A/N: Nala's Star Fall dress.

The room was bathed in the soft glow of enchanted moonstone lanterns, their light reflecting off the polished wooden floors. Nala stood before the tall mirror, adjusting the intricate gold chains draping over her emerald gown. The delicate fabric clung to her form, flowing effortlessly to the floor like a cascade of starlight kissed by midnight.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she touched the golden embroidery over her waist, the detailed filigree design sparkling as if it held a secret magic of its own. The gown's open back exposed her smooth skin and allowed her wings to be free, and the cape-like fabric attached to the shoulders added an ethereal grace to her silhouette. It was a gown fit for the celebration of Starfall, where the night sky would erupt in cascades of stardust and celestial wonder.

"Nala," came a familiar voice, low and smooth, from behind her.

She turned just as Azriel stepped into the room, his shadows curling around him like sentient beings eager to admire her. His hazel eyes roamed over her slowly, reverently, and a faint smile curved his lips. "You look... breathtaking."

Nala felt the heat rise to her cheeks, her hand instinctively reaching up to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "You think so?"

Azriel stepped closer, his presence steadying and calming, though his gaze betrayed the storm of emotions within. "You'll outshine even the stars tonight," he murmured, his voice a caress. One of his shadows darted forward, playfully tugging at the flowing fabric of her gown before retreating to its master.

Before Nala could respond, another figure entered the room with the elegance of a prowling feline. Amren's silver eyes gleamed as she took in Nala's attire. "Well, aren't you a vision," she said, her tone sharp yet filled with unmistakable approval. "If the stars had any sense, they'd stay hidden tonight. They wouldn't dare compete with you."

Nala laughed softly, the sound filling the room like a melody. "You both are too kind."

Azriel tilted his head, a glint of mischief in his gaze. "It's not kindness, Nala. It's the truth."

Amren smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned casually against the doorframe. "I'd suggest we leave now before Azriel starts writing poetry about you. Although," she added with a teasing edge, "it might not be the worst thing. It's been centuries since I've heard him attempt anything romantic."

Azriel shot Amren a look that could have silenced armies, but Nala only smiled, her heart full. Tonight, beneath the falling stars and in the presence of those she held dear, she felt more than ready to step into the celebration and embrace the magic of Starfall.

The three made their way down to the dining room, and as the three walked in, everyone seemed to hold their breath at the power that radiated from the trio. Azriel gave each of the females a kiss on the forehead, hidden by his shadows before making his way to the patio to speak with another male. Amren took Nala's arm as they made their way through the party-goers who all wanted to meet the female shadowsinger who had walked into the party with the Night Court's second-in-command and the terrifying male shadowsinger. 

The two walked around the room, their footsteps muffled by the thick velvet carpet and made small talk with the many people who had come to celebrate Starfall with them. A soft murmur of conversation filled the air, interwoven with the occasional burst of laughter or the gentle clinking of glasses. Nala glanced around, taking in the glittering chandeliers that bathed the room in a warm, golden light. The walls were adorned with intricate murals depicting constellations and celestial scenes, a fitting backdrop for the festive occasion.

Amren leaned in close, her voice low enough for only Nala to hear. "I think that jeweler over there is eyeing you," she said with a wry smile, nodding subtly toward a man in the corner holding a glass of amber wine.

Nala arched an eyebrow. "Or maybe he's eyeing you. He seems like the type to appreciate shiny things."

Amren chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a compliment. But I think he's more interested in pitching some elaborate commission. Should we give him a chance?"

"Not yet," Nala replied with a grin. "I'm still recovering from the last merchant who wouldn't stop talking about his imported spices."

They drifted toward a group of theater operators, their elaborate clothing catching the light in brilliant hues. One of them, a tall woman with a silver braid coiled around her head, greeted them warmly. After a brief exchange about their latest production—a dramatic retelling of a forgotten myth—Nala and Amren moved on.

"I'd like to see that play," Nala murmured as they walked away. "The way she described it, I felt like I was already in the audience."

Amren tilted her head, considering. "I don't know. Tragedies aren't exactly uplifting."

"Not everything has to be uplifting," she replied, shooting Amren a sidelong glance. "Sometimes, it's about feeling something deeply. Even sadness can be beautiful."

She smirked. "You and your poetic soul. I'd rather feel deeply about a good book."

Nala simply smiled at the silver-eyed female as they passed a sculptor who was displaying a miniature of his latest work, Nala paused to admire it—a luminous stone carving that seemed to shimmer like moonlight trapped within the rock.

"It's incredible," she said softly, her fingers hovering just above the surface. "I've never seen anything like it."

Amren crossed her arms, her gaze lingering on the piece. "Looks like it belongs in a temple, not someone's collection."

Nala glanced at her, a smile playing on her lips. "You're full of opinions tonight."

"Only when I'm with you," she teased.

The two wandered through the room until they reached the wide balcony overlooking the city. The lively sounds of the celebration inside faded as they stepped into the cool night air, the faint scent of jasmine drifting up from the gardens below. Beyond them stretched the Night Court, its spires and streets bathed in a silvery glow beneath the starlit sky.

Nala rested her hands on the ornate railing, gazing upward. The first streaks of light had already begun to arc across the heavens. The stars—or spirits, as the legend told—migrated like a river of fireflies, their brilliance growing with each passing moment.

