"She's a liability." The words hung in the air like a storm cloud, silencing the room. "What about her brother…?"

"Shut up. You must be joking," Cassian snapped, settling beside Feyre and slamming his coffee down with enough force to make the liquid slosh and spill over the table. His eyes were fierce as they swept across the group. "She stood alone against the Nightmare and his hounds. She died."

"Cassian," Feyre began softly, her hand resting on his shoulder in a bid for calm.

"She's entitled to a mistake now and then! You can't just send her off to live with a seafaring man who claims to be her brother..." Cassian's voice rose with each word, recalling the man who had sailed his armada to Prythian to confront Hybern, much like Feyre's own father. Gideon had fought valiantly, intercepting Hybern's forces on open waters, where many of his fleet had met their doom. For a time, he was thought lost at sea, and those who survived spoke of his fierce command, swinging from ship to ship, orchestrating one of the largest naval battles in history. Humans hailed him a hero.

"He is her brother," Feyre interjected, her voice steady.

"It's not the brother that's the issue!" Cassian exclaimed, frustration boiling over. "She fought my godsdamn battle on that mountain. I won't send her anywhere I can't see, smell, or hear her. She stays." His glare shifted to Rhys for emphasis. "She stays."

"They're sending her to the prison," Feyre said gently. "At least, that's what we were trying to vote on..."

"Why?" Cassian's fury turned back to Rhys, the weight of his concern palpable in the charged air.

"We need someone from there," Rhys declared, his voice a low rumble that filled the chamber with tension.

Cassian's heart tightened as he grasped the implication. There was only one reason they would consider sending someone so disconnected from her essence into that dark abyss. The thought of sending her into the prison, unprepared, sent dread spiraling through him. "What's the tally?" he finally asked, his voice heavy with resignation.

"Three to one," came the interjection, and Cassian groaned, realizing her fate had been sealed. He turned to Azriel, who merely shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Who then?"

Azriel gestured toward Amren, who stood at the head of the table, her chair toppled behind her like a fallen warrior. "She is a human girl with issues. She's bound to stumble. We shouldn't send her."

Cassian shot a look back at Azriel, still grappling with the idea of his brother endorsing such a perilous decision. His gaze swept across the table to Rhys, who regarded him with a steady, unwavering gaze. "How bad is it?" Cassian pressed, desperation tinging his voice.

"I'd go myself," Rhys admitted, a hint of weariness in his tone. "But I need my soul intact, and in one piece. My body, preferably."

"I'll go," Cassian interjected, his resolve flaring bright. "I'll speak with The Dredger. I'll wine and dine the bastard. Just don't send her." He pleaded with Rhys, desperation etched into every line of his face. "Please..."

"Three to two now," Rhys stated, the weight of the decision palpable in the air. "One left. Az, what say you?"

Cassian spun around to face his brother, shaking his head fiercely, a silent plea in his eyes.

Azriel sighed, the sound heavy with contemplation, before finally speaking, "We should let her decide."

"Are you for real?" Cassian's jaw dropped in disbelief, the shock coursing through him like a tidal wave.

"Yes." Azriel's word hung in the air, charged with tension. A heavy silence descended upon the room, thick with unspoken fears and burdens.

"I'll do it." A small, defiant voice broke through the stillness, drawing every eye to the doorway. Hedda stood there, determination lighting her features. "Just to shut the lot of you up, so I can drink my coffee in peace. I'll do it—whatever it is." With a purposeful stride, she moved past Cassian and into the hallway, her mind set as she headed for the kitchen.

"Hedda, wait..." Cassian called after her, his heart quickening as he entered the kitchen behind her. "You don't have to. I can go..." He reached for her, desperation tinged with worry lacing his voice.

"You can go?" she tsked, her tone a blend of disbelief and challenge.

"Let me go in your stead..." Cassian urged again, the weight of his words hanging heavily between them. In that moment, the air shifted, and they both sensed the gravity of their exchange had transcended the immediate danger of The Dredger.

"I held the line..." she whispered, her gaze falling to the floor, burdened with memories.

The cup slipped from Cassian's grasp, its contents cascading onto the floor like his own uncontained emotions. Time seemed to freeze as he brought his hands to his face, a guttural sob erupting from deep within him. Desperation clung to him, a storm of grief and guilt, until he felt her warmth envelop him, her arms wrapping around his solid frame.

As he sank to his knees, the cold coffee seeping into his pants, the sobs became uncontrollable. Hedda followed him to the floor, her presence a balm in the midst of his turmoil, providing silent comfort in shared pain.

