𝐂 𝐎 𝐒 𝐌 𝐈 𝐂   𝐋 𝐎 𝐕 𝐄   !

𝙲 𝙷 𝙰 𝙿 𝚃 𝙴 𝚁   𝚃 𝙷 𝙸 𝚁 𝚃 𝙴 𝙴 𝙽   !

( 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔬𝔩𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔠𝔢 ! )

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

          𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐁𝐘 𝐀 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃.

No part of her was surprised by what she found while walking in the various gardens that morning. With how much she knew about Prythian's current state, it wasn't shocking to find the head of a High Fae male spiked atop one of the many fountain statues, its blood turning the water red. The irony of it all was that the head was stuck to a statue of a great heron, which sat in the center of Tamlin's mother's garden.

Ana had been walking in an attempt to clear her head when she'd stumbled upon it. Before everything had happened to her, she would have screamed and probably thrown up. Instead, she looked at the head with minimal interest, tilting her head in wonder. It was still screaming, no mask concealing his features meaning he wasn't of the Spring Court. And behind his ear, drawn in black ink, was an image of a mountain with three stars stars overtop the peak. A symbol she'd seen drawn on Rhys . . .

The blonde felt a twinge of sadness in her chest. Rhys, there's a severed head in the garden. The severed head of a Night Court High Fae.

There was silence on the other end for a moment, and Ana grew worried. Was he aware of this before she'd told him? Did he know the Fae that had been killed? She knew he cared for his people⎯his court⎯but she didn't know who he cared for the most aside from the few he'd already mentioned. 

I know. There was pain in his voice. Pain that traveled through their bond and flooded her veins. I know, Ana darling.

Ana felt her heart stop. He sounded so . . . torn. Guilt-ridden and sad. What happened, Rhys? 

She felt him sigh. I paid a price by coming to the Spring Court during Calanmai. 

Horror struck her soul. She knew the costs of war, but to think . . . no. Amarantha couldn't possibly be that horrible. But then again . . .

Rhys, did she make you . . . ? She knew the answer. I'm so sorry. Did you know him well?

He was from the Court of Nightmares. But he still did not deserve a death like this one. Ana felt her eyes sting. Rhys was filled to the brim with sorrow. She knew this pained him more than anything. She could feel how much it hurt him to kill one of his own. I have a surprise for you.

She knew he was changing the subject, but she didn't stop him. Oh, yeah? What?

He chuckled. It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you. See you soon, Ana darling.

Ana felt her lips quirk into a smile, but it was quickly removed by the sound of a scream. Her kindjals were in her hands in an instant as she spun around, spotting a terrified Feyre looking at the head. Her art supplies were scattered at her feet, lips parted as she stumbled back from the head on the fountain. Ana let her guard down as she raced to her friend's aid.

"Feyre! Feyre! Breathe!" She slipped her weapons back in her boots and cupped Feyre's cheeks, forcing the girl to look in her eyes. "Breathe, Feyre. It's okay."

Feyre was panting. "There's a severed head in the garden! How is this okay?"

Ana sighed softly. "Believe it or not, Feyre, but I've seen worse than this. It's an easy clean up, especially with magic running wild in this world. And there's no doubt in my mind that his royal douche-ness heard you screaming and is on his way with his royal ass-kisser."

"Such rude words coming from such a lovely mouth." Ana shot a scathing look at Lucien as he approached, Tamlin close behind. Lucien's smile fell. "Right. No joking."

Ana didn't say anything, only flipping him off as she faced the head again. "Night Court. He has a mountain and three stars tattooed behind his ear." She stepped into the red water of the fountain and climbed up the statue to get a better look at the head. "Freshly killed. This morning, no later, I'd say. Otherwise, the blood would be crusted around the wound."

Feyre was still breathing hard. "Why . . . why would they do this?"

Ana placed her hands on either side of the head, preparing to remove it. Tamlin's words made her pause. "The Night Court does what it wants. They live by their own codes, their own corrupt morals."

That's only the Court of Nightmares. Ana held her tongue, twisting the head on the beak to loosen it. 

"They're all sadistic killers," Lucien spat. "They delight in torture of every kind⎯and would find this sort of stunt to be amusing."

Ana perked a brow, her eyes flashing dangerously. "And you wouldn't? Current events have shown that you would, despite what you might argue."

She ignored his look of hurt⎯he didn't have the right to feel hurt. He deserved to feel her anger and pain.

"Amusing, but not a message?" Feyre asked, ignoring Ana's sharp words.

