Auriella jolted awake, her entire body soaked in sweat.

She breathed heavily, putting her hand on her chest, feeling everything become a blur around her. Her teeth chattered, feeling her back aching and burning from being forced against the Cauldron.

But as she looked around her, she didn't recognize where she was.

At first, she believed herself to be back in the Dawn Court, resting on her bed. But now, she was under different covers, noticing the entire room decorated with color and painted flowers and vines on the walls. The smell of the room was delightful, like a whiff of dandelions and sunflowers had hit her at the same time.

She was in the Spring Court.

Auriella looked out the windows, seeing the rain beat against the glass. There was no sun, no clouds, or any birds in the sky. She was only able to see the gray sky and lighting rolling across it.

She moved her legs off of the bed, attempting to stand up. But when her toes barely touched the wood floor, Auriella sat back down, hissing at the pain that shocked her body. She became dizzy once more. It was as if the pain was too much to handle.

The Daughter of Dawn quickly snatched the glass of water that was on the nightstand, swallowing it all. She let the coolness of the liquid glide down her throat, feeling the chills creep up on her skin. She took a deep breath, attempting to stand on her own again.

And when she did, Auriella held onto the edge of the nightstand, whimpering from the pain that jolted through her. Her mind screamed for her to sit back down, but she didn't. She needed to know what was happening, feeling as if everything was crumbling around her.

As she limped towards the door, having one arm around her rib, she opened it to find an over capacitated hallway. There were people lined up against the walls, sitting and waiting. Children were asleep in their parents' arms and the elderly were resting across the floor.

It was as if her breath was taken all at once.

The people in the hallway stared at her, some of them rising to their feet to make room for her to pass through. Auriella slowly walked out of the room, not bothering to close the door behind her. If anyone wanted to take it, she would gladly let them.

She limped through the crowd, staring straight ahead. Normally, she would be the one to check on the people who made it out, catering to their needs.

But this time, Auriella felt as if something was off. Her heart sank to her stomach, but she couldn't figure out why.

Behind her, people muttered things she couldn't make out. She felt too vulnerable like this, especially in her weak state. Suddenly, it felt overwhelming like the space around her was closing in. She stopped in the middle of the crowd, taking a deep breath, praying to the spirits that she would not faint once again.

Beside her, a man, who appeared to be from the Day Court, offered his arm. Auriella gave him a small smile, accepting the gesture.

He led her down the crowded hall, right to where the guards were standing. The two men, who wore silver and green armor, nodded their heads once at the man, dismissing him.

Auriella looked up at the two guards, "What happened while I was out? Why am I in the Spring Court? Where is my family?" She asks, feeling the questions run through her mind.

The guards look at one another briefly before turning back to her, "Currently, the Spring Court and the Mortal Lands are taking survivors from every court. The Being has established control of almost all the entire continent. Before she could take the Spring Court, Valeria made a divide at the border of the Summer and Autumn Courts, separating us from the rest of Prythian."

The other guard nodded, "Once people stopped coming through the divide, Lucien Vanserra cast spells to protect us from any of the creations that would try to make it through. As the High Lords were fighting them off and starting to make their way back, the members of the corrupted sisterhood winnowed in, taking all of them except for Tamlin and Tarquin." He revealed.

Auriella felt as if things were falling apart.

Her father had been taken from her yet again.

The Daughter of Dawn put her hand on the railing of the stairs, feeling as if she could lose her balance at any moment, "I must see Zephyr and my brother. Where are they?" She asks.

The guards don't say a word.

Before she could ask again, a familiar voice speaks, "Bron, Hart, go check on the rest of the survivors. Make sure they are all cared for. I will be beside the Daughter of Dawn." Valeria says.

The two guards, Bron and Hart, nod once at Valeria, before they leave to do what she commanded. Auriella stares at her former attendant, feeling the raw power of the cold radiating from her body. Her gray eyes were filled with sadness, tears gleaming in them.

"Where is my family?" Auriella breathed, feeling her heart tighten.

She knew something was wrong. Other than Thesan being taken, she could feel her mind screaming at her, wanting to make sure everyone else was okay.

Valeria took a deep breath, taking a step towards Auriella, "My lady, I need you to come with me. Zephyr and Azriel are downstairs. They are both anxious to see you." She says to her, putting her hand out.