They had never truly spoken of the horrors she faced on that mountain. Each time the topic approached, she skillfully deflected, avoiding the shadows that haunted them both. He had lost count of the times she had smiled at him, offered fleeting warmth, only to drift just beyond his reach, taunting him with her proximity while remaining a world away. Her touch had been a rarity; her gaze, an electric spark that never lingered long enough to quell the longing in his heart.

"I'm sorry..." he stammered, the weight of regret pressing heavily on his chest. "I shouldn't have left you behind. If I'd known—"

"You didn't know. You couldn't have known..." Her voice was soft, but it barely pierced the storm of guilt swirling within him.

"I told you to stay put..." His breath hitched as he gripped his chest, feeling his heart race like a wild beast desperate to escape. He had been foolish, letting his pride guide him to leave her alone in that wretched place, all for the sake of a jest aimed at Azriel. The memories flooded back—the horror she had endured, the way her skin had hung, charred and cracked, when Az had brought her into Rhys's office. Her leg still smoldering. And every moment they worked on her, he saw Nesta flash before his eyes as Hedda lay dying on that table.

A sudden sting jolted him from his spiraling thoughts. "You slapped me, again?" He looked at her incredulously, a mix of disbelief and confusion etched across his face.

"You were going places," she shot back, a hint of defiance in her tone. "Places I frequent on a nightly basis. Contrary to popular belief, they are not very enjoyable..." A snicker escaped her lips, an attempt to joke her way out of the heaviness of the moment, as if laughter could somehow mend the cracks in their hearts.

"Look," she sighed, her gaze steady as he remained lost in turmoil. "You have nothing to apologize for."

"I hoped you'd miss me, sooner or later," she admitted, her gaze piercing into his. "I wished you would turn back, come back for me. Help me fight them off. I never intended to leave that mountain knowing those beasts roamed free. When I realized you were too far out of range to hear me, when I realized Azriel might be dead or beyond reach, I made my final stand. Because the alternative was far worse. I decided that I would die that day. Not you." Her hands cupped his face, warmth radiating from her touch. "I hate myself for disappointing you. You trained me to stand my ground and fight fiercely. Always. I wavered, just for a moment. I faltered at the sight of those beasts. In the end, I had to give more than I ever thought I could..."

"Was that why you pushed me away?" His eyes locked onto hers, and as she leaned into his embrace, he felt a rush of breath hitch in his throat.

"If you just kiss and make up, others can get coffee too..." Azriel's voice broke the moment, sounding from the doorway.

"No, thank you," Hedda replied quickly, pulling away from Cassian and scrambling to her feet. "To the coffee, that is," she added, brushing past Azriel with a hint of frustration. "Coffee's cold..."

Azriel approached the coffee machine, pouring himself a lukewarm cup. "Darn it," he chuckled at her remark, then turned to Cassian, who still sat on the floor. "Quite the romantic embrace that was," he pointed out.

Cassian shook his head, trying to regain composure. "Things needed to be said. Air needed clearing."

"Right..." Azriel nodded knowingly. "You were going to kiss her."

Cassian reached for his forgotten mug, swinging it at his brother in jest.

"Oh come on, you seriously were about to lick her face off just now," Az teased, laughter bubbling between them.

Cassian muttered something under his breath as he stood up. "Funny, you almost sound jealous."

"You can't keep her, even if you tried really hard," Az laughed, a playful glint in his eye. "She keeps leaving you. She'll find me eventually. I'm not one for sloppy seconds, usually. But for her, I'd make an exception—"

"Oof!" Cassian playfully thrust Azriel against the fridge, the impact resonating with a clang that echoed in the cozy kitchen. Laughter erupted between them.

"She's not alright," Cassian said, breaking the stillness that hung in the air like a heavy mist.

"I know," Azriel replied, his voice low and filled with shadows.

"She can smile at you all day long," Cassian continued, his gaze intense and searching, "but that joy vanished the moment she faced that mountain." He sighed deeply, a weight of concern etched on his features. "Why won't you tell me what she saw up there? What demons she fought?"

Azriel shook his head vigorously, determination in his eyes. "It's not my place to share."

Cassian huffed in frustration, the fire of desperation igniting within him. "Then whose place is it? We both know she'll never open up about that day. The memories haunt her like restless spirits."

Azriel's heart ached with the truth of it. He felt the scars of that day etched into his own soul, aware that Cassian would never receive the answers he sought. "Some things," he said softly, "are too heavy for anyone to bear. Sometimes, we're just collateral damage in battles we never chose."

