Auriella and Emerie spar with one another, the metal of their swords echoing throughout the room.

Sweat streamed down their skin from their previous battle, dripping onto the mat. Auriella had won the first match, but she was willing to give the Illyrian female another try.

The Daughter of Dawn fought with Soulender, gripping the blade with confidence and control. Emerie fought with Cassian's sword, which he named Nightblade not too recently. The female wielded it perfectly, letting her lover train her in the last few months.

This was the fifth time the two women had spared in the last three months, wanting to see how the other performed. At first, Auriella was hesitant to go up against Emerie, but the Illyrian didn't hold back. She wanted to see the battle to its full potential.

After that, the two women only got fiercer in their fights.

Emerie swung her sword over Auriella's head, which she blocked immediately. She went behind the female, trying to catch her by surprise, but Emerie was quick, colliding swords once more.

"Alright! You both have been at this for hours! Let's get some food in those stomachs!" Cassian bellows, but neither female yields.

The women don't tear their eyes from one another's, keeping the same fury on their faces as the fight escalates. Emerie flips her sword into a back-handed grip, raising her left fist for defense.

Auriella makes the first move, but Emerie blocks it, colliding her sword once more and gripping onto the Daughter of Dawn. Auriella gets out of her grip, but Emerie retakes it again, the metal ringing in their ears. She swipes the sword close to Auriella's face, making her move away before Emerie disarms her completely.

In a blink of an eye, Auriella's sword is on the floor, but Nightblade is against her neck.

The two women stare at each other in the silence, their breathing heavy and sweat pooling onto the floor with each passing second.

"Look at you," Auriella breathes, impressed with her performance.

Emerie smirks, taking the sword away from her throat, "You are not the only one who has been practicing these last few months. I wasn't stopping until I beat you in at least one of our sparring matches." She tells her.

"And now that you have, how do you feel?" Auriella asked, walking off the mat.

The Illyrian female hands the sword back to her lover, "I feel like I am going to vomit because of how quick you move. I barely blocked your movements. At least now, I am able to predict some of them." She says.

Cassian kisses her cheek, "You were phenomenal. I had full faith in you the entire time, my love." He says to her with a guilty grin, making Emerie roll her eyes.

Auriella chuckled, "You know, General, you never called in our rematch. I'm surprised that it was your lover who beat me before you did." She tells him.

Cassian clears his throat, "I went easy on you last time, Daughter of Dawn. I could have knocked you on your ass if I wanted to, but I didn't because I am a very kind and generous person." He says with a mock tone.

"Plus," he continues, "you have been busy throwing daggers and hiding in the darkness with your mate. I didn't want to come into this room to ask you to fight when those flying knives could have come towards my face and take out one of my eyes." He finishes.

Auriella feels her cheeks heat up, remembering that she had spent the last three months training herself and her shadows with Azriel. As he was healing in the first few days, Auriella made sure to listen to his every word, wanting to get nothing wrong or make his wounds more severe than they already were.

The Spymaster always reassured her that he was alright, but Auriella didn't want to take any chances, especially when it came to him.

But after a few weeks had passed, Azriel was on his feet once more. He showed her how to throw her dagger, how to kill enemies in one swift move, how to use her shadows properly in battle, and how to hide in the darkness. It was a monumental task for the Daughter of Dawn, seeing how her mate completed it all with ease.

But failure after failure, Auriella eventually got the hang of them, repeating them until they were embedded in her memory. Azriel would approve of them before moving onto the next movement, but still, Auriella wanted to be sure of herself.

Auriella noticed that the Spymaster was very strict when it came to training, seeing as he would correct her whenever she did something wrong or tell her when she did something right. But even in training, their mating bond would never leave them alone, interrupting them in the worst moments.

Occasionally, she would feel a primal and possessive feeling run down the bond, making her skin come ablaze and her mind running wild with inappropriate thoughts.

The only thing she could do was ignore it, burying the undeniable wanting.

