Chapter 1

My eyes fluttered open, and I stared out of my window at a wide expanse of light sky, stray stars still lingering. I smiled and got out of bed, moving over to my wardrobe. I took out brown pants, and a dark blue, loose fitting shirt, maneuvering it around my dark grey Illyrian wings . I slid on dark brown boots, and my favorite necklace. It was gold, with a single, large blue gem hanging from it.

I made my way out of my room, heading to the dining room in our small town house. I made my way down the stairs, and stopped when I heard the arguing already pouring out of the dining room to my left. I chuckled, and walked in.

Everyone was already seated, plates were half-full and my Aunt Mor was leaning across the table, trying to get in Uncle Cassian's face over something they were fighting about. I took my seat next to Anthony and my brother, Rohn. "What'd your dad do this time?" I asked Anthony.

He chuckled. "Nothing, surprisingly. Mor started it this time." He said, shoving a piece of bread into his mouth. I glanced down the table, and saw my parents were talking quietly. My dad caught my eye, and gave a small smile, before returning to his conversation.

"Well, do you think it'll end some time soon?" I asked Anthony.

He tilted his head as he observed Cassian and Mor. "No, no I don't think so." He answered, shaking his head.

I smirked, and filled my plate with different breakfast foods. I ate while I listened to the different conversations going on. I smiled softly when I felt a small tap on my mental shield. I dropped it, and put it back up after Khari entered.

Khari has been a good friend of mine since we were younger. He was Azriel's only child. His mother was a High Fae who Azriel had spent one night with. His mother had died shortly after giving birth, so Azriel took him, and raised him. He had black hair, and deep brown eyes, and like his dad, black Illyrian wings that he used at every possible moment.

He entered my mind, and struck up a conversation. So, how'd you sleep?

I smiled, Good, how about you?

The reply came quickly, I glanced at him, but he was simply eating his own breakfast. Well enough, are you going to train today?

I continued eating my food, observing everyone else as I spoke back to him. No, I'm taking a day off. Are you going to train?

He smirked across the table, and I felt the humor in his voice. Of course I am, after all, I am in the High Lord's army. I have responsibilities.

I sent a sigh across to his mind, and he smirked again. I let my shields down to let him out of my mind, and quickly put them back up afterwards. I glanced next to me at my brother, he was focusing on Mor and Cassian's continued fight. I subtly moved my hand to the back of his neck, and pinched. He jumped, and everyone stared at him.

His face grew red, and he glared at me. "Really Tara? Why?" He whispered harshly. I grinned and shrugged. He rolled his eyes, but kept me in his view even as he turned to face Cassian and Mor again.

Rohn and I were twins. We had our mother's blue-grey eyes, and our father's blue-black hair. We both had Illyrian wings, although mine were dark grey, and Rohn's were black, he also had a scar down his left cheek. My brother can read minds and communicate through thought, and had the ability to control darkness and water, as well as the shape-shifting powers my mother inherited when she was Made.

I on the other hand, had no powers from our mother, but had my father's powers, all except controlling darkness, that is. I could read minds, and if I wanted to, shatter them. I didn't enjoy doing it though, I've only done it once in the Court of Nightmares, and it was horrible, hearing their mind call out for help, and pleading me not to. But I had to. They were afraid of me down there, my entire family held them in a vice-like grip, but they feared me. In some of their thoughts, they said I may even be scarier and more powerful than my dad. I doubted it though, my father was not someone to mess with, and everyone knew it, but he was also laid-back, and full of life.

I went back to talking to Anthony. "So, are you going to be going to town, then?" He asked. I nodded. "Could you grab me a new book? I don't care which one, just something over 700 pages, please. I'd like it to last more than a week." He pleaded.

"Of course. Are you going to pay me back?" I asked, raising a brow. Anthony gave a short nod, and I smiled. "Then yes, I'd be happy to get you a book." Anthony smiled, and turned to talk to his mom, my aunt Nesta.

I stood, and left the dining room, moving up to my own room to grab some money and a small bag before heading back downstairs. I saw Rohn standing by the front door, leaning against the wall, staring out of a window. I raised a brow when I walked over to him, and he gave a half-smile, before opening the door, and following me out of the house. "Why did you decide to join me?" I asked.

