I watched the females as I called out the orders. They were tired, I realised, as I watched some of them. But tiredness wasn't going to keep this camp alive. They followed the orders as best as they could, moving this way and that as I marched along the lines. Many had been building their stamina by flying or jogging daily, but others would return home from training to fulfill whatever their partners' needs were- housework, childcare or others.

A female stumbled and I cursed to myself as she moved back to strike.

I'd not even noticed Logan's presence behind me until he spoke, "They're struggling."

"I've been working them harder," I admitted, "Many of them don't have the discipline that-"

"That your females do at Windhaven," He murmured. "I suppose some of my males have been the same."

They relocated to the target practice and I watched with wary eyes as they threw their knives. Some hit the target, Erein's included.

"She's always been a show-off," Logan scoffed, but I did not turn to look at him.

"She'll be a great Captain when I leave."

"And when will that be?"

"When my business here is done."

He let out a low whistle, "You and the Shadowsinger are welcome here… to stay, should you wish to. I know we're a smaller camp, but we could find you a home… with stone walls should that be your desire."

"I belong in Windhaven now," I told him, although I wasn't sure I did. Where I belonged was wherever Azriel was. My home wasn't a place. Not anymore. Not since Thornhill had burnt to the ground and my memories had been turned to ash.

"Suit yourself," A nod. He turned his attention to the females then, "If you wish to be in my army, ladies, then I suggest you stop dilly-dallying and give this your all. Lives are at stake here." And as the females straightened up at the sound of their War-Lords voice, he headed back towards the barracks.

"You need to be firmer with them," Erein said as we packed away the equipment.

"They're here voluntarily," I reminded her.

"They're a hindrance," She nudged me with her elbow. "They're not taking it seriously."

I sucked in a deep breath as I looked at the woodland ahead of us and the track where we'd found the bodies just over a week previously. I knew what I had to do.

The females were confused at training that evening when I asked them all to sit down. Erein took the lead, daring anyone to challenge my request with her dark eyes. The two male guards, always stationed at our training sessions, raised their eyebrows but I ignored them as I folded my arms across my chest.

A few females chattered and murmured and I held up my hand, my voice harsh, my father's voice, as I spoke, "War is coming." I said to them all. "And it's time you understood the severity of this." I paced as I continued, "We have been given a warning but others were not so lucky. I'm from Thornhill and I tell you now that at Thornhill, we did not receive a warning." A few blinked in surprise as I continued. "I woke up to see a massacre in the camp, many being slaughtered and I watched powerless as my mother's throat was slit." My throat burned but I continued, "I was lucky enough to get away although you know what? Sometimes I wish I hadn't. Because that guilt eats me alive." A few flinched at that. "When Ironcrest attacked Windhaven they sent our best warriors elsewhere as a distraction so that we wouldn't be ready. We were lucky enough to win but do not think for a moment that there was not a cost." My eyes narrowed. "Ironcrest are clever. They'll strike when we least expect it and that is why I need you to take this bloody seriously. Do you understand?"

A few visibly swallowed. Some nodded. But I barked out, "Then show me you deserve to be a part of this army!"

The females stood quickly and Erein nodded, confirming I'd hit the mark.

Training became longer.

We woke up earlier and finished later and when walking around the camp, I was pleased to see females practising moves or out flying or jogging. Building strength and stamina. Exactly what I wanted.

Another week passed and Logan often dropped by our training sessions, giving a nod of recognition.

"This looks promising," Cassian grinned one day as we watched a female knock another to the ground.

"Pervert," I said and he smirked, folding his arms.

"I was commenting on their battle technique."

"I'm sure."

He snorted at that and followed me to where some of the females were practising their swordplay. Metal clanged and clashed, the sound ringing through the air as attacks were parried. I gave feedback to a few females and they changed their footwork immediately, taking on board my advice without issue.

"They seem to have progressed a lot," the General said and a few females fluttered their eyelashes his way. Not that it was any use of course. His heart was elsewhere. With Feyre's oldest sister, although Azriel said he'd deny it.

"It's been a challenge," I admitted, "But I think they're taking it more seriously."

"Good," He watched Erein's knife hitting the target.

"I plan on letting her take over when I leave," I explained. "Although she wants to take the Blood Rite."

He wrinkled his nose, "I doubt Logan will let her do that."

"Some of us slip through the net," I reminded him and he narrowed his eyes.

"Azriel and I still need to kill you for that."

I shrugged, "Good luck with that." I didn't regret it. I hadn't ever regretted it. I was alive and so were my females. And I'd been given the position of Captain. And it had helped me to realise that Azriel was my mate. The only thing I'd regretted was finishing it without Xavier.

My mate was going to be back later that night, he'd told me and I'd promised not to walk off somewhere by myself. So as I headed down to the river as the sun was setting, two warriors flanked me from a few metres away.

It was a cold evening and the grey and white clouds overhead only meant one thing- a snowstorm was on the way. I could practically smell the snow as I inhaled the cool air from atop the rock I was sat on. I held my palm upright and took in a deep breath as I reached for those sparks that were dormant in me. I smiled at the flicker in my hand.

"Impressive," A voice murmured. I reached for the throwing knife strapped to my thigh but as I did so, a blade was pressed to my throat. He was quicker than me.

"You bastard," I hissed at the familiar voice.

"That wicked tongue," He laughed but I moved quickly. The hand he hadn't marked met his throat with a blade too. "That wicked tongue," He laughed but I moved quickly. The hand he hadn't marked met his throat with a blade too. "Clever female."

"You know it," I pressed the blade in and this time he hissed as I scratched the skin.

"Come with me."

"The last time you said that you weren't holding a blade to my throat."

"The last time I said it, it wasn't a threat," He paused, "If you come with me, you'll be safe."

"Bullshit," I felt the spark in my other hand now and in the darkness his eyes widened.

"So be it," He moved back, releasing my throat and I turned to him as he launched himself into the air. I launched a knife into the air but he was quick and partially obscured by the tree. My knife grazed him as he disappeared out of sight.