The artwork above is not mine.

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Seren held Nyx while Feyre ate. She had joined her friends in Elain's garden as promised. A light meal of sandwiches, salad, and fruit cups was spread on the glass table before them. Elain finished pouring them all glasses of iced tea.

"What happened to your hand?" Mor asked. She pulled a bottle out of her pocket and splashed another liquid into her tea.

"I cut myself during training," Seren explained. "It's all right, though. It wasn't too deep." Nyx clawed at her shadow. It slid down her arm and wrapped itself around Nyx's small head. Feyre watched it, pursing her lips.

"What did Az have you doing?"

"He wanted to see which moves you had shown me. I used Hiraeth but I got distracted and it slipped."

"You got...distracted?" Mor wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Seren busied herself with her tea. Her cheeks warmed once more, recalling Azriel's lips against her hand. She blinked the memory away.

Elain took her hand and eyed the water droplet tattoo. "Is this new?"

"It is." Seren bounced her knee gently, eliciting a coo from Nyx. He flapped his tiny wings and reached for the shadow.

"Another bargain with Az?" Feyre asked. "How many is that by now?"

"Only three."

Mor rested her head in her palm. "What deal did you make this time?"

Seren hesitated and took another drink. They're his family. What if they're offended because he made this bargain with me and not one of them?

"Oh, come on, Ser. Surely you can tell us?"

"Ser?" She gave Mor a quizzical look. Mor simply smiled. "I asked him about his hesitation towards physical contact. Our deal is that I'll help him work past that if he helps me work past my fear of weapons." Seren glanced at Elain nervously.

"That's good," Elain said slowly.

"It is. Maybe I won't have to initiate every hug between us now," Mor chuckled.

Feyre held out her arms and took Nyx. The shadow slunk back onto Seren's arm. She leaned back in her seat, watching the stars appear overhead. They were much brighter than the stars in the Autumn Court.

"How long is Lucien here?" Mor asked.

"Another day. Rhys asked Lucien to stay while he and Cassian are at the Ironcrest war-camp," Feyre explained.

Mor rolled her eyes with a groan. "Rhys and Cass should stay longer. As soon as they leave, Erebus and Kallon will go right back to their usual habits."

"Who are Erebus and Kallon?" Seren asked.

"Erebus is Ironcrest's war lord. Kallon is his son."

Feyre nodded. "And they're both troublemakers. They openly mock Cassian and speak ill about Azriel and Rhys."

"That must be frustrating." Seren clenched her jaw and rubbed her hands together.

She didn't miss the look that Mor and Feyre shared. "This has gone on for a long time," Mor continued. "Rhys, Cass, and Az are used to it."

"No one should be used to treatment like that."

Feyre stood after a moment. "I'm going in. Goodnight." They all murmured farewells as Feyre and Nyx headed back into the river house.

"I'll handle the cleanup." Mor snapped her fingers and instantly, the food and dirty dishes disappeared. Their drinks remained, along with a pitcher for refills.

Elain filled her glass, and then another. "I'm going to find Lucien." She picked up the second glass and started off.

"Well, it's just us." Mor kicked her feet up on the table. "Don't tell Rhys or Feyre about this."

"I won't," Seren laughed.

"You still haven't worn the outfit you got when we went shopping that first time."

"I haven't had a reason to wear it yet. It's too elegant for an everyday outfit."

"Let's go out, then."

Seren arched a brow. "Where?"

"There's a nightclub in Velaris that I frequent, Rita's. We could go, if you want."

"Sure," Seren shrugged. "Why not?"

"Great!" Mor leaped to her feet and pulled Seren up. "Go get ready. I'll meet you back here in an hour."

"An hour?"

"I have to do my hair and makeup."

"Ah. Are you meeting someone there?"

A sly grin crept onto Mor's lips. "Maybe."

Seren laughed and followed her back to the river house. They parted ways inside. Seren reached her room shortly. She locked her door and stripped out of her clothes. Seren opened her closet and rooted around until she found the dark green blazer and pants that Mor had bought for her. She tugged a black shirt on, then buttoned the blazer over it.

The gold embroidered cuffs were heavy against her wrists. Seren slipped on a pair of heels and combed out her dark thick curls. She pinned up a portion of them and let the rest dangle around her shoulders. She swiped red lipstick over her lips and smiled at her reflection.

If Father could see me now, she thought. It's good that he can't. She was everything he had never wanted her to be. Now, in this outfit, she even felt a little confident. She felt pretty. Momentarily, her thoughts drifted to Beron. She pushed him out of her mind and returned to the main hall.

Mor joined her half an hour later. She was wearing very little makeup, surprisingly. She wore bright red lipstick and a variety of blended nude eyeshadows around her curled lashes. Mor's long blonde hair was loosely braided and pulled over one shoulder. Her outfit was stunning, but then again, most things were stunning on Mor.

She wore a red silk shirt with a gold band holding it up around her neck. Her pants were white and fitted, and she wore golden heels. A few bracelets clinked around her tanned wrists. "I knew that blazer would look wonderful on you," Mor said with a grin. "Come on." She looped her arm through Seren's and they left the river house.

Once they passed the gates, Mor winnowed them further into Velaris. They appeared before a bustling nightclub, filled to the brim with people. A small worm of anxiety threaded through Seren's mind. She swallowed and stuck close to Mor as they entered. Music, voices, and laughter filled the air. The scent of many bodies and rich foods hovered all around.

