Author's note: I thought as it was New Year's I'd post another chapter especially as many of us have to stay home this year. So as I sit here in my Illyrian wing jumper I'd like to take the chance to wish you all a Happy New Year... and here's hoping 2021 is better and that we kick Covid's ass!

Also, highly recommend listening to Ruelle and Imagine Dragons- this was the music I listened to when I was writing the story :D

The restaurant we had dinner in on the eve of Calanmai was small and in a tucked away area with a garden overlooking the Sidra. Despite still being cool, the gardens felt warm and I knew some magic was being used. The General, The High Lord and High Lady were already there when we arrived and each greeted me with a kiss on the cheek, catching me off-guard. Azriel and I sat across from our High Lord and High Lady and I fiddled with the sleeve of my jumper as I settled into the chair that had been provided for someone with wings.

"How is the training going, Mayar?" The High Lord asked me as three bottles of wine were delivered to our table.

"Very well, My Lord." I bowed my head and he beamed.

"No need for such formalities here," He said, "Just call me Rhys."

"And you Rhys promised that we weren't going to be talking about work these next few days," The High Lady scolded her mate, swatting him. I watched as Cassian eagerly poured himself a glass of wine and then Azriel cleared his throat.

"Mayar, can I interest you in some wine?" Cassian smirked and I smiled.

"Please," I responded as he poured me a glass.

"The rest of you can help yourselves, I'm not your waiter."

A low chuckle from Rhys as he poured a glass of something else for his mate and then himself. A beautiful blonde woman approached the table and I recognized her as the Morrigan. Her story too had been woven into the tales spread around her camps but now she looked less like a warrior and more like any other High Fae in her red jumper and trousers.

"Sorry I'm late," She said in greeting. Her eyes scanned the table. "Amren not joining us?"

"She has plans with Varian," Rhys said and Cassian choked on his wine. I noticed the warning look that Azriel gave him.

"Of course, starting Calanmai early then," Morrigan sat in the last available space at the table and now looked over at Azriel and then to me. "Mor," She held out a hand and beamed at me.

"Mayar," I shook her hand in response.

"I've heard many good things," she grinned and then glanced at Azriel, "But I can't say I was expecting you to be so beautiful. Az seems to have kept that part to himself."

I could have sworn Azriel's cheeks tinged red slightly as I glanced down at the compliment thrown my way.

"Please don't scare Mayar off on her first day in Velaris, cousin." Rhys warned and he held up his glass. "I know that Cassian has already started drinking, but perhaps we should toast to our upcoming festivities?"

The dinner was divine and I knew now that the delicious foods and drinks I'd enjoyed on my few visits to the High Lord's house in the camp were from Velaris. The spices left my tastebuds tingling and the wine had the same effect, leaving me warm and my body practically buzzing. I'd spent most of the dinner sat quietly, listening into the conversations and in somewhat awe that I was here. Sat with those in charge of The Night Court. Having a casual dinner.

"So, are we heading to Rita's?" Cassian looked hopeful.

"Rita's?" I glanced up from the glass of wine I'd been sipping.

Mor grinned at me, "How do you feel about dancing?"

Rita's was a nightclub, they said. It wasn't far from the restaurant and was part of a tall, stone building. Inside were comfortable looking booths, tucked in quiet corners out of the way, but all surrounding a dancefloor, which was already bustling with people. The High Lord had his own booth, it seemed, and we were led to the large, slightly raised area, close enough to the bar but far enough from earshot. I spread out on a bench, leaning against the wall, giving my wings enough room.

"No betting tonight," Rhys warned as he walked over to the bar with Cassian at his side and Feyre and Azriel laughed. I raised an eyebrow.

"When I first got dragged here Az and I spent the night putting bets on who was going to invite Rhys home," Feyre smiled at the memory and glanced over to her mate at the bar. Sure enough, he was surrounded by lesser faeries and high fae, but I spotted the shaking of his head as he glanced over at Feyre, his mate. Rhys and Cassian returned with drinks for the table and I noted again that the High Lady wasn't drinking wine. Was she…?

