It was several days before Estelle was able to make good on her promise to Celeste and Sienna. She led the way through Windhaven, weaving in between Illyrians and Peregryns alike. Celeste and Sienna stuck close to her. Celeste was babbling excitedly while Sienna listened.

"I can't wait to see how I'll look in Illyrian leathers," Celeste gushed. "Do you think they come in colors other than black? Will they fit around my wings?" She gasped suddenly. "Can I get matching sheaths for my sword and dagger?"

"If you pay for it yourself," Sienna laughed. "Estelle said she'd only buy the leathers for us."

"And don't forget your half of the deal," Estelle reminded them. "You owe me a set of Peregryn leathers."

"We won't forget," Celeste promised. She gripped Estelle's arm. "Oh, is that it?" She pointed to a shop just ahead.

Estelle nodded. They reached the shop and a bell rang as they stepped inside. A dark haired female with cruelly scarred wings straightened behind a desk. A grin spread across her lips. "Estelle! Lys told me to expect you sometime. He was just in earlier with Nyx and some other boys."

"Hi, Aunt Emerie. This is Celeste and Sienna. They're hoping to find some leathers that they can use when they're in Windhaven," Estelle explained.

"I hear a Little Bat." A familiar blonde head poked around a corner leading to the back room. Mor crossed the room and pressed a kiss to Estelle's cheek, then hopped on top of the counter and crossed her legs.

Celeste and Sienna giggled as Estelle wiped red lipstick from her face. Emerie came around the counter, holding a measuring tape. "Spread your arms out," she instructed Celeste. The Peregryn obeyed and Emerie began to take her measurements. She did the same for Sienna.

"All right. You can look through my premade leathers and if any alterations are needed, I can fix them up quickly. Celeste, try that section. Sienna, the ones over there should be closer to your size." Emerie directed them towards two separate racks of leathers.

It didn't take long for Celeste to find a few options she admired. Estelle sat down while Emerie led her to a fitting room. A few minutes later, Sienna went to the second fitting room. Celeste squealed, stepping out. She rotated at Emerie's behest, letting the Illyrian examine the way the leathers fit her.

"Does it feel too tight or loose anywhere?" Emerie asked.

Celeste shook her head. "I love it." She did a few stretches and grinned. "What do you think, Estelle?"

"I think they look nice. Did you have trouble fitting your wings through the holes or figuring out the buckles?"

"No. Lysander showed me a few tricks when it comes to the buckles and my wings fit perfectly."

Estelle raised an eyebrow. "Lys taught you a few tricks?" The shadows laughed in her ears.

Celeste's cheeks flushed. "I mean...well he...you see..."

Emerie and Mor exchanged knowing glances and Estelle had to smother a laugh. Sienna emerged from her fitting room. She took in Celeste's blush and the amused looks of everyone else.

"What did I miss?" She asked, tossing her long blonde braid over her shoulder.

"Nothing!" Celeste exclaimed.

"Celeste was just saying that she and Lysander have had some lessons regarding the proper way to buckle and unbuckle Illyrian leathers," Estelle replied.

"Oh. Is that so?" Sienna waggled her eyebrows at Celeste suggestively. Celeste buried her face in her hands. Emerie checked Sienna's leathers, but like Celeste, Sienna had no complaints.

Celeste's embarrassment faded gradually as she went back to examining herself in a mirror. She stuck a leg out and rotated it. "Wow. These really make my ass look good. Sienna, look at my ass."

"Very nice," Sienna chuckled. "But not as nice as mine."

Estelle rolled her eyes. Who admires their own ass? She wondered.

You have never been one who cared for personal appearances, the shadows pointed out.

What's the point? I wear the same things routinely. I keep my hair short so there's no reason to style it. I never dress up or wear makeup.

Perhaps you should try.

When I have a reason to care about my appearance, I will, Estelle snorted.

Celeste and Sienna vanished back into their dressing rooms and returned wearing their usual clothes. Emerie took their new leathers and rang them up. Estelle paid for them, then handed the wrapped clothing to the two Peregryns.

"Let's get back to the hut and change before training," Sienna suggested. "I can't wait to see what Calden and Mikael think of these." Celeste nodded and they dashed out the door.

"I'd better make sure they don't get lost," Estelle laughed.

"Good luck with training today," Mor called as she ducked outside.

◦═══✦═══◦

Training sessions were already in progress by the time Estelle, Sienna, and Celeste arrived. There was no sign of Nyx, Lysander, Corbin, or the Peregryn males. Estelle did see Ze'ev though. She narrowed her eyes, recognizing the male he spoke to. It was Ronan.

That's not good, she thought. They stepped into a training ring shortly, vanishing from sight.