Whenever she would come into the room before they trained, she would see Azriel doing his daily exercises. His chest would be out, sweat running down his neck and muscles. His hair would be drenched; glistening. His breathing would be heavy and uneven. She couldn't deny that he looked delicious in his disheveled state.

And it took everything within her not to pounce on him and seal their bond.

Sometimes, the Spymaster and the Daughter of Dawn would share moments together after their sessions. They would embrace each other, stealing kisses, or holding hands when they exited the training room. Their shadows would brighten simultaneously in the morning light whenever their skin made contact, as if it were their heart skipping a beat.

As the months passed, Auriella could feel something blooming inside of her. She felt herself waking up more content and relaxed, feeling as if there were no worries in her life. She looked forward to training, not just for Azriel, but because it made her stronger, finally feeling like she had control of herself once more.

Emerie scoffs, "Honestly, you would look more attractive with one eye. If I didn't know you, I would think that you lost it in the great war, fighting off enemies. When in reality, you lost it because the Daughter of Dawn had a horrendous aim." She laughs. The General rolls his eyes, poking her side, before walking off.

"You hurt his pride, Em," Auriella says, grinning.

The female shakes her head, "I'll pay for it later." She tells her, "But now I assume you have to head back to the Dawn Court?"

Auriella's grin leaves her face rather quickly, remembering the letter she received from her father a few days ago. He wanted her to come home to see how she progressed. She knew that she could never say no to him. Thesan was her father and she missed him dearly, along with her other father, Zephyr.

She had told Rhysand and Feyre she would be going home for two days. The High Lord and High Lady understood her decision, granting her access to return whenever she wanted to. Soon after, Auriella told Azriel, but it seemed that the Spymaster did not support her decision, seeing as he did not come to training in the morning.

"It's only for two days. My father wants to see me, and frankly, I want to see him too. It's been more than four months since I've stepped foot back into my home. I think that it's time to pay them a visit, even if it's for a short time." Auriella says.

Emerie nods, "Hopefully, your father will see how far you've come. Your shadows have grown brighter and you have grown stronger. If I can see the difference in you, I know that your father and your court will be able to see it too." She tells her.

Auriella pulls her into an embrace, "You've helped me also, Em. Who knew that battling each other to near-death would be so helpful?" She playfully asks, making both of the women laugh.

By the time she bathed and changed into new clothing, it was nearing noon as Auriella came out of her room to head down to the kitchen with Perseus by her side. Her stomach was growling, craving for something sweet.

As if her mind was read, Cerridwen was already there, putting cookies into the oven. She smiled at Auriella, "Ah, the Daughter of Dawn. I thought you were heading back to the Dawn Court today?" She asked, fanning the flames.

Auriella smiled at her, "I still have an hour or so until I leave. Is there anything prepared to eat? I am famished." She asks.

Cerridwen lifts her head, "Well, the Spymaster is waiting for you in the foyer. I thought that he was going to take you back, but it seems that he has other plans." She says.

Auriella's heart skips a beat, heading out of the kitchen, and walking to the foyer. Surely, Azriel was there, speaking with Cassian. He wore a flowy white shirt, tucked in underneath his trousers. His siphons were on his wrists, gleaming in the sunlight. As if they sensed her, his shadows stilled around him, making him turn to her.

A wicked grin forms on Cassian's face, "Ah, Daughter of Dawn. My brother and I were just speaking about you. He wishes to take you out for a delightful evening. Isn't he romantic?" Cassian asks, putting an arm over Azriel's shoulder.

The Spymaster shoves him away, clearing his throat, "You make me want to obliterate you from the earth, brother." He says.

The General chuckles, making his way over to Auriella. "I am not the only one he wants to obliterate. Isn't that right, Ella?" He asks.

Auriella feels her cheeks heat, knowing exactly what those words meant. Her mind is taken back to that night in Rhysand's estate in Hewn City. She remembered how passionate and intimate the moment was between her and Azriel. They only experienced the surface of their bond but craved to go deeper until they were both wasted with pleasure.

