The war tent was packed full, and the warmth of many bodies filled the air. Outside, the moon was high overhead and snow drifted from the sky. It didn't linger where it landed, but the flurries continued to fall. Azriel shuffled closer to Cassian, allowing Tarquin some more space.

    "Based on what Azriel saw, I know that we're gravely outnumbered," Rhys began. "But Koschei only has the upper hand while he has the Cauldron and Dread Trove. My guess is he will continue to use the Cauldron during the battle. He'll use it against us and he'll use it to create more of his monsters. We must clear a path to him."

    Rhys fixed his gaze on Feyre, Nesta, and Elain. "The three of you were Made. If you get your hands on the Dread Trove, it will answer to you and you'll be able to wield it better than the Queens. With the Crown, we can free the people Koschei is having mind controlled, Vassa included, and we can turn his creatures against him."

    "Koschei is immortal. Only my weapons can kill him," Nesta pointed out.

    "The Queens are wielding them as well," Azriel said. "The Queen with the Crown has Ataraxia. The Queen with the Mask has your Great Sword. The Queen with the Harp has the dagger. Vassa is unarmed."

    "We will head for the Queens first," Rhys said. "Everyone available must form a path to Koschei beyond them. Once we've recovered the weapons and the Trove, Nesta, Feyre, and Elain will attack Koschei. We'll provide what aid we can, but only they will be able to kill him."

    "What about Beron?" Helion asked.

    "He can die with the rest of those bastards," Eris spat.

    "What does each piece of the Dread Trove do?" Kallias asked. "We need to know so we can be on the lookout for signs of their usage."

    It was Amren who answered. "The Crown as you know, has the ability to control the minds of others and force them to do someone's bidding. The Mask allows the wielder to summon the dead and control them. The Harp can open portals to different realities and shift the environment around you."

    "It can also be used to pause or rewind Time," Nesta added. "I'm not sure if it can be used to move Time forward."

    "I had a vision of this battle," Elain murmured. Lucien wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I saw the dead rise and the Harp was used to restore their flesh and bones. They became the undead."

    "And the fourth piece?" Helion prompted. "What does it do?"

    Drakon stepped forward. "The Amulet can resurrect someone who has died. It can grant them a Fae's life span, or merely restore life, depending on the intentions of the user."

    "So essentially," Jurian scoffed, "Koschei's forces cannot be killed. They'll rise as the dead, become the undead, or be thoroughly resurrected."

    "There's a catch when it comes to the Amulet," Drakon interrupted. "You have to make physical contact with a body to restore the person's life. It can't be used from a distance, unlike the other pieces of the Trove."

    "So Vassa will have to move through the battlefield," Cassian thought aloud. "And the other Queens may or may not accompany her."

    "The question is, which course of action will they choose?" Thesan stroked his chin.

    "Keep your eyes peeled. If you see the Queens, alert us at once," Rhys ordered. "We won't be able to coordinate an attack since we don't know where the Queens will be. When the time comes, I trust you to each act on the actions of each other." The High Lords inclined their heads. "Let's get what rest we can."

    They filed out of the tent. Azriel paused as Eris grabbed him by the shoulder. "It's time for you to pay the favor you owe me," Eris said.

    "What do you want?" Azriel narrowed his eyes.

    "When I confront my father, I want you to watch my back. Dispose of anyone who tries to intervene, but do not step in if my father is winning the fight. I will kill him myself, or I will die trying. Your only job is to keep others away from us."

    Azriel felt a tingling sensation between his wings. He knew it came from the magic embedded in his bargain tattoo. "You have my word."

    "Try not to get yourself killed before then," Eris called as he walked away.

    Azriel reached the tent he would be sharing with Eris and Jurian. He sat on one of the thin bedrolls. Shadows drifted atop his shoulders, abnormally quiet. He felt the Bond and waited for Seren's acknowledgement.

    Are you all right? She asked at once.

    I'm fine. There was no fighting today. We scouted out Koschei's encampment, set up our own, and formed the skeleton of a plan. Did I wake you?

    No, I haven't been able to sleep. I'm too worried and the baby is too active.

    Well, sleep if you can. I'm supposed to sleep during the few hours we have until dawn.

    Will Koschei attack then?

    Azriel bit his lip, then said, I wouldn't be surprised if he sends Vanth to attack us in the night. He felt a jolt of panic from her. I've shielded my tent. I'm sure Eris will too once he comes.

    You're sharing a tent with Eris?

    And Jurian. Not all of us get to have private tents with our mates on the battlefield, he chuckled.

    I'm sorry I'm not there.

    I'm not. I'm glad you're at home and safe.

    All the same. What good are my skills if I can't use them when it counts?

    I know. Azriel stroked the Bond. And you will have a chance to use them, but not in this battle. Now, try to rest and I'll do the same.

    All right. I love you.

    I love you, he echoed. The tent flaps opened, letting in a rush of cold air. Jurian and Eris stumbled inside.

    "Shit, it's cold out there," Eris hissed. Flames danced atop his shoulders and heat filled the tent.

    "Did you ever manage to get your mother to the Day Court?" Azriel asked.

