"SUNSHINE, PACING isn't going to solve anything. Come sit."

Nohx was lounging on the couch in the Icewood cabin, his eyes tracking the way Andorra moved back and forth, a little bit frantically. He brought a cup of coffee to his lips, a human trait he never kicked. He smiled fondly when Andorra turned to look at him.

She let out a groan and flopped beside him on the couch. When Nohx set down his coffee, she crawled into his lap and pressed her face against his shoulder blades. "I just don't see any way around it. We're going to have to go to the Spring Court."

Nohx immediately wrapped his arms around Andorra, pulling him tighter against himself. He let his fingertips trail down her body soothingly. He pressed a soft kiss to the crown of her head, inhaling her deeply.

Having her gone for those days in Averotho had made him antsy in the worst way. He trusted that Andorra knew what she was doing, and he trusted that she would keep herself safe. Trusted that Oberon would do the same.

But not knowing if she was in danger, it rattled him beyond belief. He had sat at the truth pond, just checking in, like he had done so many times in the human realm. It had been almost nostalgic, to see her in the shimmering water.

"So what? Princess Eolande isn't going to do anything to you while you're there. And if she does, well, you'll take care of it. Vulara would hate it if all that training went to waste."

"Do you think she'll agree with us? Do you think she'll actually say yes to helping?"

Andorra had good reason for doubting the Princess of the Spring Court, but it still made her stomach cramp. Then, her mind perked up. "Wait. What if we spoke with the Clan Leaders? I've been so focused on hoping that having her son on our side would help change her mind, but that's like befriending Callum and hoping Puck would follow suit. What if I tried to win over the Clan Leaders?"

Andorra pulled back to look Nohx in the eyes, her own expression hopeful. Nohx found himself cupping her cheeks and pulling her close to him. "I think you're brilliant, always. And I think that's a great idea." He kissed her softly, quickly, reassuringly. When Andorra tried to deepen the kiss, he pulled back with a low chuckle.

"When do you want to leave? We're running on borrowed time as it is, Andy. As much as I'd love to make out with you on our couch..." he grinned at her to soften the way he had pulled away from her.

Andorra pressed another quick kiss to his lips, just to be cheeky. "You're right, as always. We should leave like, now."

Nohx took a look at Andorra. She wore one of his t-shirts, and nothing else. Her hair was unruly and wild from last night. A few of Nohx's bite marks could be seen where the neckline slouched low.

"In that attire? I think the Spring Court would be up in arms. I can see the Spring Court headlines now: Winter Court destroys Summer Queen..." he pressed a kiss over the hickeys, scraping his teeth jokingly.

"I think it'll do them some good to see that Anders was never going to be my King." She ran her hands through Nohx's dark hair. She pulled his face back to hers. "I think it'll do them some good to see who the new king will actually be."

Nohx tilted his head. "You want me to join you."

"I think Anlithamy deserves to know who I'm in love with, yes. You'll be their king soon enough."

A feral grin split across Nohx's face. "Careful with those words, or we won't be leaving our cabin any time soon."

"I didn't realize my fiance was so ravenous." Andorra patted Nohx's cheek as she stood from the couch. He stood with her, hands loose on her hips as he stole another kiss, not quite deepening it, but not really releasing her, either.

"Andy, you really have no idea how I felt within those high school walls. Ravenous does not begin to cover how I feel about you. How I've always felt about you."

"Still unsure of how you dealt with the fact that I hated you." Her smile was coy and playful, no heat in her words. "I'd pay good money to know what you were thinking when I practically demanded we not be partners in English class."

Nohx tilted his head back to let out a warm, rough laugh. His grip squeezed her for a single moment. "I had rigged that card game, and you still didn't want me. I wanted to kiss you, actually. Right there in front of the whole class, just to see what your face would look like. I think you would've given me a wide eyed look with your mouth open. And I would've made a joke about catching flies."

Andorra stood on her tiptoes, mouth brushing against his. "Funny how back then, I totally would've just stared at you. But today, I probably would've slapped you."

"You'd slap me?" Nohx pretended to be hurt. "The love of your life?"

"You mean, the love of all of my lives?" Andorra laughed, giddy with the love that stretched between the two of them. "What do you think our names will be in the next life?"

"I refuse to think about our next lives. No rushing this one." He pressed a hard, quick kiss to her lips and took a step back. "If you don't get dressed, we'll never leave."