"Oh, it's a message," Lucien said. Ana ignored him as she twisted the head from the bill, her expression flat and showing no sign of emotion. She jumped down from the statue, curling her lip in annoyance as red water stained the bottoms of her trousers. "To get in and out of our defenses, to possibly commit the crime nearby . . . Anastasia was right when she said the head was freshly killed. It's exactly what the High Lord of the Night Court would find amusing. The bastard."

Ana clenched her teeth at the insult. She had to keep her calm despite the urge to throw the head at Lucien. She also had to remind herself that the Rhysand she knew was not the same Rhysand everyone else knew. They saw him as the ruthless leader of the court filled with nightmarish creatures. A cruel and wicked being crafted from the darkest depths of whatever Hell they believed in.

But Ana? To her, he was a kind, caring male who risked everything to ensure his family's safety. While she'd only known him for a few months at most, what she'd experienced and felt around him was so different. She knew what it felt like to be around the most twisted of creatures. She knew the fear and panic they instilled in all those who were within a hundred feet of them. Rhys didn't give her those same feelings of panic and dread and anxiety. He made her comfortable, and that was a hard feeling to come by with how she grew up. 

So, instead of raging like she wanted to, she calmed herself. Lucien and Tamlin had to keep believing in their view of Rhysand. She couldn't go around spilling all the secrets shared between them, because it would endanger not only herself and Rhys, but also his family and his court. 

"You're still safe here." Tamlin's voice snapped Ana out of her thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder to see Tamlin assuring Feyre, which made her want to roll her eyes. "This was just their idea of a prank."

"This isn't connected to the blight?" Feyre asked.

Ana wanted to tell Feyre the truth about the blight and Tamlin's lies, but she couldn't. By the Angel, she hated keeping secrets. But if she wanted to make sure Prythian was freed and eventually return home, she had to allow Feyre to fall for Tamlin and break his curse.

"Only in that they know the blight is again awakening⎯and want us to know they're circling the Spring Court like vultures, should our wards fall." Feyre's skin paled at Tamlin's lack of reassuring skills. Ana wanted to smack him upside the head for being such an idiot. "I won't let that happen."

"Like he'll have any control over that," Ana muttered in Russian, ignoring the looks she received from the other three. 

"They'll get what's coming to them soon enough." Tamlin's growl filled the air, churning Ana's stomach. "Hopefully the blight will wreck them, too."

Ana inhaled sharply. Little did they know just how much Amarantha had wrecked Rhys and his court. It physically pained her to think about what Rhys was going through while she remained in the Spring Court. What he had to do as punishment for visiting the court on Calanmai. 

With a scowl staining her features, she marched away from the group with the head still in her grasp, wanting to get as far from Tamlin and Lucien as possible while also removing the dead Fae head from Feyre's view. 

She stalked toward the line of trees, believing it best to bury the head in the forest instead of burning it or tossing it in the garbage. He was a member of the Night Court⎯of Rhysand's court⎯and he deserved to have some semblance of peace during his eternal rest. 

After a few minutes, she found a small grove of maple trees with a stream running between them, softening the dirt. Kneeling down, Ana placed the head to the side and began digging through the dirt. She didn't mind the mud getting beneath her nails or the dirt staining her pants. She was already stained with blood, and she'd been dirtier in her life. A little mud was nothing to her.

Ana gently picked the head up from the ground and lowered it into the hole, her eyes filled with sadness. The Fae male looked like a genuinely nice person, with kind brown eyes and soft black hair. He would've been handsome, too, if not for the look of terror permanently etched on his face. 

"To those before, to those after. To us now and to those beyond. Seen or unseen, here but not here." 

She filled the hole and pressed down the dirt to make it seem as natural as possible before sitting back with a sad sigh. Her hands remained on the grave, fingers pressing into the freshly-moved earth to help ground herself in a way. 

Ana hated burying people. It seemed like all her life, she'd been digging holes to place bodies in. Bodies of fallen friends and family. Bodies of beloved pets or leaders, people she thought would outlive her. The wars had been the hardest on her. She'd buried one-too-many friends and allies. Seen too many lifeless pairs of eyes boring into her and feeling too many cold, lifeless hands against her skin. Felt the blood of friend and foe stain her body and her soul. Felt her heart crack in a million different places with each grave she'd helped dig. 

A sudden warmth in her hands drew her attention away from the past. She looked down, nearly screaming at what she saw. 

The skin of her hands was glowing gold, tendrils of lights encircling them and floating off into the sky. Her fingertips tingled, creating the same feeling she got when her hands fell asleep. Slowly, she raised her hands from the ground, the golden light following them. Strings of gold tangled between her fingers, twisting and dancing in the air like they had a mind of their own.

