*Nyx*

The sun hadn't even risen when I woke this morning. I don't know what had drawn me out of my sleep, but I knew I would not be going back to sleep anytime soon.

Soaring high above Velaris, I watched as it slowly came to life as the sun rose above the mountains which kept the city safe. I rather enjoyed the peaceful mornings alone. Though I found it rather funny that it was the mornings which I enjoyed alone as Heir to the Night Court.

I wasn't alone for long before the flap of wings joined me in the air. "Up so early?" a female voice asks from behind.

Turning my head, I find my youngest sister, Laila, following close behind. With her golden brown hair, she looks identical to our mother, and some days it scared me.

"I couldn't sleep," I respond as I turn forward again; The House of Wind coming into view.

Laila caught up with my pace and begins to fly right beside me. "Bad dreams?"

I didn't answer her. Mainly because I still had not figured out what had caused me to wake so suddenly. One minute I was having a strange dream about the Court of Nightmares, and the next I was awake. I can't explain that to Laila if I myself didn't understand it.

We land on the roof of the House of Wind without a word. It's still early meaning everyone was still probably asleep within the House. Best to not disturb them. So, we sat. I allowed my legs to dangle over the side of the roof as did Laila, neither one of us putting away our wings. Here, we didn't need to. The people of Velaris could care less their High Lord and his heir had wings. The Court of Nightmares, however, did. I was just lucky to inherit the power to hide my wings like my parents and other siblings, despite being born with wings. It was a painful process, and one I only did when I was at the Hewn City.

"What are you thinking about?" Laila asks as she looks over at me.

I give a sigh. Despite our age difference, I can always tell Laila everything.

"My future," I respond. "What the courts will expect out of me once I inherit the Night Court." A time I hope is many centuries from now.

While Father rarely spoke of his parents, I knew enough to know how he came into his powers as High Lord, and cared not to think about that happening to me.

The door to the roof suddenly burst open, and Azriel walked out. A look of surprise crosses his face before he makes his way over to us. "You are aware your father would like to speak with us," he addresses me.

During my time flying, I had kept my mental shields up, not needing prying eyes into my mind. Checking them again, I find they were still up, meaning if Father had tried to contact me I would not have heard him. Laila stands up and begins to walk towards the door Azriel had just exited from.

"Tell Father I will be spending my time in the library if he needs me," Laila says as she leaves the roof. Before she does, I give her a look. She is not helpless. In fact, she has helped with several affairs related to the Court of Nightmares before. Though my parents would much rather keep both of my sisters away from it all.

I give Azriel a nod and we both take off back towards the River house. My parents are already seated in Father's office, with the rest of their Inner Circle standing around the room. My parents give me a look, and I know Father will be having a talk with me after whatever it is we're here to discuss.

"We're going to the Hewn City," Father starts with. "Azriel has informed me that Eris has returned, and the situation seems rather interesting."

I watch from my spot as Mor tenses at Eris's name. She has never spoken to me about what had happened, and frankly, I care not to know. Somethings are best left alone.

"Mor, you will stay here. I don't want you around Kier or Eris, and especially not both together," Father says as he turns to his cousin. Her response is just a nod. "Feyre, I also want you yo stay here."

Mother wastes no time on standing her ground. "Absolutely not," she says. "If it involves Kier and Eris, you will need me. A united front is better than just one of us."

Silence falls over the room as the two stare each other down. A silent conversation flows between the two of them. Their bond.

Father finally gives in and shakes his head. "Fine," is all he says. "We leave in an hour. Be ready for anything. These two are dangerous, and cannot be trusted."

"What exactly is going on?" I question from my spot by the door.

Everyone looks too Azriel. "A business deal of sorts. It's been kept on lockdown. Not even my spies have been able to find anything."

And being so far from the court makes it impossible for Azriel to extend his shadows to see for himself. Sending just Azriel would raise suspicions, so everyone must go.

Father gives Azriel a nod at his response, and we are all dismissed.

"Nyx, I want to talk with you," Father says.

Everyone leaves the office aside from my parents. Amren closes the doors behind her. Mother moves around the desk to stand next to Father. The High Lord and Lady. Both powerful and cunning.

"I want you to go with us to the Hewn City," Father says as he restates what he has already told me. "And I want your shields up at all times."

"Of course," I say with a nod. Though that is not all he has to say.

I take a long look at Father. He looks tired. So does Mother. Janus must have kept them up all night again, but there was something else in their eyes.

"Where's Laila? She took off not long after you did," Mother asks.

"She said she would be in the library underneath the House."

Father gives a nod and thinks. Something was really going on. I saw nothing wrong in Velaris this morning. But something tells me this has nothing to do with Velaris, and everything to do with the Hewn City.

"There have been threats from the human territory," Father began. "While I don't expect anything to happen, I need you to make sure your sisters and brother are safe. You will be going with us now, but in the future. Can I trust you?"

A threat? From the humans? There hasn't been one of those in a hundred years. They really couldn't do much against immortal Fae. But a threat is still a threat, and should be taken seriously.

My sisters, Cynthia and Laila, and Janus, my brother. If anything were to happen it would be me to take control, to protect everyone.

"Yes," I respond.

"You do not tell a soul about this. Not even the Inner Circle. We have yet to find out if this is serious or not, and until then it stays between us," Father says.

More secrets. Just what I need. I give Father a nod. "Is that all?"

"Yes," it was Mother who spoke. "Go get ready. We will meet you downstairs in an hour."

Turning, I left the study for my room in the River House. This would not be a normal trip to the Hewn City, but one that we had to make.