I adjusted the cuff of my leathers for what must have been the fifth or sixth time. Azriel had insisted I wear black—his version of 'diplomatic attire'. I swear he finds joy in turning me into his shadow twin. He said it would make the Autumn Court take me seriously.

As if the wings and the title weren’t already enough.

"Our lovely court color." My voice dripped with sarcasm.

Azriel cut me a look, the one that says get over it. “Welcome to politics,” he muttered. “Try not to scowl. You already look too much like your father.”

Flattering.

We winnowed straight to the Autumn Manor's Gate. The heat hit me like a wall—woodsmoke, old magic, pride baked into the stones. Only the cool breeze flecked by red and orange leafs kept sweat from gathering on my brow.

As the gates creaked open Azriel went first, commander-calm, his wings tucked with surgical precision. I followed half a step behind, the dutiful heir, posture perfect, chin up—because I knew what they expected.

The spoiled Night Court princeling. Too cocky. Too Unpredictable. Too young.

I didn’t stumble.

I moved exactly the way my uncles had taught me—measured, observant, steel in my spine. Az nodded, just once. I caught it anyway, the approval, preened a bit with it.

We followed a lesser fae through the manor and into a far too large and decadent room with a long table. It pressed in—warm, heavy, watching. The air reeked of expectation. Eris wasn’t here yet, but his advisors circled like jackals in embroidered gold, all teeth behind thin smiles. We were here as a courtesy. A gesture. But they looked at us like invaders.

Azriel took a seat in an open spot. I leaned against the wall behind him, wings tucked, fingers tapping a silent beat on my thigh. Cassian says I need patience. Azriel says I need stillness. I say they both need hobbies.

Then the doors opened.

Two guards entered—and then her.

Not Eris.

{{user}}

She moved like flame and conviction wrapped in green silk. Her chin didn’t waver, not even beneath the weight of all that scrutiny. She walked like she belonged here—but didn’t want to.

And then our eyes met.

It hit me like flying headfirst into a storm. Like the world narrowed to a single thread, pulled taut between us. My heart slammed in my chest. My wings flinched, betraying the chaos under my skin. My powers stirred, restless.

Azriel noticed. Of course he did.

I inhaled sharply. Grounded myself in the scent of smoke and leaves and her. Swallowed the word mine before it could leave my lips.

This was going to be… very complicated.