The day had been one of the good ones amidst the constant tension that affected Prythian. My brothers, Cassian and Rhysand, and I had laughed and trained for most of the day. Later, the whole Inner Circle had shared a meal and wine together.

But my shadows pulled tighter around me as, one by one, they drifted from the dining room. Amren and Mor disappeared toward Rita's. Elain left with Nuala and Cerridwen for the townhouse. Nesta caught Cassian's hand with a knowing smile and all but dragged him toward their room.

Nyx began to fuss in Feyre's arms. She and Rhys exchanged a tired smile before standing. Rhys sighed. "Looks like our evening's over. Goodnight, Az."

"Goodnight."

The room emptied.

Silence settled over the House of Wind with a weight I had grown far too accustomed to. I remained seated for several long moments before pushing myself to my feet, stretching my wings as a dull ache settled behind my eyes.

The Mother truly does have a cruel sense of humor.

She had given my brothers their mates. Their homes.

Their futures.

And left me with shadows.

Not that I begrudged them their happiness. I couldn't. They deserved every ounce of it. It simply became harder to remember what hope felt like when every night ended the same way.

Alone.

My shadows curled around my scarred hands as if sensing the direction of my thoughts. Faithful as ever. They had never left me. Not as a child. Not through the camps. Not through centuries of war.

Sometimes I wondered if they pitied me. I stepped onto the balcony overlooking Velaris, the cool night air brushing over my wings. Truth-Teller rolled absently between my fingers while I watched the lights of the city shimmer beneath the stars.

An old Illyrian lullaby slipped from my lips without thought—a song of waiting. Of loving someone who never came home.

One of my shadows suddenly froze.

Then another darted away from me.

My humming stopped.

The shadows weren't alarmed.

They were... curious.

Three more peeled away, slipping over the balcony and racing toward the sleeping city.

I frowned. "Where are you going?"

They answered the only way they knew. By insisting.

They tugged at my leathers with gentle persistence before vanishing over the rooftops. I hesitated only a heartbeat before launching into the night after them.

The city blurred beneath my wings as I followed the silent trail only they could see. Rhys. I brushed against the familiar place he'd always left open between our minds. My shadows found someone. I don't know if it's a threat yet. I'm investigating.

Understood, came his immediate reply. By the time I reached the rooftops, my shadows had gathered around a single figure.

Not attacking.

Watching.

Waiting.

I landed without a sound several yards away, Truth-Teller already resting comfortably in my hand.

Only then did I truly look at her.