Hey everyone! I know, I know, you probably thought I was dead or something, but I've just been chilling on a beach, enjoying myself way too much! But, hopefully this is the beginning of me getting back into the rhythm of my writing. Without further ado, here is the first chapter in far too long! Enjoy!

Rhysand:

When I woke up the next morning with the dawn, I didn't recognize where I was for a moment. Then my brain began racing and I remembered.

The blood rubies. Right.

Feyre was still asleep, with how early it was I wasn't surprised, so I slipped out of bed carefully, trying my best not to disturb her.

It didn't work as I had planned though, and she rolled over, fluttering her eyes open for just a moment. "He's out on the main terrace," my beautiful mate mumbled sleepily before turning back over and going to sleep.

How did I get so lucky to have someone like her, just knowing what I needed before I said a thing. Only my mate would know that if I was getting up this early it was because I had to do something, and only my mate would know to just reach out and find the male I was looking for with her little piece of his magic.

Only Feyre.

I stooped over and gave her a quick peck on the nose before slipping into some clothes and leaving the room, shutting the door softly. Then I headed out to the terrace on the top floor of the Palace to find Tarquin, the male I needed to talk to.

"Would I be correct to assume that you could not sleep either Rhys?" the High Lord of the Summer Court asks wearily from where he stood, his arms braced on the pale marble railing of the terrace.

"Not quite. I believe I have a solution to our problem of getting those blood rubies back," I begin. The male next to me gives me his full attention, hope shining in his eyes. "The younger female Illyrians. They still have their wings, and can fly as well as any, but they are not as menacing as the adult male Illyrians, so Fae would be more willing to treat with them. Also, they have enough training now, thanks to Cassian's new implements, so they can handle themselves if they get into trouble," I explain.

Tarquin pushed off of the railing and began pacing furiously, and I could practically see the thoughts churning in his head.

After a few minutes of this he turns back to me. "Only the girls who volunteer can do it. No forcing anyone to clean up my mistake," Tarquin finally responded, silver lining the younger males eyes.

I take a few steps closer to him, and put my hands on his shoulders, giving him no choice but to look me in the eyes. "I would never force a subject of mine to do anything," I begin. And before Tarquin can say anything I continue, saying, "And this is not your mistake. Your predecessors sent out blood rubies too, and either way, this is Hybern's work somehow. And we will stop them, but if you begin blaming yourself now, then all is lost."

Tarquin nods and then does something I had not expected from him. The High Lord steps up and hugs me fiercely.

"Thank you Rhysand. You are a true friend, I see that now," Tarquin says to me when he pulls away.

I nod, grateful to be forgiven. "Any you are a true High Lord to your people," I tell him back honestly.

I hate to break up whatever moment you and Tarquin are having, but you need to get back here as soon as possible. Bring Tarquin if you can. Az is back from somewhere. Feyre communicates with me through the bond.

Az went out? I shoot back. Strange, he usually tells me when he goes out, or otherwise I give the order, I think to myself.

Apparently. He woke me up when he got back, looking for you. We are talking now but he won't tell me his news. He wants everyone who needs to hear it together first before he shares what he learned. My Mate responds.

Be back soon. I reply, turning to fill Tarquin in on what I just learned.

Winnow. I opened a path through the wards. Az says it's really important. Feyre implores me, urgency coming across through the bond.

Thank you Feyre, darling. I send back quickly before explaining to Tarquin that my spymaster was back and he apparently had news.

Tarquin nodded when I asked if he would come with me, and the High Lord began walking down the hallway to get to our rooms a few floors down in the Palace.

I jogged to catch up and grabbed his wrist. "No need," I say, smirking, before winnowing us both down the path Feyre opened through the wards.

In a blink we were in the sitting room attached to me and Feyre's room, and everyone else was already gathered.

Tarquin looked astounded that he had just been winnowed inside of his Palace, and Feyre looked worn, sweat forming on her forehead from the effort of keeping the path open.

The moment my Mate spotted us she let the path snap shut, I could tell from the sigh of relief she gave at the release of the magical strain, and promptly half collapsed on the floor, breathing hard.

Tarquin didn't seem to notice though, for he looked at me with wide eyes. "How are you that powerful?" The male questioned, hints of awe and fear lacing the words.

I just chuckled. "I'm not. That would be my lovely wife and Helion's powers in her, and as you can see…" I trailed off, gesturing to Feyre, who was almost asleep on the floor, panting.

"My powers now," she managed to breathe out, causing a smile to jump to my face.

Tarquin seemed relieved to hear and see that, and that was the moment that Azriel cleared his throat softly.

All eyes in the room were immediately on him.

"Whatever it is that is happening here and in the Spring Court struck the Dawn Court."

Ahhhh! The satisfaction of leaving on a cliffhanger. I promise you all that the next chapter will not take that long to write, although it probably will not be up for another week or so. Thanks for understanding! Till next time! Bye!