The next day, I found Feyre and Rhys on a balcony, holding hands and talking, her head resting on his shoulder. I approached apprehensively and cleared my throat.

"Um, I have a question. An idea, really. About your plans for Hybern when we get there."

Rhys turned to look at me, an eyebrow raised. Feyre glanced between the two of us. I clenched my jaw and said when neither of them spoke, "After Feyre leaves, I will go to Spring Court. Under the guise of someone else. To help her and guard her."

Rhys clenched his jaw. "Even if we are right and your spies are correct when they say Tamlin is allying with Hybern, there's only a very small chance he'll actually be there. And I don't like the idea of both of you gone in Spring. What if someone discovers you? Your identity? What if Hybern discovers when he sees us together?"

"No one has thus far figured it out, and everyone who has discovered has reacted with shock. I look more like Ravenna, anyways. And, since her father was a ginger and the hair runs in the family, it would be easy to mistake me for a mix of Beron and her." I sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of my nose, then said in a whisper, "I don't like the idea of my High Lady going there by herself. Not that I don't trust you, Feyre, I heard of what you did at the Rainbow with the Attor. I have no doubt you can do it. I just can't lose my family. I just found it, and I'm not about to lose it."

"Even if you're angry with half of it?" Rhys asks softly.

"If you mean Ravenna, yes. I'm only irritated I wasn't told the truth and I was lied to. It was a bit confusing." I said. "I'm not mad at you, Rhys. What happened happened and it's in the past now. It's us now, and I'm happy for it. I'm not angry with you."

He smiled softly at me, seeming relieved to hear me say that.

"Rhys, it was me that asked if she'd come." Feyre said. "When we left yesterday to go to Velaris, we were talking. We weren't sure if it would work. It would inadvertently have to involve Azriel."

"Not unless we do it it this way." I said. "It can, or it can't. Either way. It will hurt him if he doesn't know, though, and I'm not keen on hurting him. But, if we were to do part of the plan of me going to Autumn, when the time comes, I can get her out of Spring that much faster."

"What would you do in Autumn?" Rhys asked, eyebrows furrowing. "I doubt Beron would trust you."

"The last thing he knows is that I am his. If I play it that way, why would he have any cause of being suspicious? We have Ravenna imprisoned, so she can't warn him. There are dampeners on her powers, as well. What cause would he have to be suspicious of me if his mate called me his?"

"And if he discovers you are my daughter? He'd surely not be pleased." Rhys says gravely. "Beron is not a kind man, and I'd sooner keep him at arms-length than welcome him with open arms."

"If he discovers it. We should practice keeping in good terms with those who may be our enemies. Did we not have planned that Azriel would be with me? We were to be ambassadors. What better cover is that? We have a purpose to be that far south."

"Hm." Rhys mused. "And when Feyre escapes, leaving Spring in ruins, divided, wouldn't that turn all eyes on the ambassadors from Night? And then me?"

"Perhaps." I say. "But only if we aren't even there when she does escape. If she meets us in Winter, we can return to Night without any knowledge. As far as we knew, Feyre was a prisoner here, after all. A plaything for the evil High Lord. Why would we then care if the world has been led to believe that Feyre was a mere prisoner? We would then be just as shocked as our hosts at the idea that Feyre is a High Lady. The first in all of Prythian. Tamlin himself is doing all the work for us, if you think about it. He has been fuming about that day you stole her form their wedding."

Feyre smirked. "She does have a point." She said, looking up at Rhys, her hand curling around his arm. "Tamlin would make it easy. And all they'd have to do is remark on how they never saw much of me, or knew me. Why would they, if the story we are spinning is true?"

"Hmmm." Rhys murmured. "I dislike this plan for a few reasons. Mainly being we want the shock of you to be more so. And if there are ambassadors going around confirming rumors, it would then put doubt on you and your credibility as High Lady."

I felt myself deflate. "That's true. I didn't even think of that."

Rhys nodded slowly. "It's alright. I appreciate you wanting to help. I have a different plan, however, in regards to the return of Feyre. I'd prefer you go down to Spring, alone, and seek out Feyre. Disguise yourself, I am sure you'll come up with something good."

"And when will that be? Before or after Feyre? Or the same time?" I asked. "And will Azriel know what's happening?"

"I did not plan to tell them, but if you feel the need to tell your mate, I suppose you can. Though I'd rather you didn't. The fewer people that actually know what's going on the better. If you must, tell him you're doing something for me."

I nodded. "Alright. So what is it you want me to do in Spring in disguise?"

