Estelle woke to familiar surroundings. She was in her room at the townhouse. She lay beneath her bedcovers, dressed in a light shirt and a pair of shorts. The shadows were hovering around her, whispering incessantly. Magic hummed through her veins, and she felt very little soreness throughout her body.

Estelle twisted and saw her siphons sitting on a table. Her weapons lay sheathed beside the gems. Mikael's weapons were there too. She shifted again. Mikael was nowhere to be seen. Instead, it was Lysander sprawled across the bed beside her, snoring even louder than their Uncle Cassian.

She smiled, both in amusement and affection. Her heart clenched and she looked away. She caught sight of her parents next. They sat in a chair near the fireplace. Azriel's head was propped up by his hand. Seren was asleep on his lap, her dark head resting against his chest. Shadows surrounded the two of them.

Estelle watched them for a few moments. Lysander's snores ceased and she glanced at him. He watched her through wide hazel eyes. "How do you feel?"

"Much better," Estelle replied. Her mouth was as dry as sawdust. "Is there any water around here?"

Lysander nodded and sat up. He pulled a cup off a nightstand and filled it with water from the pitcher beside it. He offered her the cup. Estelle took it gingerly and drank. Lysander bit his lip, averting his eyes.

"Where's Mikael?" She asked when her cup was empty.

"In one of the guest rooms. Madja is treating him now. He refused to let her near him until she'd taken care of you."

"Are Thesan and Ameer here?"

Lysander nodded. "They're with Mikael and Madja." He combed his fingers through his hair with a sigh. Lysander lifted his pendant and brushed his thumb over the crest. "I'm sorry, Estelle. We didn't realize you were gone until the next morning. By then, it was too late. Devlon confirmed that the Rite had begun and we knew you'd been pulled into it. There was nothing we could do. Devlon called Rhys, Nyx, Feyre, and Venelia back from the Spring Court, but..."

Estelle gripped her brother's hand, squeezing it tightly. "I know, Lys. There's nothing anyone could've done. We survived. That's what's important."

Lysander smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You reached the summit. You touched the monolith. Devlon realized it as soon as Dad left with you and Mikael. You're a Carynthian warrior, Essie."

Estelle rested her head back against her pillow, laughing weakly. "I don't give a fuck what I am. I'm alive, and so is Mikael."

"Watch your language," Seren interrupted. She and Azriel were awake, watching them with shining eyes.

"You've said it too, Mom," Lysander pointed out.

Seren slid off Azriel's lap and bent over Estelle, kissing her forehead. Estelle hugged her tightly, a lump forming in her throat. "Do you need anything? Are you sore? Hungry? Thirsty?" Seren asked, smoothing hair from Estelle's face. "Perhaps I should let Madja know you're awake, or Amren and Lucien."

"They're here again?" Estelle raised an eyebrow.

"They came the moment we told them you were dragged into the Blood Rite," Azriel replied. "Everyone is here."

"I'll let them know you're all right," Seren said. "I love you, Sweetheart." She planted another kiss on Estelle's forehead before backing away. "Lysander?"

He leaned over and hugged Estelle, squeezing until she was certain her eyes were going to pop out of her head. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," she replied. Finally, Lysander let go and joined Seren.

Estelle moved into a sitting position and Azriel joined her on the bed. "I told you you'd make it someday," he said. "I just wish it hadn't cost you so much."

Estelle swallowed. "Am I...all right? My wings?"

Azriel gestured for her to lean forward and she complied. His scarred hands were gentle as he brushed them across the area on her wings where the chains had injured her. "Madja was able to heal the wounds and stave off any lingering effects of the ashwood. You'll be all right. There are scars though. Mikael is going to have some too."

Estelle breathed a sigh of relief. She could live with scars. That was better than losing her wings entirely. "How did this happen, Little Bat?" Azriel asked.

"I'll explain everything when Mikael and I can tell the story together. I don't want to repeat it more than is necessary, so everyone who needs to hear it right away should be with us when we share it."

Azriel gave a slow nod and pulled her into his arms. "You will be the death of your mother and I someday."

Estelle closed her eyes with a smile. "Give Lys some credit too, Dad."

"Lysander hasn't disappeared and nearly died three times in the span of a few months."