"This is why they all come here," Amren murmured beside her, her voice low. "Even the Court of Nightmares crawls out of Hewn City for this."

Nala smiled faintly, glancing at her. "And yet we have the best view of all."

Amren chuckled, the sound soft and rare. "The House of Wind does have its perks."

They fell silent for a moment, both watching as the cascade of spirits painted the sky with trails of light. Nala's thoughts wandered to the stories she'd heard as a child, tales of the spirits' eternal journey across the heavens, drawn by some ancient and unknowable purpose.

"Did you know," she said, her voice hushed, "that Starfall used to coincide with Nynsar? It's a spring holiday. Something about the end of seeding the fields and giving out flower clippings."

Amren tilted her head. "A celebration of life and growth paired with one of cosmic wonder. Seems fitting, doesn't it?"

Nala nodded. "It does. But it's bittersweet, too. Rhysand said the spirits' numbers have been dwindling every year. Makes you wonder how much longer we'll get to see this."

Amren's gaze remained fixed on the sky. "Long enough, I hope. Long enough for people to remember why it matters."

As the stars fell faster, their glow intensified, bathing the balcony in ethereal light. Inside, the music swelled, its rhythm carrying out into the night. Nala could hear the faint sound of laughter and footsteps as the guests began to dance, their joy and awe echoing through the grand halls of the House of Wind.

A particularly bright spirit streaked across the sky, its tail sparkling with gold and silver hues. Nala leaned closer to the railing, her eyes wide. "Did you see that one?"

Amren nodded, a rare smile tugging at her lips. "Hard to miss."

The moment felt suspended in time, the weight of the world melt away in the face of such splendor. Nala turned to Amren, her voice soft. "I'm glad we're here together for this."

Amren's dark eyes met hers, the starlight reflected in their depths. "Me too. Nights like this—" She hesitated as if searching for the right words. "They remind me there's more to life than the shadows we've walked through."

Nala reached out, her fingers brushing against Amren's. "Then let's make the most of it. Let's dance, or laugh, or... just watch. Whatever feels right."

Amren's smile deepened, and for once, she didn't argue. Together, they turned back to the heavens, watching as the spirits danced their ageless migration, carrying with them the hope and wonder of a world that refused to stop dreaming.

The two women stood in comfortable silence, the brilliance of Starfall painting their faces with shifting hues of silver and gold. The air between them hummed with a quiet intimacy, one born of trust and unspoken understanding. Nala's gaze was fixed on the heavens, while Amren glanced toward the door leading back inside.

Her attention shifted, however, when the faintest rustle of wings brushed the air behind them. Nala caught it too, turning just as a tall figure stepped onto the balcony.

Azriel emerged from the shadows as if they had birthed him, his usual air of quiet intensity softened by the starlight. His dark hair was tousled, and his hazel eyes gleamed like smoldering embers as they flicked between the two women. His shadows swirled lazily around him, as though even they had been captivated by the magic of the night.

"Azriel," Nala said, her voice warm with welcome.

He offered a small smile, his presence as steady as the night itself. "I thought I'd find you out here."

Amren smirked, crossing her arms. "Did you now? Or did your shadows tell you?"

Azriel's smile widened slightly, the barest flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Does it matter?"

Nala chuckled, stepping toward him. "Well, you found us. Are you here to admire the stars or join the party?"

His gaze flicked upward briefly, taking in the breathtaking display. "Both, I think."

As the stars continued their eternal migration, the three of them stood together, the energy between them shifting subtly, yet unmistakably. There was a connection, a thread that tied them in ways none of them could fully explain but all of them felt. It was an anchor and a spark, comforting yet electrifying.

Azriel leaned against the railing beside Amren, his shoulders brushing hers. He was quiet for a moment, his eyes distant. "I used to think Starfall was just a reminder of how small we are. How fleeting."

Amren raised an eyebrow. "And now?"

"Now, I think it's a reminder of how much beauty there is, even in the fleeting." His gaze shifted, meeting Amren's and then Nala's. "And how important it is to hold on to it when you find it."

Nala's heart fluttered at his words, the weight of them settling over her like a warm embrace. She glanced at Amren, whose expression had softened into something that almost looked like wonder.

"Well," Amren said, her tone light, "if you're going to be poetic, you might as well dance."

Azriel let out a soft laugh, a rare sound that sent a thrill through Nala. "Dance?"

"Yes, dance," Amren said with a smirk. "You're not going to stand out here brooding all night, are you?"

Azriel tilted his head, his shadows curling playfully around his shoulders. "That depends. Are you going to join me?"

Amren arched a brow, but before she could answer, Nala stepped forward, her hand outstretched. "I'll dance with you."

Azriel looked at her, his expression softening as he took her hand. "How could I say no to that?"

As the music from inside swelled, the three of them moved together, their laughter mingling with the distant sounds of celebration. The stars fell around them, each one a fleeting moment of brilliance, and for the first time in a long while, none of them felt alone.

The three spent several hours dancing in the middle of the dancefloor before Feyre and Rhys joined them again. Nala had almost laughed at the look on her sister's face and how close the two was dancing, looking at each other as if they were the only two in the room.