I woke late afternoon to find Azriel still asleep, a wing draped over me and an arm around my waist. He looked so peaceful and I lay there just watching him for a while, tracing the tattoos on his arm with my finger. I knew he'd woken up when his hand caught mine and he pressed it to his lips, kissing it. Then his eyes opened and met mine with an intensity like they were looking right into my soul.

"Armed and watches me sleep, not concerning at all," He teased, pressing a kiss to my forehead. He glanced up at where the Sun was in the sky. "We should probably get going soon."

"Do we have to?" I snuggled in closer to him and he sighed.

"I promised Cass and Nesta that we'd have dinner with them… something about a double date," He rolled his eyes as if regretting it and then he tapped the black tattoed band around his wrist that I'd not seen before.

"Well if you made a bargain, we'd better do it," I laughed, sitting up. I brushed through my hair and skin, getting rid of any sand that was still on me and then I ruffled Azriel's hair, doing the same to him. He smiled, brushing down his clothes and putting things back in the picnic basket whilst I grabbed the poetry books.

"I apologise now for everything that is said this evening," He said to me, his face serious. "And for all the teasing that is no doubt coming our way."

I smiled at his serious expression, "I can handle it."

There was no sign of Nesta and Cassian when we got back to the house, but I heard a thud from the floor above and I raised my eyebrows.

"Erm… we should wait downstairs," Azriel said, leading me down to his floor. Where it was quiet.

I laughed and shook my head, "How do you live with it?"

"I go out a lot… there's a reason why Cass' room is now up there."

I glanced around at the rooms that we'd not yet been in, "Which room is yours?"

He walked to the door at the end of the hallway, next to the library and opened it. His scent drifted out, leaving no doubts that it was his room. It had a larger window, I noticed, than the other bedrooms I'd been in. The room itself was painted a very deep blue but with silver accents. There was a silver velvet armchair by the window, where large, thick curtains were draped. An antique desk sat in one corner, a small pile of books on it. There was a small bookcase too, his own personal collection of titles old and new. I ran my fingers along the spine, the books all in alphabetical order by author. A large armoire matching the desk stood on the other side of the room, mirrors built into the doors. Next to it, a door I presumed led to his ensuite. My eyes finally fell on the bed. It was huge, plenty of room to accommodate his wings and an extra person. I blushed at the thought. The dark sheets looked satin but a grey fur blanket was spread across the top.

"It's very nice," I told him and walked over to the window. It was angled to view the ocean and the northern part of the Sidra.

"I didn't want to feel trapped," he told me. "Rhys had an even bigger window put in."

Because of his childhood…

I turned around and looked at him. He looked lost in thought. I lifted my hand to his cheek and gently caressed it. He let out a sigh.

"Gwyn, I need to-"

"I thought you'd arrived!" Nesta appeared in the doorway and I dropped my hand as I looked at her. Her dress was wrinkled, though surprisingly not a hair was out of place. "Cass is just setting the table, come on up."

Cassian had indeed set the table when we appeared in the dining room. Cutlery was set, wine and a jug of water sat in the middle of the table and, to my surprise, a lovely bunch of roses. Nesta sat down beside her mate so Azriel and I sat across from them.

"How was the beach?" Cassian asked us, pouring the wine. "I hope you didn't go in the water, it's bitter at this time of the year."

"It was lovely," I replied, glancing at Azriel. He was quiet and I worried I'd upset him. I placed my hand on his knee under the table and looked back at Cassian, "Are Illyrian warriors scared of a little cold water?"

Nesta smirked across from me, "You are awfully sensitive."

The corner of Azriel's mouth twitched up into a smile.

"You're just going to let them bully us?" Cassian asked in disbelief. "The teams are even."

"We're outmatched," Azriel tilted his wine glass and took a sip.

"Read any interesting novels recently, Azriel?" Nesta asked and I held up my hands as he glanced at me, his eyes wide. "Oh, so Gwyn already knows? You left one on the coffee table." Nesta slid the book to Azriel and Cassian started to laugh.

"Which ones are your favourite, Cassian?" I asked, turning my attention to him. He stopped laughing as laughter erupted from Azriel's lips.

