Hours before Amarantha's hold on Prythian...

As the sun was beginning to set, the family of Dawn gathered in the dining hall, waiting patiently for their food to head out of the kitchen.

Auriella sat next to Zephyr, speaking amongst themselves about blades and swords that could be capable of slicing a person in half with the right move and strength. Thesan and Damian spoke about combat, talking about new moves that could be extremely helpful in battle.

Once the food was served, the family spoke to one another about their day and laughed at jokes that were made. Damian spoke about his latest prank, Auriella explained the meaning of her new melody, Zephyr explained how the Peregryns were holding up, and Thesan kept them up to date on the court.

It seemed like a normal day in the court until they received an invitation from Under the Mountain. Thesan looked at the letter with suspicion, knowing how Amarantha was and sensing some sort of plot arising.

The twins also questioned the legitimacy of the letter, not knowing what she really wanted from all of the High Lords.

Auriella looked to her father, "What does she want, Pa?" She asked Thesan. He didn't look up from the invitation, but his eyes were serious like he was contemplating whether he should go or not.

Zephyr stopped chewing on his food, looking over to his partner with concern. "You don't have to go if you don't want to, Thesan. We could stay here and if she needs to tell us something, she can come herself." He says.

Thesan shakes his head, "All of the other High Lords are attending, including Rhysand. I am the last one to sign for attendance. I would seem like a coward if I didn't go." He says.

Damian shakes his head, "You're no coward, Pa. There is nothing you wouldn't do for our court if it was asked of you. Whatever Amarantha wants from you and the other High Lords, make her beg for it." He tells Thesan.

The High Lord of Dawn smiles at his son, "I am not that cruel, Damian," he lifts his coffee cup up to his lips, "but she will have to beg." He says, making his family laugh.

Later that day, Thesan, Zephyr, and two guards prepare to head to Under the Mountain. Auriella and Damian watch as their fathers' talk amongst themselves, wondering why Amarantha wanted to gather all of the High Lords into her territory. The twins couldn't help but wonder the same thing. But nothing came to mind.

Auriella watched her fathers' walk over with pure elegance. Thesan was dressed in a red wine suit, making his ember eyes be the center of attention if anyone turned to him. He looked like a High Lord in every way, knowing that no one could stand a chance against his light.

She turned her eyes to Zephyr, who looked like he was going to rip throats out of anyone who came close to his High Lord. His golden armor was lightweight but sturdy enough for battle. His pure white wings hung out from the back, ready to take off if need be.

The High Lord and Captain of the Peregryns went over to their children, staring at them for a moment before Thesan spoke, "We'll be back soon, my loves. Hopefully, this meeting doesn't take long and we can resolve whatever Amarantha wants." He tells them.

Damian nods, "Are you sure you don't want us to come with you, Pa? We promise to not be noticeable at all." He tells him, but Thesan shakes his head.

"You know better than to ask me that, son. When it comes to a person like Amarantha, I will not take the chance to put you or your sister in danger, even if we are capable enough to protect you. I will not risk your safety." Thesan says, his tone straightforward.

Damian nods, saying nothing more to his father. Zephyr rubs his son's hair, making Damian look up at him. "We don't mean it to sound harsh, but we only want you to know the truth. We have no idea what Amarantha is capable of. For that, we need you both to stay here." He tells him.

Auriella grabs Thesan's hand, holding it tightly in hers. "Please be safe and come back home?" She tells her father. He kisses her forehead, "My life would not be the same without you or your brother. I will venture to the ends of the world to come back to you, my light." He tells her.

Soon, the High Lord of the Dawn Court and the Captain winnow away together, their children staring at nothing for a moment before heading to their rooms.

The night shines through Auriella's window, the moon beaming through the glass. She lights her candles, illuminating her room in warm bliss. She changes out of her formal attire, tossing the dress onto the gray ottoman.

She shifts into her nightgown, the yellow silk cool against her caramel skin. She untangles her hair from the well-formed bun, letting her brunette hair cascade below her shoulders. She scratches her head, soothing away the irritation.

As she gets ready to go to bed, she hums her song, letting her nerves calm down. She thinks about her fathers, wondering if they are safe in Under the Mountain with that woman who believes she is a queen.

Auriella knew little details about Amarantha. She heard rumors about the ruthless "queen", saying that she was someone to not mess with and that she was "a never-fading flower", whatever that meant. None of the High Lords approved of her, but they did hold respect for the red-haired queen, knowing that she came from the island of Hybern.

Auriella did not approve of Amarantha's rise to power. There was something about her that put an uneasy feeling in her stomach. Auriella ripped her thoughts from the red-haired queen, heading towards her polished-orange piano that sat in the corner of her room.

As she was about to play a few melodic keys, Auriella changed her mind. She shifted through the papers that were on top of the piano, looking for a specific one.

