"Madja said I'm making good progress," Estelle reported as she stood in the center of her room, stretching her wings.

Mikael sat nearby with his arms crossed over his chest. Celeste and Sienna were on the bed behind Estelle. She gritted her teeth, lifting her wings again. There was some soreness in her shoulders, but no pain. Mikael rose as she attempted to extend her wings fully.

He came to her side and Estelle gripped his shoulder, sucking down a deep breath. She managed to stretch her wings out halfway before she felt a jolt of pain. "Does it hurt?" Sienna asked. "Have you been using the salves that I helped Madja make?"

"Yes," she replied. "But those won't help loosen up the muscles and joints. They'll only relieve pain and quicken the healing process."

"Maybe Mikael should help you apply it," Celeste laughed, flashing them a suggestive look. "I'm sure you'd be able to loosen your wings up then."

Mikael rolled his eyes. "You talk as though I can't restrain myself."

"Can you restrain yourself?"

"Yes."

"Barely," Estelle added. Mikael frowned and she laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. "It's all right, Feathers. You know I struggle just as much as you do."

"Maybe if you would...loosen up..." Celeste cackled, "you wouldn't struggle quite so much."

Mikael's face flushed red. "I think Calden needed me for something. I'll be back soon."

He hurried out of the room, but Estelle could sense his longing to stay. He'd hardly left her side, even for a few minutes, in the past six days. Lysander had brought his things over from Rhys and Feyre's estate, since Mikael seemed disinclined to return there any time soon.

Estelle had expected to hear complaints from her father about Mikael sleeping in her room. In her bed. With her. But, surprisingly, Azriel said nothing. He'd walked in on them the first morning Mikael had stayed there. He merely apologized, asked if Estelle needed anything, and left without even glaring at Mikael's sleeping form.

She took it as a sign that her father was trying to accept that she now had a mate. Estelle told Mikael about that event and he had been mildly optimistic as well. "I haven't seen Mikael blush that hard in a long time," Sienna chuckled, drawing Estelle out of her thoughts.

"Me neither. That's rather interesting, considering how often he gets hard," Celeste laughed.

Estelle clenched her hands into fists, measuring her breaths. Possessive instincts flooded her mind and the shadows coiled atop her shoulders. Ours, they hissed. Prince of Sunrises. Angel of Dawn. Ours. Ours. Ours.

Estelle closed her eyes, spreading her wings again, hoping that her aching muscles would distract her mind. Celeste means no harm, she told herself. She's just joking. She has Lysander. She doesn't want Mikael.

Jealousy tightened in her stomach, remembering that there had been a time when Celeste did want Mikael. There had been a time when they were together. When they'd actually... Estelle shoved the thoughts aside.

That was a long time ago, she thought. And I was with other males beside Mikael. I have no right to be jealous of that. It was instinct. It was purely instinct that was causing her to feel that way.

"Have you actually consummated your mating?" Celeste asked.

"No," Estelle replied, hoping her voice wasn't actually as cold as it sounded. "We've been a little focused on other things."

"Maybe if you did, it would help take the edge off of your instincts," Sienna pointed out.

"It would only strengthen certain instincts," Celeste scoffed. "I don't think that would help."

Estelle pursed her lips, thinking. "You're both right. It would take the edge off of things for a little while, but then the...frenzy...would set in and Mikael's instincts, at least, would be even stronger than they are now."

Sienna grimaced. "You definitely don't want to be dealing with the frenzy right now."

"No, I don't." She turned as someone knocked on the doorframe. Nyx hovered in the hallway. He smiled. "Is it time?" Estelle asked. Nyx gave her a nod.

Celeste and Sienna rose and followed her out the door. Seren was waiting at the base of the stairs. "Don't let her out of your sight, Nyx," she said. "Don't let her try to fly either. And don't take too long. You still need to take things easy, Estelle."

"Don't worry, Mom," Estelle sighed, even as she took Nyx's arm to appease her. The four of them left the house quickly.

"We'll see you later," Celeste called. She and Sienna leaped into the air, spreading their feathered wings and soaring away.

When they passed the wards around the townhouse, Nyx winnowed. They arrived at the river estate shortly. Nyx's smile grew as they stepped inside. A vaguely familiar red headed female was waiting in the grand entrance.

Estelle released Nyx's arm as he held his hand out to Venelia. She took it, her own full lips stretching into a stunning smile. "Estelle! I've heard a lot about you." Her emerald eyes glistened excitedly. "Nyx has been really worried about you, and I shared his concerns. I'm glad you're well and that we're able to meet one another outside of awkward meetings between High Lords."

"It's nice to actually meet you too," Estelle giggled. "I doubt I've heard as much about you as you have of me. Nyx was determined to keep you a mystery."

Venelia's smile lessened. "With good cause. We didn't know who we could trust, and the less our friends knew, the better."

"I understand. Do you like the Night Court?"

Venelia brightened once again, nodding vigorously. "It's beautiful. I've never seen snow before. Nyx has shown me all of the winter constellations too."

"You've never been to the Winter Court?" Estelle raised an eyebrow.

Venelia shook her head. "My father never takes me anywhere. This is my first time outside of the Spring Court."

"Oh. Well, what are some things you like to do?" Estelle fell in step beside Nyx and his mate as they headed towards a sitting room.

