Fenrys stuck close to Aelin, flanking her from the left. Rowan was on her right, his mere presence frightening off some of the Arcelians who opposed them. The sight of their fear flooded Fenrys with guilt. As Vaughan had said, most of these people weren't even trained warriors. They were just...people. People who had no idea what they'd walked into and were now finding out.

    But they were dedicated people, Fenrys had to admit. His horse had been struck down by an arrow through the eye within ten minutes of the battle's beginning. Since then, Fenrys kept finding himself swarmed by Arcelians, trained and untrained alike. He was doing his best to spare them, but already, he'd been forced to claim seven lives.

    Fenrys sliced his sword through the back of a Fae's knees and the male went down, howling in pain. Fenrys didn't bother looking back. He moved on to his next target and with a swift blow from the pommel of his sword, rendered the female unconscious.

    "If we capture Rayan and Eliora, we can force the Arcelians to surrender," Rowan hollered above the clamor of swords.

    "I'm beginning to wish we'd arrested them in the first place," Aelin snapped. Bits of gore clung to her blonde hair.

    "Why didn't you?" Lorcan shouted as he stumbled past, with two Arcelians hot on his heels.

    "Because we're decent people," Fenrys replied.

    "Decent people?" Someone growled behind him. Fenrys rounded on a stocky male who was armed to the teeth. "I doubt that."

    Fenrys raised his sword, parrying the male's first blow. "Why?"

    "Everyone heard stories about Maeve's blood-sworn. How you destroyed cities and murdered innocents. How you lied, stole, and killed for the Valg Queen."

    Fenrys clenched his jaw and planted his feet firmly. The male's sword clanged against his in a spray of sparks. The Arcelian managed to drive him back a few paces. Fenrys' leg shot forward, but the male anticipated the move. He sidestepped and grabbed Fenrys' leg, pulling him off balance. Fenrys hit the ground and rolled, barely avoiding the male's sword.

    "Then you also heard how none of it was by choice," Fenrys grunted, flipping onto the balls of his feet. "We fought her every step of the way."

    "I hear you fucked her every step of the way." Fenrys bared his teeth in a snarl. Their swords locked again and the male threw his head back with a rough laugh. "So it's true. Tell me, White Wolf of Doranelle. Did you betray one Queen just to whore yourself to another?"

    Fenrys didn't bother with a response. He threw his rage and pain into his blows, forcing the male backwards. Fenrys teleported behind him and landed a solid kick between his ribs. The male staggered forward again. Fenrys was already there, driving his knee into the Arcelian's jaw. His foot collided with the male's chest, knocking him to the ground.

    "Even if Nascha Makatza returned," the male panted, "what makes you think we'd want to be part of a kingdom ruled by the scum called Aelin Galathynius? Her Court is made up of killers, traitors, and bastards, all previously owned by Maeve."

    "We are owned by no one," Fenrys growled.

He grabbed the male by his tunic and bashed the pommel of his own sword into the male's temple. He cast the Arcelian aside and searched the battlefield for Aelin. She was nowhere in sight. Neither was Rowan. Fenrys sheathed his sword and shifted into his wolf, bounding deeper into the fray.

    He drew in a deep breath, sifting through the scents that washed over his tongue. Most were unfamiliar, but a few he recognized. There was Lysandra and Aedion's. They'd been fighting side by side since the battle began. He also scented Vaughan, accompanied by the fresh tang of blood. Fenrys' heart lurched in fear.

There's blood everywhere, he reminded himself. It could've come from anyone. The thought wasn't very comforting. Fenrys ran on, then paused as another scent reached him. It was faint and for a moment, he almost thought he'd imagined it. Fenrys breathed again. His heartbeat quickened. Beneath the odor of blood and sweat lay nutmeg and frost. Nascha.

    Fenrys lifted his head to the skies, searching for a familiar barn owl. For darkness and starlight. For his mate. Muddy grass squelched behind him. A blade sung through the air. Fenrys whirled in time to see a barn owl shift into the most beautiful Fae he'd ever laid eyes on, just as she cleaved through the stocky male's wrists with a beam of starlight. His hands fell to the ground and the male dropped to his knees, screaming.

    "Insult my mate and his Court again, and it will be your head," Nascha spat.

    Fenrys shifted into himself as she faced him. He didn't hesitate a moment. He ignored the blood and dirt that clung to them both and cupped her cheek in his hand, pressing their lips together. Nascha obliged him for a few brief seconds, then drew back. Her eyes were abnormally bright.

    "You're all right," she choked out, her gaze falling to the scars on his neck.

    "Aelin healed me," he answered simply, already unsheathing her duel bladed swords. Nascha took them wordlessly. "I might have died a few times during the process though."

    Darkness surrounded them as Nascha threw her arms around his neck. Her shield protected them from the carnage beyond, giving them one more moment together. Fenrys threaded his fingers through her hair, touching soft kisses to her temple, cheek, and neck.

    "Why did you come back now?" He murmured.

    "We all have a duty to make sure the world remains peaceful. It's past time I accepted mine."

    "You're going to agree to Rayan and Eliora's demands?"

    "I have no other choice."

