The stew in the bowl in front of me was going cold. It had been placed in front of me a while ago now, but I wasn't hungry. In the tavern, Illyrians laughed and joked as they drank. Out on the streets there would be the additional soldiers on duty and others would be spread out on the boundaries of the village. But how many of them were traitors?

I'd stalked into Logan's office just an hour previously.

"Elric is a traitor," I'd said and his eyes had narrowed.

"Is that so?" He folded his arms. "What makes you so certain?"

"He left Thornhill just before my family were killed. Tonight, he offered me sanctuary again if I chose to go with him before he, again, fled."

"You think he's with Ironcrest?"

"I think there's a strong possibility."

He'd added extra soldiers to the rotations across the camp and had excused me, refusing my offer to take up a rotation. I'd try again tomorrow.

"Something wrong with the stew?" Erein sat down across from me, "Because Reina is going to be offended if you don't eat it." She nodded towards the cook who was standing in the kitchen doorway.

I scooped up a spoonful and ate it, "I'm just distracted."

"Logan filled me in." Erein's eyes darkened, "I knew something wasn't right with that bastard."

"I missed him," I told her, "My knife fucking missed."

Her eyes softened as I took another mouthful, "You can't always be on-target." Her eyes moved to my neck, where there was now a small red mark from a blade, and then she met my gaze again, "It happens." She was quiet as I carried on eating but her eyes remained wary.

"Do you think they'll come here?" I asked when I had finished.

"It's possible," Erein replied, "Logan is preparing for that outcome."

"Will he let us fight?"

"Undoubtedly," She said, "He'd be stupid not to and I'd never let him hear the end of it." Her gaze drifted to the door as my mate walked through it, his face tired and serious. His eyes moved to mine and the shadows dancing around him retreated slightly. "I'll catch you later," Erein whispered and she slid off the bench, nodding to Azriel as he headed over to me.

He followed me in silence as we headed up to my room and locked the door behind him as we entered.

"I've always wanted to rip his head off," His voice was like quiet death. I turned towards him as one of his shadows drifted around my arm, as if checking me over.

"He didn't hurt me," I told him and Azriel moved towards me. His hand reached out and gently touched the red mark on my neck, "He wasn't going to hurt me."

"But he could have," His eyes were pained and I reached to caress his cheek. "I don't know why I didn't think of it before."

"I should've noticed too," I told him, "I guess I still thought he was that weak and scared boy from the woods."

He pulled me towards him and pressed a kiss to my forehead. It felt like a whisper, a gentle gesture. I tilted my head up to look at him. His eyes were dark, shadows floated behind him. One tucked around my ear in a kind of caress. "I need to practise my aim." I said and he smirked, pressing a kiss to my lips.

"I think your aim is fine," He murmured and I rolled my eyes.

"You know perfectly well what I mean."

"I'm trying to distract you, isn't it working?"

"Az-"

"There isn't anything we can do tonight. Not right now," He tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear where a shadow had been. The gesture made my heart thud in my chest, "Although I can think of a way to spend the time."

"Oh really?"

And his lips crashed into mine.

I slept better that night than I had expected and I was surprised that no nightmares had come my way. I woke to find Azriel's arm still draped over me, his bare skin pressed against mine. It wasn't often these days that I woke up to find him still beside me. I took in his sleep-filled expression- relaxed eyebrows, shadows out of sight, a faint slither of a smile on his lips. He was beautiful. How had he ended up my mate? I still wasn't sure. I looked down at the band he wore on his finger and smiled.

When would we be able to spend time just the two of us? When would it be safe to spend the whole day in bed again? Or a few days tucked away in a cabin enjoying the nature around us? Even in Windhaven life wasn't quiet or peaceful. If Thornhill hadn't burnt down, would I still be living there? Would Azriel and I be living there together or was it too far from his home in Velaris? Would we have lived with my parents or would we have built our own house? I ignored the ash feeling in my mouth and the reminder that my mother and father had never met my mate… not officially, anyway. Because my family… well they were gone.

Except…

I sat up in bed abruptly and Azriel followed suit, his eyes wide, "What's wrong?"

"I have an idea."

We washed and dressed quickly and Azriel made me stop for a quick breakfast in the tavern, despite my protests. It was still early and I had a short while before training started but not long. In my leathers I walked with purpose, my mate flanking me as we headed towards the barracks. Guards stepped aside, allowing us access without questioning and I only knocked once before I entered Logan's office. He looked exhausted sat before us, eating some kind of porridge.

"What… what is it, Captain?" He stumbled, moving to his feet.

I signalled to his seat, "Sit and eat." I told him and he did as I commanded as Azriel leaned against the wall behind me, his arms folded. "You said yesterday we needed more forces?"

"Yes," Logan nodded, gravely. "From what I've heard of Ironcrest's numbers, we are outnumbered."

"I've already sent word to the General," Azriel said. "He will be gathering a legion of warriors from Windhaven."

"I'm not sure it will be enough," He said.

"I need to meet with Eris Vanserra," I announced and the war-lord blinked as Azriel let out a low growl. I ignored my mate as I continued, "Does he not have his own army?"

"Yes," said Azriel, "But he's never offered it up to help anyone."

"He sent me a letter after our visit to Hewn City," I continued, "Saying he'd write to me in future and wished to know me better."

"Eris cannot be trusted." Azriel's voice was low.

"Even with family?"

"He wants his father dead. I'd say that would mean he can't be trusted with family."

I looked over at Logan then, "Do you think he would meet with us?"

"I can't imagine he'd come here," The war-lord said, "If people found out the heir to the Autumn Court throne were visiting an Illyrian camp, there would be questions."

"So we go to him."

"We can't step into the Autumn Court without permission from Beron," Azriel said.

"I suppose our only other option is Hewn City then," I shrugged.

"There's a ball tomorrow night," Logan said. "Erein and I were planning to attend… but the camp… I can't leave it unattended."

"I will guard it with my life," Azriel said and Logan raised his eyebrows as my mate turned to me, "There would be too many questions if I gatecrashed the ball, especially as everyone there knows who I am and my place in our High Lord's Inner Circle." He turned to Logan then, "You will guard my mate until your dying breath, do you understand?"

Logan bowed his head, "I do."