The artwork above is not mine.

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A week had passed since they returned from Arcelia. Nascha found herself caught in a tide of confusion that she couldn't seem to escape. She went about her usual routine, trying her hardest to act like nothing was wrong. She didn't know what she would say if someone asked about her behavior. She didn't know how to explain what she was feeling.

Being back in her old home had dredged up many painful memories that now refused to be staunched. She dreamed of her family almost every night. Sometimes when she woke, she thought she heard them calling to her. They were...haunting her. Haunting her dreams. Her waking hours. Following her every footstep. She couldn't rid herself of them.

Their ghosts brought her questions about Arcelia. Was she doing the right thing, refusing to take her place? Would she find peace if she became Lady of Arcelia? If she did everything within her power to stop her people from going to war? Would that bring her family peace? She knew it wouldn't be easy. She couldn't accept Aelin, Rayan, and Eliora's terms and just find a replacement for herself.

Even if she took her place, there would still be people clamoring for war. Not everyone seemed to agree with Rayan and Eliora's promise of peace for six months. Already, there were reports of extremists stirring up trouble. Nascha had been forced to stay in the Bane's camp one night while Fenrys, accompanied by Rowan, Lorcan, and Vaughan, went to inspect the damage done to one village.

She didn't mind the brief break from Fenrys' company. She was confused in regards to him too. He still infuriated her. His constant supervision was driving her insane. She wasn't sure how to react when he flirted with her. And he was flirting with her a lot, both in private, and in public.

It was all she could do to keep herself from blushing when he teased her. She claimed her blush was from anger and embarrassment, but she wasn't sure that was actually the truth. The way her stomach flipped in response to him made her think otherwise.

Fenrys hadn't brought up their pact again since they left Arcelia, for which she was grateful. If anyone learned about that, she was certain she would die. Nascha hadn't spoken of it to Aeron or Lysandra, and she had no intention to.

She didn't want to tell Aeron because she knew he would tease her about it, likely in front of Fenrys. She wasn't worried about Lysandra doing that, but she was worried that if she told her, Aedion would be the next to know. If he found out, it wouldn't be long before the entire Court did. That was the last thing she wanted.

It was probably the last thing Fenrys wanted too. Nascha couldn't help but notice the change in his behavior when he came to the Bane's camp to watch her train. Every time Aeron touched her, teased her, or flirted with her, Fenrys grew tense and irritated. The same thing happened to her, especially when Fenrys hopped into a sparring ring with an opponent and the female onlookers made no move to hide which parts of him had caught their attention.

Some of them liked to study his bronze chest when he removed his shirt. Others let their eyes linger on his sculpted abdomen. Most of them chose to look just below his hips. Fenrys never seemed to notice, but Nascha did. It was all she could do to keep herself from giving a warning snarl. She settled for glares that usually sent the groups scattering when they noticed her.

Nascha couldn't understand her reactions. It was completely irrational. Why should she feel so...possessive, of him when she hated his guts and had no claim on him whatsoever? If Fenrys noticed her behavior, he made no comment on it. She did likewise, but with each passing day, she was becoming more and more confused.

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"What do you think of this?" Lysandra asked, holding up a bolt of crimson fabric. She lifted it to Evangeline's shoulders. Evangeline wrinkled her nose, eyeing the material thoughtfully.

"I think it would look stunning on you," Aelin said, winking at the young girl. "It makes your eyes sparkle."

Evangeline smiled, running her fingers over the fabric. "Nascha?" Lysandra's gaze flickered to her.

Nascha looked up from the navy fabric she'd been examining. "I think it looks very nice. What will it be for?"

"Midsummer's Eve," Lysandra replied.

"I'm hosting a ball for it this year," Aelin explained. "It's still a few months away, but it's never too early to prepare an extravagant gown."

Nascha resumed browsing, a smile tugging at her lips. "The last time I went to a Midsummer's Eve celebration was when Zeno and I were in Aklease."

"How did you celebrate?" Lysandra asked, carrying the crimson fabric over to a counter. The seamstress set it aside and grabbed a measuring tape. She began measuring Evangeline and writing down the numbers.

"There was a festival in one of the nicer market squares. They had music, games, food, and plenty of drinks. I was so mad at Zeno when he only let me have one drink." Nascha laughed faintly, then stiffened. "Although, I suppose I understand why he did that now."