He had occupied this very chair countless nights, a steadfast sentinel guarding the door behind him. Yet today, restlessness urged him to rise, to stand vigilant after a long day of navigating the intricate politics of court alongside Rhys. The chair creaked ominously beneath him as he rose to his feet, and he feared it might splinter under the weight of his agitation.

Memories of that fateful day swirled in his mind, ever since Cassian had mentioned it in the kitchen. He couldn't shake the haunting images that had become indelibly etched in his thoughts. Her face, radiant and fierce, as she held Cassian's gaze in a lover's embrace, their connection palpable and electric. He scoffed at the thought. It would always be Cassian for her, even after all she had endured.

A pang of bittersweet acceptance coursed through him. He should be happy for them; his brother deserved the kind of love she offered—caring, relentlessly persistent, wild and unbridled in her affection. But where did that leave him? The shadow singer, Rhys' spy in distant courts, a mere observer of lives entwined in passion and purpose.

She needed a Cassian, a warrior forged in strength and valor, capable of lifting her from the darkest abysses while battling the demons that lurked in the shadows. Cassian would protect her fiercely, of that he was certain. His heart swelled with a blend of admiration and resignation; for while he stood in the shadows, it was his brother who would fight for her, and he would remain forever in the background, watching their love bloom like wildflowers amidst the ruins.

Yet, the unease settled deep within him, a weight he couldn't shake. He felt an unspoken bond with her, a connection that ran deeper than anything she might share with Cassian. Perhaps it was the mountain that had drawn them together, the shared trauma binding them in ways neither could fully comprehend. He recalled the chilling death stare she'd cast while lying limp in his arms, a gaze that had frozen his blood with pure terror. He should have confided in someone then—someone who could understand. But who?

Rhys and Feyre had been locked in a desperate struggle against time, fighting to save Hedda's life. Amren had immersed herself in ancient tomes, searching for any hint of The Nightmare's weaknesses. And Cassian? He had vanished for what felt like an eternity. Azriel sighed, feeling the heavy burden of secrets he couldn't share. With Cassian returned, Hedda's anger still simmering beneath the surface, and the specter of The Nightmare looming ever closer, he hesitated to voice his feelings to the group.

"Cassian?" Her voice drifted through the door, a whimper that struck a chord in his heart. He debated whether to respond, but before he could decide, a horrifying thump echoed through the room, followed by a scream that sent ice coursing through his veins. Without a second thought, he kicked the door open with a heavy boot, charging into the darkened space.

In the dim light, a shadow lunged from the corner, screeching like a wraith. Azriel barely had time to react, his instincts honed from years of shadowy vigilance kicking in as he grabbed hold of a wrist, wresting a knife free from its grasp. But as he pulled the figure closer to the light, his breath caught in his throat.

It was her. Hedda, panting and wide-eyed—naked, vulnerable, and utterly exposed. The sight struck him like a thunderbolt, igniting a tumult of emotions he struggled to contain. He had never seen her like this, raw and unguarded, and for a moment, all thoughts of The Nightmare and the chaos outside faded into oblivion.

"Azriel…" Her voice trembled, a whisper that carried the weight of her fear. "It happened again, didn't it?" She cast a hurried glance at her naked form, instinctively retreating into the shadows to cover herself.

"It can't hurt you anymore," Azriel reassured, his voice steady, even as his heart raced. "I think you frightened it enough this time that it might think twice before trying to haunt you again."

When she emerged from the darkness, clad in a delicate sleeping gown that fluttered like a whisper, the terror etched across her features tugged at something deep within him. "What happened this time?" he asked, his tone gentle as he reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

A shiver of recognition passed between them, and she leaned into his touch, reveling in the warmth and comfort it brought. In that moment, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them standing on the precipice of a connection that felt both fragile and profound.

She shook her head lightly, the movement so subtle he almost missed it. "Thanks for coming to my rescue, again," she said, offering him a half-hearted smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Talk to me," he whispered, stepping closer, his heart pounding in anticipation. He held his breath, waiting for her to pull away or scold him. But when she remained still, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into a tender embrace. "Talk to me, please," he murmured close to her ear, his voice laced with urgency.

"It even sounds like him sometimes…" she confessed, her voice trembling. "When it tells me to kill."

Azriel pulled back slightly, searching her face for any signs of pain. "Did it hurt you? Did it touch you?" His gaze swept over her, frantic for any injuries.

