AZRIEL

The Spymaster of the Night Court climbed the mountain, using every single bit of his strength to get to his mate.

He had used most of it when he and Rhysand used their magic to winnow Perseus to the top, sending him to give them more time.

At least, that is what Rhys thought.

Before they sent Perseus to the top, Azriel kneeled on the grass next to the wolf. He stared into those dark eyes, the ones that had kept him stable for the three months his mate wasn't next to him. The wolf was his companion, one that he never knew he needed, but was grateful to have him by his side.

Tears had formed in the Spymaster's eyes, knowing that it might be the last time he would ever see Perseus again.

Azriel petted his head, "Protect Nyx, Perseus. No matter what it takes." He whispered.

Perseus immediately understood him, his ears going up at the command. The wolf was ready, prepared for the journey that was ahead of him.

And once Rhysand and Azriel winnowed him away, they went back to fighting the creatures that were stationed near Under the Mountain. Even though they were both severely injured, including Cassian, they had to keep fighting, hoping to get up the mountain before it was too late.

But that never happened.

One moment, everyone was fighting, including the seven High Lords. Magic was being thrown back and forth, hitting the creations or missing completely. It seemed as if Prythian had the upper hand over the Being, seeing as they were getting closer to the mountain.

But when Rhysand and Feyre stopped fighting, standing still as a rock, it seemed as if time had slowed. Azriel had called out their names, but neither of them turned to him.

The darkness hovered over Rhysand, dark stars swirling around him, building into something that Azriel couldn't describe. The mixture of his emotions was too complicated to read, especially since he was standing feet away from him.

He looked over to Feyre, who sobbed uncontrollably. Cassian called her name out from afar, not wanting to get too close. She screamed her son's name, holding her chest. Azriel saw her magic combine; a mixture of Day, Night, Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Winter.

It was the most heartbreaking thing he ever witnessed - seeing Feyre grieve for her son.

And within seconds, the High Lord and High Lady of the Night Court let go of their powers, letting their grief obliterate every creation that stood in the way of Under the Mountain.

For Rhysand, it had taken everything within him. But for Feyre, her eyes were focused on the top of the mountain, immediately summoning wings and heading there. Rhysand hadn't called out her name. He stayed kneeled on the grass, crying into his hands, with Cassian beside him.

Instead, Azriel climbed up the mountain alone. He was unable to fly at all because of the harpoons that went through his wings. The sisterhood made sure that the three most powerful Illyrians were incapacitated in the worst way, disabling their wings to gain time.

Rhysand, Cassian, and Azriel had lost consciousness for a few moments before Feyre, Emerie, and Morrigan removed them from the wall, the three men dropping onto the floor and crying out as the unbearable pain went through them.

But as they were regaining strength, Feyre had told them everything.

She revealed that Nesta was The Being, that she had taken Nyx from the Night Court and was going after Elain in the Day Court.

At first, it seemed surreal to think that Feyre's own sister would betray her. After everything that Feyre had done to survive; to gain this beautiful life that she had - it was all crumbling down because of her own blood's actions.

And now, Nesta had Auriella in her possession, along with Damian.

The fury inside of the Spymaster was brutal, wishing to be set free and unleash his power on anyone who harmed his mate. All he wanted to do was to find Auriella and take her home. He didn't care where they went as long as he could keep her safe. If it were up to him, he'd leave Prythian with her and let the chaos roam free.

He knew it was wrong to think about that, especially since everyone was facing an unimaginable loss. Prythian, the place he called home, was slowly being won by someone who didn't deserve to have it in their possession. It was as if he was relieving Amarantha's reign all over again, but this time, she had the upper hand.

As the Spymaster reached the peak of the mountain, he could see his High Lady cradling something in her arms. It was a blanket... Nyx's blanket. The one Feyre had always put on him whenever he went to sleep. Her sobs were muffled as she cried into it. Azriel could hear her saying her son's name over and over again, hoping his name would bring him back to her.

But behind Feyre laid Damian, his body motionless on the concrete and soaking in the rain. Auriella was nowhere in sight, nor was Nesta or the sisterhood.

Azriel immediately ran to his mate's brother, kneeling beside him, trying to shake him awake.

But Damian was still.

The Spymaster put his fingers on his wrist, feeling for his pulse, but there was nothing.

"Damian!" He screamed, panicked as the male was still unresponsive.

Rhysand, I need Thesan! Damian isn't breathing! Get him to winnow here right now! Azriel says to his High Lord, ripping open Damian's clothes, and starting to pump his chest, breathing air into his lungs.

Within minutes, the High Lord of the Dawn Court appears on top of the mountain. His golden armor is bloody, his face holding worry and grief all the same. He is immediately at his son's side, his face stained with tears, but he does his best to maintain his composure.

"Damian, my boy. My little boy, don't give up yet. Please don't leave yet." Thesan says, his voice breaking.

Behind him, Azriel hears someone ask someone about Auriella, but the person gets no response. The Spymaster lets her name be spread around, knowing that she would want him to try and save her brother.

"Come on, Damian. Breathe." Azriel mutters, feeling the exhaustion catch up to him. He felt the energy deplete inside of him, telling him to stop and rest. He didn't want to give up, he didn't want Auriella to be without her twin that she loved dearly.

But still, Damian wouldn't breathe.

Beside him, Thesan started to break. His hands were on both sides of his son's head, using his magic to dig in for any signs of life in his body. Azriel knew that he still couldn't feel anything. As much as he breathed air into his lungs and pumped his chest, there was nothing coming from the Son of Dawn.

His pumps started to slow.

Azriel didn't breathe any more oxygen into Damian.

And slowly, the Spymaster stopped altogether, taking himself away.

The High Lord of the Dawn Court took his son into his arms, cradling him as he let out his grief. "My boy! My little sweet boy!" He cries. Seconds later, Zephyr appears, rushing to his partner's side and grieving the loss of their son.

Behind them, Feyre is still focused on her loss. Amren gently kneels beside her, putting an arm over her shoulder, trying to comfort her as best she can. Feyre's cries only become louder. Azriel couldn't even begin to imagine the pain in her heart.

The Spymaster stood up from the ground, turning away from the grief.

But as he walks away, Cassian takes him by the arm, "We have to head after Morrigan." He says, staring out to a grieving Feyre.

Azriel narrows his eyes, "What do you mean? I thought she was with you." He tells him.

Cassian nods, "She was. But when I turned my back to face more of the creations, she wasn't there anymore. Emerie told me that she winnowed away. She followed her all the way back up to the Night Court, but turned back to warn us." He says.

Azriel thinks for a moment, wondering what The Being's next move is.

The Spymaster looks around, his shadows calling out to the darkness - calling out to Rhysand. Whenever the High Lord was near, the darkness would hover over him, shifting his shadows in obedience.

But now, the darkness was still; silent in the middle of the storm.

Rhysand would never leave, especially when his mate was grieving and their son had disappeared to another realm. But the High Lord was extremely vulnerable now, his mind shattered after everything he endured. There was no way he would put up a fight, not in the state he is in.

Night Court. Rhysand. Prison. His shadows whispered.

Azriel snapped his head up, putting the pieces together. The Prison had the most horrendous creatures locked inside, ones so powerful that they could kill you in one swipe if you ever got too close. That place was a real-life nightmare, which is why Rhysand linked himself to it, being the only one who could open it.

There was no doubt in his mind that Nesta had taken him there.

That was how she was going to seal her rule - by unleashing the worst creatures imaginable upon Prythian.