The next day, the Daughter of Dawn walked through the Night Court with High Lady right at her side.

After Rhysand and Cassian winnowed them into the streets of Velaris, Auriella received many unpleasant looks from the citizens, but she didn't pay them any mind. She had already known the courts did not do well with others.

"I remember when I used to get those looks. I thought that they were eventually going to kill me if I didn't leave soon." Feyre says in a low voice.

Auriella scoffs, "You belong here, High Lady. You have unbelievable beauty and power. The Night Court was always your home, even when you didn't know it."She says.

She meant the words. Feyre was breathtaking whenever there wasn't any dirt and grime covering her body as it did during the war. Right now, she looked like a High Lady in every way, her dress a plain black, slit in front so her leg was visible when she walked.

Auriella felt awkward beside her, not carrying the usual dark attire the Night Court wears. She wore an orange-colored suit with a tight white top underneath it, showing that she was a part of the Dawn Court.

Feyre smiles at her, "You are practically a High Lady without the title. Rhys told me everything that you do for your court. It's a shame you can't inherit the title. You would have been amazing." She says.

Auriella shrugs, "I don't care for it at all if I am being honest. I see what my father has to do every day to make sure he keeps his court safe. I see him frustrated out of his mind and I worry that he will push himself too hard. Being the Daughter of Dawn has its responsibilities, but I'm glad I don't have to do half of what he does." She admits.

"I can't say the same. Rhys and I have stacks of papers on our desks to fill out. I should be doing that now, but I really couldn't wait to speak with you." Feyre says.

Auriella feels her heart racing. She knew that she and feyre would have to speak about everything that happened Under the Mountain at some point. She just wished it wasn't on the second day of her arrival.

The two made it down to the bridge over the Sidra, seeing boats floating across the canal. The sun shined down brightly upon Velaris, reflecting in the river. As people walked by, they greeted the High Lady and the Daughter of Dawn, some with blinding smiles and others with strange eyes.

Auriella and Feyre walked to the railing of the bridge, resting their arms on the stone. They were silent for a moment, hearing the chatter of the Night Court, focusing their eyes someplace else.

Auriella didn't know what she would say to her. She didn't know if she would cry remembering the deaths of her friends. From the three, Marcellus was the one that always stayed with her. She remembered him begging Feyre not to kill him with tears spilling from his eyes. It was a memory that resurfaced in every nightmare she had.

"I don't think that apologies will ever be enough to tell you how sorry I am, especially for Clare. At the time, I didn't know that Rhysand would say anything, but I don't blame him. He thought it was a name I made up, but in reality, I had just sent a girl to a fate worse than death." Feyre says, her eyes still focused on the river.

She was right. Clare had suffered and endured so much to the point where death was inevitable. The girl was broken from head to toe, unable to do anything but lay there and wait until death took her. And when those screams had stopped, Auriella couldn't help but feel a sense of relief through the unbearable grief. She was no longer in pain.

Auriella's eyes well up with tears, "You were in a panicked state, Feyre. It was the first name that popped into your mind and you said it. I don't know what the girl was to you, but she stayed strong till the end." She says.

Feyre turns her head to her, "What did Amarantha do to her?" She asked.

"I am not telling you that. Those thoughts don't deserve a place in your head. I am just relieved that her pain was finally over." Auriella says.

Even if Clare had lived, the girl would be confined, unable to move, walk, or speak. She would have just been a living corpse that stared up at a ceiling until she closed her eyes forever.

"After the High Lords meeting, Rhys told me that you knew those two fae that I killed in the final trial. Is that true?" The High Lady asked.

Auriella let out a sob, covering her mouth. She looked up at the snow-capped mountains, not wanting to look at Feyre's face. Her heart was still broken and wounded, but this was a step forward, to start moving on and finding forgiveness.

