The stories of the Spymaster of the Night Court spread around Prythian like wildfire.

He was a man who sought information while in the shadows. He hid in the night, stalking his targets, either to end their lives or simply spy on them.

It was said that he was vicious and brutal, slicing up his enemies until he was sure they would not take another breath. He showed up when they least expected it. His knives were his friends, their sharp blades working for a quick kill. Then he would vanish in the blink of an eye.

People said that he showed no emotion, that his eyes were blank as paper.

But Auriella knew that it was a lie.

She stared into those hazel eyes, seeing the shock instilled in them. She felt like she couldn't breathe, feeling as if his gaze was too much to bear, but she did not want to look away. She wanted it to be a dream, not believing that the beautiful Illyrian male in her sights could possibly be her mate.

And as much as she denied it, her mind only reassured her that it was him.

Azriel was the first to look away, his companions moving to take their seats. Auriella tried to look away, but her eyes followed him as he walked to his seat.

She took in his black armored attire, admiring the gleaming blue gems that shined in the sunlight. His wings were magnificent. They were tucked in behind his back, away from knocking over anything. He, along with his long-haired friend, Cassian, sat near their High Lord and High Lady, taking in their surroundings.

Auriella's attention was taken away by her father grabbing her hand. She looked over to him, seeing the nervousness that had taken over his face. She squeezed it, reassuring him that she was with him, even though it was hard to be in the same room with Feyre.

As the High Lords and High Lady greeted each other, Auriella felt his gaze on her again. She didn't look up at him, feeling as if she could combust if their eyes met once more.

Instead, she looked down at her lap. She let herself memorize his dark skin, how the sweat stuck to his brow, and how his fists were clenched at his sides. He was indeed a beautiful male. She couldn't help thinking about other thoughts. She stopped before she could get ahead of herself.

Auriella turned to her father, Thesan, she whispered, "May I speak with Pa for a moment?" She asked. Thesan looked at his daughter, thinking about her request, before nodding. Auriella smiled at him, shakily standing up from her seat and turning to walk to her father.

She could feel his eyes on her. It sent chills all over her body.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes, "What's wrong, diamond? Do you need to be excused?" He whispers to her, but Auriella shakes her head.

"It has been a while since I've been in such a setting. I just wanted to speak with you for a few minutes to try and get comfortable." She says to him, which wasn't a lie. It was tough to be in a room filled with people that were with her in Under the Mountain. She felt like she could suffocate if she stared at them too long.

Even though her father, Zephyr, was also there, she felt somewhat calmer, remembering the words he had said to her while they were both held captive.

Zephyr smiled down at his daughter, "You are distracting me from my post, little diamond. But, for you, I'd do anything." He whispers to her.

Auriella raises her brow, "Will you take me to the flower field just like you did when I was little? I promise I won't try to pluck one of your feathers again." She says.

Her father tries to hold his laughter, "I will speak with your father and brother to see if they would like to join us. If not, it will only be you and me. I have missed doing those things with you." He whispers.

"I have too. Hopefully, we can make up for the lost time." She tells him.

After Auriella briefly spoke to her father, she went back into her seat. She looked at Damian, quietly asking him about what she missed. Her brother shrugged, not caring about what everyone was talking about. She rolled her eyes before focusing her attention back on the conversation.

"Does Tamlin know what she is?" Helion asks Rhysand.

Auriella immediately knew they were speaking about Feyre, given her dangerous gaze towards the High Lord of Day.

"If you mean beautiful and clever, then yes - I think he does," Rhysand says.

He wasn't wrong. Feyre was extremely beautiful. Her dress was made out of night and stars, shining in the light like she was a part of the constellations. Her golden-brown waves cascaded down her shoulders; a queen in appearance, especially with her crown.

"Does he know she is your mate - and High Lady?" Helion asks.

"High Lady?" Kallias's wife, Viviane, says. Immediately, lowering her voice by the shush of Rhysand's third commander, Morrigan, Auriella believed.