Andorra blew him a kiss and closed the bedroom door behind her. She rummaged through her closet, picking a simple pants and jacket outfit. The weather in the Spring Court could be unpredictable when thinking about how warm it would be.

By the time both of them were dressed, the agreed to take the Flayre together. "Are we inviting Callum or Obe?" Andorra asked as she pet Pyatt. "Or do you think your presence is enough?"

Nohx stood on Pyatt's wing, waiting to be raised to his back. "I think Callum will have a conniption if he's not invited, as much as I dislike the annoying little brat."

"I don't think you actually dislike Callum." Andorra raised her brow at him. "I think you actually like how similar he is to you."

Nohx snorted. "That's just being a Winter fae. We're all similar."

Andorra shook her head. "Obe is not like you two."

In the end, they both agreed to invite Callum. After a quick summons, the brat himself stood with his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed. "I think going anywhere near the Spring Court is asking for trouble, but you're right about going to the Clan Leaders. They'll be your best bet for an alliance."

"Perfect. Do you want to take Viir?" Andorra gestured to the white wyvern who was also there, in front of the cabin. His head snapped up at the sound of his name, but he huffed at the sight of Callum, clearly remembering the Cadmus games and just how little Andorra had liked Callum back then.

"Sure." Callum's voice was sarcastic, but he moved towards Viir anyway.

The three of them flew to the Spring Court in what felt like record time. It wasn't a very long trip from the Winter Court. They landed in the Tempest Clan, due to it being the closest to the Snow Clan. However, Andorra had not been prepared for how violent the weather was there.

The wind was extremely harsh, causing both Pyatt and Viir to fight to stay upright. Pyatt was in her head immediately. "We should land as soon as possible. The weather is going to be a nightmare this high up."

Andorra guided Pyatt and Viir to the ground, taking Pyatt's words seriously. She had never really considered what it would be like in the different Spring Clans; she didn't spend any time there due to Princess Eolande.

When they landed, Andorra was quick to slide off of Pyatt and take stock of where they stood. The skies were dark, rain clearly imminent. She looked to Nohx, and noticed he was also staring at the sky, mouth flat.

Callum didn't seem phased. "Welcome to the Spring Court," he snorted. "The Tempest Clan is the stormiest of all three clans. It's a good thing we're getting this one out of the way first. "The Clan Leader lives up this way, c'mon."

All three of them traveled along the path, while Pyatt and Viir stuck low above them, coasting and trying to avoid the wind. It was silent, and a little bit tense, but only because Andorra wasn't sure what to expect. She didn't know enough, and she felt suddenly like she had when first coming to Anlithamy.

"Give me a rundown, Callum. Who am I about to meet?"

"Clan Leader Lau. He's an honest man. Not very expressive, and I wouldn't really say he's kind. But he won't lie to you, and he won't pull a fast one on you. He'll tell you right to your face whether or not he likes you."

"And his relationship with Eolande?"

"As far as I know, they get along. He isn't close with her, but he doesn't fight her. He respects her leadership, if that's what you're asking."

Andorra rubbed at her wrist, nervous. "And his thoughts on Anders?"

Callum snorted. "He hated Anders. So you'll have that going for you. Always considered Anders to be a spoiled little nepo baby."

Andorra let out a surprised, shocked laugh. "Nepo baby? You use that terminology here in Anlithamy? It's so... human."

Callum shot her a flat look. "Actually, it's from the humans. Roseria used to use it, and Lau found it fitting."

Andorra had forgotten that Roseria used to travel to the human realm. "So he won't be angry with me for killing Anders?"

Callum shrugged. "I think he will find you honorable, if you aren't whiny when we get in there."

She whacked him on the arm, hard. "I'm not whiny."

His answering look was withering. "And I'm not abrasive."

"Okay, so he wants bitchy Andorra." She nodded. "Like with Ero."

Callum, for a brief moment, smiled at the memory of how terrified Ero had been. "Precisely. Pull that off, and you'll have Lau in the palm of your hand. Again, an honest man. He doesn't want to see a child pandering for support."

Andorra smiled and when they reached the Clan Leader's home, she squared her shoulders. Took a note from Nohx and forced her face to be expressionless. When she looked over at him, she found he was already wearing his mask. When he looked down at her, he winked.

They knocked on the door, Andorra standing in front, and Callum and Nohx standing right behind her shoulders like the guards they were. She didn't wear her crown, but Andorra lifted her chin up like she was.

