Mikael found himself unable to sleep, so he set to work writing a letter to his fathers. Thesan would be happy to hear that he and Estelle had apologized to each other. Hopefully, things would continue to improve from there. Still, Mikael wished it hadn't taken something so horrible to prompt their apologies.

    He lowered his pen briefly and watched Estelle. She was soundly asleep, curled into a small ball with her wings folded over her. How had she managed to calm herself so quickly after such an ordeal? He couldn't shake the thought from his mind that perhaps she'd experienced something similar before.

    Anger twisted in his gut. He'd wanted to kill Ze'ev the moment he laid eyes on him. He'd wanted to kill Ronan and the other males too. It had taken all of his self restraint not to spear them through the heart with magic.

    Daggers through her wings. Her leathers ripped down to her elbows. Ze'ev pressing rough kisses to her skin. The pen snapped in half within Mikael's grasp. He raised his eyebrows, then hastily tucked it out of sight and retrieved another one.

    Umbra was no longer with him. The shadow had returned to Estelle and was curled against her cheek. All of the shadows were pressed against her tightly. Mikael rubbed his forehead, thinking. There were so many ways she could've gotten herself out of the situation, even while drunk. Then again, she hadn't been thinking clearly.

    Mikael sighed and ran a hand over his face. At least he'd listened to his instincts and found her. She was safe. She had apologized, and she had forgiven him. The front door creaked open and Mikael stiffened. He opened the bedroom door a fraction.

    Nyx walked past, then froze at the sight of him. "I wasn't expecting anyone to still be up."

    "I couldn't sleep," Mikael replied. I should tell him what happened. He needs to know. He glanced back at Estelle's sleeping form and sighed. It's not my secret to tell. I can only encourage her to tell them. I won't tell them for her. Not unless I feel like I absolutely have to.

    "Is everything all right?" Nyx asked.

    "Yes, everything is fine. Where were you?"

    "Estelle didn't tell you?"

    "She was a little...preoccupied this evening."

    "Dad called me to the Summer Court at the last minute."

    Mikael nodded and Nyx continued past. His scent trailed in his wake. Mikael recognized the rosy scent of the Spring Court overlapping Nyx's. There was a third scent too. A female's. Cherry blossoms and mist. Nyx hadn't gone to the Summer Court. He'd been in the Spring Court with a female.

    Mikael closed the door and stared at Estelle again. She had to have known if Nyx had asked her to tell everyone where he'd gone. Did that mean Lysander and Corbin knew as well, or just Estelle? Mikael shook his head and folded up his letter. This family certainly kept a lot of secrets. He wasn't keen on discovering them all. Golden magic swirled around the letter and it vanished from sight. It would be waiting on his father's desk by the time he woke.

    Umbra returned to Mikael's arm as he climbed into bed. He still didn't sleep. He lay awake, watching Estelle. He remained that way even as the first rays of dawn spilled through the window.

◦═══✦═══◦

    Estelle woke and stretched before rolling out of bed. Her head was surprisingly clear. Either she'd slept through a hangover or Mikael's magic could miraculously prevent them. If that was true though, why hadn't he cured his own when they first met?

    Mikael was already up and pulling on his leathers. Estelle eyed her discarded ones on the floor. "He ruined my favorite leathers," she huffed. She stood and grabbed another pair out of her already packed satchel.

    "I'm sure you can get another pair just like them," Mikael chuckled.

    "They were my favorites more for sentimental reasons than for looks or functionality." Estelle stepped into her other leathers and began buckling them. "They were a gift from my father when I first began training in Windhaven. Uncle Cassian gave me Znaniya that same day."

    "How old were you when you first started training here?"

    "Around sixty-five. Before that, Mom, Dad, and my aunts and uncles oversaw all of our training. We wanted to come to Windhaven sooner, but they wanted us to know everything we possibly could before coming, so that we'd be able to keep ourselves and each other safe."

    "I see." Mikael started for the door, then paused. "You really should tell your parents. Or at least tell Lysander or your cousins."

    Estelle shook her head. "They don't need to worry about me. Nothing happened and I'm all right."

    "Something could've happened. Something did happen." His gaze dipped to her collarbone, hidden beneath her leathers.

    "Something worse didn't happen. I'm not going to tell them. It will just worry and anger them."

    "So you'll let Ze'ev, Ronan, and the others get away with it?"

    "Of course not. They'll have their reckoning. I'll be the one who decides when, where, and how."

    "What if it happens again?"

    Estelle smiled and patted his shoulder as she walked past. "I'll just have to hope that you and my shadow are looking out for me, Feathers."

    Mikael stiffened. "You know about Umbra?"

    He named my shadow? Estelle wondered. "I saw it last night. I didn't know where it had gone for a long time. When did it start clinging to you?"

    "After our second argument while training in the Dawn Court."

    "After it called you handsome," Estelle snorted. "I should've known."

    "It called me... It called me what?"

    "You heard me perfectly fine. There's no need for me to repeat myself."