She could see the tension start to rise once more as Helion and her father stared at Feyre, taking the reality of what she was. A position that hadn't existed until her.

"If he arrives, I suppose we'll find out," Rhysand says, his voice smooth as a breeze.

Helion laughed, the sound holding nothing but darkness. "I always liked you, Rhysand." He said. Auriella didn't know if he was serious or not. She supposed he wasn't, given that the High Lords did not get along.

As the conversation turned towards Feyre's sister, Nesta, Auriella found it intriguing that she, along with her other sister, Elain, was made Fae by being thrown into the Cauldron by Hybern. And it was shocking to learn that Tamlin, along with the priestess, Ianthe, were the ones to sell the sisters out to him.

Feyre was blessed by the spirits to not marry that man.

As time wandered by, it would be an hour before another High Lord arrived.

The High Lord of Summer, Tarquin, gracefully strode into the room, with two of his guards following behind him. His expression was nothing but serious as he sat in his seat. He greeted everyone in the room with a calm voice, but when he got to Rhysand and Feyre, he only gave them a small nod, not saying a word.

When his eyes landed on Auriella, he smiled at her. "Daughter of Dawn," he says, announcing her name, "how nice it is to finally meet you."

Auriella nods with a greeting, "I can say the same, Tarquin." She says, actually meaning her words. She had only seen the High Lord in Under the Mountain, glancing at him from time to time, nodding at him when their eyes met whenever Amarantha wasn't punishing her.

Suddenly, she felt a small flicker of annoyance brush her mind. She jolted a bit, knowing the feeling was not hers. She stole a glance at her newfound mate, seeing that his attention was on Tarquin, his face holding a scowl.

Helion stared at the High Lord of Night, "Heard about the blood rubies." He smirked at him, "That is a story I want you to tell." He said.

Auriella looked to her twin, who was now curious about what was being said. Thesan scoffed at his son but didn't reprimand him for it.

"All in good time," Rhysand said. Damian rolled his eyes, slouching back into his chair. Auriella pursed her lips, trying to stifle a laugh.

Soon, the High Lord of Autumn, Beron, arrived. The man held nothing but elegance as he, his wife, and his three sons strode into the room, their expressions hard to read. The High Lord nodded in greeting, looking as if he could care less about what anyone had to say.

His sons seemed to despise everyone in the room. They sneered at the High Lords and their companions. Auriella and Damian even earned one. She wished she could claw them in the face. She could see her father, Zephyr, step closer to them, his wings, along with the other Peregryns, ready to pounce on the disgraceful bunch.

But one word from the eldest son, Eris, was enough to stop the brothers from tempting them any longer.

Auriella heard her father take a deep breath. He leaned towards her, "If it starts to get anymore riled in here, I want you and Damian to leave. I will not change my mind on this." Thesan said to her before turning his attention back onto his guests.

Again, another wave of emotions brushed her mind, overwhelming her. It was filled with nothing but violence, failure, and guilt - feelings that were left unresolved and stored away. Auriella looked to see Azriel still like a statue in his seat, looking at the blank wall in front of him.

Auriella took a deep breath, not thinking about what she did next. She sent her own feeling down this unfamiliar bond; a feeling of comfort and understanding. She turned away from him before their eyes locked once more.

Thesan cleared his throat, earning everyone's attention. "Rhysand, you have called this meeting. Pushed us to gather sooner than we intended. Now would be a good time to explain what is so urgent." He says.

The High Lord of Night nodded, "Surely the invading armies landing on our shores explain enough."

"So you have called us to do what, exactly?" Helion asked, leaning forward. "Raise a unified army?"

"Among other things," Rhysand says, "We-"

Auriella did not understand how a coward could walk with his head high, smiles wide, and act like he had done nothing wrong to anger those around him. She didn't know how Rhysand was able to keep his calm when he knew everything that was done to his mate by him. She didn't know how Feyre didn't leap out of her seat and attack him for doing what he did.