I didn't finish the sentence, even in my head. It wasn't any of my business.

It didn't take long for Mor to be on the dancefloor, throwing her head back and laughing as she danced around, her long, blonde hair almost a blur around her. Cassian was next to be up and as they danced I sat, content, taking in the atmosphere as the band played and I sipped my wine. The music changed, faster, more upbeat as Mor made her way back to the table and downed another drink.

"I think we'll head off," Rhys said to his cousin and he and Feyre stood up to leave.

"Spoilsports," She pouted and then she grabbed my hands, "Let's see what you've got."

"I'm not a dancer," I laughed as she pulled me to the dancefloor, but my body argued it as Mor spun me around and my feet and waist moved in time to the music. I was sure it was the alcohol, but I relaxed as I danced and I laughed again at Cassian's attempt at dance moves. Azriel was still sat at the table. I'd thought perhaps he was brooding but when I glanced over he was smiling, his eyes following me.

"We should go shopping tomorrow," Mor said, catching my attention. She spun me around again and I was thankful that my boots were heelless, unlike hers.

"Okay," I found myself agreeing. I had some money in my account, now that Emerie was paying me for helping with the shop and I was being paid to train the females too- being paid more than I should for the latter, I was sure.

The song ended and the next started up but I used it as a chance to go back to the table and grab a drink. Azriel's eyes still watched me and a ghost of a smile played on his lips as he watched me drink. "Not a dancer, huh?" I asked, putting down the empty glass.

"More an observer," His eyes fixed on mine and I didn't glance away, even as my heart thudded in my chest.

I decided to push my luck, "Would you dance… with me?"

His eyes widened slightly. Surprise on his usually masked face and I noticed the shadows at his hands disappearing. It was funny how they sometimes did that, I mused. He bowed his head in response and then stood, holding his hand out for me. I took his hand and let him lead me to the dancefloor.

"Not feeling like brooding tonight, Az?" Cassian teased and Azriel shoved him, knocking him off balance. His laughter boomed and he moved over to a group of females, trying his luck. It seemed that the General was perhaps a bit drunk. I smiled. We danced and I was aware that the shadowsinger's eyes didn't leave me. Even though we were surrounded by beautiful fae. Even though Cassian was making an idiot of himself. Even though Mor had disappeared off somewhere else. We didn't touch but we felt close and I let myself get lost in the music, changing my movement to match the songs as they passed… one song, two songs, three… I soon lost count, but I kept on dancing, glancing up at the Illyrian warrior every now and then. The night was late but Rita's showed no sign of closing and soon my feet were aching from dancing and I knew I'd had too much wine.

Azriel and I made our way back onto the street, Cassian and Mor nowhere to be seen, but the shadowsinger had said this was a normal occurrence.

"Are you able to fly?" He asked and I raised an eyebrow. "You've had a lot to drink."

"I'm sure I could-" My right wing wasn't moving in time with the left and I frowned as Azriel released a soft chuckle. He reached forward, scooping me up and catching me off-guard and then launched us into the sky.

My stomach did not appreciate the speed and I must have looked a little green because he slowed down, "Sorry."

"Why did you let me drink so much?"

"I thought you could take care of yourself," A hint of a smirk. I huffed and looked out and the city below us as we flew over it. Magical. Covered with some kind of pixie dust, I decided. Lights were still on, making the city itself look like stars. I looked overhead at the night sky and the stars that shone down on us, little sparkles of hope in the darkness. Azriel looked up too and smiled, before glancing down and meeting my eyes. Those sparks filled me and I felt the warmth of his embrace, which was over too soon as we landed on a balcony at the House of Wind and he placed me back on my feet, upright. I wanted to walk back into his embrace, the alcohol was daring me to, but I resisted.

"Goodnight Azriel," I whispered instead. I kissed his cheek gently and then hurried off to my bedroom like the coward I was.