Auriella immediately takes it, letting Valeria lead her down the stairs. She tried to ignore the anguishing pain her body was in, feeling as if her limbs were going to fall apart. She wished that she didn't have anyone to help her, but she knew that she would surely fall on her ass if she didn't.

As the women both made it downstairs, Valeria led her towards the throne room. But before the guards open the doors, the Woman of Winter halts them. She turns to Auriella, "Before we head in, I want you to know that they tried. We weren't able to save him, Ella. His wounds were too extensive and his body was badly battered. I'm so sorry." She says with tears streaming down her face.

At that, Auriella becomes worried, "What are you talking about, Valeria?" She asks, her tone growing weary.

Valeria looks to the ground, "Guards," she breathes.

And when the men open up the doors, Auriella feels everything crumble around her.

The Daughter of Dawn limped into the room, ignoring her mate, her father, Ruth, and everyone else who was there.

Her eyes focused upon the body of her twin brother. He was resting on a high stone, his eyes closed as if he were sleeping. His face was rid of his tan color, becoming pale, and his lips a light shade of purple. He laid there, motionless, void of any life that was once vibrant and beautiful.

When Auriella touched her brother's hand, she came apart, feeling nothing of warmth. She looked at his battered face, seeing the dried blood stain his skin. She touched his face, hoping that she would be able to revive him with a simple touch. She prayed to the spirits, begging them to bring his soul back, to have him wake again.

But no matter how much she pleaded, his eyes never opened.

She put her lips on his forehead, feeling the coolness of him, "I love you, my brother." She says against his skin.

"Let your soul find its way to the sun," she whispered to him, hoping that he would find peace at whatever awaited him in the afterlife.

Auriella slowly fell to the ground, putting her forehead onto his arm. Her cries echoed throughout the room, but she didn't care. The pain in her chest was unbearable, feeling as if half of her heart had been ripped away in an instant.

Zephyr kneeled next to his daughter, taking her into his arms, and embracing her tightly. Auriella immediately accepted his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck and sobbing into his shoulder. Her father cried with her, his feelings the same as hers.

The Daughter of Dawn had accepted the realization.

Her twin brother, the Son of Dawn, was gone.

***

As the day passed, Auriella stayed close to Zephyr, not wanting to speak with anyone as the Spring guards took her brother's body away.

Lara had been the last one to say goodbye to Damian, grieving for the husband she lost. She placed one last kiss on his forehead before taking off the gold band on his left finger, clutching it as reality sank in.

Valeria was the one who led Lara out of the room, seeing as she wasn't in her right mind to be alone, especially in a time like this. Auriella's eyes followed them out, seeing as her two former attendants had a close friendship with one another.

The Daughter of Dawn stood outside of the Rosehall Manor, sitting on the concrete steps along with many others. There was a combination of court colors around her, mixing unusually. She had expected the people to erupt in chaos, seeing as their homes were being destroyed by Nesta, and everything they once knew had changed dramatically.

But, as far as she could see, everyone seemed to know that everyone was grieving a loss of something. One person comforted another, no matter which court they belonged to.

As she stared off into the distance, Auriella could smell the scent of roses and chamomile coming from beside her. She didn't need to turn her head to see who it was.

"I'm truly sorry for the loss of your brother, Auriella," Tamlin said.

Auriella pursed her lips, holding back the tears, "It's okay," she breathed.

The last time she had been in the Spring Court was when she had come to visit Valeria. A few months ago, it had been different, remembering the people that were rebuilding their homes and shops that were destroyed by Hybern. She had witnessed boats come from the Summer Court, seeing Spring citizens return home.

And now, Auriella could see that the Spring Court was alive once more, the life blooming back into the flowers, the manor rebuilt into a shelter and school, and the citizens of Spring helping all the others in any way they could.

And the most shocking of all, the High Lord of Spring had gained the respect back from his citizens and representatives.

Auriella scoffs, "I thought that the next time I saw you, you would surely be in a grave. In all honesty, I never expected this to happen." She admits to him.

Tamlin nods, "You and me both. There were moments when I would wait for my people to hunt me down and stab me to death. But surprisingly, that time never came." He tells her.

"And now, you let people from every court come into your home? I believed that you would be more on guard, seeing as you and Valeria did everything to rebuild this place. Aren't you afraid?" She asked him.

The High Lord shakes his head, "The only thing I'm afraid of is the person who I was before. I'm afraid that the primal and possessive instinct will come back to tempt me again and make me lose control. I have come so far to fail." He admits.