"Az, no. He… it… it wasn't here. Not really." She grasped his arms tightly, forcing him to meet her gaze. "It's me, Az. I think I'm the darkness."

He shook his head vehemently, pulling her flush against him as if to shield her from the shadows. "Never. The Nightmare is just a shadow. My shadow would recognize it instantly." He lifted her chin, compelling her to see the truth in his eyes. "Just a nightmare," he reassured softly. "It was just a nightmare."

They'd had this conversation before.

When Azriel finally emerged at the mountain pass, a scene of devastation greeted him. The ground was littered with countless broken forms, each a shadow of Cassian, lifeless and scattered like fallen leaves upon the hill.

Yet the Nightmare eluded his senses; its presence was absent, leaving behind an unsettling silence. He clung to the hope that she had been fierce enough to scare it away, to send it fleeing into the abyss of its origins.

But as he met her warm golden gaze, uncertainty knotted in his chest. In those depths, he could see the flickering remnants of her strength, and for the first time, he wondered if her battle had truly ended.

"Yes," she smiled, a spark of light in the dimness. "Perhaps you're right…" She sank into his embrace, letting the warmth wash over her. As the initial tremors of fear subsided, she looked up at him, her voice barely a whisper. "Az…"

They held each other's gaze, the world around them fading away. His eyes, deep and blazing, seemed to wrap around her soul, grounding her as his hands cradled her against his firm chest. She let her fingers trail up his arms, resting on his broad shoulders, seeking solace in his strength.

The air thickened with an unspoken tension, and Azriel found it hard to breathe. His throat felt parched, as if the very essence of the moment was a desert swallowing him whole. She wasn't herself; that had to be it. He should pull away, retreat from this intoxicating proximity, but before he could think clearly, she leaned up, kissing his cheek with a tenderness that made his heart race.

He fought the urge to turn his face toward hers, to capture her lips with his. Desperation clawed at him as he gripped her gown, trying to regain control. A second kiss brushed his jaw, her breath warm against his skin, and he felt himself unraveling. Slowly, he released his hold on her gown, letting his hand slip around her waist to rest at the small of her back.

"Hedda…" he stumbled over the name, barely able to find his voice.

She curled her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer, her lips trailing a delicate path down his jaw. He tried to break the enchantment but found himself spellbound, unable to look away as she inched toward her destination—his lips. "Stop," he managed to say, though disbelief laced his words.

Surprise flickered across her face, swiftly followed by a shadow of shame. She pulled away, the warmth of her body replaced by the chill of the air. "Hedda…" he tried again, the name a plea on his lips.

"It's okay," she said quickly, a hint of resolve in her voice. "I understand. I think I'll try to go back to sleep." She turned toward her bed but paused, smiling softly at him. "Thanks, Az. For always catching me when I fall."

He nodded, the warmth of her gratitude lingering as he left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. He longed to tell her the truth, to reveal how deeply she didn't understand the turmoil that waged within him every day. But tonight wasn't the time; she needed her rest.

Lost in his thoughts, he was jolted by a broad figure leaning against the wall of the landing, clapping slowly.

"Excellent performance," Cassian said, his grin infectious. He approached Azriel, giving him a playful slap on the shoulder. "Ah, don't look so sour; I'm only joking." He tilted his head toward the door. "She not alright?"

"She's sleeping…"

"Me too," Cassian replied flatly, raising an eyebrow. "Cas…" Cassian shook his head, his teasing demeanor slipping. "I came to check on her, but it seems the position's been filled." He strolled past the shadowsinger, heading toward his own room.

"I knew you were jealous," Cassian called back with a chuckle, just before disappearing into his sanctuary. "I just didn't realize you enjoyed the game as much as I do."

"It's not a game," Azriel countered, his voice steady. "She's a person."

Cassian peeked out of his room, mischief sparkling in his eyes. "Best male wins?"

Azriel shook his head vigorously, a mix of exasperation and amusement bubbling inside him. He cast a glance at Hedda's closed door before returning his gaze to Cassian, who was grinning broadly in the doorway. "Son of a—" Az huffed, frustration laced with reluctant admiration. "Best male wins…"

With a hearty laugh, Cassian retreated into his room, leaving Azriel feeling like a pawn in his brother's endless games. "Stupid games…" he muttered, sinking into his trusted chair, the weight of the world resting heavily on his shoulders.

Just then, a screeching sound pierced the air, drawing his attention once more. This time, it wasn't from Hedda's room. Cassian entered the hallway again, dragging a lounge chair behind him, a blanket tossed carelessly over his bare torso like a makeshift cloak.

