A/N: Thank you to inuverse and xxIvorySkinnedxx for the reviews.

Thank you to infernas81 and inuverse for Beta-ing.

I hope you enjoy Chapter 3 – please R & R.

Chapter 3

I got out of bed, being as careful as possible so I didn't jostle a still sleeping Elain. I went into the attached bathing room and looked in the mirror. I had red, puffy eyes and it was obvious I hadn't gotten much sleep – in short, I looked like shit. After getting myself washed up I went back into my bedroom and woke Elain up as we needed to get ready to take the boys training.

I was dressed in my Illyrian fighting leathers, Arco Iris strapped to my back, daggers strapped under the bump and in my boots and I had my wings out as I planned to go through some training manoeuvres.

Once ready the 3 of us made our way down to the entrance hall and I could see Alis and the boys were waiting alongside Tamlin. Alis stared at me.

"Where….what….why….why are you dressed like that?" She spluttered.

"Training," I answered.

"Training?!" she virtually shrieked at me. "You're a Lady, you're with child, you shouldn't be training!" Her arms were waving around in her incredulity.

"She could give Rhys a run for his money with the over-protectiveness," Cassian whispered in my ear.

"I need to train Alis, although I am careful."

"Careful?!" she shrieked. "You shouldn't need to go training, especially if you stay behind that brute!"

Cassian sniggered as I tried to calm her down. "I need to keep my skills up Alis, being mated to Rhys I might as well have a target on my back, so I need to be able to look after myself and my child, even if Cassian is around."

"I promise Alis. I love my balls too much to let anything happen to Feyre," Cassian told her with a big smirk. I punched his arm.

"And what about those….things?" she asked, gesturing to my wings.

"Oh, yeah, well, I can shape shift with my magic, so I conjure wings. I always have them out when I train."

I think she could sense that she wasn't going to get anywhere with me, so she walked right up to Cassian – who was a good 3 feet taller than her – and poked him in the chest with her finger.

"You," she growled at him, "need to make sure she's ok. If anything happens to her I will hold you responsible." He meekly nodded at her, then she turned back to me. "I have chores to do, I'll see you later My Lady." She then bowed before she headed to the kitchens.

"Well Cass," I said, turning to face him, "forget Rhys, you'll have to answer to Alis if anything happens!" I laughed as I turned to the boys and held out my hands for them to hold as we left the manor for the training ground.

After training, Alis was waiting for us and I quietly begged her for her help. As much as I didn't want to admit it, it was starting to get too much. She helped me to my room and to pull the leathers off as I had no energy. She ran me a bath, but I didn't want her to leave as I knew I'd fall asleep, so she asked me how the boys had enjoyed the training grounds.

I told her that they had loved it. They had watched amazed as Cassian and Tamlin crossed swords and we'd shown them some exercises and how to throw and hold a dagger and I'd shown them some archery.

After the bath Alis had helped me dress in comfy clothes then left to do her other jobs, so I left my room in search of Elain. I found her looking over the plot of Tamlin had gifted her.

"Hey Elain," I said, coming up behind her.

She didn't acknowledge me, so I looked in her eyes. She looked deep in thought, so I gently shook her shoulder.

"Elain," I said again. Again, I got no response. Now I was starting to get worried.

"Elain!" I shouted, shaking her shoulder more vigorously.

I was going to need help, so I shut my eyes, located Cassian and knocked against his mental shields. When he let me in I told him I needed him. Less than a minute later he landed next to me.

"She's gone catatonic with a vision again," I told him, gesturing to Elain.

Cassian strode over to her and took her hand. "Hey Elain, nice plot of land you got here. What you planning to do with it?"

Cassian got no response either. We both knew there was nothing we could do for her apart from making sure she was safe and caring for her when she came out of it.

"We'll just be over here Elain" I told her, gesturing to Cassian to follow me.

We'd both just turned around when she finally spoke. "The howling echoes through the night."

We went back to her and gently sat her on the ground and sat with her, waiting until she either gave us another cryptic prediction or came out of her trance. Whilst we silently waited I'd got a pen and some paper and noted the words she'd already spoken. As soon as she was finished I'd send them to Rhys, so the rest of the Inner Circle could ponder the meaning.

It was another 5 minutes before she spoke again. "The fires burn night's foreseen".

