I sent the females home as Erein took the shaking young female away and Logan was there quickly, in full armour and armed, Elric and two other warriors flanking him. I was circling the scene, trying to ignore the bile rising in my throat, trying to find any clues as to who had murdered the Illyrians.

"Dario," Logan's voice was a lethal quiet as he shook his head, saying the fallen warrior's name. "And Ruelle." The female. He looked over to where I was investigating. "Anything?"

"No footprints," I replied, "And I assume the weapon was taken."

He gave a nod, sheathing his sword and turning to his warriors, "Get them down and alert their families. They deserve a proper burial." He paced the area, scanning the ground and trees with me as the bodies were lowered and taken.

"Keir?" I asked and Logan ran a hand through his hair.

"I don't think so… I know he's probably not best pleased but I doubt he'd do this," He looked at the blood on the rock, "But Ironcrest on the other hand… a more likely possibility."

"Even after the battle at Windhaven?"

"I don't believe they sent all of their warriors that day." He looked thoughtful as a shadowed figure landed by me.

"Are you all right?" Azriel asked me, giving me a once over.

"I'm fine," I told him. "But we need your help."

Azriel refused to let me go with him to scout overhead and look for any signs of anything unusual and he'd promised to send Rhys, Mor and Cassian to Hewn City just to check that they were not responsible in any way. He'd gone with Elric and a few of the other warriors whilst Logan stayed behind to sort things out. And in case anyone came back.

"What can I do?" I asked him as he strolled through the barracks, anger rippling off of him. When we reached his office he turned to face me and his face was pained, the warlord mask gone.

"I don't know," He said.

"A drink?" I offered, spotting a golden liquid and two glasses on the shelf. I poured us each a glass and handed him one. He knocked it back quickly, his face grim.

"I've failed them, haven't I?"

I knocked my drink back, "You haven't failed them."

"When your mate came to visit he was checking for intruders and checking we were secure enough. He checked our border patrols, our rotations… everything."

"And you'll need to check them again," I told him, "Because at least you've had a warning." I met his eyes, "We didn't get one at Thornhill."

He gave a small nod, "I'd like you to train the females twice a day if you are willing."

"Of course," I bowed my head. "Anything else?"

"Send word to our High Lord. We're going to need some of your fancy armour."

Azriel returned late that afternoon and there had been no news and no sign. We'd stood back, watching from a distance as the two Illyrians were buried and their families wept as flowers were laid on their graves and then the camp dispersed, some to go and celebrate the lives of those who had been lost, and others headed to the tavern or their posts. The tavern was quiet as we ate, the events of the day hanging over everyone and I was grateful when we finally returned to our room.

My mate said nothing as we took turns to bathe and I sat myself on the bed in one of his shirts whilst he finished cleaning. I felt sick and could taste ash in my mouth. He came to join me and sat beside me, pulling me onto his lap and holding me.

"We didn't even get a warning," I murmured and then the tears started to fall.

"I know," He whispered as he held me tight.

"Leave them alone!" I shouted as I ran towards the warriors. Ironcrest. They held Erein and two other females in place, her wings had been clipped. She let out a cry for help.

"Females are not for training," One said.

"Stupid, stupid female." Another.

Erein's throat was slit and she fell to the ground as I cried out. I reached for my knives but they weren't there.

My body heated and then… fire.

"Mayar!"

"Mayar!" Azriel's voice and the smell of smoke woke me, bringing me back to my senses. I coughed at the ash in my mouth and sat up. Azriel's eyes were wide and my hands smoked. "It was a dream." He told me fiercely. He grabbed my smoking hands, inspecting them and looked relieved that there were no burns. But the sheets below me were scorched.

"Did I hurt you?" I asked, panic racing through me and he shook his head, wrapping his arms around me.

"I'm fine," He assured me, "Has this happened before?"

I thought back to the fire the previous night… the fire which had burnt the letter, "Not when I've been asleep and only once."

His fingers caressed my hair gently, "I suggest for now that you keep your siphon on you at all times… just in case."

I did for the next week, not taking it off once. There were no more bodies for now, but then I wasn't surprised. If it was Ironcrest, last time they'd waited for Windhaven to be off-guard, waited a couple of months after burning Thornhill to attack somewhere else. Training the females took place every morning and then every evening and despite heading off on business in the days, Azriel always came home. A jug of water had taken permanent residence beside our bed in the tavern, but despite the nightmares that came, I'd not conjured fire again. Nor had I conjured it in my own training sessions with Azriel at night.

"You know it would be awfully romantic if you lit the candles in here," Azriel's hazel eyes met mine with challenge one evening. It was late. He'd arrived back just in time for dinner and then we'd headed upstairs for bed. Except I was wide awake. Too wary.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "I'm sure."

He grinned then and walked towards me. I relaxed as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in and I breathed in that familiar scent of his, "Not tired?"

"My mind just won't switch off," I replied. "How do you do it?"

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, "I can think of some ways," He murmured and I raised an eyebrow, making him laugh softly. "Why don't we go for a walk?"

The camp was quiet and most lights coming from windows and the tents were out, leaving the moon and stars as the only light source overhead. Our footsteps were quiet as we walked side-by-side and hand-in-hand, his thumb brushing the back of my hand. We found a rock near the river and perched on it together. I smiled as Azriel tugged me into him so that my head rested on his shoulder.

"This is what I miss the most when I'm not around," He said and added, "Watching the stars with you."

"It takes me back to that day in Windhaven," I replied softly. It seemed so long ago now. When we'd watched the stars together for that first time. When I'd assumed the spark between us had been a figment of my imagination.

I curled into him more closely and listened as he pointed out various constellations, most of which I already knew, but I enjoyed just listening to his soft, velvety voice.

Eventually he said, "Don't come out here alone any more."

My body tensed, "I wouldn't, not when…" I shuddered at the thought.

"If anything happened to you…" His voice cracked and he moved to gently hold my chin. "You are everything to me."

I rested my forehead against his and said softly, so softly that even the owls nearby couldn't hear us, "I love you."

And I showed him just how much I loved him under the stars.