The High Lord of Spring, Tamlin, winnowed into the room like he was expected to be there, his grin wide as he took in all the surprised faces.

Auriella could feel the small breeze of an invisible barrier coming around her, produced by her father. She looked at her brother, who stared at her with warning. She gave him a single nod, knowing that things had escalated. Her father, Zephyr, stood closer now, his hand on his sword, ready to protect his family.

Tamlin was staring at no one but Feyre, who held his gaze. Auriella could see her lightly trembling, not knowing if it was because of the fear and rage she had for him.

Thesan stood from his seat, "We were not expecting you, Tamlin." He gestured a hand to the Dawn attendants nearby, "Fetch the High Lord a chair."

Even as he sat down, the High Lord of Spring did not tear away his gaze from Feyre. Revenge was clearly written on his face. Auriella knew he wanted to destroy her, to take away everything she held dear; doing the same thing that was done to him.

"It would seem congratulations are in order," Tamlin said to Feyre. He meant none of the words, spoken with no emotion at all.

It was clear that Tamlin was fueled with anger and jealously. With every word he spoke during the meeting, it was directed at either Rhysand or Feyre. It was like watching an adolescent argue over something that he was displeased with. He was a child in the body of a male.

Again, Tamlin spoke uncensored, "When you fuck her, have you ever noticed that little noise she makes right before she climaxes?" He asked Rhysand.

Auriella rolled her eyes, disgusted with his vile words. He was no better than the low-life males in the taverns, drinking themselves to their limit, and looking for ways to shame the women who refuse to sleep with them.

Suddenly, a deep male voice spoke, "Be careful how you speak about my High Lady." Azriel says. Auriella felt chills creep down her spine, hearing how low and deadly his warning to Tamlin was. It was enough for tension to rise higher than it already was.

Auriella embedded that voice in her mind, feeling herself melt as it reverberated around the room. A warning to everyone who dared to cross the line that was very thin with the Spymaster. It was dangerously beautiful, seeing as the male could rip apart anyone.

She couldn't help but steal another glance.

And yet again, their eyes locked.

Auriella felt as if the air in her lungs had been taken away, feeling undeserving of the hazel gaze that set upon her. They gleamed wondrously as the blue siphons on his armor, captivating and memorizing. It was as if there was no better honor than this; than to have the Spymaster's attention.

His eyes darkened and Auriella felt like she could die by this newfound feeling.

She ripped her eyes away from his, gripping her chair as she begged herself to focus on the meeting. She took a deep breath, setting her attention back to everyone else.

The conversation had shifted to Under the Mountain, making Auriella shift in her seat. Thesan placed his hand over his daughter's, trying to make her more comfortable but it wasn't working. She slowly removed her hand from the armrest, placing them in her lap instead. She knew her father was hurt by the motion, but he didn't show it.

"I believe you," Feyre says to her mate, knowing about what Amarantha made him endure while he was captive.

Beron scoffed, "Says the woman who gave an innocent girl's name in her stead - for Amarantha to butcher as well." He says.

At that, Auriella gave her full attention. She thought of Clare and how her body was broken apart and battered beyond the point of repair. It couldn't be her that Beron was referring to, knowing that Amarantha killed plenty of human girls for her own enjoyment.

The High Lords continued speaking about the war, looking at the plans that Tamlin laid out for them, supposedly from Hybern. Auriella, along with everyone else, looked at the plans with suspicion, not knowing if they were real or not. For all they knew, Tamlin was trying to mislead them.

Once more, the High Lord of Spring diverted the conversation to Feyre, wanting her to know how he feels and how her betrayal had affected him. Auriella could see that the High Lady could give less of a shit.

"What do you want? An apology? For me to crawl back into your bed and play nice, little wife?" Feyre hissed at him.

"Why should I want spoiled goods returned to me?" Tamlin asked.