Rohn shrugged, "Why not? I could use a few more training clothes anyway." I smirked, and we made our way into Velaris's market.

It always took my breath away when I wandered through the streets. It was always colorful and full of life. Music played non-stop, and people could be heard laughing at every hour of the day. We went to the clothing store, and I was forced to watch Rohn try on twenty different outfits before deciding on getting two. I sighed, he always was as dramatic and picky about his clothes as our dad was.

We went to the bookstore, personally my favorite, and I picked out a book for myself and for Anthony. Anthony's book, as per requested, was over 700 pages, in fact, it was pushing 1,000. My own book was only about 600 pages, which I could easily finish.

We went to a small cafe, and I noticed two Illyrian males sitting in a corner. I suddenly became self-conscious of my own wings. I subtly stood closer to Rohn, and grimaced, keeping my attention on the corner of the room. While we ordered, I glanced over once, and shuddered when I saw one of the Illyrians had his gaze locked onto me.

My father had told me stories about Illyrian males, what they do to females. I shuddered again, and grabbed onto my brother's arm. I felt a small tap on my mental shields, and quickly let Rohn in. What's wrong?

Illyrian males, one of them's watching me. I replied. I felt my brother stiffen next to me, and his face hardened, as he gave a short nod, and I let him out of my mind. I threw up my shields, and reinforced them, you can never be too sure.

My brother grabbed our order from the cashier, and we sat on the opposite side of the room, my brother facing the males, throwing on a mask of dominance, and authority. I tried my best to match, but I still felt uneasy about the males. I finished my treat, and my brother scarfed down his. We left the cafe, and I finally exhaled deeply. I looked to my brother. "Thank you."

"Of course, you're my sister, I have to take care of you, especially when you ask for help." He replied. I smiled, and we began our walk back to our town house. I saw a shadow pass over us. I scrunched my brows, but before I could react, I was grabbed by my arms, and hoisted into the air.

I screamed as I saw my brother getting further and further away as I was dragged higher into the sky. I willed my wings to disappear like my father could. I felt my brother frantically banging against my shields. I let him in. Get Dad! Rohn get Dad! I felt him leave my mind, and I closed my shields, meanwhile trying to contact my dad. I saw my brother run towards the town house, and I looked up to see the two Illyrian males from before.

I knew I couldn't trust them. I thrashed, but they held on. I screamed to my dad, Dad! Dad! Answer me, please! I need you, please. Help! No reply. I tried for Cassian and Azriel. Cassian, Azriel, please, help. Two Illyrian males, I don't know where they're taking me, please, my dad won't answer me.

I still got no reply, and I sobbed as I struggled again against their grip, but they held firm. Tears streamed down my face, and I looked around, trying to memorize the way we were going, so I could find my way back. I got a tap on my shields, and frantically through it open, Rohn. Don't worry, Azriel and Cassian are on their way. I couldn't get through to Dad. He spoke. I sobbed, this time in relief.

Thank you, tell them to hurry. I'll show you the way. I spoke back, sending pictures of the way we were going. We were up in the air for almost 30 minutes now.

They know where they're taking you. They're following you already, don't worry. I'll try and get through to dad again. He said, his mind frantic.

I continued to struggle, but each time their grip tightened, and I knew I'd have bruises tomorrow. Eventually we reached what I assumed was an Illyrian war camp. I was dropped to the ground, and the impact jarred my wings into existence again. Immediately a net was thrown over me. I screamed and thrashed, not letting a hand rest on me for more than a second.

Multiple males hovered over me, observing, and trying to pin me to the ground. I heard a voice, "Now, we've got here a young female. Newly bled from the scent of it, powerful, but nothing you men can't handle, a good family, we'll even clip the wings for you. Now, do we have any bidders?" I struggled to breathe as I saw different males raise their hands. No, no, no.

I thrashed again, and screamed, calling down the mental bonds to my brother, Cassian, Azriel, and my dad. Calling for help. I didn't see who won the bid, but the same man shouted, "And we have a winner." I screamed again, tears falling, as a different male approached with what appeared to be giant shears. I gasped for air, but nothing was entering my lungs as I struggled against the Illyrians holding me down.