Lau didn't answer the door. One of his assistants did, and his assistant bowed as soon as they saw who stood at the other side of the door. "My Queen," the assistant said, head lowered. "Welcome! Follow me to the sitting room while I retrieve the Clan Leader. I assume you are here for him?"

"You assume correctly, thank you." Andorra followed the assistant to the sitting room, and she forced herself to not slouch. She didn't dare look at Nohx or Callum, instead focusing on her breathing.

The wait wasn't very long. It was clear that Lau wasn't playing any games. When he stepped into the sitting room, his presence was immediately overwhelming. He was powerful, but not quite as powerful as Puck was. Andorra found herself standing, eyes assessing the man in front of her. She offered him a cold, professional smile.

"Hello, Clan Leader Lau."

Lau bowed, but it was clear he was doing it to be respectful, and not because he trusted Andorra. She could read his cautious attitude in the way he held himself. "Queen Andorra. What a surprise. How can I be of help to you today?"

Lau looked at both Callum and Nohx, his eyes hard at the sight. He nodded to Callum, clearly knowing the shadow fae. When he looked at Nohx, something passed in his expression.

"We need to talk about an upcoming war coming to Anlithamy." Andorra was blunt with it. "You know my guard, Callum." She gestured to the brooding fae in the chair. "And this Nohx, the Snow Clan Leader."

Lau looked at Callum and Nohx. "Sir Nohx, it is nice to finally meet you. How is the Snow Clan fairing, now that you're back in Anlithamy?"

Nohx didn't smile, nor did he stand. He ran his dark eyes over Lau before settling into an answer. "We are doing great. No better place than Anlithamy."

Lau hastily turned to Callum next. "Callum, how is your father?"

Callum wasn't as cordial as Nohx. He gave Lau a cold, cruel grin. "My father is doing what he always does best."

Andorra had no clue what that was supposed to mean, but by the way Lau paled, she assumed he did understand whatever threat Callum was trying to pass.

"Before we go into my study, is it alright if your guards stay in the sitting room?" Lau didn't sound nervous, but his eyes continued to flick over the two winter fae sitting down uneasily.

"First, only Callum is my guard. Second, no. Both of them come wherever I go."

Lau was clearly taken aback by the firmness in her tone of voice, but he led them all to the study without argument. When the door closed behind them, Lau moved to sit in his chair, trying to feel comfortable once again in his own home. He waved his hand as if to ask them to continue. "So, this war?"

Andorra didn't sugar coat it. Didn't try to pass it off as a maybe. "King Kaeberon and his son Erowillric invited me to their home. I went, and Kaeberon suggested that I could either invite war to our shores, or invite Kaeberon to steal our powers. I declined this offer, and now I am preparing for war. I am not concerned about the Winter, Summer, or Autumn Courts helping defend Anlithamy. I am, however, unsure of whether or not Eolande will defend Anlithamy based on what happened with Anders."

Lau let this settle in his mind for a moment. To his credit, he didn't seem surprised or afraid of this news. He rolled his shoulders and made a humming sound. "When will this happen?"

Andorra didn't let her face shift to show any emotion. "It could happen at any time. I have just returned home from Averotho."

"And to be clear, Kaeberon offered to not bring war to our shores, and yet you declined his offer?"

Andorra narrowed her eyes. "I will only say this once, Lau. It is my job to protect Anlithamy. I decided that Kaeberon stealing our powers against our wills would be worse off for us than if Kaeberon came to fight. It would also take an idiot not to realize Kaeberon would bring war to our shores regardless of how I answered. You think a man that powerful would stop just because? I do not regret my decision, but now we must counteract and prepare for what is to come. You can either fight for Anltihamy, or you can let Kaeberon take over our lands."

"How do you think my clan can help?"

"I think you know exactly how powerful your fae are. And I think you know how helpful a storm can be when serpents are traveling via the water to Anlithamy."

"I'm assuming you have not spoken to Eolande on this matter?"

Andorra gave a thin smile. "I can assure you, I will be speaking with Eolande. And whether or not Eolande wants to defend Anlithamy, I will be protecting all of the Spring Court, no matter your answer. You can say no without repercussions from me."

Lau let out a surprised laugh. "Why would you still protect us if we said no? Us saying no is damning ourselves and you."

"Because I'm your Queen. And my job is to protect you, no matter what. You do not have to give me an answer today, Lau, but you will need to make a decision by the time Kaeberon is here. Because he will steal your powers, regardless of whether or not you fight him. If you let him win the war, he will still bend you over and take everything you have. He is not a good man."