But those memories were enough to make her skin come alive; shadows brightening.

Cassian shakes his head, satisfied with himself, "Well, you enjoy yourselves. If I see the people of Velaris running into their homes and hiding their children, I will know exactly what happened." He says, winking at them before leaving the room.

The Spymaster has a look of a murderer plastered on his face, staring at his brother until he is out of the foyer. Auriella bites her lip, "I think I share your sinister thoughts." She tells him.

Azriel looks over to her, a tug of a smile on his lips, "I've been having them for centuries, especially with him. If you would like to dig his grave, I would gladly allow you to." He tells her.

The Daughter of Dawn scoffed before stepping towards him, leaving an inch of space in between them. "Why were you not at training this morning? Are you angry about me heading back to the Dawn Court for two days?" She asks him.

He shakes his head, "I'm not angry at all, Ella." He says, taking her hand in his, "Come away with me? I would like to show you something."

"Where are we going?" She asked, raising a brow.

The Spymaster answered with a mischievous smile creeping onto his lips.

***

Azriel had winnowed them into the forest in the outskirts of Velaris.

Auriella had trained her shadows here with him in the first month she had come to the Night Court, finding him with the melodies that echoed in her mind. It was the first time she had felt her shadows come alive in the three years she possessed them.

Even now, her shadows danced around her, as if they recalled the memory.

With her hand in his, the Spymaster led her through the forest. Auriella stayed quiet by his side, basking in the sounds of nature around her. The sky was a beautiful blue with the sun hidden beneath the clouds. The gentle wind rustled the trees, sending a warm chill through her body.

Home. A shadow whispered.

The word was enough to startle her. She thought of how this place reminded her of the Dawn Court, remembering how calming it was to be secluded in the forest with nothing but the pureness of nature surrounding her. She enjoyed those blissful moments, feeling the weight of her trauma and grief temporarily leave her.

Even though she spent months in the Night Court, she couldn't bear the thought of leaving so soon. She wanted to experience more of what it could offer, but also to find answers about who she really was and where she came from.

The Being had not made a move after what happened at Under the Mountain. Everyone, especially Rhysand and Feyre, was on high alert for a few weeks, preparing to defend themselves in case of another attempt, but there was nothing. It seemed that The Being was buying time.

From time to time, Auriella could feel the mark on her chest heating up, the skin becoming red along the edges. The moon in between the mark would brighten, making her lightheaded and barely able to focus. She knew that The Being was near, using her abilities.

But Auriella didn't have any answers as to who she was, no one did.

"You seem troubled," Azriel says, taking Auriella out of her thoughts.

She looks up at him, shaking her head, "It's nothing. I just don't know what to do about this being. It's like she taunts me from afar, letting me know she's always watching. I know that she is planning something big, but I can't figure it out." She tells him.

The Spymaster nods, lightly squeezing her hand, "Rhys hasn't let me go back to Under the Mountain ever since what happened. I can understand his reasons, but if we are to find answers, someone has to go." He says.

Auriella scoffs, "Are you telling me that you want to go back to the mountain, Azriel? After what those creatures did to you, I can see why Rhysand won't let you go. I don't want you too either. Even if you get past the creatures, the corrupted sisterhood would never let you get close." She explains.

She remembered how rough his injuries were the morning after. Bandages covered his chest and arms. His face had several cuts and his sides were bruised. Auriella had to leave the room after Ruth had healed him, feeling as if she was going to vomit all over the place.

Her memories had flashed back to Marcellus, remembering how hurt and terrified he was before he died. And when she saw Azriel unconscious...

She didn't want to bring those thoughts any further.

As they went deeper into the forest, Auriella could hear the faint sound of rushing water in the distance. She looked over to her mate, "Is there a waterfall nearby?" She asked.

Azriel clears his throat, "Yes, I live next to it." He reveals.

