𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚎(𝙰𝙲𝙾𝚃𝙰𝚁)

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖞-𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖗**

     Mor and I stood together, waiting for Cass and Az to return with Feyre. The news that she was in danger had sparked fear through my veins, but the idea of getting her back kept me going.

     Mor was clutching my hand so tight, it had gone numb. I didn't mind it though. I was too nervous to mind.

     Relief flooded me when Cass landed with Feyre in his arms. She broke into a sprint, embracing us both as we wrapped our arms around her.

"Where is he?" she asked, refusing to let go of us.

"He—it's a long story. Far away, but racing home. Right now," I told her.

     I pulled back enough to scan her face. I sighed at her bruises as I brushed away flakes of dry blood.

"You got away from him," Feyre realized with relief as she stared at me. I smiled, nodding my head.

"Azriel came to get me as soon as they had my location," I promised her.

"Rhys picked up on you—the bond—minutes ago. The four of us were closest," Mor told her. "I winnowed in Cassian, but with Eris and the others there—" Guilt dimmed her eyes. "Relations with the Winter Court are strained—we thought if we were out here on the border, it might keep Kallias's forces from looking south. At least long enough to get you."

"I understand," Feyre said. She embraced us again. "I understand."

     Azriel landed with Lucien, which surprised me. I raised an eyebrow, turning to Feyre and Cassian for an explanation.

"He fought against Eris and the other two," Cassian explained.

"Eris. Did you—"

"He remains alive," Azriel answered, shadows curling around the clawed tips of his wings, so stark against the snow beneath our boots. "So do the others."

"Let's all go home," I said softly.

"Which one?" Feyre asked carefully.

     Mor swept her attention over Lucien once more. Whatever she beheld in Lucien was enough for her to say, "The town house. You have someone waiting there for you."

     Mor had winnowed us all, and now stood behind us, panting softly, as we watched Lucien survey our surroundings.

     Cassian took up a place against the banister, crossing his arms with an arrogance I knew meant trouble. Azriel and I both carefully surveyed Lucien.

"Is Feyre finally back?" we heard as the door between the kitchen and the entry way swung open.

     Eve came in, wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes went wide when she saw the company Feyre brought.

"Oh my Gods, Lucien," she gasped, going to his side immediately.

     I was shocked at the way he accepted her embrace, and the way she held him in an almost motherly way.

     I was aware that Lucien had been born when Eve was married to his brother, but I never really thought the two of them had been close. Lucien was still young, only a child, when Eve had come home.

"Oh, I haven't seen you in nearly a century," she fussed as she pulled away. "You've grown so much. Your eye, Gods, Lucien—"

"We have plenty of time to catch up, Eve," he promised her. "Don't worry, I'll tell you everything." She nodded.

"I am glad you found a place in Spring," she promised him. "Even though Tamlin and I have our differences, well more than differences, I'm glad you're happy there."