Three days later, it was time to return to the Night Court, and not a moment too soon. Calden, Celeste, and Sienna were staying behind this time, for which Estelle was grateful. She was struggling not to beat her friends senseless when their gazes lingered on Mikael a little too long.

    She reminded herself daily that it was just the new instincts that accompanied a Mating Bond, but she still felt guilty each time it happened. They were his friends and had known him far longer than she had, after all. She knew them. She trusted them. It didn't change her fiercely possessive instincts.

    Mikael was having his own issues as well. He'd been dragged into more fights in the past three days than Estelle had ever thought possible. Nyx only fought with him in an effort to help him expend his energy, and they always apologized to each other afterwards.

    Corbin did likewise, but he goaded Mikael into a fight first. He did so by making obscene remarks about Estelle. He apologized as well, both to Mikael, then to her, which usually sparked another fight because he touched or watched her too long. On purpose.

    As for Lysander... Estelle knew her little brother was struggling, but trying to accept the Bond between her and Mikael. Fighting with one another seemed to help them more than talking would.

    Those fights began with Lysander challenging Mikael's claim on Estelle, and Mikael being quick to back himself up. They spent hours yelling and beating each other into bloody messes, before heading off to the healer's hut, arms around one another like good friends.

    The Males' tensions would last far longer than Estelle's, and she was thankful for that knowledge. Still, she couldn't help but worry that their constant fighting would end up making them despise one another. Mikael did his best to calm those worries. He'd promised that he had no intentions of permanently harming or hating Nyx and Lysander. He was undecided with Corbin.

    She just hoped that news of the Mating Bond went over well with Azriel, Seren, and the rest of her family. Estelle was mostly worried about how her father would react. His approval mattered the most to her. More than anything, she wanted her father and her mate to get along. She loved them both too much to give up either of them for the sake of the other.

    Estelle gathered up the last of her belongings and situated her satchel over her shoulder. She checked that Znaniya and Aesira were secure in their sheaths before ducking out of the room. Celeste and Sienna lounged before the fireplace downstairs.

    "See you in two weeks," Sienna called.

    "At least shield your room in the hut so poor Nyx can sleep," Celeste laughed. "Or better yet, stay in separate rooms. You could, since we aren't going and Calden is staying behind."

    Estelle rolled her eyes. "Trust me. The minute Devlon and Jorah find out we're mates, they'll readjust our living situation." She tapped her chin. "At least, Devlon will try. Jorah might leave us alone."

    She waved and headed outside, Celeste and Sienna laughing in her wake. Estelle joined the exchange group just as they were preparing to take off. She located Mikael, and her brother and cousin. They leaped into the air, soaring away from the snow strewn training grounds.

    "Are you going to tell Mom and Dad as soon as we get there?" Lysander asked. "Nyx said Rhys told him they both went to deal with some troublemakers in Windhaven."

    "Troublemakers?" Estelle arched an eyebrow. "Ze'ev and his friends?"

    Lysander shrugged. "Nyx didn't say, but I assume so. It's always them."

    "I wonder what they've done now." Estelle clenched her jaw. "But yes, I plan on telling Mom and Dad as soon as possible." Lysander nodded and flew on ahead, joining Corbin.

    The air grew steadily colder, the closer they got to Windhaven. They passed another group of Peregryns and Illyrians heading to the Dawn Court. The shadows tensed around Estelle suddenly, as they flew over the Illyrian Mountains.

    What is it? She asked.

    There is something in the valley below. Something sinister, the shadows said. Something familiar.

    Estelle slowed her pace, falling behind the group. She pulled the shadows over herself so that no one could see her. She flew down towards the valley. The shadows tugged her back up.

    Don't go. Don't go, they pleaded. We cannot see. It isn't safe.

    "You can't see what's going on down there?" Estelle asked in surprise. The shadows could always see what was happening around them. "How is that possible?"

    We don't know.

    "Then we need to find out." Estelle flew faster. The shadows ceased fighting her, but their anxiety remained. Estelle drew her wings up and landed, snow swirling around her.

    She drew Aesira, keeping the shadows wound tightly about herself. Her footsteps made no sound on the freshly fallen snow and she left no tracks behind. Magic hummed within her veins, siphons glowing with power. Estelle kept her eyes peeled for anything out of place.

    What do you sense? She asked the shadows.

    An animal. A beast. A monster. Something prowling. Something hunting.

    Where?

    All around. Fly! The shadows urged.

    Something unseen slammed into Estelle's back. She cried out, flying across the valley and crashing into a tree. Aesira fell from her grasp, landing somewhere in the snow. Estelle hit the ground, panting hard.

    She flipped onto her feet, drawing Znaniya. There was no sign of whatever had hit her. Light blurred before her eyes. Estelle screamed, soaring backwards again. Her wings crunched against a rock, bending at wrong angles. Her scream shifted to an agonized roar.

