It took four days for them to make their way back down Aurora. Mikael was ready to burst from pride and joy. He had completed his Rite, and he had finally given himself to his mate in the most intimate way he knew.

He found himself longing for the day when Estelle would be ready for them to be officially mated by a priestess. When he could spend each day with her, serving her any way she desired. He would wait. He had promised that he would wait.

His resolution didn't ease the way his instincts chafed at him, gnawing on his mind and body. It didn't ease the heat that roared in his blood when they lay huddled together at night for warmth and he caught a breath of her scent. When she walked in front of him, hips swaying as shadows curled around her neck. When she made some sort of snide remark in response to something he had said, and those wicked lips curved into a tantalizing smirk.

They hadn't done very much physically since they left the Fountain, not wanting to be caught unawares by animals or exposed to the still cold air for too long. There had been one night though, when Mikael lay awake, heat surging through his body, that Estelle had unlaced his pants and wrapped her mouth around him to take the edge off his instincts. He repaid the favor by sliding his fingers in between her legs and working in hard, rough strokes until she was limp and shivering, but from pleasure, not the cold.

That relief had only been temporary though, and by the time Mikael sensed the wards around Aurora, he was grateful that he'd soon be home, where he could fuck her until both of them were entirely satisfied. "Calm down, Feathers," Estelle laughed up ahead. "I can scent you from here."

"Sorry," Mikael murmured, blushing crimson. Umbra tickled his neck as it draped itself over his shoulder. "I hope my fathers won't be too angry with us."

"I suppose we'll find out soon enough. The wards are just up ahead. I can feel them."

Their unmistakable energy crackled through the air and the power only grew stronger, the closer to the wards they got. Mikael took Estelle's hand and they passed through the wards. At once, magic flooded his veins and Mikael breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't realized just how stifled his magic had really been.

Estelle's shadows danced with life, hopping between the two of them excitedly. She lifted her hand and electricity snapped between her fingertips. "Shall I carry us the rest of the way to the training grounds?" She asked. Mikael nodded and shadows swirled around the two of them.

Just as they arrived beyond the marked training rings, Ameer landed and Thesan materialized beside him. Mikael lifted his chin as his fathers stalked towards them. He angled himself in between them and Estelle, harsh protective instincts already overtaking his mind.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Ameer demanded. "Entering the Rite without permission? Dragging your mate along with you? Not letting anyone know where you'd gone? You could have died! Do you realize that?"

"I came of my own accord," Estelle interrupted. Ameer glowered at her and Mikael's feathers ruffled. He curled his hands into fists.

Thesan gripped Ameer's shoulder tightly, casting a pointed glance at Mikael. "Give them a chance to explain." His father's voice was hard with anger, despite his calm words.

Mikael gave Thesan a grateful look. "Ronan taunted me again. He insulted the two of you and Estelle on my behalf. I decided that I had to do something. I had to prove that I'm just as capable and worthy as anyone else, even though I'm a bastard. I'm tired of being seen as worthless filth. I'm tired of not being enough. I'm tired of my people looking at my family and loved ones, and judging them for what I am."

"I knew I was ready to complete the Rite," Mikael continued. "I didn't ask because I thought you would say no again. This was something I had to do. I needed a way to prove something to myself and to the Court. I knew the Rite would help me accomplish that. Estelle came because she didn't want me to go alone. If you're angry at me, I understand, but leave her out of it."

Ameer crossed his arms, shaking his head angrily. "You didn't think to talk to us about it first? We would have understood."

"You would've tried to understand," Mikael corrected. "But then you would've given me the same advice as always. Be myself. Be patient. Keep trying. They'll come around. Just wait."

Thesan began to reply, but Mikael cut him off. "I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of going about my own business and hearing whispers behind my back at every turn. I'm tired of having my fathers insulted. I'm tired of hearing people call my mother a whore. I don't want people calling my mate a bastard's whore! What have any of you ever done to deserve that? What have I done?"

"Entering the Rite without permission won't entirely solve those problems," Thesan replied.

"I know, but it made me feel better about myself. I hope that my people will see that I'm still dedicated to serving them despite how they've treated me. We scaled Aurora. We drank from the Fountain of Dawn. I took my Warrior's Vow. I pledged myself to this Court and to these people, just like every High Lord, Peregryn, and warrior that has come before me."