The Daughter of Dawn nodded, looking down at her hands, "Yes, I did. Their names were..." she trails off, "Marcellus and Poppy. They were both good friends of mine. In my time, Under the Mountain, they were there for me when I needed them the most. Poppy was a beautiful soul who accepted her fate, knowing that she was going to die there. She loved praying to the spirits. I would hope that she found peace wherever the afterlife took her."

Auriella sighs, "Marcellus was my friend who helped me at times when I didn't want to remember where I was. He would be someone who momentarily took away my pain. I would use him as much as he used me. I think that if he hadn't had died, we could have been something more today, but I don't put that much thought into it. He and I never had much in common." She says.

Feyre nods, "Did you love him?" She asks.

Auriella shakes her head, "No, I didn't. There were times I distanced myself from him because I didn't want to get too close. I was afraid of developing feelings for him because of Amarantha. I didn't want her finding out about him, but she did anyway." She finishes.

Feyre looks back to the Sidra, "I hope one day, you'll be able to forgive me, Auriella. I promise you that I didn't want to do it, but there-" Auriella interrupts her.

"You didn't have a choice, Feyre. It was either kill them or doom Prythian forever. If I was in your position, I would have done the same. I saw it in your eyes that you didn't want to kill them. I forgave you a long time ago." She says.

Feyre smiles, grabbing her hand. Auriella scanned the decorated skin, seeing how beautiful the tattoo was up close. It was a mixture of intricate lines, dots, and different designs that looked so beautiful bundled together.

Auriella scoffs, "My father would have killed me if he saw I got a tattoo." She says, making them both laugh.

***

Once Feyre and Auriella had walked around most of Velaris, the High Lady had winnowed them back to the House of Wind.

"Nyx threw up on Rhysand when he was four months?" Auriella asked, astonished.

Feyre laughed, "Yes, I was burping him because he had just drunk his milk, and Rhys was asleep behind me. Then, before I knew it, Nyx had burped so hard that he threw up. All I heard was Rhys waking up, yelling, covered in baby vomit. I was laughing so much that I almost dropped Nyx." She says, grinning at the memory.

As the doors of the House of Wind opened, Feyre and Auriella were met with some of the Inner Circle waiting in the foyer. She looks around the room for Azriel and Perseus, but they weren't there. She felt her nerves grow anxious, yearning for the sight of either of them.

She had left her wolf in the Spymaster's care, not wanting Perseus to scare the people of the Night Court, or distracting her from her time with Feyre. Azriel was gracious about it, taking Perseus to the gardens and letting him roam around. She lingered there for a moment, noticing how good the wolf was with her mate.

A cough made her stray away from the memory, "Well, now that you both spent hours out there, and Auriella knows her way around, can we please head to the mountains? I'm bored." Cassian gruffs, standing from his seat.

Morrigan rolls her eyes, "Then go do something productive. You don't need to head to the mountains with us. We don't need you there." She says.

The general grins, "Ah, but who will protect our precious guest from lingering eyes? You'll need someone strong and well-suited to take down the bastards." He says, flexing his muscles.

Feyre scoffs, "As if the Daughter of Dawn cannot protect herself. I heard she almost kicked your ass in a duel. I am disappointed, Cassian." She says, feigning hurt. Her eyes look over to Nesta, who bounces the High Prince in her lap, cooing silently at him. Nyx giggles at her face, spilling drool onto his aunt's lap.

Auriella remembered the rumors that spread around about the Archeron sister. She was Cauldron-made, pushed into the contraption by Hybern before the commencement of the war, turning her from human into a deadly fae. It was said that she mistreated her youngest sister, Feyre, favoring the second oldest, Elain.

Elain Archeron had moved on to live in the Day Court with her mate, Lucien Vanserra. Two years ago, Helion announced the sudden and surprising news that he had an heir, which was the Autumn Court-born, son. Beron's wife didn't deny anything, which meant that the High Lord of Day wasn't lying.

Auriella remembered the words that Lucien's mother was called during that time. They were vile, degrading, and despicable. But that woman held her head high, taking the verbal attacks like someone who could give less of a shit. Lucien stood by his mother the entire time, defending her actions.