    Eris arched an eyebrow. "Do you ever stop being the Spymaster?" Azriel shrugged. "No, I didn't. When I returned to the Autumn Court, I discovered my father had thrown her in the dungeons and was hunting me. I had to get my loyalists out of the Autumn Court before they were killed." He drew his knees to his chest and hooked his chin on top of them. "If he's done anything more to her, I'll make his death that much more painful."

    "Why did Helion ask about her?"

    "They were once lovers. He told me when I asked him the same question."

    Azriel hid his surprise from Eris. Helion had an affair with the Lady of the Autumn Court and Lucien happens to look like him? He shoved the thought aside and lay back on his bedroll. Jurian and Eris did the same. The tent grew quiet as the three of them drifted off to sleep.

•༻☾☽༺•

    Morning dawned, cold and dismal. Jorah joined Rhys at the front of the Illyrian Infantry. Their forces were already gathered, awaiting Koschei's advance. "Any sign of them?" She asked.

    "Not yet."

    "Where are Cassian and Azriel?"

    "In the air with the Legion."

    Jorah lifted her gaze. Sure enough, the Illyrian Legion was assembling their lines in the sky. The Peregryns and Seraphim formed up beside them. She brought her gaze back down as a moaning wail filled the air. Her hand tightened on Adrastos' hilt.

    "Wait," Rhys ordered. She stared at the oncoming Vanth as he faced the gathered warriors behind them. "The Vanth are coming. Be prepared."

    Steel sang as weapons were drawn. Jorah tucked her mangled wings closer to her back. Fae and Humans ran alongside the Vanth now. Her breath caught as massive winged beasts soared into view.

    The Wyvern, she realized. They were so much larger than she'd expected. The army ran through the valley surrounded by stone mesas. Jorah narrowed her eyes. In the distance, she could make out five figures. "I see Koschei and the Queens. They're behind the rest of the army."

    "Advance," The order came. "We'll start working towards them." Rhys fell silent.

    Jorah drew Adrastos and they strode further into the valley. The Vanths' wails were deafening. Wyvern roared overhead. Jorah's heart raced and a multitude of thoughts tumbled through her mind.

    The aerial legions were the first to collide. Blood rained down on the gray dirt as Wyvern ripped through the winged Fae. Jorah didn't dare look up. Bodies began to hit the ground around her. She didn't look at them. She didn't want to see their mutilated faces.

    She gripped Adrastos tightly and lifted the blade. The first Vanth descended. She roared in defiance and cleaved Adrastos through the creature's arm. Black blood splattered across her face. The Vanth wailed and swiped obsidian talons at her. She ducked and managed to hack through the creature's neck.

    Jorah pressed deeper into the throng. Rhys was nearby, along with Feyre, Nesta, and Elain. Lucien fought beside his mate. Mor, Gwyn, and Emerie covered the other three. Jorah rolled beneath the blade of a Human.

    She yelped as he whirled, managing to cut one of her wings. Jorah kicked him back and drove Adrastos through his heart. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

    The ground turned to mud gradually as more blood soaked into it. Jorah stuck close to her group, cutting down Vanth, Humans, and Fae with every stroke of her sword. Her braid loosened and stray hair became stuck in the blood on her face.

    Jorah screamed as a Wyvern crashed to the ground before her. The beast rose and she saw a few gashes across its smoky hide. She dove to the ground as it lunged at her with gnashing teeth. Jorah wormed her way beneath the Wyvern. She buried Adrastos in its guts and ripped through its flesh. Blood and intestines spilled onto her as the Wyvern collapsed.

    Jorah rolled away from the creature and vomited. She pushed herself to her feet and ran after the others, who had managed to make some progress. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she recognized several bodies littering the ground.

    Bloody mud squelched beneath her boots. Jorah pushed on. A writhing mass of wings hit the ground in front of her. She readied herself for another Wyvern. The Wyvern unfurled its wings and she saw Devlon held down by its talons.

    Jorah screamed with rage and flung herself onto the Wyvern. She threw her legs around its neck and twisted on top of it. The Wyvern thrashed wildly, trying to fling her off. "Get up!" She shrieked at Devlon. "Get up!" Blood leaked from his chest. "A warrior doesn't stay down unless he's dead. Get up! Devlon, get up!"

    The Wyvern shook and she sailed over its head. She hit the ground and her wings folded with a sickening crunch. Jorah screamed in pain but forced herself up. Devlon had risen and the Wyvern snapped its jaws at him. Jorah roared and sliced Adrastos through its tongue. Devlon swept at one side of its head. She aimed for the other. Blood and bits of scaly hide flew through the air. Jorah and Devlon thrust their blades through either side of the beast's head. With a sharp twist and a resounding crack, the Wyvern went down.

    Jorah whirled to Devlon, unable to keep from sobbing. He panted for breath and covered his injury with one hand. With the other, he cupped her cheek and pulled her in for a brief but thorough kiss. "Mate," he grunted.

    And Jorah felt the Bond. It fell in place where the old one had been, but this one was not like her Bond with Kallon. She nodded. "Equals." She slipped an arm around him and offered herself as support while they made their way back to Rhys and the others.