Rhys and Feyre glanced at one another, then she said, "I want you to kill anyone who tries to do me harm while I am there. Be my spy."

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "I thought I said I was done with the whole killing thing."

Rhys shrugged. "Perhaps. For people who don't deserve it. These people would be the ones in Spring seeking to harm or kill Feyre."

"Or," I said, stepping closer. "We could do this." I lowered my voice and explained to them my newly formed idea. They glanced at one another, Rhys' arm curling around Feyre's shoulders.

"That might work." He said finally. "Go to Azriel. We leave for the human realm tomorrow. Feyre's family
arranged for us to meet with the human queens at their home. I'm afraid you missed the meeting, but it's alright. We have recovered the Book of Breathings and Amren discerned enough of it to get the spell to nullify the Cauldron, the very thing that Hybern us using."

I stuffed. "The Cauldron?" I asked.

"Yes. And I now know how to nullify it's power." Feyre said. "Go rest, Adrianna. We leave for Hybern tomorrow, and Rhys and I have things to do before then."

I smiled softly. "The next time I'll be seeing you, it will be under much different circumstances."

She grinned. "Indeed."

******

I returned to my chambers, finding Azriel sitting in bed under the covers and reading a book. I closed the door and bent to untie my boots.

"Azriel? Are you reading?" I asked, a small grin crossing my face. He merely held a finger to his lips in reply and I scoffed. I walked over to the wardrobe and changed into more comfy clothing and climbed into bed and pulled the covers up around me and poked his shoulder. "Az, when you find a spot, I need to talk to you about something."

A few moments later, his bookmark was slipped into the pages and the book was lying on the table next to his side. He lifted a hand to my face and tucked some hair behind my ear.  "What is it, my love?"

I laid down on the pillows and be slid down and laid down to face me, his hand moving to cover mine. I held his hand as I said, "I made a plan with Rhys and Feyre, and it's for Hybern tomorrow. Rhys didn't want everyone to know because it might take away from the surprise he wanted to go with it."

A small smile touched his lips. "True to him. You don't have to tell me about this master plan, Adrianna. It's alright. Whatever it is, I trust you." He says and squeezes my hand.

I smiled softly. "I want you to know, because what's going to happen tomorrow could potentially hurt you. And I need you to know it's just an act but you have to act like it isn't."

His smile faded and it was replaced with a look of concern. "What do you mean?" His expression remained rigid as I told him all of it from the beginning. The whole of Rhys' plan, and then what I added to it today. He merely held onto my hand tightly as he listened to the words I spoke. When I finished, he was silent for a long time.

"Feyre is being made High Lady?" He asked softly.

"Yes. She is." I replied.

"And you are going to go to Spring when she does? But to make it look real as she does you have to-"

"Yes." I said, squeezing my eyes shut tightly.

He rolled up onto his elbow and lifted a hand to my chin and tilted my face up and he kissed me deeply, then said, "You are mine, Adrianna."

"And you are mine, Azriel." I replied, looping my arms around his shoulders.

He stroked my cheek and said, "Is there any other way?" His hazel eyes shimmered with tears.

"Do you trust me?" I asked gently and reached up to hold his face in my hands. He nods. "Then remember this. You are my mate, Azriel, and that will never change. You are mine and I am yours. I made you those cookies that day because I wanted you to see how I am not leaving. I want to stay and provide for you all my life. But for a short time, no more than a month, we have to let it go. Only a month. And then I'll be back with you."

He pressed his forehead against mine, his arms wrapping tightly around me. "I don't want to even say goodbye to you for a day, Adrianna. Not even an hour, not even a minute."

"It's not goodbye, Azriel." I said softly. "It's see you later. I won't be gone forever."

His hazel eyes opened and a tear slipped out and I kissed it away.

"We'll be ok. We can make a new tattoo." I said and he turned his head kissed my tattooed wrist.

"Ok." He said softly. "Ok." His grip around me tightened all the more and he shifted to stuff his face into the crook of my neck. I lifted my hands to brush through his soft hair and I held him tightly.

"Think of it this way." I said softly. "I am on a mission to destroy the enemies of the Night Court. And when I return, I promise you will have all of me to yourself. I won't ever leave you again. I swear it to the Mother and the Cauldron itself."

He lifted his head and looked into my eyes, our bodies still pressed together, as he lifted a hand to my forehead and brushed the hair from my face and kissed me, his scarred fingers brushing against my cheeks gently.

"I'll be waiting for that day, Adrianna. When you return to me. And I look forward to it. When I can call Feyre High Lady, and have you be back at my side."

"I can't wait, either." I whispered and then he kissed me and the world was as it should be.