Lucien had eventually accepted Helion as his father, going on to live in the Day Court with him. Elain left the Night Court months later when their mating bond was sealed. They had planned to wed later in the current year.

Rhysand goes over to his mate's side, putting his hand in hers. "Oh, you should have seen him in the training room today. He put in the extra effort. It seems that the Daughter of Dawn has wounded my poor brother into thinking he's old, which he is." The High Lord says.

Auriella chuckles, staring at the general, "I apologize if my words caused you unbearable pain, general. I am just telling it how it is." She says, putting a hand on her chest.

Suddenly, Auriella hears the echoes of her barking wolf coming down the hallway.

The Spymaster and Perseus come into the room seconds later. Her wolf leaves Azriel's side, running to his owner, licking her hand. Auriella smiles down at him, petting his head.

Thank you for watching him for me. She sent down the bond.

He whined for you most of the time. Her mate replied.

The High Prince laughed, staring at Perseus. He struggled to get off of Nesta's lap, waddling over to the wolf.

The Daughter of Dawn kneeled down, smiling at Nyx. Nesta stood up from her seat, "Don't let him get near that animal. Who knows what it could do?" She snaps to her sister, her voice filled with worry.

Auriella shakes her head, "Perseus doesn't bite children. He is extremely gentle when it comes to them." She says. The High Prince comes to her, his violet-blue eyes staring at her with content. She lifts him onto her lap.

The Daughter of Dawn stares at Perseus, "Sit," she commands. The wolf immediately listens, staring at his owner with calm eyes. Auriella takes Nyx's small hand in hers, guiding it to the wolf. Perseus sniffs his hand, taking in his scent, before licking the palm of the High Prince.

Auriella briefly glances to Nesta, who stares at the High Prince, frozen in her spot. She seemed ready to protect him if something happened. She could see her lightly trembling, her fist balled as if this harmless interaction angered her. It was clear that she was overprotective of the prince, but Auriella felt a deeper reason behind the reaction she displayed.

It seemed that Azriel noticed it too, moving closer to Auriella.

Auriella looked back at her wolf, hiding behind her long hair. "Protect him, Perseus." She whispered, making her companion grow attentive.

"You will protect him when I say so." Auriella whispers. The wolf understood, laying down on the floor. The Daughter of Dawn set the High Prince down, letting him interact with the wolf for a little longer. Nyx tapped Perseus's head, giggling as the wolf set his head down on the little boy's lap.

"Now we have to get a wolf," Rhysand mutters, staring down at his son.

Morrigan shrugs, "We could just tell Cassian to walk around on all fours. He's practically a dog anyway. All he needs to do is bark." She says. The general snarls at her.

Feyre rolls her eyes, "Enough bickering you two. Now, if all of you are heading up to the mountains, you better get going. It gets colder as the sun goes down." She says, heading over to her son and picking him up from the ground. Perseus stands up, whining.

The High Lady of Night pets the wolf's head, "You'll see him soon, Perseus. I promise." She says, before heading upstairs with her cooing son.

Rhysand claps his hands, "You should all go," he looks at Auriella, "You might want to change, Daughter of Dawn, the mountains can be unforgivable at times." He says.

***

It turns out the High Lord was right. The Illyrian Mountains were fucking cold.

Auriella changed out of her formal attire into her tight gold-red suit, covering her entire body. She had Soulender sheathed at her side, hidden underneath her long white cape that dragged along the ground. Perseus was beside her, his demeanor calm and alert.

Cassian, Morrigan, and Nesta were in front, walking towards the entrance of the Windhaven Camp.

Azriel was on Auriella's other side. She noticed that he was absolutely silent like he was focused on something else entirely. She stole glances at him, seeing his demeanor angered and serious.

Is there anything that I should expect when I enter this place? She asked, hating the silence of the group, and wanting to distract herself from the bitter wind.

They will taunt you, Auriella. I don't want you to be here. He says, his voice rough.

I am able to protect myself, Spymaster. Let them taunt me. She says.

