Silence filled the room, so much so that you could hear the water rippling in the pool as Eris flourished a hand in my direction. I swallowed and found a brush against my mind from my mate.

Helion spoke first, surprise on his face and he looked at my scarred arm, "So that's how you evoked the blood duel."

Eris gave a nod, "He threatened Gwyn's life." Azriel gritted his teeth beside me.

"How do you have an heir exactly?" Thesan asked, eyebrows raised.

So Eris told them about my grandmother, how she and my mother were treated, how we ended up in Sangravah and then about my sister.

"My father found out just before I ended him," Eris said."I have no doubt he would have gone after Gwyn, Catarin and their mother if he had known they lived."

"You do realise that females cannot be heirs," Tamlin said.

"Where does it say that in writing?" Helion asked in challenge. "We have a High Lady among us now."

"And where do your loyalties lie, Gwyneth?" Kallias asked. "With the Autumn Court or the Night Court?"

"My loyalties lie with Prythian," I replied. "And those who need someone to fight their corner."

Helion smiled in approval, as did Feyre. "You, my dear, would make a wonderful leader."

Rhys and Helion had drawn up a treaty for the courts to sign. One promising not to fight one another without reason and also not to attack the mortal lands. The High Lords and High Lady would sign it tomorrow, it has been decided, when advisors had been given time to look over it. Some High Lords had retired to their own courts for the night, but Thesan had provided us with a suite.

The suite consisted of a communal living and dining room area, with a beautiful view of the landscape outside, and three ensuite bedrooms coming off of it. One room was far bigger and obviously the master, for our High Lord and High Lady, whereas the other two were still doubles, but slightly smaller.

Mine and Azriel's room was pink, accented with golds and oranges, with a large window that showed a red-roofed village below. In the distance, on the other side of the valley, I could see a waterfall carved into a mountain's surface. Winged Fae flew through the valley, their wings made from white feathers, a contrast to that of Azriel's and Cassian's.

"Well there weren't any fights," I told Azriel and he gave an amused smile.

"It went surprisingly well," my mate said softly. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in, breathing in my scent. Just two weeks until our mating ceremony. Two weeks until we were officially bound together in every possible way. Mates. Husband and wife. All of it.

I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed, "I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a High Lady when it comes to it."

Azriel stroked my hair, "I don't think you need to worry about that just yet."

"You hate the Autumn Court."

"I hated Beron and I hate Eris," he corrected. "The Autumn Court is beautiful."

"What about Rhys? Your inner circle?"

He was quiet for a moment and I moved my head to look at him. "I think I'd still continue to work for him if I could. He'll always be my High Lord, my brother. But of course, I'll go wherever you go." His eyes softened, "You're my world now."

My heart fluttered in my chest and I kissed him. He pulled me in tighter as we kissed, his breathing hard. I pulled away from the kiss and gave him a sly grin. "Isn't it a shame that we agreed no more sex until the night of our mating ceremony?"

His nostrils flared and I gave him a grin as I changed into the Night Court attire that had been left for me at the moonstone palace - a turquoise two piece made up of trousers with gold cuffs and a cropped turquoise and gold top. I knew he watched me getting changed and I smirked as I took my hair out of the braid and stepped back into the communal area. I heard a splash of water behind me.

Cassian let out a laugh as I walked past him to sit myself by the window.

We ate dinner on cushions around the low dining table, Helion joining us. We were just about to have another goblet of wine when there was a knock at the door. Cassian was the one who opened it. There stood Eris, hands in pockets, still dressed smartly.

"May I take Gwyn for a walk?" He asked and eyes shifted to me as Azriel tensed beside me.

"I'll be fine," I whispered to him, standing up. I walked over to the door and followed Eris out.

"Thank you for accepting my invite," he said as we walked side-by-side along the corridor. The large light fixtures were coming on now that sunset was upon us. I gave him a nod and he continued, "I feel like honesty and openness is important considering my father did not believe in either. I want to be able to work with the other High Lords."

We reached a courtyard surrounded by archways. The courtyard itself glowed orange in the sunset and was decorated with strings of faelights. It was filled with different plants and the smell was divine.

"I'm sorry I've not made contact over the last month," he apologised.

"I can imagine things have been very busy," I replied. "What happened when you got home?"

"My mother was upset," he said, looking at the fountain in front of us. "Even though my father treated her like shit, she was hurt. But I think she was angry too. Angry about his plans to take the Spring Court and marching soldiers to the slaughter." His eyes were cold, "I've started looking into plans to change the way our lesser Fae are treated but it won't be easy, they're still rebelling and fighting back. I've tried speaking to them…"

"But actions speak louder than words," I finished and he nodded. "I suppose you'll have to act fast."

