The artwork above is not mine.

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    They reached Windhaven in no time at all. Jorah was first to break away from the group. "I'm going to gather the Ironcrest warriors here," she called over her shoulder.

    "I'll help her," Cassian said. He chased after Jorah.

    "What should we do?" Gwyn asked, stepping closer to Azriel.

    "Spread the word," Azriel instructed. "I'll inform Devlon about what's happening. He, Cassian, Rhys, and I will be in command during the attack. Make sure you listen for orders. Help one another."

    Emerie and Gwyn nodded before darting away. Azriel strode through the camp. The shadows pulled him towards the training rings. He found Devlon there, running through several forms. Devlon straightened and pulled a shirt over his damp body.

    "What are you doing here?" He asked. "I thought you had important Night Court business to attend to."

    "Erebus is coming," Azriel said, ignoring the comment. "I imagine my half brothers and Kallon will be leading his forces. We might not have much time."

    "Are you the only one who came?" Devlon asked, already walking back to his hut.

    "Cassian and Jorah are here. We brought Gwyneth Berdara and Emerie, two of Nesta Archeron's fellow Valkyries. Rhys, Feyre, Amren, Mor, Lucien, Nesta, and Elain will be coming soon."

    "Bring all of Prythian, why don't you?" Devlon huffed. "I imagine you're already preparing the camp?"

    "I sent Gwyn and Emerie to spread the word. Cassian and Jorah are gathering the Ironcrest warriors."

    Devlon halted abruptly in his doorway. "No female Illyrian has given orders in battle. I hope she doesn't think that's about to change."

    "It is about to change, Devlon. Get used to the idea," Azriel snapped. Devlon slammed the door shut.

    "Prick," Jorah hissed behind him. Azriel turned and she tossed him a sword. He caught it, buckling the sheath over his shoulder and in between his wings. "They're getting ready. Cassian is helping Emerie and Gwyn with the Windhaven warriors now."

    "Good. Come with me."

    "Where are we going?" She took his outstretched hand.

    "We're going to check on Erebus' position." Azriel walked through the shadows, taking Jorah with him.

    They arrived a short distance from the Ironcrest war camp. The Illyrians hadn't taken off yet. Kallon stood near Erebus while Osiris and Seker organized the warriors. Shadows covered Azriel and Jorah, keeping them hidden from sight.

    "Are you sure about this?" One warrior asked. "We can't attack our own."

    "They are not our own," Kallon snarled. "They betrayed us when they chose to leave with Rhysand's bastards."

    "My brother went with them. Am I expected to kill him?"

    Osiris moved in front of the warrior, his gold eyes dark with apprehension. "Yes, you are."

    "I can't kill my brother," the warrior said, his voice shaking.

    "Then you are no Illyrian warrior." With a flash of steel, Osiris slit the warrior's throat. His hands flew to his neck and blood pooled around his fingers. The warrior collapsed and Osiris sheathed his blade. "There is no room for hesitation anymore!" His voice carried over the crowd. "You fly with us or you die with them. Make your choice." He looked to Erebus.

    The warlord gave him a short nod. Osiris and Seker leaped into the air. The warriors took off after them. Kallon and Erebus followed last, with Kallon struggling to carry his father. Jorah gripped Azriel's arm as shadows transported them back to Windhaven.

    Everyone had already gathered and were waiting. Azriel joined Cassian, who was standing with Devlon and Rhys. "They're coming. Jorah and I just saw them leave Ironcrest."

    "We're ready," Rhys answered.

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    Jorah squared her shoulders, nerves knotting in her stomach. Training isn't the same as leading, she heard Devlon's words once more. Your blade will break in battle. You will be killed.

    Those are just silly superstitions, Jorah reminded herself. Look at Feyre, Nesta, Elain, Mor, and Amren. They've all fought in battles before and their weapons didn't break or betray them. Why should Adrastos be any different?

    It wasn't any different, she knew. All the same, she'd been told these ridiculous superstitions so many times, that a part of her did fear them. She attempted to push that fear aside as dark specks appeared in the sky.

    Windhaven lay behind them, full of children, untrained youths, expecting mothers, and the elderly. They'd led their warriors out to meet Ironcrest, hoping to keep the fighting as far from Windhaven as possible.

    Jorah spied her father standing behind Devlon. Lycaon didn't spare her so much as a glance. Devlon's hazel gaze shifted towards her for a second, however. Jorah held it and saw the message hidden in its depths. A female should not lead in battle.

    Jorah gave a response and hoped he could see it. I have earned my place here and I will earn it again today.

    Cassian touched a hand to her shoulder. "Ignore him, Little Sister. Concentrate on the battle. Remember your warriors."

    Jorah gave her brother a nod and tightened her fist around Adrastos' hilt. The Ironcrest warriors were nearly upon them. Osiris and Seker landed and the warriors dove behind them. Rhys and Devlon hollered an order and the Windhaven warriors swept into battle.

    Jorah found herself fighting alongside Kalea and Inge. The two females were a whirl of wings and steel as they cut through the males who had wronged them. Inge ripped her sword through one male's wings. Blood sprayed across her tan face. Kalea struck down a warrior who lunged at Inge's turned back.

    Jorah lifted her sword and parried a blow from another warrior. With a sharp twist, she disarmed him. A blow to the temple rendered him unconscious. Jorah scanned the writhing throng, searching for Kallon. She knew he had to be there. She would kill him before anyone else had the chance.