I don't know why, but I felt like my ice magic had gotten into my veins. A feeling of dread settled over me, so deep that I felt Rhys tug the bond, asking if I was ok. I told him that Elain was having a vision and that we were making a note and would send it as soon as she was ok. He didn't seem satisfied with my response, but probably didn't want to push it after last night.

After a further 10 minutes, Elain seemed to come round. We escorted her back to our rooms, so she could get some rest. When she was settled I sent the note:

Rhys

Elain had a vision. She was in it for at least 20 minutes. She said, "the howling echoes through the night" and "the fires burn night's foreseen". We don't know what it means, and Elain can't remember anything about the vision.

Love you xx

As soon as I'd finished writing the note disappeared, then reappeared with Rhys' barely legible scrawl below mine.

Feyre darling

I've told the others, we'll keep an eye on things.

Of course you love me, why wouldn't you?!

Your most handsomest High Lord, your mate, the male you can't live without and should worship daily xx

I shook my head muttering "idiot" under my breath and felt his glee through the bond. I checked on Elain and she was fast asleep, so I told Cassian I was going to the library whilst he was sat down polishing and sharpening his blades.

The walk to the library was slow as I was seriously aching. I was pondering how to tell my family that I thought I needed to slow down without having to endure their smugness of knowing that they were right, when I walked straight into the immovable figure that is Tamlin. I hit him with such force that I crashed to the floor.

"By the Cauldron Feyre, are you ok?" Tamlin asked me, concern all over his face. He crouched down so he could see me better.

"Fine," I responded through gritted teeth. All my muscles were singing in agony and I was getting pummelled by the baby for jostling her.

"You don't look fine, I'll go fetch a healer….or your sister….or Alis….or Cassian," he rambled, clearly starting to panic.

"I'm ok, honestly. I'm just achy and feel rather stupid is all."

"If you're ok why haven't you tried getting up yet?" he countered.

I felt a blush rise on my cheeks. "Because I can't," I sheepishly said.

He chuckled and moved over to help me. I thought he was going to offer me his hand to grab, but the next thing I know he'd scooped me up into his arms and carried me into the library that was a couple of doors down from where we were.

He set me into a chair then grabbed a foot stool and gently put my feet up, before kneeling next to me.

"Will you please let me fetch you a healer?"

"I don't need a healer, and besides, this isn't exactly a normal pregnancy so I'm not sure if anyone but Thesan will know what's exactly normal for me."

"Is that because of what Cassian was saying at dinner yesterday? I did want to ask you about it. What happened?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "we don't know. It seems like the baby did about 4 months' worth of growing overnight. They're not sure if it's caused by the fact that I'm Made or that my shape-shifting or healing magic got the baby to a point where it was more developed, to make it safer. They just don't know. As Thesan explained it to me, the most dangerous time during High Fae pregnancy is what I managed to skip.

"That is…"

"Weird?" I interrupted, "yeah, it is." I patted my round abdomen, "still, we're ok, and if there are no further growth spurts I've got another 8 months."

"Well Feyre, you certainly know how to be different," he laughed.

"Yeah, funny," I said

"Listen, I was going to ask you for your help, if you're feeling up to it."

"Oh."

"I would like you to officially host Calanmai. I've not had chance to appoint another High Priestess, so I need someone to preside, and you being a High Lady, well, you'd be perfect."

Shit, I thought. I had no idea how to try and explain that I was going home to Night so that Rhys and I could do Night's Calanmai celebration, without it feeling like I was kicking him whilst he was down.

"Ermmm, listen Tam, I really would like to help, but…well…I kind of have to do Night's celebration….." I left the end of the sentence hanging. I could feel the blush on my cheeks.

Realisation hit Tamlin and his eyes grew wide at the implications. "Ah, I didn't think about that." He strode to the other side of the library, deep in thought, then suddenly turned to me again. "If you want to stay here I suppose he can come and the rest of your Court. You can nominate someone to do the ritual in Night in your place if you wish."

"I'll have a chat with Rhys later and let you know tomorrow, if that's ok."

"Fine, fine," he said, waving his hand dismissively. Clearly this had gotten too much for him.

He'd just turned to look out the window, when I let out an involuntary gasp as I had a swift kick to my ribs. Tamlin came over looking concerned.

"I'm ok, she's just pretty pissed since I fell is all."

"She?" he asked.

"I think it's a girl," I said, rubbing my belly in a futile attempt at soothing.