    She couldn't see whatever was attacking her. She couldn't scent it. Couldn't feel it. Neither could the shadows. Attacks came from all sides now. Blows landed against her gut. Estelle vomited onto the snow. Her arms were wrenched backwards. The backs of her knees were kicked in. Znaniya was lost. Her siphons were pried from her hands, and something jerked her injured wings roughly.

    Estelle's screams filled the clearing. She risked causing an avalanche, she knew, but she couldn't stop. Cold steel sliced her side. Estelle pressed her hand against the wound, forcing herself up to her knees. Blood steamed as it spilt onto the ground.

    Blades were digging into her skin at every turn. She couldn't tell where they were coming from. The clearing was empty. Blood gushed from her numerous wounds. Estelle spied a glimmer of metal up ahead. She dragged herself towards it, the shadows helping her as best as they could.

    Estelle's head was forced backwards by something snatching her hair. Blinding pain tore through her body. Her wings felt as though they were on fire. What was happening? What was happening? What was happening! Estelle screamed and screamed and screamed. Still, the pain stretched on.

    Blood leaked from her mouth and nostrils. Her head was pounding. Estelle couldn't move. She couldn't feel anything but unrelenting agony. Panic flooded her mind. She couldn't see who or what was attacking her. It was going to kill her!

    Estelle flexed her hands, reaching for her crackling magic. She rolled onto her back, ignoring the scalding fire it sent down her spine. She threw her hands up and lightning erupted through the valley. Her palms burned from its release. She didn't know if she'd struck anything. It didn't matter. Estelle found the gleaming Bond within her chest and gave it a sharp yank. She managed to summon the shadows and plunged into an inky blackness.

◦═══✦═══◦

    The group reached Windhaven shortly. Mikael rubbed his forehead wearily. He wasn't feeling well for some reason. His limbs ached and there was a dark feeling in the pit of his stomach. There was a sudden, sharp jolt within his chest. He pushed the sensation aside, following Nyx, Lysander, and Corbin over to Azriel and Seren, who were waiting nearby.

    Seren hugged Lysander tightly. "It's good to see you," she said. "How was your Solstice?"

    "Eventful," Lysander replied with some hesitation. Azriel hugged him next.

    The formidable male stiffened, his gaze landing on Mikael. There was a shadow curled over his ear. Umbra tightened on Mikael's arm, hidden beneath his leathers. Azriel straightened and walked towards Mikael.

    He refused to break the male's gaze. Mikael held himself steady as Azriel looked him up and down. He knew the Shadowsinger must have scented the Mating Bond. His sharp hazel eyes took in the fading marks on Mikael's neck.

    Azriel closed his eyes briefly, tension radiating from him. Mikael waited for the Spymaster to speak. Seren hovered behind him, her scarred hands on Lysander's shoulders. Finally, Azriel lifted his head.

    "Do you deserve her?" He asked.

    Mikael clasped his hands behind his back. "No." Azriel tilted his head. "In your eyes, no one will ever truly deserve her. Not even her mate. Me." Lysander was shaking his head frantically. "But I will try my best to be worthy of her. To love and care for her as she deserves. To be the type of male you are...somewhat willing to trust your daughter's life to."

    "Do you love her?"

    "With all that I am."

    Azriel inclined his head. His gaze was distrustful, but also resigned, and perhaps a little joyful. "Care for her well." He narrowed his eyes, his voice becoming cold and hard. "Because if you don't... If I hear even one word of complaint about you from her, I will hunt you down and leave you in skinless pieces."

    Mikael didn't dare doubt the sincerity of the words. He lowered his eyes. "Yes, Sir."

    Seren pushed her mate aside and hugged Mikael gently. "Ignore him. He's always been overbearing." She drew back with a smile. "It will be nice to have another son."

    Mikael returned her smile. At least one of them likes me.

    Seren peered past his shoulder, knitting her brows. "Where is Estelle?"

    "I thought she was with you," Mikael said, gesturing towards Lysander.

    "She was when we left the Dawn Court, but I don't know who she flew with afterwards," he replied.

    Mikael swiveled on his heel, scanning the sparse crowd behind them. Lysander, Corbin, and Nyx searched as well. There was no sign of Estelle. Mikael became aware of the dark feeling in his stomach once more.

    "Where is Estelle?" Seren repeated, a hint of panic in her voice.

    "I...I don't know," Mikael admitted.

    "Where is my daughter?" Azriel snarled, starting towards him.

    Lysander stepped in between them. "Dad, no."

    Mikael reached for the Mating Bond. Estelle? He called, tugging as he did so. There was no response. Estelle? Where are you? Still nothing. Estelle, your father is seconds away from murdering me. Silence. Estelle!

    He met Nyx's gaze, shaking his head. "Where is she?" Seren's voice broke. At once, Azriel returned to her side, pulling her into a tight embrace. Tears lined her eyes and she trembled with fear. "She won't answer me. I can't find her. Where is she?"

    Estelle! Mikael called again. There was no response. Panicked fear gripped his heart and he doubled over, clutching the sides of his head. Where was she? Where was his mate?