Cassian turned to look at his mate, "Putting you two together for dinner was a bad idea. I'm not sure I'll make it out alive."

"I think it was a great idea," Azriel murmured, amusement in his eyes. "Perhaps later we can swap book recommendations, Cass."

The laughter and baiting continued throughout the evening and we had just made it to dessert when the High Lord strolled in. From the look on his face and the smart attire, I knew it wasn't a casual visit. He glanced at Nesta and Cassian and then over at me with Azriel and where the Shadowsinger's hand held mine under the table.

"Sorry to interrupt your evening," He said, "Azriel, Cassian, may I have a word?"

Concern was written across both of their faces as they stood and disappeared into the study with Rhysand.

Nesta raised her eyebrows at me and then poked the chocolate dessert with her spoon, "Guess we'll have to take one for the team." And we devoured it.

"So you two seem pretty cosy," Nesta grinned at me, topping up our glasses of wine. I blushed. "Don't give me that innocence, Berdara. I noticed there was some sand in his hair."

"He may have fallen over chasing me," A smile played on my lips.

"And?"

"Some kissing may have been involved."

She wrinkled her nose, "All that sand?"

"It was a picnic on the beach, it was romantic," I smiled and Nesta rested her chin on a hand as she looked over at me.

"He makes you happy," She murmured and I nodded, as if my smile didn't give me away. "Good, because I'll throttle him if not."

When they left the study some time later, Nesta and I had almost finished our glasses of wine.

Rhysand left the room first and nodded to both of us, "Goodnight, ladies." He headed back towards the balcony, his wings flaring behind him. Cassian and Azriel sat at the table with us and I watched as Cassian poured a glass of amber liquid for him and the Shadowsinger.

"What was that about?" Nesta looked back and forth between them as I tried to read Azriel's facial expression.

"Beron has been preparing an army," Cassian replied. "We believe he plans to take the Spring Court."

"Why?" I asked.

Nesta let out a breath, putting the pieces together. "To expand his land… because Tamlin doesn't care enough to protect his court, not anymore."

"The Dusk Court was wiped out many years ago and no one knows whether there were any survivors. It was land to claim, to build or expand an empire… if The Autumn Court takes Spring, then their land mass is almost the same as ours," I said.

"He becomes more wealthy and gains soldiers," Nesta added.

Cassian nodded, "And with a larger army, direct access to the human lands and more wealth for an empire, why stop there?"

"Tamlin has no heir," I said. "He needs to nominate someone… it's very rare, has only happened once or twice, but there is a ceremony where he can declare an heir who is not of his blood." Cassian and Nesta looked surprised and I shrugged. "I read about it once," I said. "I can try and find the book tomorrow, I'll ask the other priestesses to help."

"Thank you," Cassian said. "I'll let Rhys know."

"I leave tomorrow for the Spring Court," Azriel told me. "I'm taking Lucien with me… we need to speak to Tamlin."

"When will you be back?" I asked.

"It depends how long it takes to talk some sense into him." Azriel sighed, "And then I've got to see what I can find out about Autumn Court's plans." He glanced over at Cassian, "And I suppose we'll have to organise a meeting with Eris in the Hewn City imminently too."

My heart thudded in my chest, "Please be careful,"I said softly to Azriel and he nodded as his eyes met mine.

Nesta let out the worst fake yawn I'd ever heard from opposite me and stretched up her arms, "We'd better get to bed," She said to Cassian, "I need my beauty sleep before training in Windhaven tomorrow." I raised an eyebrow at her and she gave me an innocent expression as she and Cassian stood up. "Goodnight," She said.

"Goodnight," Repeated Cassian and he followed her up the stairs.

"I'm sorry," Azriel apologised when they were gone. His eyes were sad.

"For what?" I turned to face him so that we were sitting knee-to-knee, "It's your job."

"I don't want to leave you," He said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I'll be here when you get back," I whispered back, running my fingers over one of his hands. He looked down at where my hand met his.

He sighed at the touch, his shoulders visibly relaxing. After a few moments of quiet, he glanced up to meet my eyes again, "Stay here tonight with me… please."