The man with the shears was inches from my right wing when two dark figures slammed into the ground. Everyone froze, and turned to block me from the view of the figures. I saw the darkness swirl, and suddenly I saw my father's face, rage contorted his features as he took in area, and the people. His eyes rested on me, and he grew even angrier, and yet also looked relieved.

"Who-" He began with a deadly silence, "was stupid enough to steal a High Lord's daughter?" No one replied, they were still in shock. "No answer? Well, I guess I'll have to slaughter everyone then." He spoke softly, his voice coated in ice. Suddenly the males holding the net and shears dropped to the ground, blood dripping from their ears. My father's attention flicked to the auctioneer, and he too, dropped.

Cassian was glaring at everybody else, while Azriel came over to me, and took the net off. He picked me up, and I sobbed into him. He cradled me, and we walked back to stand next to my dad. My dad glanced at me, his eyes turning sad, before filling with rage again. He turned back to the crowd. "Which one of you 'won' my daughter?" He asked quietly.

The crowd parted, everyone pointing to one male. He had black hair, and striking green eyes, with a long scar down the right side of his face. His eyes were wide, and he dropped to the ground. "Azriel, bring her home." My dad said, his gaze fixed on the crowd before him. Azriel nodded once, and we disappeared into shadow.

I was still crying when we winnowed to the roof of the town house. He walked through the door to the house, and brought me to my room. He laid me on my bed, and flipped me on my stomach. "Okay, Tara listen, I need to see if they clipped your wings, okay?" He asked softly.

I frantically shook my head and he sighed. "Tara please, I need to see if they clipped them, otherwise they'll be permanently affected." He said. I eventually let my wings spread, and he moved his hands gently over them, sending shivers down my spine. He allowed me to close my wings again, and I rolled over onto my back.

I silently cried, and he only nodded. "I know. I'm so sorry that happened to you, and I know, but I would have gone to any measure to save you from that." He spoke softly, and I nodded, more tears falling. He turned, and left my room.

I lay in silence for almost an hour before I heard a knock on my door at the same time a knock on my shields sounded. I could tell, it was Rohn, and I told him it was okay. He threw open the door, his eyes red and puffy. I began to sob again as he ran over to the bed, and we both sat, holding each other. He began to cry too, and hugged me tightly. "I'm so sorry that happened, Tara I was so afraid I'd never see you again, afraid of what they'd do to you. I'm so sorry, I should've flown after you, I'm sorry."

I shook my head, tears streaming as I heaved in gulps of air. "No, no. No, you have nothing to apologize for. You did everything you could. You got me help, you talked to me while I was being dragged further from you."

He pulled back, and wiped my tears away, and I wiped his away. "But, I'm supposed to protect you, I could have done more." He said, his voice breaking.

I shook my head. "We're supposed to protect each other. What good would you have done me if they shot you out of the sky? You did your best, and that's all I ask." I replied, talking quietly.

"Everyone wants to see you." He spoke softly, watching my reaction. I shook my head.

"No, no. I don't want to see anyone. Not yet." I replied. He nodded, and hugged me tightly again.

He stayed, and we simply sat for another hour, before he headed back downstairs.

It was nighttime before my shields detected a plea for me to let someone in. I questioned the identity, and dropped my shields enough to let my father's mind into my own. His mind wrapped around mine, offering comfort. I accepted it, and my door opened, my dad strolling in. His eyes were sad as he sat on the edge of my bed.

Neither of us spoke, simply held onto each other. Then he broke the silence, his voice was raw, and it broke as he spoke. "I'm so sorry. I heard you call, but I-" He took a deep breath. "I just thought you and your brother were fighting and needed me to settle it. I heard you both calling to me, and you both seemed anxious, I just, I assumed-" His head fell into his hands, and I moved over to hug him tightly.

He hugged me back, but his shoulders slumped. I knew he'd never forgive himself, but I could forgive him. He came, he saved me, that's all that mattered. "I'm so sorry." He spoke again, a tear falling down his face. I kissed his cheek.

"I don't blame you. You couldn't have known." I replied, my own voice hoarse.

"No, but I'll never make that mistake again. I promise, I'll listen every time." He assured me. I gave a soft smile, but I was still shaken by the day's events. He left shortly after, and I fell asleep.