    The crowd parted and she saw Kallon crossing blades with Cassian. Jorah leaped over fallen bodies. Adrastos cleaved through unsuspecting victims. She reached the two males. Just as she rushed at Kallon, a blur of dark leather slammed into her.

    Seker rolled off her, his amber siphons glowing. "Why don't you tussle with a real warrior?" He laughed.

    "Paraphrasing your brother's line? How original," Jorah scoffed. Adrastos was leaden in her grasp. "What is the point of this? If your warriors are wiped out, Beron will kill those who survive."

    Their swords met and Seker's golden eyes flashed with delight. "Do you know how much I wish I could tell you? How delightful it would be to see the look on your face when you realize you've already lost?" He laughed as Jorah buckled beneath his blade.

    She rolled between his legs and jumped up, landing a solid kick in between his wings. Seker stumbled forward, but recovered himself. "What are you talking about?" She demanded.

    "It'd be a little counterproductive on my part if I told you. I'll just let you find out when the time is right."

    Jorah cried out as Seker slipped past her guard and wrenched Adrastos from her grasp. The sword clattered to the ground. Seker slammed his forehead into Jorah's and she collapsed. Blood spurted from her nose and everything spun before her eyes. Seker's siphons crackled with power. A terrible pressure welled up within her chest. Jorah gasped and scrambled up to her knees. She couldn't breath. The pressure was worsening. Her vision began to darken.

    All at once, the pressure dissipated and she coughed as air rushed into her lungs. Jorah looked up and saw Devlon raining blows down on Seker. The younger Illyrian was outmatched. Seker leaped into the air and flew away. Devlon kicked Adrastos towards Jorah.

    "Get up. A real warrior doesn't stay down unless they're dead," he spat.

    "I thought I wasn't a real warrior," Jorah rasped. She picked up Adrastos.

    "You're no..." A blast of power sent Devlon careening into several warriors before he could finish his sentence.

    Kallon bore down on him. Jorah searched for Cassian, panic flooding her senses. She found him a heartbeat later, fighting beside Rhys and Azriel. Jorah sheathed Adrastos and jumped onto Kallon's back, pinning his wings down with her legs.

    He bellowed in anger and began clawing at her. She hung onto him and used her weight to pull him away from Devlon. Jorah toppled off his back and drew Adrastos. Kallon slammed his blade against hers.

    "You little bitch," he snarled. "I'm going to tear those useless wings off your back and drag you back to Ironcrest." Jorah didn't bother with a response. She was too busy trying to keep up with his blows. "You can't hold out against me! You aren't a real warrior."

    "You know," Jorah grunted, "I'm getting really tired of stuck up pricks telling me that." She thrust Adrastos up, ramming the flat edge of the blade into Kallon's jaw. He stumbled back and she kicked his chest. Kallon hit the dirt. Jorah stamped a foot onto his chest. "I'm just as much a warrior as you," she hissed.

    "Someone needs to show you your place!"

    "I know my place!" Jorah dropped down, leveling Adrastos with his neck. "My place is here, helping to lead my people."

    Kallon laughed and Jorah's glare deepened. "Your place is my bed, serving me like the whore you are."

    Jorah screamed. Kallon drove a knee into her mangled wings and she flew over his head. She hit the ground, the air knocked from her lungs. Jorah forced herself to roll over. She scrambled towards Adrastos. Kallon picked up the blade and pressed the tip against her throat.

    "Let's see if you behave better when I'm seconds from slitting your throat," Kallon chuckled.

    Wings flapped behind them. Jorah wedged her hand between her throat and the blade. Devlon barreled into Kallon and Adrastos sliced through her hand. Jorah ignored the pain and gripped her blade. She joined Devlon and together, they pressed Kallon back. Jorah managed to disarm him. Devlon kicked him to his knees.

    Jorah shoved past Devlon and held Adrastos to Kallon's neck once more, shaking with rage and adrenaline. "I am not your whore. I am not your mate. I rejected you. I rejected you! I AM NOT YOURS!" She felt Devlon stiffen behind her. "Every mark you left on me. Every threat you made towards my friends. Every time you used me!" True fear filled Kallon's gaze. "Know that I could have killed you then, but I spared you. I spared you until now."

    Jorah's hand shook. She couldn't see past the haze of tears in her eyes. Why had she been mated to this sadistic bastard? Why her? "Kill him," Devlon's voice was a low growl behind her. "Kill him or I will."

    Jorah inhaled, an eerie calmness stealing over her. Her tears vanished. Kallon shook in terror. "Go to hell," Jorah hissed. Kallon didn't have a chance to scream. She sliced Adrastos through his neck and his head rolled to the ground. Blood splattered her face, but she hardly registered it. Jorah grabbed Kallon's head by the hair and held it up.

    The Ironcrest warriors cried out in horror at the sight. "Kallon is dead! Fall back!" Someone yelled. They began to retreat. Osiris and Seker were the last to break off fighting. Osiris scooped up Erebus from somewhere away from the battlefield. He screamed in pain, spying Kallon's head dangling from Jorah's grasp.

    Cassian shouldered his way through the crowd. He glared at Kallon's head, then gave Jorah a proud look. Jorah dropped the head and faced Devlon. "That was sloppy," he said, wiping blood from his cheek. "He was your mate?"

    "He was nothing to me. He didn't deserve a clean death." Jorah attempted to pass him. Devlon grabbed her arm. "Let go of me."

    "You are inescapable."

    She stiffened at the hint of respect in his voice. Jorah held his gaze until he released her arm. She made her way over to her brother on trembling legs. Cassian pulled her into a hug and Jorah gave a sigh of relief.