When her eyes finally found the sheet, she placed it on the holder. Auriella took a deep breath, wanting all of the negative feelings to leave her body. She gently placed her fingers on the keys, pausing for a moment before the angelic notes filled the room with such a majestic harmony.

Auriella made the song for her fathers' as a reminder of what they were to her. They made up her whole existence. They brought her and her brother in as if they were of their blood. Her fathers' had a strong love for them, never-ending as the years passed on. Those two beautiful souls meant everything to Auriella.

Even as she went through tough times, her fathers' came to her aid, doing anything possible to make sure that she was the happiest. Auriella sometimes felt ungrateful for the undying love that her fathers gave her, feeling as if she didn't deserve them, even if she hadn't done anything to betray their trust. She tried not to think of those false thoughts, knowing that her fathers' would wholeheartedly disagree with her.

As the pace picked up in the song, Auriella's mind was filled from moments when she was a tiny being. She remembered Thesan guiding her through her first steps, helping her with education, and making her understand the ways of their court. The memories brought tears to her eyes, reminding her what her father had done, what she had to be grateful for.

And in the last melodies of the song, Auriella let her soul pour out, unleashing her talent to her full potential. She let her mind wander farther, wondering what things would have been if her fathers' decided to not raise her and Damian. She imagined herself in one of the orphanages, running around with other fae children who also had questions of their own.

Auriella dedicated her music, not just for herself or her family, but for others who did not have a privileged life like hers. She was the only one who knew the heart of her music, knowing what impact simple melodies could have. Thesan would describe the piano as an instrument of the heart, knowing that there could be melodies that could destroy and melodies that could uplift.

Auriella kept those words in mind, wanting her music to uplift those who were willing to hear and to those who needed its comfort.

There were times when she would write music for herself. Sometimes, she would get an urgent feeling in her chest, eager to be set free. She would let out her emotions on the piano, playing whatever her heart desired.

Many of her melodies would be dark and grim as if they had a sad meaning behind them. Whenever she played them, she could have sworn the shadows in the corners of her room crept in close as if they were intrigued by every note.

Sometimes, she swore a flicker of darkness brushed past her.

As she finished her father's melody, she stared at his song on the paper, seeing the dried tears that stained it as she had written it. She had put so much of her emotions into it, letting his character and personality guide her to the right notes that described him.

She picked up the paper, putting it back into the stack of her songs, before walking away from the piano and over to her bed, plopping down onto the mattress.

Auriella's eyes stared at her ceiling, which was dim from the yellow light of the candles. She could still make out the beautiful painting of the dawn, seeing the sun peeking out from the clouds that covered it.

She remembered standing by the tall windows in the hallway, witnessing the rising sun extend its light through the court, showing off its remarkable power. Auriella didn't know if she had seen anything more beautiful, feeling as if nothing could ever come close.

There were times when Thesan would stand next to his daughter, taking in the warm beautiful view of the dawn from their palace. They wouldn't speak to each other for long moments, cherishing the beauty. Auriella would put her head on her father's shoulder, reminding herself that, even in the silence, he was there. In moments when she felt alone, he was always by her side, holding her up when she needed him the most.

Auriella did not know how much time passed when she woke.

There were loud cries that were heard throughout the Dawn Court, making Auriella sit up on her bed. She gets up, looking out of her window to see a hideous winged creature making its way up to the palace.

Her eyes widened.

Auriella runs out of her room, heading down to the foyer. There were servants and staff crowded together, looking out of the side windows to see what all the commotion was about.

The kitchen maid went up to Auriella, pulling her back. "Don't go any closer, my dear. It is one of the servants of Amarantha who have come. Go back to your room and stay there until-" Auriella ignores her, seeing that the winged creature has landed, walking towards the doors.

Seconds later, Damian rushes down the steps, his face filled with pure anger and confusion. "What is that thing doing in our court?" He yells, his voice filled with authority. But no one answers his question.

He turns to Auriella, who shakes her head.

Both of the siblings head towards the doors, looking at each other before opening them. Screams of the staff are heard and guards are immediately behind the children of the High Lord of Dawn.

The winged creature was horrendous up close. His black wings were enormous, spreading them upwards. His fangs dropped saliva onto the floor, the acid bubbling on the concrete steps. The creature gave an uninviting smile as he held out a gold shaped necklace.

Auriella gasped, knowing that it belonged to Thesan. She snatched it out of the creature's hand, clutching it to her chest.

"Who are you? What the hell are you doing in the Dawn Court? Where is my father and Zephyr?!" Damian yelled, demanding answers.

The creature chuckled, licking its yellow teeth with its discolored tongue. Auriella could smell the foulness of its breath, holding in the bile that was quickly coming up her throat.

"I am the Attor, messenger of Amarantha. I came to tell you that your court now belongs to her and your precious High Lord of Dawn will not be coming back for quite a while." He announces and Auriella feels her heart drop to the floor.