For a moment, Auriella feels her heart stop. He never told her that he lived in the forest. In fact, now that she had thought about it, she never even asked where he lived. She only knew that he left the House of Wind three years ago and built his own home.

She just never thought it was out in the forest.

Soon, a sizable wooden cottage revealed, along with the rushing waterfall only a few feet away from it. Auriella raised her brows, "This is where you live? How peaceful," she breathed, looking at the surrounding trees.

The Spymaster smiled at her words.

When they were in front of her home, Azriel turned to her, "I only need to get some things from the inside. If you would like to come in..." he trails off.

Auriella bites her lip, "Oh, Spymaster, do you think that is a good idea?" She asks him, feeling that he knows what might happen if she entered his home.

She sees her mate's eyes darken for a second before he regains his composure, clearing his throat once more, "You are right. Just wait out here." He tells her before turning away and going into his cottage.

Auriella admires the beauty that surrounds his home. The rays of the sun gleam through the tree leaves, beaming down on the cottage, making the wood glow. The wind gusts throughout the forest, making her breathe in nature. And the rushing water fills her ears, making her walk towards the falls.

As she got close to it, Auriella wanted nothing more than to rip her clothes off and splash around in the clear water. She couldn't remember a time when her feet touched the ocean or a lake. It had been a while since she ever did anything remotely fun for herself that didn't involve a sword or another kind of weapon.

The water was cool as she kneeled and touched it with her fingers.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Her mate asked from behind her.

She doesn't turn to look at him, "Yes, it is. I've never seen a waterfall up close. I don't think I've ever seen one in person. Maybe in dreams." She tells him.

What kind of dreams, sunlight? He asks through the bond.

Auriella smiles, The kinds that don't turn into nightmares. She tells him.

She stands from the edge of the water, turning to face him. A blanket is draped over his shoulder and a small basket gripped in his hand. Auriella locks eyes with him, "And what is this?" She asks.

Azriel lifts the small basket, "You wanted to know why I didn't show up to training in the morning. Here is your answer," He tells her.

Auriella walks over to him, "Are we going to have a picnic? I am starving." She says.

The Spymaster smiles, planting a kiss on her lips, "We have to walk a bit more to our destination. Can you wait a little longer?" He asks against her lips.

She grins, "Whatever you have in that basket better be delicious, Spymaster." She playfully warns her mate, making him chuckle.

After a few minutes of walking, they had arrived in a clearing near a cliff. Auriella's breath was taken at the sight of the small meadow in front of her.

The flowers bloomed in the bright sun, filling her nose with the sweet scent. She stepped closer to them, admiring the light petals of magnolias and touching the dark petals of columbines. The gentle wind shook the flowers lightly, along with the tall grass that surrounded them.

In the distance, Auriella could hear the crashing waves of the ocean. She stared out to the beyond, seeing the blue water, yearning to walk closer to the cliff. But she remembered the last time she was near one, remembering how depressed she was at the time. She had wanted to end it all, to cease the pain that engulfed her mind, and be at peace in the afterlife.

But now, those feelings were of the past. She didn't feel the same as before.

During the months she had been in the Night Court, Auriella had finally had the courage to come out of her shell, taking time for herself to heal and overcome.

Whenever she wasn't training with Azriel, she would spend her days in the city of Velaris with Ruth or going to the music room to play the piano, working on new melodies. She would run around the gardens with Perseus or explore the library with Emerie, trying to find answers.

It was as if the weight she carried had lifted from her shoulders and became lighter as the days passed.

For the first time in a while, she felt free.

When Auriella turned to look at her mate, she could see him sitting on the blanket beneath the shade of a tree. She saw that his face held no emotion as he stared at her from afar.

You still stare, Spymaster? She asks him through the bond.

It is difficult not to, Ella. He replies.

She chuckles, walking over to where he was.

Auriella stared down at the containers of food that laid on the blanket. She looked at Azriel, "Did you prepare this yourself? Or did you steal from the kitchen in the House of Wind?" She asks him.