◦═══✦═══◦

Mikael sat in a chair near a window, waiting impatiently for Estelle's return. Seren had told him that she'd gone with Nyx to meet Venelia. He forced himself to remain at the townhouse, not wanting to interfere with their visit. It was proving a difficult task.

He drummed his fingers against a table and Umbra wove in between them, stopping him. Mikael sighed, but didn't protest. He perked up as two figures appeared beyond the gates of the yard. Nyx walked Estelle up to the front doors before leaving.

Mikael heard the doors close and Estelle mounted the stairs. "You're back," she said, entering her bedroom. "Did you and Calden finish up your business?"

"We went to Rita's with Corbin and Lysander," he admitted.

"You drank without me?" Estelle gasped.

Mikael smirked. "Only a little. But, I brought you a gift." He held out his palm and a bottle appeared in it. Estelle gave a triumphant cry and made a grab for it. Mikael held it out of reach. "No one will kill me if I give this to you?"

"I'll kill you if you don't."

"What do I get in exchange?"

Estelle thought for a moment. She looked him up and down. "I promised to paint you in those, didn't I?"

Mikael grinned. He was wearing his white and gold Illyrian leathers. "You did."

"Is my mother in the art studio?"

"No, she left for Windhaven right after I got back."

"My father?"

"Gone on business with Rhysand."

"Then let's go." She grabbed his free hand and dragged him out of the room. Mikael couldn't help but laugh.

As soon as they reached the art studio, Estelle set to work retrieving an easel and canvas. She selected a few paints and uncapped them. She held out her hand expectantly, flicking her fingers. Mikael handed her the bottle. She opened it and took a sip, then set it aside.

"What do you want me to do?" He asked.

Estelle studied him briefly, brows furrowed in concentration. "Stand there with your head bowed, wings slightly spread, and your hands curved, as if you were focusing your magic."

Mikael obeyed, taking the pose she wanted. Estelle dragged her fingers through the wet paint and began. He didn't move as she worked, even when she paused to take a few drinks from the bottle.

"Sienna had a suggestion for us," she remarked.

"Oh? What was it?"

"She thinks that if we consummated our mating, it might help take the edge off our instincts."

"I'm not so sure about that. I think it would make them worse."

"That's what Celeste said. I told them that they were both right. It would help a little, but then the frenzy would begin and our instincts, yours especially, would only grow stronger."

"But?"

"But it might be something worth looking into."

Mikael lifted his head. "You tell me when and where, Batsy, and you can have me however you want, for as long as you want."

"And suppose I said I wanted you now?"

Mikael flashed her a wicked smirk. "I would ask if you'd like it on my lap or from behind, because I couldn't properly take care of you on your back right now, in case it hurt your wings."

Estelle stared at him, her fingers pausing on the painting. "You are a devil in disguise, Feathers."

"So I've been told."

She resumed painting, the tips of her ears turning red. "You know, I've never actually done it on someone's lap before."

"Really?"

She nodded, taking another draught from her bottle. She swiped a hand over her mouth, leaving gold paint blotted across her lips. Her eyes flickered up, meeting his. "What's it like?"

"Come find out."

"Take those leathers off. I don't want to get paint on them."

Mikael stood obediently, unbuckling the straps down his chest and legs. He unzipped the leathers and cast them aside, keeping only his undershirt and thin pants on. Mikael sat down on a low backed chair as Estelle approached. He cast a shield over the room.

She straddled his lap and he slipped his hands beneath her thighs, pulling her forward. Estelle hooked her arms around his neck, her breathing shallow. His heart raced as he held her by the hips.

"I might start by kissing your neck," he said. He leaned forward, leaving feather soft kisses against her skin. "Or your lips." He dragged his mouth across hers, stealing the gold paint that shimmered there. Estelle's breath was warm on his jaw. He kissed her neck again, each touch leaving a smear of gold behind.

"And you could roll your hips." He tightened his hold on her, guiding her through the motion. Mikael gulped down a groan at the sensation. Estelle leaned her head back, her chest heaving. "And when we were ready, this is what I would do." He thrust his hips up, his body already aching with heat and need. Estelle moaned softly, her fingers finding his hair. Her scent reached him, warm with desire.

"But if I was being naughty, I might tease you with my fingers first," Mikael continued. He slid his hand into her pants, his fingers finding their mark between her legs. Estelle kept rolling her hips, shivering as he rubbed his fingers against her. She swallowed, then moaned a little louder. He edged two of them inside her and began working them slowly in and out. Estelle whimpered.

"Sound like a good idea?" He rasped, his voice husky.

"Yes," she moaned, grinding harder against his fingers.

Mikael watched her, heat pooling in his stomach. She still had her head tilted back, eyes partially closed and mouth open. Her features were contorted with pleasure, but also need. He would give her what she needed. What she wanted. Estelle's hands set to work unlacing his pants.

A fist pounded on the door and Estelle jerked her head over her shoulder. "There's only one reason this room would be shielded! Mikael is going to want to run if Dad finds out!" Lysander hollered, a hint of laughter in his voice. "They'll be back soon. You'd better get cleaned up."

Mikael gave a small exasperated laugh as Lysander's footsteps receded. Estelle leaned her forehead against his with a sigh. "We'll pick this up later, Batsy," Mikael promised, pressing a kiss to her lips. She gasped as he gave one last thrust with his fingers before pulling them out.