Silence overtook the room before he spoke again. "The moment you let him fuck you like an-"

The Daughter of Dawn stood up from her seat at the exact same moment Rhysand used his powers to take away Tamlin's voice. She spoke nonetheless, "I suggest, Tamlin, that you keep your jealousy in check. This meeting was not called so you can let out your anger towards Rhysand or Feyre, and frankly, no one cares about it. We were called here to learn how we can win against Hybern. Reveal your dramatics at your own time, away from my court, but right now we focus on what really matters: the fate of Prythian."

Beron scoffs, "How odd, you let your daughter speak without permission, Thesan? It seems out of place to me." He says.

Auriella turns to him, "And it seems out of place to me that your pack of wild dogs listen to their eldest brother instead of their poor excuse of a father. It's absolutely laughable." She says, sitting back down.

One of the sons sneers at Auriella, she chuckles, "Exactly my point," she says to him, "It seems like they still need some training. Would you like to learn how to play fetch?"

Beron slams his hand on the armrest, "Enough! How dare you disrespect my sons?" he looks to her father, "Thesan, will you do nothing about this?"

Thesan shrugs, "I am unaware of what you speak of, Beron. But please, as my daughter has said, let's get back to what really matters. Rhysand, you may continue to what you were saying." He says.

As the conversation starts again, Auriella looks up to see Feyre staring at her. It was the first time they ever locked eyes. The High Lady nodded once, approving what Auriella had said. The Daughter of Dawn returned the gesture and turned away, remembering the memory of Poppy and Marcellus when she looked at her.

Oh, how she missed her friends. She wished those invisible wounds to heal quickly. She wanted to close those memories and bury them deep inside of her mind. They were gone and she could do nothing to bring them back. She was worthless back then, but now she had to be strong.

Auriella shakes herself out of her thoughts.

"Good to know that after five hundred years, you still dress like a slut." Eris says, then the Spymaster of Night glides across the room, his scarred hands choking the life out of the Autumn heir.

Auriella could see the sheer force that the male held. If he was instructed to kill Eris by the direction of his High Lord or Lady, he would do it without hesitation. It seemed like they all had a past with him and if there was an opportunity to eliminate him, there would be no questions asked by any of them.

Rhysand commanded Azriel twice to let go of Eris, but he wouldn't listen. Auriella actually believed that a war between Night and Autumn would start in the room. But if it wasn't for Feyre, there sure would have been.

The High Lady of Night led him back to their seats, letting him sit right next to her. Auriella watched how Azriel slowly clenched and unclenched his fists like he wanted to reach for Eris's neck again and not stop until he was dead in his hands.

It would have been entertaining to watch, Auriella thought.

A deep chuckle made its way into her mind, making her jolt in her seat. She felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment; he heard her.

The High Lords continue speaking about the matters of the war, sometimes diverting themselves from the topic, but tying in their experiences with how they can defeat Hybern or what resources they could offer.

Beron was not having any of it. He was refusing to agree to send his forces to protect the human lands, at the request of Feyre.

"You're a coward," Feyre breathed, making the room grow tense once more.

Beron scoffed, "The same could be claimed of you." He says.

Feyre stared at him, "I don't need to explain myself to you."

"No, but perhaps to that girl's family - but they're dead, too, aren't they? Butchered and burned to death in their own beds. Funny, that you should now seek to defend humans when you were all too happy to offer them up to save yourself." Beron revealed.

Family... dead.

Home... fire.

They... took... me.

Auriella felt like she couldn't breathe. She stared at Beron, not believing what he was saying. But when she turned her gaze to the High Lady, she did not deny the accusation.

She couldn't help but ask, "Wait, you're the reason why Clare was Under the Mountain?" Feyre immediately looked at her but didn't say anything. She didn't need to. Yes.

Auriella felt the emotions flooding back to her, everything that was done, everything she said, every weak breath she took, it was overwhelming. She stood up from her seat, "If you may excuse me," she said, walking fast out of the room, feeling the eyes of everyone on her.

And as she walked out of the room, she felt the feeling of worry and comfort brush her mind.