My stomach knotted as Azriel and Cassian moved closer behind me, flanking me once again. But not hiding me as a vulnerable female, like most would see me as. My hand clutched the knife at my thigh once more and I had no doubt that the males with me were just as ready to withdraw their weapons.

One of the warriors stepped forward into the clearing we were standing in. He wore his Illyrian leathers, although I was uncertain which camp he was from. The dark haired stranger gave me a once-over, his eyes roving from my boots up to my eyes. I didn't miss the surprise on his face at the Siphon I wore around my neck. He then looked to the two males behind me. Quiet death.

"General," He said to Cassian but he did not bow his head.

"Lord Logan," Cassian replied, coolly, "It's been a while."

"So it has," His eyes were dark, I noted, close to a shade of black. His fellow warriors stepped towards him, flanking him. Their hands were ready to grab their weapons too, I noted, and I realized I was holding my breath until…

"Mayar?"

The sunlight through the trees lit a familiar face, "Elric." I was surprised to see him, but I kept that surprise hidden. Tucked away.

Elric ran a hand through his hair, "I'm leaving."

"Why?" I asked.

"It's no longer safe here." He fastened a dagger to his belt. "Ironcrest will come here. They know we're weak. They know we still follow the High Lord's rules."

"So why not stay and fight? Or are you too much of a coward for this?"

"Come with me," His voice was low, "Come with me and I can promise your safety."

I hadn't seen him since that day. The day he'd left. The day Thornhill had burnt to the ground. His new camp, I supposed, as I looked at the other warriors with him.

"Mayar?" His Lord, Lord Logan as Cassian had said, raised an eyebrow and cocked his head at me. Intrigue. Curiosity. More so when he saw my hand ready on the blade at my thigh.

"You're the female captain they're talking about," Elric's voice was low as it sunk in.

Logan smirked at that, "Ah, that female legion at Windhaven."

"Indeed," I gave a nod in confirmation.

"How… interesting." He looked at his other warriors, "Sorry, where are my manners? I'm Lord Logan of Mountiel Camp." He extended a hand to me and noticed my hesitation.

"Mayar," I said, shaking his hand, "Of Thornhill."

His eyes glanced to Elric then and he raised his eyebrows, "So that's how you know each other. How… interesting."

He made me feel uncomfortable, I realised, as I held myself straight. I didn't trust him. And Elric had gone from Thornhill to this camp… why? But Elric's eyes were looking at the shadowsinger behind me. My mate. And he looked worried. Uncomfortable, even. Just like he had the night when we'd come across the beast… the night my wings were shredded.

"You're far from camp," Cassian said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"Errands to run. You know what it's like, General," Lord Logan said. "And one can't be too careful."

"No, one can't," Azriel said, his voice calm but the threat hung there.

"What interesting company for a young female to keep," Logan mused and I realised that our mating bond had been hidden. Glamoured, even. For protection? He spotted the deer that was now on the floor behind us. "Dinner?"

"Yes," Cassian said, "And we should get going or we're going to be late." His siphons were glowing. I could see them in the corner of my eye. In warning, I realised. He spread his wings in-synch with Azriel.

"I'm sure we'll see each other soon," Logan said, looking directly at me.

"I suppose we'll see about that," I said, coolly and he smirked in challenge as I spread my wings too. Surprise flickered across Elric's face as myself and the two Illyrian warriors behind me took to the skies, with the deer we'd hunted.

We were silent as we flew and we reached the cabin quicker than I'd expected. A fire had been lit outside, a spit ready for the venison, and Feyre and Rhys sat beside it.

"You were a while," Rhys commented.

"We found some unwanted company on the way," Cassian murmured and he and the High Lord walked off together.

Azriel turned to me then, "You knew him."

I gave a nod as my stomach churned, "Elric was from… Thornhill."

"He's alive."

"He escaped before Ironcrest came," I started preparing the deer for cooking and he knelt beside me.

"A friend?"

"I'm not sure," I told him. "It was… complicated." A low snarl and I rolled my eyes at him. Jealousy. "We were never together," I told him. "He was an arrogant prick for the most part." I looked over at my mate. "We mostly grew up together. I thought he was an idiot but as a youngling I hung out with him and his friend Roe too because the males understood me more than the females… but the night my wings got damaged… well he and Roe didn't think I was brave enough to go into the woods in the dark and well… I wanted to prove them wrong." I looked at Azriel's face as he let out a low snarl, "I protected him. He'd have been hurt too if I hadn't… and after that we didn't really hang out so much. I know my father punished him for it and I know he felt guilty for it all. I healed him after the war… he was injured and I wasn't sure he would survive… and Elric begged me to kill him but I didn't."

"You stayed by his side."

"For the most part," I nodded, "Until I knew he wouldn't die from an infection. And then as nightfall came on the night that Thornhill…" My voice caught in my throat and I cleared it before I continued, "He asked me to go with him, but I said no. I thought he was being a coward."

"Sounds like he is one," Azriel murmured and I met his eyes. Shadows danced there.

"Jealous?" I teased and his brow furrowed.

"Forgive me if I don't trust a male who let a youngling female get attacked by a beast." There was no amusement there and I reached for one of his scarred hands.

"It was all part of my journey… to you." I told him and his eyes softened slightly. He rested his forehead against mine, breathing in my scent and letting out a sigh.

I was somewhat disappointed to return to Windhaven. Mostly because I knew Azriel was heading off on business when we returned, so he would be gone for a few days. But also because I knew my family would head back to Velaris, back to their lives. My small house was quiet. Empty. I longed to hear the sound of Mor or Rhys' laughter. To hear Amren scolding Cassian. To hear my mate's soft, velvety voice. Everything was just as I had left it, although a letter was waiting for me. I opened the envelope and spread myself out on the sofa.

May,

How are you? And how is your mate? How is training going? Sorry I've not been in touch for a while and sorry for bombarding you with questions. I'm exhausted and with this baby expected any day now… well it's making me a forgetful mess! The hot weather certainly hasn't helped.

Perhaps in Autumn you could drop by for a visit?

Missing you,

Deana

There had been a time when Deana and I hadn't gone a single day without meeting up for a gossip or for her to give me a secret sewing or cooking class, to help me catch up with the other females. Until she'd moved away with her Illyrian husband, Roe, of course. It had been so many months since I'd last seen her. And now she would be having a baby. Soon.

I thought then of Elric in his armour the previous day. Where had he been going? And why had he chosen to flee Thornhill? Had he known what Ironcrest would do? The glass in my hand shattered and I realised I'd been grasping it too tight. I cursed at the little scratches on my already-scarred hand- scarred from the Blood Rite in Spring. I'm sure he didn't know, I decided. How could he have done?