You might let them do it, but I will not stand by and let you be degraded, especially by those who will do anything to make you leave. He says.

Auriella grabs his forearm, stopping him. She looks up into his hazel eyes, "Learn to control yourself, Spymaster. I am here for several reasons, this being one of them. If they want to taunt me, let them. They are just words. If they try to attack me, then my sword will plunge through them." She says.

Azriel looks around the snow-covered ground, "Just stay by me, Auriella. I don't know how many of them will react when they see you." He says, putting his hand on her back, both of them treading through the snow.

Once they all step into the Windhaven Camp, numerous Illyrian eyes land on Auriella. Perseus guards his owner, growling and barking at those lingering eyes.

I didn't expect to have admirers so quickly. She sent down the bond.

Her mate doesn't respond. She could feel the rage simmering through him. His shadows swirled around him, sensing his emotions. Auriella looped her arm through his, hoping it would calm him down.

Azriel didn't expect the sudden gesture, but he stared down at her. She shook her head.

As they walked further into the camp, Perseus still guarded Auriella, growling at the Illyrians to stay back from her. She had never seen her wolf so protective and alert. She was quite proud to have trained him so well.

Cassian moves to Auriella's other side, "Ah, I see you two have become quite friendly already," he gestures to their entwined arms, "but either way, the sisterhood is just beyond the camp. I doubt we will get there without facing Devlon first." He says.

Auriella narrows her eyes, "Who is Devlon?" She asks.

"He is the Lord of the Windhaven Camp. He is also a complete asshole." Morrigan says, still facing forward.

Cassian huffs out a laugh, "That is far too kind of a name for him. I always call him an incompetent fucktard. It has grown on me." He says.

Suddenly, an Illyrian male shoots down from the sky, landing on his feet, making the snow dust burst around him. He looks at the group with menacing eyes, stalking over to them with a leading posture.

"Ah, speaking of the incompetent fucktard, here he is!" Cassian exclaims, making sure the male, Devlon, hears him.

The Lord of the Windhaven Camp crosses his arms to his chest. "May I ask why you pests have entered my camp with," he grows silent, locking eyes with Auriella, "the Daughter of Dawn? Rhysand did not inform me of this." He says.

Morrigan scoffs, "He doesn't need to inform you of anything. The Daughter of Dawn is coming with us to the Illyrian Sisterhood. She is not going to be in your way, so step aside." She snaps at Devlon.

He doesn't pay the Third Commander any mind. "You forget that the sisterhood is partly mine since those females belong to me. You may have trained them, but they will always be part of this war-camp. I can reject anyone who comes through here because this is my territory. The Daughter of Dawn has no reason to be in my camp." He says.

"She must train her shadows. The sisterhood will help her grow stronger so that Azriel can begin training her. Rhysand brought her to the Night Court himself. Therefore, if you have a problem with her, take it up with him, but I doubt that he will give two shits." Cassian says, his face turning slightly red with anger.

The Daughter of Dawn steps forward, "I have no intention of getting in your way, Lord Devlon. I promise that once I am done here in the sisterhood, I will leave and you will never see my face again." She says.

He stared at Auriella with calculating eyes, "Next time, tell the High Lord to inform me of things like this. I will not allow someone else into my camp unannounced." He snaps, walking away from them.

It seems calling him "Lord Devlon" was a good call. Auriella sends down the bond.

He doesn't deserve the name. Azriel replies.

Auriella felt like there was a deeper meaning in his words. The rage still radiated through him, feeling as if he might explode at any moment. She looked down at his scarred hands, wondering if they were always that way or if someone did this to him.

She opened her mouth to say something, but a familiar voice called out to her.

"Auriella?!" Someone exclaimed.

The Daughter of Dawn looked away from her mate, seeing the person who survived with her Under the Mountain, who consoled her when she didn't feel like she was going to make it. Her heart instantly became heavy with emotions.

"Ruth?" She breathed, feeling everything come back to her all at once.