"That fear could overtake you, Tamlin." She says.

He nods, "It could, but that's only if I let it. I am training myself to keep my emotions at bay. Of course, that could take years, but I have to keep trying. I don't want the past to repeat itself, especially when my life has taken a turn for the better." He says.

Auriella turns her head to him, "Thank you, Tamlin, for keeping Valeria safe throughout all of this. After everything she has been through, she deserves this chance to be happy, even if we are in the midst of a war." She says to him.

Tamlin takes a deep breath, "She saved me. In more ways than one. Valeria had come in a time where I was ready to end it all. And now, look at what she has done. She kept every promise she made and vowed to protect this court if something ever happened. I should be the one thanking you. You let her stay." He tells her.

Auriella sighs, "Valeria is allowed to make her own choices. And she chose you. At the time, I didn't understand, but now I do." She says, seeing the green and white band on his finger.

Before he could say anything else, Bron comes up to him, "High Lord, we have a problem at the rift in the borders. The Being is there, holding the General of the Night Court hostage. She is demanding your surrender, along with Tarquin's." He tells him.

Auriella stands, turning back to see Feyre and Azriel at the threshold of the manor.

Nesta has Cassian at the border. She says to the Spymaster.

***

When they arrived at the border, Auriella could see Nesta there, using her dark magic to detain Cassian to the ground with a blade levitating to his neck.

The sisterhood was standing beside her, their eyes blank and void of emotion.

The General had been beaten from head to toe, his face bloody, along with his wings. He was clearly in pain, grunting as he struggled to get out of The Being's grasp. But no matter how much he moved, there was no use in fighting her.

Nesta moved closer to the edge of the border, "I am here for one reason only. Hand me two remaining High Lords and Cassian gets to live another day. If you don't, then the General's head will roll into the bottom of this chasm you have created." She says.

Emerie shakes her head, "No! Please, don't do this! He has done nothing to deserve this!" She yells at her.

Nesta stared at the Illyrian female for a moment, her lips twitching as if she was enjoying the woman's pleads to let her lover go.

"I have stated what I want! If Tamlin and Tarquin refuse to surrender themselves now, then Cassian will die! Plain and simple! You have less than a minute to decide!" Nesta yells at them.

Tamlin immediately puts his hands up, "Alright! Alright. I surrender myself." He tells her, stepping towards the outside of the border shield.

Valeria grabs his arm, "Tam," she breathes.

The High Lord of Spring turns to her, whispering something in her ear before kissing her once. She cries as he parts from her, stepping over the shield and heading into Nesta's grasp.

The Being levitates him towards her, letting two members of the sisterhood grab him and detain him on the ground. Valeria sobs, but holds herself back, keeping her eyes on Tamlin.

"Now, hand me the High Lord of Summer," Nesta says.

Azriel steps forward, "Tarquin did not enter the Spring Court with us. He isn't here." He tells her.

Nesta sneers, putting the knife deeper into Cassian's neck, making him cry out.

Morrigan steps towards the border, "He isn't here, Nesta! They are telling the truth! Take it from me! Tarquin didn't enter the Spring Court with his people! He is still out there in Prythian, but we don't know where!" She yells at her.

The Being stared at the Third Commander wearily, looking for any sort of deceit coming from her. Mor doesn't look away from her, hoping that she would see the truth in her eyes.

Morrigan shakes her head, "He isn't here." She says in a calmer tone.

Nesta nods, looking at the ground, "Very well," she says, taking the blade off of Cassian's throat and back into her pocket, "I will search for the High Lord of Summer in the courts. But if I find out that he is here and you are hiding him, I will kill the General of the Night Court and the High Lord of Dawn."

Emerie breaks down, "No! Cassian! Please, let him go!" She cries. Feyre holds her, making sure she stays upright.

"I love you, Em. Always... until the end." Cassian says, his voice strained.

Auriella hears her heart thundering in her ears, feeling as if the world had become smaller around her. Azriel entwined their hands together, hoping to bring her some comfort, but through the bond, he could feel her trembling with anger and fear.

As Nesta turns away, Feyre steps up, "Where are Rhysand and the others?" She asks.

The Being slightly turns her head to the side, a smirk creeping onto her lips, "Suffering." She says, vanishing into the wind and going back into her kingdom.