"Give him time." Estelle opened her eyes after a moment. "Starfall is in a few days."

"Are you still going to be mated?" She nodded against Azriel's shoulder. He sighed, hugging her tighter still. "It's going to be hard without you here."

"I guess training in the Dawn Court and Windhaven has helped us all get ready for the adjustment," Estelle replied. "And I'll visit so much that you won't even notice the moments when I'm not here."

"I'll always notice, Little Bat. I'll always be waiting for you to come home, or say that you need me. That's what I do. That's what your mother does. That's what Lysander does. It's what you do."

"I know. I Iove you, Dad."

"I love you too." Azriel stroked her hair gently. He released her when the door opened, revealing Madja.

"Is Mikael all right?" Estelle asked at once.

"He's fine. He wants to see you. Let me check you over before you try to get up. Would you like me to help you over to his room?" Madja leaned over her, tilting her head from side to side.

"I'll take her," Azriel offered. "I'm sure you're ready for a rest." Madja flashed him a grateful smile and resumed her inspection.

◦═══✦═══◦

"I specifically told you to stay out of trouble," Thesan scolded as he hugged Mikael.

"I'm sorry, Father," Mikael replied. "But it wasn't my fault this time."

"We know." Ameer nudged Thesan aside and embraced Mikael too. "Rhysand told us you were entered into the Blood Rite. It was all I could do to keep Thesan from strangling Devlon."

Mikael glanced at Thesan, who merely shrugged with a sheepish smile. "Well, I'm glad you didn't. His child would've grown up fatherless."

Thesan raised his eyebrows. "Jorah is pregnant? I hadn't noticed."

"You didn't?" Ameer gave him an incredulous look.

"You did?"

Mikael straightened as the door opened. He gave a breathless sigh of relief as Azriel helped Estelle into the room. Thesan scooted over, making room for her. She crawled onto the bed and slipped her arms around Mikael. He held her tightly and she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Are you all right?" Estelle asked. He could have wept, hearing her sounding like her old self.

He managed to fight a husky rasp from his voice as he replied, "I'm fine. Just a few scars and some soreness. You?"

"I'm all right."

She stroked the Bond and Mikael closed his eyes, his shoulders shaking with smothered sobs. He could feel the Bond as strongly as ever. It glowed with a brilliant light as he tugged it. Umbra squeezed his arm and the other shadows draped themselves over his shoulders.

"Do you want to tell us what happened now or later?" Ameer asked.

I'm ready if you are, Estelle said over the Bond.

"We're ready," Mikael answered.

"But bring only those you have to right now," Estelle added. Ameer nodded and briefly touched his forehead to Mikael's before leaving the room.

Thesan rubbed Estelle's shoulder, offering her a small smile. "I'm glad you're all right." Estelle returned his smile and he ducked out the door behind Ameer.

Mikael was aware of Azriel's gaze on them, but he continued to hold Estelle. He stroked her hair with one hand and traced soothing circles on her back with the other. She buried her face in his neck, inhaling his scent. Her own drifted up to him, smoke and snowdrops.

After a moment, she let go and slid off the bed. "I'm going to the bathroom," she announced and closed the door behind her.

Mikael looked down, crossing his arms over his knees. Umbra brushed across his cheek. "She asked me why the shadows chose to stay with you," Azriel said. "Shortly after the training exchange began. I knew then, what you were. Who you were."

Mikael didn't look up or speak as Azriel continued. "I was hesitant and overly protective. I knew how your first meeting ended. I didn't want my daughter with someone like that. But things changed. I watched her fall in love with you. She told us what you were really like. She told me when she first suspected you were her mate."

"I didn't want to accept it. I still don't." The Shadowsinger drifted closer and Mikael risked a glance up. "But I will. I see how much she loves you, and how much you love her. I know how happy you make her. That's all I want. To see her safe and happy. To see her given everything that she deserves and more. I will accept that she has chosen you. I will accept that you are mates. I will accept that she might not need me as much anymore. And..."

    "I know," Mikael interrupted. "You'll kill me if I hurt her."