    "Nascha..."

    "You would do anything for Aelin and Terrasen, wouldn't you?" She asked. Fenrys nodded. "And I would do anything for you. This I will do for us all. It may not be what I want. I may not feel ready to do it, but I have to." Nascha squared her shoulders, but her lower lip trembled slightly. "For you, your friends, and our home, I will become Lady of Arcelia."

    Fenrys met her gaze and found resolution shining there. He leaned his forehead against hers. "I'll be with you every step of the way, Sweetheart." Nascha kissed him, even as tears slid down her cheeks.

◦ ~ ❘ ☼ ❘ ~ ◦

    Nascha held onto Fenrys as he teleported them to different locations on the battlefield. They had yet to find Rayan and Eliora, but they were drawing close. With every stop they made, Nascha heard her name being picked up. It began to circulate until it was born on the wind.

    "Nascha Makatza has come," the wind sang. "The Lady of Arcelia is here."

    They emerged from the folds of the world once more. Fenrys stiffened against her. Nascha spied Rayan and Eliora a heartbeat later. They were locked in battle with Aelin and Rowan. Nascha pried herself away from Fenrys and took off running towards the group. Fenrys sprinted after her.

    "Stop!" Nascha cried. "Rayan! Eliora! Stop!"

    Rowan was the first to hear her. He grabbed Aelin's arm and jerked her out of reach of the Tarins. Nascha skidded to a halt in front of them, blood soaked mud flying from beneath her boots. She didn't look at the Queen or her husband and instead, focused solely on Rayan and Eliora.

    Rayan lowered his sword, a look of recognition flooding his green eyes. "Nascha?"

    "It's me." Nascha gulped down a few uneven breaths. "Stand down. Order the Arcelians to stand down."

    "We can't," Eliora protested. "We gave you six months to return her to us." She stared past Nascha, holding Aelin's gaze.

    "They tried," Nascha explained swiftly. "They tried to. Just..." The screams and ringing of steel were deafening. "Please! Call a stalemate. Let me explain."

    Rayan and Eliora glanced at one another. Fenrys shifted closer to Nascha, resting his hand on the back of her neck. Eliora narrowed her eyes, but said nothing. Rayan gave a shrill whistle. He repeated it again and again, until horns began to blow. The Arcelians broke off their attack and retreated, leaving Terrasen's forces to regroup.

    "What's going on?" A young Demi-Fae asked, appearing beside Rayan. His eyes widened at the sight of Nascha. "Is that..."

    Nascha interrupted him, letting her voice ring out across the valley. "I am Nascha Flamion Makatza, last surviving member of the Makatza bloodline and Heir of Arcelia. I have come to claim my birthright and swear fealty to Aelin Ashryver Whitethorn Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen."

    "You're too late," Eliora began again. "We gave Aelin and her Court plenty of time to..."

    "Aelin and her Court held up their end of the agreement," Nascha cut in. "They found me and brought me back to Terrasen. They were prepared to accept me into their Court and instate me as Lady of Arcelia. I refused to cooperate. It's my fault we're standing here now, in the middle of a pointless battle."

    Nascha swallowed hard, hoping her voice wouldn't shake as she continued. "The truth is, I didn't want Arcelia. I didn't want the constant reminder that my family is gone. That they gave their lives for our home and for me, while all I did was run. I feel unworthy to be your Lady. I feel incapable of representing you. I don't want that responsibility. I don't deserve it."

    "But to end this war and restore peace, I will accept it. I will learn what is required of me. I will do my best to be who you need me to be. I will do anything to make this right." Nascha looked back over her shoulder at Aelin.

    "I want to apologize to you, your Majesty, and to your Court, for the trouble I've caused you. I want to apologize to my people for not being there for them. I want to apologize for refusing to do my part in keeping peace in the world." She met Fenrys' gaze. "And I want to apologize to you most of all."

    She offered no further explanation, and Fenrys asked for none. Nascha knew they both understood why she was apologizing to him. She was apologizing for the punishment he and Connall had received on her behalf. She was apologizing for making his life miserable, when he was only trying to do his job. She was apologizing for mistreating him and his friends.

    For falling in love with him and placing him in a difficult position. For making him choose between her and Aelin. For the tension she'd caused between him and those he loved. For almost killing him, and then leaving him. For waiting to do what was necessary until war had already begun. For...everything.

    Nascha returned her attention to Rayan and Eliora. "If my people will have me, I will take my place as their Lady, but I cannot do it alone. I will need help while I sort this all out for myself. Rayan, Eliora, I want you to advise me. To teach me. Our people must respect you if they've followed you for this long, and you're clearly experienced in the art of leadership. Help me, and I will help you."

    "Will your Majesty agree to these terms, considering everything that has happened here?" Rayan asked Aelin.

    "I will," Aelin replied. "And I will trust my Ambassador to report on your progress and ensure nothing...and no one, goes astray."

    Nascha lowered her gaze as heat rushed to her cheeks. Fenrys drew her closer to himself and gave a short nod. "Then we accept as well," Eliora said. She faced the Arcelians with a brilliant smile on her lips. "We have our Lady!" And the people took up a relieved and raucous cry.