Connor

Ally remained on edge during training, missing openings to attack, barely blocking blows that would have ordinarily been second nature for her to repel and counter strike.

Do you want to stop?

Of course not.

You seem distracted, I don't want you to hurt yourself.

I'm fine, I just need to take my mind off things.

She struck at my outstretched palm, cursing as the wrapping covering her hand loosened. She rolled her eyes, stepping away to re-do the wrapping,

"Shit!" I glanced back towards her and saw her hands shaking so badly that she couldn't tie the wrappings off. She was more shaken than she'd admit, even to me, but I wouldn't ask her about it, not now. I simply took her hands, tying the wrappings off myself, tracing circles over her palms, gradually the shaking subsided and she whispered,

"I can't get it out of my head." The memory of her fear returned and I pulled her into my chest, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, feeling her hands grip the backs of my shoulders, "I don't know what to do." Part of me broke at the despair in her voice, broke and reforged itself into something new, harder. I was going to kill him, slowly, for what he did to her, he stole ten years of her life, and left afraid, even if she would never admit it, she was afraid, afraid to go back, afraid that he'd somehow take her away again, afraid that he'd take someone else away instead.

"You don't have to do anything." I murmured softly to her, well aware that the others could likely hear this whole conversation, even if they tried to keep going, not wanting to put pressure on my mate.

"I do. I have to protect them, it was my fault they were attacked in the first place. I have to go to Skybright, to make sure they're safe." I knew that there was every chance that the attackers had placed wards around her camp too tell them if she visited, but if she was quick, maybe she did need this, needed to see that it wasn't too late, that she could still protect her people.

"Okay, but quickly, and I'm coming with you." She looked up at me, blinking gratefully, "Now? Or later?"

Now, I need to know they're okay.

I nodded, "We have to tell the others first though."

"You tell them, I need to stretch my wings." She squeezed my shoulder before pushing off the ground and leaping into the sky, catching the spiraling updraft and soaring upwards, the wind filling her wings as she stretched them out, flapping occasionally as she looped around the building.

I met Rhys's questioning gaze as he made his way towards me,

"She wants to go to Skybright, she needs to know they're alright."

"I heard. Make sure it's quick, in and out, I don't want to risk another attack if they left wards, winnow in and out, don't fly." I nodded my agreement, flying would be too dangerous, it would set off more wards, if they were there.

"I hate seeing her like this. I don't really know what I'm doing, how to help her."

"Just be there, that's all she needs, we just have to be around to support her as she works through her own head in her own time. You're doing the right thing, son. If she wants to discuss things, let her come to you." His voice softened as I admitted my worries, I had no idea what I was doing, I was scared that we'd lose her to her memories, scared that I wouldn't be able to help her. I wasn't there to get her out, I had to be there now, I had to, I wouldn't let anything hurt her, ever again.

We appeared outside Ally's house, everyone around instantly rushing towards us, I kept one wing around her as we greeted her people, surveying the damage to the camp. Minimal damage, here at least,

"How bad?" Her voice was hollow, breathless as she spoke to the male who was left in command when neither she nor Emilie were there.

"Not as bad as it could have been." He spoke slowly choosing his words carefully, cautious, unwilling to risk telling her anything that would upset her more. He knew, he knew how much she loved her people, how much their pain hurt her. So unusual, even among Camp Lords, they didn't truly care for those under their command, they only cared for the power that they could win them. "Some casualties, but no civilians." Ally visibly relaxed, some of the fear melting away, "We've repaired most of the damage." He paused for a moment, gauging her reaction, smiling as she squared her shoulders, falling into her Camp Lady frame, authority practically radiating off her.

"How much more to do?"

"Not much, Lady, the shields held beautifully, thanks to you. Any ideas about who is responsible?"

"Possibly, but pray I'm wrong. I'll keep you updated on any developments." Effectively dismissing the male, she moved away to see her people, and I stepped away to allow her more space, pulling my wing back into its normal position. She subtly grabbed the edge of my wing, pulling it back around her, her eyes still fearful as she turned them towards me. It was an act, a good one, to show her people not to be afraid by appearing unafraid herself. I stepped closer to her, taking on the appearance of an overprotective mate, dismissing her rolling eyes as I kept close to her, my presence comforting and protecting, but allowing Ally to seem more at peace than she truly was.

We wound through the streets, speaking to and comforting everyone we came across, speaking words of encouragement to those who had lost friends and family, receiving thanks for her shields around the camp. Gradually, her smile became less forced and I noticed the tension in her muscles release with each person we spoke to, each reassurance that she hadn't let them down.

After a while we found ourselves on the threshold of the house she shared with Emilie, and her breathing sped up, I glanced around glad that no one was around,

I can't do it, Con.

You don't have to.

I tucked her into my side, feeling her arm around my waist as I tightened my wing around her,

Can we go home?

Even in my mind, her voice sounded on the verge of tears and I rubbed her shoulder gently,

Of course, my love, take us wherever you need to go.

I felt gratitude rush across the bond as she winnowed us away, home.

The Inner Circle were waiting for us in Rhys and Feyre's council room, a map spread on the table before them. Natty met my eyes as we entered, and I nodded, answering the silent question there,

"Everything alright?"

"No, it's not." Azriel was more tense than usual, "Autumn have refused to come to a meeting, and I can't reach my spies there, or get in myself." His frustration was clear as he spoke,

"Any indication of why they won't come?" Ally narrowed her eyes, "I couldn't find any traces of the magic, so it could still be them who attacked Skybright, I suppose." She mused after Feyre shook her head. "Are we preparing for war?"

Ally's question silenced the room as realization of the seriousness of the situation dawned on everyone,

"Yes," Cassian broke the silence, "Sort of, I'm readying some of our armies, but not to a state of war, we don't want to alarm anyone, or to allow tensions to rise." I nodded, feeling Ally's worry flooding across the bond, worry and, clarity? She had something to do now, she wasn't feeling lost any more, she had a purpose.

"Are the others coming to us or not?"

"No, we're all going to Dawn, like usual." Rhys's usually calm voice was tight, strained, he was worried, I realized, more than he let on, worried for Ally, he knew what she gone through, more than I did, he knew what she risked if she met that male on the battlefield, if she were captured. I would not let that happen, I would not put her at risk, I couldn't lose her now, couldn't let anyone put her through the pain and fear I had felt through her memories last night.