"Best man and all…" he chuckled, positioning the chair triumphantly beside Hedda's door. "But I make it look cozy too."

Azriel couldn't help but shake his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Fool."

In that moment, beneath the playful banter and brotherly rivalry, the air crackled with unspoken emotions—a reminder of the tangled threads of love and loyalty that bound them all.

"Do you love her?" The question hung in the air like a heavy mist, shrouding them in an unspoken truth. "Do you?"

"When it comes for her…" Azriel began, a weight settling in his chest as he thought of the Nightmare. "We'll be ready." Cassian finished, his resolve clear.

"I haven't eaten in weeks. I'm starving. I'd devour that Nightmare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner." Cassian joked, the absurdity of the thought easing the tension.

"Does she love you?" Cassian's gaze turned serious, probing deeper.
"I'm hungry now…" Azriel deflected, his tone light, though the heaviness lingered.

"Will you ever tell me what you saw on that mountain?" Cassian's expression shifted, worry creeping into his eyes.

Azriel sighed, the memories clawing at him. "She loved you enough to give herself to the darkness, to become something else entirely. She loved you enough to leave you,.' I don't think she'll ever feel that way about anyone again." He found himself awestruck, unable to fathom where she summoned the strength to draw that line in the sand. To stand defiantly against the tide of darkness, ready to fight with every ounce of her being. She was prepared to forfeit her own life, a selfless act to shield countless others from harm. Even the most seasoned warriors, those forged in the crucible of battle, would have considered a hasty retreat. Yet there she stood, a fierce embodiment of courage, radiating a light that dared to challenge the shadows. In her unwavering resolve, she became not just a protector but a symbol of hope, igniting a fire in the hearts of those around her.

Cassian shrugged, his resolve unyielding. "Don't be just anyone, then. Simple."

"I'm not dating your girlfriend," Azriel shot back, irritation sparking in his voice.

"She's not my girlfriend." Cassian raised his hands in mock surrender, a grin teasing at his lips.

"I'm going to sleep now," Azriel said, the edge of annoyance coloring his tone.

"Dreaming about my girlfriend," Cassian teased, laughter bubbling up.

"Cass…"

"Az?"

"If you want to know what she saw on the mountain…"

"Yes…" Cassian leaned in, anticipation thickening the air as silence stretched between them.

"Az? Damn it, you're just going to leave me hanging… Az?"

"Perhaps we could share," Cassian suggested with a teasing glint in his eye. "Just throwing it out there, as long as you agree to my terms."

Azriel smirked, keeping his eyes shut. "I think I'll wait."

"Wait for what?" Cassian leaned in, intrigued.

"I'll wait for you to feast on the Nightmare. While you enjoy a hearty lunch, I'll whisk her away to safety, wrapped in blankets spun from my shadows."

"That's brutal," Cassian choked back a laugh, clearly entertained.

Azriel merely replied, "We have a meeting in the morning."

"It is morning," Cassian chuckled, glancing at the faint light filtering through the windows.

"I'll steal your blanket if you don't shut up," Az warned.

"Go fetch your own if you're cold. Mine's the softest," Cassian shot back, grinning.

Their banter faded into silence as Hedda's door creaked open. She emerged, clutching a fleece blanket, her presence illuminating the dim corridor. Azriel held his breath as she approached, her gown flowing around her like a whisper of silk. She bent down, draping the blanket over him with a tenderness that sent warmth coursing through his veins. As she tucked him in, the neckline of her gown slipped, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her form. He felt her hands gently patting the blanket into place, her fingers brushing against him with an intimacy that both surprised and enthralled him. Time seemed to pause as he savored the moment, caught between warmth and longing.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely escaping his lips as she pulled away, leaving a trace of warmth in the air.

"Now you have a blanket," she replied with a playful smile, but her gaze swiftly turned sharp as she directed her ire at Cassian. "Shut up! I can hear you through the door, and I'm trying to sleep."

She cast a final glance at Cassian from her doorway, her eyes alight with mischief. "I decide who I share myself with, thank you very much. At this moment, I'm feeling rather adventurous—I might just trade you for Amren."

Cassian flashed a mischievous grin at Azriel. "She hasn't traded me yet," he remarked, a playful glimmer dancing in his eyes as the door softly clicked shut behind her. Azriel let out an inward groan, yearning for just a few more moments of peace. The weight of the night hung heavy, and he sought to savor the fleeting stillness before the chaos of the morning rushed in.