Lysandra and Aelin glanced at one another, before Aelin asked, "What do you mean?"

Nascha bit her lip. "I think he knew we were being hunted. He woke me just after sunrise the next morning and we started towards the wharf. That was when..." She trailed off.

"When the Cadre found you?" Aelin finished for her.

Nascha nodded. "He told me to keep running and not look back, but when I heard his screams, I couldn't stop myself."

The memory flashed before her eyes. A large black wolf bent over her brother's body, his throat dangling from its gory jaws. Nascha swallowed, blinking the memory away. She drifted towards a chair and sat, rubbing her scarred leg as it began to ache. She didn't feel the usual burst of anger that used to accompany her memories. Instead, she felt pain. Sorrow, but also a different kind of pain. The kind that surfaced every time Fenrys revealed a little bit about his past.

While she was sitting in the belly of a cargo ship, wondering if she'd be forced to saw off her own leg, Fenrys and Connall had whipped each other's stomachs open. Connall had been left to suffer while Fenrys was healed, just so he could... Just so Maeve could use him for his body. Starlight burned around Nascha's fingertips. If Lysandra and Aelin noticed, they said nothing. They continued shopping, leaving her alone with her memories.

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Fenrys flipped his braid over his shoulder as he walked through the streets of Orynth. The day was particularly warm, indicating that summer was quickly approaching. Already, he was sweating as though he'd spent five hours training instead of three.

Fenrys neared the store where Aelin had asked him to meet her. She stepped outside just as he arrived. He narrowed his eyes, noticing her worried expression. "What is it?"

"Nascha is acting strange."

"Strange how?" Fenrys peered past Aelin, trying to catch sight of Nascha through the store window.

"She was telling us about the last Midsummer's Eve celebration she went to and then she went silent. She hasn't said a word since."

"Oh." Fenrys lowered his gaze. "Was it..."

"The night before all of you found her and her brother." Aelin smoothed blonde hair back from her forehead. "It's hot out."

"It is." Fenrys knit his brows. "And that gives me an idea."

He pushed open the door and entered the shop. Lysandra and Evangeline were speaking to a seamstress nearby. Nascha sat in a chair, frowning at her clasped hands. Fenrys moved behind her, letting his hands rest on her shoulders. He bent down, bringing his lips close to her pointed ear.

"You're scowling, and it's not because of me," he murmured. "That's unusual."

"Technically, I am partially scowling because of you."

"I see." Fenrys glanced up and spotted Lysandra. She was watching the two of them with a wary, but curious gleam in her emerald eyes. Fenrys ignored her, bringing his attention back to Nascha. "I had an idea but I'm sure you won't like it."

"What was it?" Nascha sighed.

"We should go swimming. It's hot today." Nascha didn't answer. "Don't tell me you can't swim, Stardust."

"I can swim just fine." Nascha met his gaze. He tilted his head, giving her a prompting look. "All right."

Fenrys grinned as she stood. "Where are you going?" Lysandra called.

"Swimming. Do you want to come along?" Fenrys asked.

Evangeline's citrine eyes lit up and she grasped Lysandra's hand. "Can we?"

Lysandra quirked her lips sideways. "I don't know. You haven't learned how to swim yet."

"There's no time like the present," Fenrys said. "She'll be safe where we're going."

"Please, Lysandra?" Evangeline batted her long eyelashes.

Lysandra smiled. "All right. Wait with Aelin and Fenrys while I finish up in here."

Nascha clenched her jaw, and Fenrys knew she'd noticed how Lysandra had left out her name. She breezed out of the store before he could say anything. Evangeline skipped out behind her. Lysandra payed the seamstress and joined Fenrys.

"You're one of the few people Nascha actually gets along with," Fenrys said. "At least pretend like you trust her." He stalked outside, not waiting for a response.

"Where do you plan on taking us?" Aelin asked. Evangeline was holding her hand, an excited grin on her face. It was obvious that she had been the one to reveal their plans to the Queen.

"You'll just have to see," Fenrys chuckled.

He swept Evangeline off the ground and set her on his shoulders. A faint smile ghosted across Nascha's lips. He offered a hand to her. She took it and didn't protest when he drew her to his side. Lysandra and Aelin touched his arm. Fenrys grasped his magic, already envisioning their destination in his mind. With half a thought, he carried them out of Orynth and into a clearing in the Staghorn Mountains.