"Drinks or dancing first?" Mor asked.

"Is your friend here yet?"

"Not yet."

"Dancing then."

Mor pulled her into a sea of dancing people. Seren stumbled around before finding her footing. She began to mimic Mor's movements. Seren laughed, somehow managing to keep up with the beat.

"I'm curious," Mor said. She grabbed Seren's uninjured hand and spun her.

"About?"

"You and Az."

"What do you mean?"

Mor shrugged. "I'm just curious about the two of you. Obviously you aren't a couple, but you seem to be closer than friends. What's going on?"

"I don't know. He's just training me." Seren knit her brows and continued to dance. He's nothing more than a friend and mentor, right? Of course, she did find him handsome and there was the matter of what had happened during today's training session. And the jealousy I keep feeling, even though I have no claim over him, she thought. What do I think of him? She wasn't exactly sure anymore.

"Don't worry about it. I was just wondering," Mor said, drawing her out of her thoughts. She brightened, suddenly, and grabbed Seren's arm. "She's here!" She pointed to the doorway.

Seren turned and spotted Emerie. The Illyrian female scanned the crowd, her gaze coming to rest on them. She smiled and disappeared for a moment. Emerie reappeared, pushing through the crowd of dancing couples.

"This place is packed," she laughed.

"Rita's is popular," Mor replied. "I'm glad you could come."

"Thanks for inviting me." Emerie blushed and tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear.

"Should we get drinks?"

"I can order drinks if you two want to dance," Seren offered. Emerie and Mor agreed quickly. Seren waited for them to give her their orders before she headed off to find a table.

She found a small booth vacant in one corner. Seren sat down and waved over a waitress. She relayed Mor and Emerie's order, then added her own. The waitress vanished shortly. Seren searched the crowd until she located Mor and Emerie.

They were dancing beautifully, hand in hand. The song ended and they joined Seren just as their drinks arrived. Seren sipped her raspberry lemonade, listening to Mor and Emerie talk.

After a while, Emerie excused herself. Seren stirred the straw in her drink. "Are you two together?"

Mor stiffened, nervousness filling her brown gaze. "I...uh...well..."

"I won't think of you any differently if you are."

Mor gave her a grateful smile. "We're not official. We've only gone out a few times, usually accompanied by Nesta and Gwyn. When the three of them are together, it can be a little hard to get some one on one time with Emerie."

"Why did you ask me to come instead of just going on your own?"

"I guess I wanted you to know about this side of me. It's easier to show some things, rather than tell them."

"Do the others know?"

"Feyre does. The others might have their suspicions, but they don't know anything for certain."

Seren gripped Mor's hand tightly. "I won't tell them."

"Thank you." Seren let go as Emerie returned. They finished their drinks and ordered another round.

"Do you not drink?" Emerie asked after the waitress left. Seren had merely ordered a refill on her lemonade.

"I never have before. Father wouldn't let me," Seren replied.

"So that's why you always ignore the wine and champagne I give you. And here I thought you just had pickier taste than me," Mor laughed. "You should try something."

"I'm good, but thank you."

Mor and Emerie left again shortly. They returned to the dance floor and faded into the throng of people. Seren watched the spinning couples. Part of her wished she could be out there with them. Another part of her was content to sit at the table.

The waitress returned and set down Mor and Emerie's refills. She placed another glass of raspberry lemonade before Seren, then set down a goblet. "We didn't order this?" Seren said, narrowing her eyes.

"The Shadowsinger sent it." The waitress cleared away their empty cups and left.

The Shadowsinger? Seren straightened and looked around the club. There was no sign of Azriel.

"You're looking the wrong way."

She turned, spying Azriel behind her. "What are you doing here?"

"The house was too quiet. Feyre is already asleep. Elain and Lucien are having some alone time in her garden. Amren and Nesta were in the library."

"Things can be too quiet for you?" Seren teased.

He sat down across from her and sniffed Mor's drink. "Occasionally. When my surroundings are too quiet, my head becomes loud."

"Oh. I know what you mean." She picked up the goblet and swirled its contents. "What is this?"

"Something mild. I think you should try it."

"Why?"

"A new experience," Azriel replied with a shrug.

"I've had enough of those to last a lifetime," she laughed. Seren's gaze landed on her flame, wrapped around his arm. "All right." She held the cup to her lips and took a hesitant sip. The liquid was sweet, but stung her throat on the way down. It settled in her stomach, filling her with a warm tingle. She blinked, then quickly drained the goblet.

Azriel's lips tilted up. "What do you think?"

"It's good, but," she was interrupted by a small hiccup, "I don't think I'll take on Mor's habits."

"That's probably for the best."

Seren reached across the table and rested her fingers atop his hand. Azriel tensed, but didn't pull away. Her shadow wove itself into her hair, tickling her neck. Seren giggled at the sensation. Azriel leaned towards her and curled a lock of her hair around his finger. Her breath caught. He let go and stood abruptly.

"Don't let Mor talk you into drinking something exotic," he murmured. "And if you need me, just call. My shields will open for you."

Seren's gaze flickered to the shadow on her arm. When she looked up, Azriel was gone. Her cheeks remained flushed and she hastily drank the rest of her raspberry lemonade.