Tamlin was looking and could see the kicks through the tight skin as my shirt had pulled up slightly. He reached out a hand then seemed to think better of himself and went to withdraw it. "She's strong," he said with awe. "I reckon you're going to have your hands full," he chuckled.

We sat in companionable silence. I didn't realise that I must have fallen asleep until I looked around and Tamlin wasn't there, and I had a blanket tucked in around me.

After dinner Elain, Cassian and I went for a walk around the grounds.

"Feyre…" Cassian said hesitantly.

"Mmmmm," I distractedly responded.

When he didn't reply as we continued walking I tried to prompt him. "What Cass?"

He took a deep breath, like he was steeling himself for what he was about to say. "Listen, don't freak out, but I'm worried about Tamlin…..and you."

I stopped walking, astonished. "What?"

He glanced at Elain, who was staring into the distance, before looking at me. "I'm worried with how he's being with you. He seems too familiar. I know you two have history, but I'm not sure if he thinks he's still got a chance with you."

"He does," Elain added without looking at us.

"What?!" I all but shrieked. "He can't think that, surely?! I mean, I'm mated and married. I rule another Court. I'm pregnant, for crying out loud!" I loudly proclaimed.

"I don't know what to say or what to suggest," Cassian said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "but I wanted you to know so you were aware…..although, if you want I could tell him it'll never happen!"

I sighed, "no, I'll sort it." Although, in reality I had no idea what to do.

I was sat on a bench outside after dinner when I tugged on the bond to get Rhys' attention.

Good evening my High Lady, came his response. How was your day?

Tiring, I answered. I went to the library this afternoon and fell asleep.

Then you're doing too much, he admonished down the bond.

I suppose you're right. I do need to slow down.

What? Are you feeling alright? You NEVER admit I'm right!

Idiot, I muttered, and I felt him laughing at me.

Listen Rhys, Tam asked me to preside over Spring's Calanmai celebration. He's offered for you and the others to come here, if you want.

Are you going to be able to officiate with your new-found need to slow down?

There shouldn't be too much for me to actually do, apart from stand around looking pretty.

Someone thinks highly of herself!

Why shouldn't I? I retorted.

I didn't say you shouldn't! I'll see if Amren wants to stay and partake in our celebration with Varian.

Honestly, I don't think I'll ever get used to this 'oh let's see who we can get to fuck so we don't have to be at home ourselves to fuck, but can go to another Court to fuck' mentality.

You have such a dirty mouth darling.

I have other parts that are dirty too, which is why I'm about to head back to my room for a bath. I sent an image of me in the bath down the bond.

You are a naughty thing, teasing me like this.

I do try, l laughed. Listen, there is something else, and I need you not to freak out. I could almost sense Rhys stiffen up.

What?

Cass thinks Tamlin is trying to get me back. I heard him growl. You know that'll never happen, but I don't know how to handle it. If I get it wrong then one of the reasons for this visit, to get Spring back up and running properly and be a stable part of Prythian, will have failed. Any ideas?

Apart from go there now and get you back? No.

You're not helping.

I don't want to help! I want you safe and I don't think you are. You of all people know how unstable he can be and if you tell him he's got no chance he could blow up at you again. He paused before continuing, ok, I really don't want you to stay but what about this? I send Mor or Nesta tomorrow afternoon and they can help you run interference.

That could work.

Here's the thing Feyre, I don't want you on your own with him at ANY time.

Ok.

Also, why don't you see if you can use that delightful mouth of yours and convince him to invite the other High Lords; turn it into a big celebration? What about Lucien? Is he accompanying us or staying here?

I've not brought Lucien up yet, I was going to tomorrow. Although if you do bring him you need to lay ground rules down about Elain, I will not have him trying to force himself on her in the name of a celebration.

Well, let me know….and don't worry, if he does come, me and Az will sit down and 'explain' things to him….

Don't threaten him Rhys!

Who me? Of course I won't. I'll just make sure he knows what is expected of an emissary of the Night Court.

Rhys!

I'll behave…..Az might not though…..

I rolled my eyes and Rhys laughed at me.

Right. I am going for my bath now, if you want to think happy thoughts….

Enjoy your bath darling, I'll be thinking of you!

I don't doubt it. Love you.

Love you too. See you soon.

A/N: I am worried that this Chapter might have been a bit slow, but don't worry, things really start happening in Chapter 4!