Andorra looked back to Callum and Nohx, and she nodded at them. "We should be off, now. We still have the rest of the Spring Court to speak with. We can see ourselves out."

As they began to leave, Lau stood up, hands pressed against his desk. There was an undercurrent of urgency in his voice. "Wait."

Andorra paused in the doorway. She raised an eyebrow and waited.

"Why did you bring Sir Nohx? Was it to unnerve me? Show me what a real Clan Leader should be like?"

For the first time since they had entered Lau's home, Andorra let her mask slip. Confusion flitted across her face. "What?"

"Are you rubbing it in my face, how powerful he is? Why would you bring him here if not to threaten me?"

Andorra made a choice, right then and there in her mind. No more hiding them. She held up her hand, her ring shining in the overhead light. "Nohx is my fiance. We are to be wed."

Lau's face dropped. He stared for far too long on the ring, and then met her gaze. "Like Anders?"

Andorra wasn't sure how she could read it in his expression, but she could tell there was a sense of warning there. She closed the door behind her, shutting Callum and Nohx out in the hall. She stepped up to Lau's desk, aware that if Nohx was pressing his ear to the door, he would definitely be able to hear her.

"Not like Anders. I am in love with Nohx, and have been since before coming to Anlithamy. Bringing him here was because I wanted support from the man I love. Bringing Callum here was because he's completely neurotic and will go into cardiac arrest if I keep going behind his back to do unsafe things. Neither of them were brought here to make you feel unsafe, or threatened, or to show you what a Clan Leader looks like."

Lau held her gaze silently, as if trying to read the truth in her eyes. She looked back down to her hand and removed the ring, just to prove it was not forced on her like it had been with Anders. She held it up in her palm. "I'm safe. I'm not being coerced, if you're worried about that."

"There are a lot of rumors about him."

Andorra nodded, sliding the ring back on her hand. She found that the ring fit perfectly, and she felt like it belonged there. She felt safe with it on. "There are a lot of rumors about me as well."

Lau nodded like he understood what she was saying. He opened something in his desk drawer, and pulled it out to place on his desk. It was a photograph, an old one, and when Andorra leaned down, something hard stuck in her chest.

"I was friends with your father. He had originally asked me to be on his council, and if I hadn't been Clan Leader, I would've said yes. I've heard you're a lot like him."

The photograph was of a young Lau and her father. Lau turned it over, and there was writing on the back. Sloppy cursive that was a little hard to read, but she could tell it was a friendly letter from her father to Lau.

Emotion clogged in her throat. "I try to be like him," she whispered.

"I think your father would have made the same decision if he had traveled to Averotho. He would not have sold our powers to avoid war. He would have seen right through Kaeberon, the same way you did."

She found herself nodding, not sure what to say in response. Instead, she gave Lau a smile. She opened her mouth to say goodbye, but Lau beat her to it. "And he would have also protected the Spring Court if they had said no to fighting. He would have also protected all of Anlithamy, no matter what. You have my word that when Kaeberon arrives, we will fight alongside your lead."

It was surprising. By the time they were out of Lau's home, Andorra was feeling a little numb with the acceptance. She turned to Nohx first, seeing the unsure look in his eyes. She hadn't said a word about why she had shut them in the hall.

"Lau said yes. He said I'm a lot like my father." The emotion bled into her words, and Nohx pulled her into a quick hug, despite the fact that Callum was standing there too.

"You told him I'm your fiance." There was awe in his voice.

"Yeah, thanks for telling me about that." Callum was pouting with his arms crossed when Andorra pulled away from Nohx. "What, were you going to tell all of the Spring Court before me?"

Andorra's smile was goofy. "Are you jealous?"

"No." Callum began walking in front of them, down the path. "But just so you know, I want to be invited to the wedding."

Andorra tipped her head back to howl with laughter. She rushed towards Callum, wrapping her arms around his middle, hugging his back. "You're going to be my best man."

"Oberon is going to hate that," Nohx called out from behind them.

"I'll have two best men."

"And what about how Coralia will feel, not being your Maid of Honor?" Another rib from Nohx, humor laced in his voice as Andorra let go of Callum, who pulled away from her harshly. But, Callum could pretend all he wanted; he wasn't really upset.

"Fine. Everyone is my maid of honor and my best man. Now, let's go visit the Floral Clan."