Devlon flew into view, carrying Jorah. He landed and set his mate down. Briefly, he lowered his lips towards her ear. Jorah smiled when he walked away.

"Isn't that your mom?" Sienna asked, elbowing Estelle.

Estelle followed her gaze to where Seren stood outside a training ring. "Yes. I didn't know she was coming today."

"There you are!" Lysander called, running towards them. "I've been looking for you." He paused, running his hand through his hair. His hazel gaze traveled over Celeste. He blinked suddenly. "I wanted you to help me demonstrate that new move to my mom. The one we worked out together?"

"Oh, sure." Celeste took his hand and they sprinted away.

Estelle couldn't stifle the jealous feeling that pricked at her gut. How was it possible for her brother to have already befriended the Peregryns? And how was it possible that one of them was already seemingly falling for him? Estelle crossed her arms, clenching her jaw.

I suppose it helps that his first meeting with them didn't end with him arguing with the High Lord's son. Lysander has always been better at winning people over too. I'm just too...guarded, I guess. Estelle shoved the thoughts aside. I don't want to start thinking like that. My struggles are my own fault. I can't be jealous of Lys for something out of his control. I just need a distraction until this feeling passes.

She looked up, but Sienna was already gone. Estelle spied her in another training ring with Calden. The Angel of Dawn is near the eastern rings, the shadows said.

Estelle hesitated, then flew to the eastern rings. Sure enough, Mikael was standing beside one. He caught her eye as she approached. Estelle jerked her head to an empty ring and he nodded. They entered the ring and squared off, drawing their daggers.

"I think this is the first time you came looking for me, Batsy," Mikael remarked. "Are you feeling all right?"

"I needed a distraction." Znaniya's jagged blade glanced off of Mikael's dagger. "I figured your infuriating nature would serve as one well enough."

"I'm glad to be of use for something."

Estelle dodged his next attack before their blades locked once more. Mikael shoved her back a few paces. She stumbled, but caught herself. Estelle let her gaze wander over Mikael's tall frame as he circled her.

    He was wearing Illyrian leathers. They were well suited to his toned body. The layered leather wraps down his arm flaunted hard muscles. His sword was sheathed to his back in between his wings. The strap buckled across his chest. There was another sheath buckled around his thigh for his dagger.

His pants were lined with pockets and small straps of leather for throwing knives and other weapons. Estelle's mouth quirked sideways. The taut material left very little to the imagination. The tips of her ears warmed at the thought.

Handsome, the shadows tittered.

Estelle knit her brows. She hadn't heard the shadow who'd originally called him handsome in a long time. Usually, the shadows spoke in unison, but when a single one spoke to her, she remembered its voice. That shadow's voice was gone.

"Are you going to stare all day, Batsy, or are we here to train?" Mikael asked with a smirk.

Estelle pushed her thoughts aside and lunged at Mikael again. "What do you think of Windhaven?" She asked. "We've been here a little over a week. I'd say that's enough time to get a feel for the place."

"It's different from what I expected."

That took her by surprise. "Really? How so?"

"I was expecting it to be like the other war camps I've read about. Buildings falling apart, females locked in their huts, weapons buried after females touched them..." Mikael shrugged and reversed his dagger in his grasp. "But Windhaven isn't like that. Yes, the huts could use a lot of work. The food could be better, and there are a lot of pricks amongst your warriors. But I see more respect and equality than I thought I would."

"Windhaven has been the most receptive to Rhys' reformations," Estelle explained. "It's changed a lot since I first started coming here. Females are treated better and allowed to train. Wing clipping has been widely outlawed. Females are given the chance to participate in the Blood Rite too."

"The Blood Rite? I've only read a little about that. I can never find books talking about it."

"Illyrians keep it relatively quiet. It's typically only discussed amongst our kind. We don't want to risk anyone gaining unfair advantages by having help from someone outside."

"Could you tell me about it?" Mikael asked. He paused and sheathed his dagger.

Estelle regarded him for a moment and sheathed Znaniya. Finally, she nodded. "I'll explain it to you tonight. We'll go somewhere else where you can have a better view of Ramiel."

"Ramiel?"

"Later," Estelle repeated. Mikael gave her a short nod. Her gaze swept over him again. "You should see about getting some white Illyrian leathers."

"White shows blood," he pointed out.

"You'd look good in white, Feathers. Or maybe gold."

"Are you saying black isn't my color?"

Estelle shot him a coy smirk. "No. I'm saying it's mine."

"You should learn to share, Batsy." He brushed past her. "But I'll look into white, if that's what you want."

The Prince of Sunrises has earned more points, the shadows laughed. Estelle rolled her eyes but smiled.