Mikael held Thesan's gaze, his heart hammering against his chest. "You did." Thesan closed his eyes briefly. "But you entered the Rite without permission. Because you completed it, you are a warrior. Because you disobeyed that rule, however, you will not be allowed to wear the golden armor of a fully fledged Peregryn during battle or otherwise."

Mikael loosed a heavy breath. "I can live with that. I have Illyrian leathers, and those are better anyway."

Thesan barked a dry laugh and pulled him into a tight embrace. "I'm glad you're all right, my son. You as well." Mikael knew he was speaking to Estelle. Ameer hugged him as soon as Thesan let go.

"Are my brother and cousins still here?" Estelle asked hopefully.

"No, we sent them back to Windhaven during the exchange. Calden, Celeste, and Sienna went along as well," Thesan explained. "We didn't want them here when you returned, in case they chose to cause a scene. They were all very worried about you. So were we."

"I'm sorry we worried you."

"Did you face any particularly rough challenges?" Ameer asked.

Estelle grimaced. "We were caught in a landslide."

"A pity it didn't finish the job," someone scoffed. Mikael narrowed his eyes, spotting Ronan. "You aren't fit to call yourself a warrior. You aren't fit to call yourself the Heir. And you..." A growl rumbled in Mikael's chest as Ronan's gaze landed on Estelle. "You're just a murdering half breed slut. I suppose you might be the one thing he deserves."

Estelle started forward, her shadows poised to strike, but Mikael blocked her with an arm. Thesan took her by the shoulder and drew her back. Mikael cracked his neck, shaking out his wings. "I'm a warrior now, regardless of your feelings on the matter. Why don't you just challenge me so we can finally end this, Ronan? I'm sure we're both tired of all the effort you put into empty threats and insults."

"Fine," Ronan snarled. "I challenge you, Mikael Anik. No blades. No magic." He narrowed his eyes, something sinister flashing through them. "I want to feel you die." He pointed to an empty training ring. Peregryns and Illyrians alike were staring at the two of them. "Ten minutes." Ronan stormed away.

"What just happened?" Estelle asked, her eyes wide.

"It's called the Peregryn Vendetta," Mikael explained. "It's something only fully fledged warriors can participate in. It's how we settle old feuds."

"Settle them how?"

"A fight to the death." Mikael combed his fingers through his hair, studying the ring while drawing steady breaths.

"No." Estelle grabbed his arm. "No, you can't do that. You can't."

"The match is set. To back out now would mean Mikael revokes his status as a warrior," Ameer sighed.

"And I would lose what little respect my people have for me," Mikael added.

"But a fight to the death? You can't." Shadows flickered over Estelle's features, shrouding them in darkness.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Batsy," Mikael chuckled. He sensed her fear over the Bond and wrapped her in a tight embrace. "We wouldn't really be warriors if we didn't have some sort of bloody tradition."

His fathers watched him, remorse shining in their eyes. They wouldn't interfere if things went poorly. At least, he hoped they wouldn't. He hoped they would adhere to the laws of the Vendetta and let him finish this fight alone.

Please don't do this, Estelle pleaded. Please, Mikael.

I have to.

No, you don't.

If Ze'ev challenged you to a fight like this, would you back out of it? Estelle didn't answer. Mikael stroked her hair, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. I have to do this, Estelle.

My father will kill you if you hurt me. If you let Ronan kill you, it will hurt me.

I'd be dead before your father could touch me in that situation.

Do you think you'll be safe from him in the afterlife? Do you think you'll be safe from me?

I will never be safe from you, Mikael replied. You torment me. I never want that torture to end. Wicked, cunning creature. He hooked a finger beneath her chin and tilted her head up, kissing her gently. I love you.

Mikael broke away and approached the marked ring. Ronan was already waiting. The other warriors and novices had ceased sparring and were gathered close by. There hadn't been a Peregryn Vendetta in over fifty years. Mikael was certain many of them had been waiting for this one to occur. They wanted to know who won. A full blooded Peregryn warrior, or a half breed bastard?

"What a touching display," Ronan jeered. "I'll personally escort your mate back to the Night Court after your death. I'm sure there will be someone there who might have an interest in her."

From the corner of his eye, Mikael saw Thesan and Ameer take up defensive stances around Estelle. She would be safe with them, no matter what happened to him. Mikael formed his hands into fists and squared off.

"I am going to take every bad thing you ever said about my family and shove them down your throat," Mikael growled. "And you are not going to enjoy it." Ronan lunged at him with an angry roar.