I held my breath as I walked into the tavern with Azriel and eyes were on us. It was getting late and the atmosphere reflected that. Fewer Illyrians were eating, most just drinking and playing cards as live music sounded through the room. But their eyes fell on us and their conversations stopped. Some looked afraid of the shadowsinger, others wary, and then there was the surprise of us standing together, no doubt our intermingled scents spreading from us. I led Azriel to my usual table, tucked in the corner by the roaring stone fireplace. The barmaid was slow to approach us but eventually came over and took our food and drink orders before making herself scarce.

"Always nice to have a warm welcome," Azriel murmured and I folded my arms.

"I thought things would have been better… considering you've been here before," He raised his eyebrow and I added, "Elric told me."

He gave a nod as our drinks arrived, "I suppose back then I wasn't ruining whatever plans their Lord had to court you."

"I told him I wasn't interested."

"I know," His eyes met mine as the shadows danced across his wrists. "But that doesn't mean he's lost interest."

"I can't help being so irresistible," I teased, flicking my hair.

A ghost of a smile on his lips, "No, I suppose not."

"You're a lucky male," I told him.

His eyes softened, the shadows retracting, "Yes, yes I am."

Our drinks soon arrived as did the stew and even though I wasn't a fan of the bland flavours, I was ravenous. Azriel laughed as I practically inhaled my food, eating it quickly and then leaning back when my belly was full. He finished his, taking a swig of mead, but his eyes narrowed as someone walked through the door.

"Stop that," I hissed to him and he blinked, "Or you can go back to Windhaven."

I followed his eyeline to where Erein was, also dressed more casually than the attire we'd been in just hours before. She glanced over at us, wondering whether to approach or not. I gave her a small smile and watched as she took a breath before coming over.

"Captain," She bowed her head and then looked at my mate, "Shadowsinger." Formal, I realised. Not warm and friendly. I wondered if my mate's presence had changed things. Made more people uptight and wary around me. "A letter came for you," She murmured, handing me the parchment. I tucked it away before Azriel could see the seal.

"Thank you," I said, "Would you like to sit?"

She looked wary and I was surprised when Azriel excused himself. Erein came and sat beside me then and finished my drink without hesitation, "You're as sneaky as your mate."

"I didn't want it to influence how I was treated," I said and I waved my hand, "Just like it does now."

She caught my hand and started inspecting the ring, "It's beautiful." And as she returned my hand she said, "Tell me about your mate."

There were some things I left out, of course, as I told her my story. I couldn't speak about Velaris and I kept details about the Inner Circle short and vague. But I told her about our meeting in Windhaven and the nights sneaking off to see the stars, our first kiss and wondering if we were mates, and that the Blood Rite made me realise we were.

She watched with curiosity, ordering more drinks for the two of us as we spoke and finally she said, "I'm happy for you but also a little disappointed."

I looked to where Azriel was, talking to some warriors who had relaxed slightly as he played a laid-back game of cards. I knew he wasn't listening to our conversation, despite probably wanting to. But he'd vowed to never spy on me.

"Why?" I asked.

"I suppose I kind of hoped you would end up with my brother," She smirked, "You'd have knocked the arrogance out of him."

I laughed at that and shook my head but then I remembered the letter in my pocket, the weight of it. "When did this letter arrive?"

"About an hour ago," Her face went unreadable, "Logan was surprised too but he decided it was best he kept away for a few days."

I gave a nod, "Thank you."

I waited until Azriel was asleep that night. His naked body was curled up beside mine, his breathing even as he slept deeply. From the dark circles under his eyes I wondered if this was the first time he'd slept properly in weeks. I slipped the letter out of the pocket of the trousers I'd been wearing, throwing on Azriel's shirt, and stepped into the bathroom, quietly closing the door behind me with as much stealth as I could muster.

The golden fox wax seal shimmered in the torch light and I sucked in a breath as I opened it.

Mayar,

I'm sorry we didn't have longer to speak today, but it was probably for the best. Keir's intentions are questionable at the best of times and I don't trust him with family matters these days.

I hope that perhaps we could find a time to meet properly, away from prying eyes. I know my mother will be delighted to hear about you.

I'll write you,

~ Eris

My throat tightened, constricting, and I gasped as the siphon at my wrist glowed. The letter in my hand caught fire. I hissed, waiting for the burn, but my skin was left unscathed as the ashes fell to the ground.

I thought of my mother then. Had she had this power? I thought of the memories, brought them all back to me. I remembered her lighting a fire in the woods, but I'd not seen how she'd done it. She'd never lit the stove with matches either. Had she…?

"Mother what are you doing?" I asked her. She jumped back from the fireplace as it roared to life. On the table sat a letter. "Who are you writing to?"

"My sister."

"My Aunt?"

"Yes," She smiled as she looked back at it.

"Is she nice?"

She laughed, "She is kind."

"Does she have younglings?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment, "They're not so young now, they're fully-grown males."

"Males!" I wrinkled my nose and she laughed, tapping it.

"Males, indeed. Seven."

"SEVEN!" I sat down beside her and looked at the letter. It was hard to read. My mother's handwriting was too swirly. "Are we going to visit them?"

She sighed, "It's not as easy as that, Moonbeam, but maybe one day we'll see her again."

She'd never had that chance, I realised. I wondered then if the Lady of Autumn knew what had happened to her youngest sister. My stomach twisted and I brushed off my hands, running the tap as if I'd used the toilet. I walked back into the bathroom quietly and curled back up to Azriel, closing my eyes. But despite the pretence he was keeping, I knew from his breathing that he was awake.

"Don't get up," He murmured the next day, tugging me in closer.

"Training," I told him, "And unlike at Windhaven, you can't just ask Cassian to cover it."

He groaned and I wiggled out of his grip, grabbing my clothes. He sat up in bed, the sheet draped loosely over his naked body as he watched me dress. "I've missed you."

I gave him a small smile, "I've missed you too." I strapped the shoulder armour into place and he moved before me, strapping my thigh sheath back on as easily as he'd removed it the previous night. I swallowed at the touch as I looked at the nude, muscular body before me. "You should put some clothes on."

"Am I bothering you?" His mouth quirked up in one corner.

"Yes," And with a quick kiss to the lips, I hurried off to training before he could change my mind.

Twenty-five females were there when I arrived. I blinked as I took them all in and then I looked over at Erein and the smug expression on her face. She shrugged.

I worked the females hard. I called out the orders firmly, more firmly than normal, but no female bat an eyelid or made a fuss. They pushed themselves, taking on board the praise and criticism I shared. They changed their postures, changed their aims, and when it came to using the swords, they did so with speed and precision. A choreographed dance.

The sound of swords clanged through the air as we heard the scream. I unsheathed the sword on my back without hesitation and ran, Erein and some of the other females behind me. The training ring was near to the forest and of the border of the woodland hung two Illyrians from the camp. There was a collective gasp behind me as Erein crouched down to comfort the crying woman who had found the body.

The female Illyrian's wings were clipped, her throat slit. She was a barmaid from the tavern, I realised. The male Illyrian's throat was slit too. And in their fresh blood on the rock below them a message was written.

We're watching.