"Indeed," he said. "Perhaps you could visit sometime." I fiddled with my hands in front of me. "With the Shadowsinger if you'd prefer."

I replied, "We have a busy few weeks but after that, I'm sure we could sort something."

He nodded with understanding. "Are you still training the females at Windhaven?"

"Yes," I replied. I ran my fingers through the water spurting from a fountain and looked over at Eris. "Are there any female warriors in the Autumn Court?"

"Our laws are outdated," he replied, "But I don't see why it should remain that way." A gold velvet box appeared in his hand and he held it out for me. "For you to wear at your mating ceremony, should you wish."

I opened the box carefully. Inside was a golden necklace, grander than anything I opened. Probably more expensive too. Real gold with blue sapphires- a large teardrop-shaped one in the centre and then three smaller ones at each side. It wasn't clunky, but it was tasteful.

"You don't need to buy me gifts," I told him.

"It's a family heirloom," He replied. "And now it belongs to you."

I closed the box and looked back at the fountain, "Thank you."

The treaty was signed the next day and then we all returned to our homes. Nesta was waiting for me that afternoon, Emerie sprawled out on the sofa behind her.

"What is it?" I asked. They both grinned at each other and an amused Azriel watched from the doorway. "What have you two planned?"

Twenty minutes later, we stood in the Palace of Thread and Jewels, a marketplace I'd not yet ventured into. Windows around us displayed finery, jewels and clothing, fabric swaying in the summer breeze.

"What are we doing here?" I watched as a high fae female exited a shop, her arms laden with boxes.

"Finding you a dress for your ceremony," Nesta replied.

"I have one already that I was going to wear."

Emerie wrinkled her nose, "Not that old, blue robe you were talking about."

"I don't need a new dress," I nudged Emerie, "and if I did I'd have asked you to make it."

"I don't do fancy dresses," she shook her head, "Far too much pressure. Now stop being a spoilsport, I have the afternoon off for this!"

Nesta and Emerie ushered me into a shop tucked down an alley, away from the others. Inside were hundreds of dresses hung up, organised by colour. A Fae male with blue skin and pointed ears stood behind a counter, draping fabric over a mannequin. He looked over at us with a friendly smile.

"Welcome, welcome!" He stepped out from behind the counter. "Nesta, how lovely to see you again." He bowed his head before turning to Emerie and I, "My name is Iziah."

"Emerie," my friend said, shaking his hand. "And this is Gwyn."

I shook his hand too.

"Ah, the bride-to-be," he smiled warmly and I raised an eyebrow at Nesta. She grinned back in response. "Well please do look around and try on anything you like. Any questions, I'm happy to help."

"Thank you," I replied, looking around. The fabrics hung from the railings were beautiful and with all the colours, it was almost like being in The Rainbow, looking at all of the art galleries across the river.

"Were you hoping for blue?" Nesta asked and I gave a nod.

"White just reminds me of all of our rituals and ceremonies," I said, walking over to the section of dresses in every single possible shade of blue. "And my mother always liked Cat and I in blue."

Nesta and Emerie nodded, moving to stand either side of me.

I let out a sigh, "I never imagined I'd ever have a mate but… Cat and I used to talk about finding a nice male to marry. Even though it's only a small ceremony, it'll be strange not having her there."

Nesta gave my hand a squeeze, "She'll be there in spirit, with you all the way."

"I think she'd have liked Az." I pulled out a dress I liked the look of and then another. I looked at my two friends. "This is why I don't come shopping. There's too much choice!"

"Trying a few on doesn't hurt," Emerie shrugged. "You might change your mind when you're wearing it anyway."

The dresses were all beautiful and I had no doubt that they were expensive from the way the fabric felt against my skin. I'd not chosen my dress straight away. In fact, I'd not even seen it, tucked away in the clothing rail, until I'd felt drawn towards it. As if it sang for me. Even before I'd tried it on, I knew then that the dress was mine.

I let Emerie and Nesta drag me in a few more shops so that they could buy their own outfits and so that they could convince me to buy some shoes and then I found myself pausing outside of a jewellers. The window was filled with rings, from those that were extravagant to those that were more subtle. A simple gold band sat on a black cushion and engraved on it was a wave. An ocean's wave. I purchased it for Azriel without hesitation.