    Azriel inclined his head. "Well, yes, but that's not what I was going to say." Mikael waited expectantly. "I was going to say that Seren is right. It will be nice to have another son." His lips twisted into a cunning smile. "One that I'm not required to be nice to."

    "Likewise," Mikael chuckled. The bathroom door creaked open and Estelle returned. She settled on Mikael's lap, hooking her arms around his neck. "How much of that did you hear?" He asked, noticing her smirk.

    "Nearly all of it. Why do you think I chose to go to the bathroom? I didn't actually need to." Mikael rolled her eyes as she flicked his chin, flashing him a coy smile. Estelle tilted her head back, watching her father. "I don't care how often you beat each other up, just so long as no permanent damage is done to either of you. And leave his dick alone." Mikael flushed as Azriel scowled.

    They were all saved from whatever might've come next by the bedroom door swinging open. Seren, Thesan, and Ameer entered, accompanied by Nyx, Corbin, Lysander, Rhysand, Feyre, Devlon, Jorah, and Cassian. A larger group than Mikael had expected, but he recognized that all of their presences were necessary.

    "Walk us through what happened," Rhysand instructed.

    And they did. They explained how they'd been stolen out of the hut. They explained how they woke up and found their way to each other. They told of Ze'ev's dark powers and the creatures he raised from the dead. They told of his demise and their suspicions that he had found a spell book or a mentor. They were only interrupted a few times, when asked a specific question or told to elaborate on something.

    Rhysand spoke again when they finished. "I'll speak to Amren and possibly Helion. We'll look into how Ze'ev got his hands on those siphons and how he learned necromancy. I'm afraid we won't be able to recover his body to examine it ourselves though. The Rite has ended, and the wards will keep anyone from setting foot on Ramiel until next year."

    "But we will figure this out. I promise, Estelle. Az." Rhysand glanced at the Spymaster briefly. He touched Estelle's shoulder. Mikael had to bite down a sudden surge of protective instincts. As if sensing his feelings, Rhysand removed his hand at once. "Devlon, Jorah, Feyre, and I have discussed this amongst ourselves." He inclined his head to Devlon.

    Devlon straightened, but didn't move away from Jorah. His hand rested on her slightly rounded stomach. Mikael smiled, catching a hint of the female's scent. Estelle returned his smile and he knew she'd caught it too.

    "You weren't supposed to enter the Rite this year, but you passed regardless of the circumstances you faced," Devlon said. "Both of you have earned the rank of Carynthian warriors."

    "Even me?" Mikael asked, raising his eyebrows. "But I'm not an Illyrian."

    "You passed the Rite as any Illyrian would," Jorah replied. "You have earned the title, though you fly with your own people."

    "Thank you."

    "You'll also receive your warrior tattoos," Devlon said, looking at Estelle. "Come to Windhaven whenever you're ready."

    "And Mikael?" She urged.

    Devlon rolled his eyes with a sigh. Jorah elbowed him sharply. "Yes, Mikael will be given tattoos too, if he wants them."

    "Do they come in gold?" Mikael asked, glancing at Estelle from the corner of his eye. She was smiling.

    "I'll see what can be done," Jorah promised. "Don't rely on Devlon for anything color related."

    "Estelle, these are for you." Feyre held out a small box. Estelle took it wordlessly and removed the lid. Inside sat five more golden siphons, like the two she already had.

    "Seven siphons?" Corbin exclaimed. "That's not fair. Why do Estelle and Nyx get seven siphons?"

    "Mine were a mating present and I needed them," Nyx pointed out.

    "And I've earned these and also need them," Estelle added.

    "You'll receive more siphons later on," Cassian promised, ruffling Corbin's golden brown hair.

    "Thank you!" Estelle stared at the gems, her delight evident.

    "Come," Feyre said after a moment. "Let's give these two some time alone." She began ushering everyone out the door.

    Seren kissed Estelle's forehead, then Mikael's. He couldn't bite back his smile. Thesan hugged them both before Ameer pulled him out of the room. Seren wrapped an arm around Azriel's shoulders and guided him out as well, closing the door softly behind them.

    Mikael cupped Estelle's cheek in his hand and kissed her deeply. She leaned into him with a contented sigh. "Let's discuss our mating ceremony," she said.

    "A discussion that is long overdue," Mikael laughed.