the difference in my surrounds compared to home. This camp had none of the impossible perfection that the Spring Court portrayed.

I came across tents next and a few Illyrians seemed to be loitering outside one of them, three males and a female who looked around my age, but a little younger - in Fae years they were probably only thirty. They all had long braided black hair, clad in the classic Illyrian leathers, all similar in their bronze colouring but that came as no surprise - neither did they're black bat-like wings yet I still marvelled at their size and beauty..

As I stared one of them turned towards me and I instinctively went for the knife at my side yet they looked away a second later, carrying on their conversation. I cursed myself for my foolishness, almost forgetting I was still glamoured and invisible to all of them.

I walked past them cautiously but then stopped as I heard snippets of their conversation.

"We can't stay here long, Nyx will throw our asses into the dust if we're late again for training," one of the males, the shorter one, said, getting reluctant agreement from some of them.

Nyx! I felt a little bubble of excitement. These Illyrians knew Nyx and by the sounds of it, he was some sort of authority figure to them. They would surely go to him and I would be able to follow.

"He can try," another male snorted, his tone dripping with pure arrogance that made me roll my eyes.

"Always with the male bravado," the female tutted with a shake of her head, "and Cari's right, we need to head for training I'm not getting any lashes just because you guys can't shift your asses."

"Fine fine," the arrogant male said raising his hands in defeat as the group all started walking off, still caught up in their bantering and teasing that they didn't notice the wolf tracking their every step.

Silently I followed them, careful to remain a cautious distance so that they did not pick up on the sound of my steps going through the muddy paths. They may not have been able to see me but I couldn't glamour everything.

I watched in the shadows as they neared what seemed to be like a training pit and as the sun hit where they were I realised I was about to walk into the camp's training grounds.

I heard several voices, shouting and grunting as I saw half a dozen Illyrians sparring with staffs, swords, spears, maces and every weapon imaginable. Their attacks had such raw power I couldn't help but be in awe. I was a skilled swordswoman but the Illyrians moved in a certain way that I couldn't help but marvel at.

I tore my gaze away from the sparring warriors to focus on the group I had been following as they picked up various weapons and stood, seemingly waiting for something or someone.

I was watching them so intently I almost didn't notice the warrior approaching them and as he stepped into the light I felt an indescribable pull towards him that almost knocked me off my feet in surprise. It was horrifically euphoric. And I knew. I just knew that this foreign connection must've been what the Suriel was talking about. But I kept watching to be sure.

And as the warrior came into my full view with these bright blue eyes that shone as the sun coated him like a second skin.

That's when I saw him for the first time.

Nyx