    Mikael stared at her, a grin spreading across his lips. "And was that sentiment an extension of your own, Batsy?"

    Estelle spun on her heel before he could see the blush that sprang into her cheeks. She hurriedly tried to wipe it away. She nodded to Celeste and Sienna as she walked towards the front door.

    "Where are you going?" Celeste called around a mouthful of porridge.

    "To see Devlon and Jorah. We go back to the Dawn Court tomorrow so I need to choose the next Illyrian group."

    "Choose someone funny and good looking!"

    "She means choose Lysander," Sienna laughed, rolling her eyes. Celeste blushed furiously.

    "Sorry, Celeste," Estelle giggled. "Lys is staying home this time around."

    "Why would I care?" Celeste scoffed, even as her blush deepened.

    Estelle ducked out the door, then felt her hips and groaned. Znaniya and Aesira weren't sheathed in their usual spots. She didn't even know if the blades had been reclaimed after Ze'ev stole them last night.

    I'll look for them later, she decided. I need to talk to Devlon and Jorah now.

    She crossed the camp, keeping an eye out for Ze'ev or Ronan. There was no sign of them. She reached Devlon and Jorah's hut and knocked on the door. Jorah opened it shortly.

    "I wondered when you'd arrive. Come in." Jorah held the door open and Estelle entered. "Have you thought of a list for the next exchange?"

    Estelle nodded. Devlon was seated at a table nearby. He gestured for her to continue. Estelle listed off the Illyrians rapidly. Devlon stroked his chin, thinking.

    "Ze'ev hasn't gone yet. Why didn't you include him this time?" He asked.

    "Ze'ev can go to the Dawn Court when I'm not there," Estelle replied. "I'm not dealing with him more than I have to. We shouldn't cause problems for Thesan and Commander Ameer, and you know Ze'ev and I have a tendency to fight."

    "And Nyx, Lysander, and Corbin aren't going this time, so they wouldn't be there to break up a fight before it escalates," Jorah pointed out.

    Estelle smothered a sigh. They don't trust me to break up a fight on my own yet. I suppose I know why. I'll have to work on that.

    "Fair enough," Devlon said. "Rhysand sent word this morning. He's on his way back from the Summer Court and wants you to meet him in Velaris."

    Estelle nodded to the Warlord and left the hut. Mikael, Calden, Nyx, and the Girls were already heading towards the training rings. "Aren't you coming?" Nyx hollered.

    Estelle shook her head. "I'm supposed to go to Velaris. Rhys wants to see me."

    Nyx shrugged and they continued on. Mikael broke away from the group and joined her. "Are you in trouble?" He asked.

    "No, I imagine he just wants to talk about how training is going and see if you and I are getting along any better."

    Mikael smiled. "He should be pleased in that area."

    "Hopefully." Estelle sighed, once again feeling the empty sheath on her thigh.

    "Where are your blades?" Mikael asked, knitting his brows.

    "Ze'ev stole them last night. I don't know if he still has them or if he dropped them somewhere. I'll look for them whenever I get back, assuming I have time."

    "You should get going then."

    Estelle nodded and leaped into the air. She flew above Windhaven, then let the shadows wrap around her. They carried her through the mountains and back to Velaris. She smiled as soon as she scented its salt and lemony fragrance. She would meet with Rhys, then visit her parents before returning to Windhaven. That would help soothe the remainder of her frazzled nerves. Estelle swooped down towards the city.

◦═══✦═══◦

    Mikael had no idea if he'd get in trouble for skipping training or not, but he didn't care. He retraced his steps, soaring over Windhaven until he saw the alleyway he'd found Estelle in the night prior. Mikael drew his wings up and landed.

    There was still evidence of a tussle. Crates were smashed and barrels were knocked over. There were bloodstains on the ground where Estelle's wings had been pinned down. Bits of torn leather littered the area as well.

    Hot anger ignited in his veins once more. Umbra tightened around his arm, pulling him towards the left. Mikael shoved his anger aside and let the shadow lead. He strode through the alleyway, searching for Estelle's weapons.

    Ze'ev had already destroyed one sentimental belonging of hers. Like hell he'd steal her weapons as well. How did he even get her weapons? Mikael wondered. He must've used magic, but he doesn't have siphons. I thought Illyrians weren't supposed to use their magic without siphons.

    An idea began to take shape in his mind. Estelle couldn't use the shadows or fight as well when she was drunk, but she could still access her magic. It was wild and dangerous, but perhaps she could learn to control it better without siphons. If she could do that now, how much more control would she have when she did receive her siphons? How many situations could her magic save her from?

    Mikael made up his mind in a heartbeat. He had only to convince Estelle and his father of his plan as well. Umbra ceased pulling as Mikael neared a barrel. He pried the top off of it and looked inside. Aesira and Znaniya were hidden within it. He pulled the blades out of the barrel and strapped them to his belt. He'd give them to Estelle whenever she returned, then convince her of his plan.