Ana moved her fingers, watching in shock as the light followed every move she made. She closed her hand into a fist, the light condensing into a ball between her clenched fingers. When she uncurled her fingers, the light once again spread apart in swirls of movement. She repeated the movement with her other hand, amazed as the same thing happened with the light. 

"What the Hell?" She had no clue what was going on. Her hands were so warm, like a fire had been lit beneath her skin, and the usual pressure in her veins was gone. It was as if this light had been trapped within her body, curling around her veins in a desperate attempt at escape. And now that it was out, she didn't know if it would return. 

Whatever was going on, she'd have to write to Magnus about it. Maybe he would be able to provide an explanation. Why was she, a simple Shadowhunter, able to create light? She wasn't a Herondale. She had the same amount of angel blood in her body as anyone else. So how? How was this possible? 

Biting her cheek, Ana closed her eyes and tried to focus. Focus on sending the light back into her body. Slowly, she felt the tingling in her fingertips recede, the warmth dulling down to it's normal temperature. When she opened her eyes, the golden light was gone, hidden once again beneath her skin.

Ana stood and brushed herself off, shaking her head. "What the Hell his happening to me?"

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

"There you are!" 

Ana looked up from her writing, spotting a rather frantic Aurelia storming into the study. She'd locked herself into the room for the next couple of days for research purposes. The blonde had taken all the books about angels from the shelves and piled them up next to her before looking through them in hopes of learning about her strange new ability of sorts. 

When that had done nothing but confuse her more, she'd written to Magnus, who had gotten back to her the next day with a letter that confirmed her suspicions⎯no one knew what the fuck was going on with her. Not the old authors of Prythian, nor the warlocks of Brooklyn and New York in general. Magnus said he, Alec, and Jace would go through the Herondale journals to see if they had anything on "sudden golden powers," while Clary and Izzy promised to search through the Institution's library. Both teams still had yet to contact her, so Ana began to reach out to a third party⎯the Seelies. 

Despite the poor relationship between Shadowhunters and Seelies, she hoped the Seelie Queen would be kind enough to shed some light on her situation. She'd been in the middle of writing her letter to the queen when Aurelia had entered the room, interrupting her thought process.

Ana perked a brow. "Why do you look so stressed? I'm usually the one who's stressed."

Aurelia smiled brightly at the girl. "Today's the Summer Solstice celebration! I have to get you ready!"

The blonde blinked. "The Summer Solstice? It's already the Summer Solstice?"

She knew time had flown by since her arrival in Prythian, but to think that Winter and Spring had already passed pained her more than she thought it would. Six months. Six months since she'd last seen her friends⎯her family. She'd missed Easter, and Hanukkah, and Cinco de Mayo, and St. Patrick's Day. So many holidays spent celebrating with her family had passed, and she hadn't even realized. 

Aurelia noticed the downcast look in her eyes and sighed, placing a hand on Ana's shoulder. "You miss them, I understand. I miss my own family more than anything. But today is a day that symbolizes so many new things. Come celebrate with us for just today, and then you can go back to moping in the study."

The blonde laughed softly and nodded. "Okay, sure. Help me get ready."

Aurelia beamed, taking Ana's hand in her own before dragging her toward her room. Ana laughed as Aurelia got to work, curling her hair and dusting her face with light layers of makeup. The Fallon girl was startled by her reflection. It'd been a long time since she'd seen herself so dolled-up. She kind of liked the feeling of looking beautiful on the outside and feeling beautiful on the inside. 

"And here's the dress." Ana turned, her eyes going wide. 

It was beautiful. Light blue tulle like the summer sky fell in soft layers to form a flowing skirt with a hidden slit. The bodice was made of a lightweight fabric of the same color, with lavender and pink flowers embroidered around the breasts and waist. The neckline was cut in a shallow V, while the sleeves billowed out before coming together at the wrists, embroidered with the same flowers and green vines. Ana was speechless, to say the least.

"It's . . . gorgeous." She stood slowly from her chair, walking over to the dress. Her fingers danced along the fabric, taking in the feel and weight. 

"Get it on, come on!" 

Ana felt like royalty as she slipped into the dress, Aurelia tying the laces of the bodice into a bow at the bottom of her back. The tops of Ana's breasts were visible, showing off just a bit of what she had and hiding the rest. It made Ana feel both confident and comfortable, a feeling she loved more than anything. 

"And now for the finishing touch." Aurelia placed a flower crown atop Ana's head, made of the same lavender and pink flowers embroidered on the dress. A few blue flowers were mixed in, the petals soft when they brushed against her skin. She felt completely ethereal. "You look breathtaking, Stasia."

Ana smiled, her pink-painted lips stretching wide. "I feel amazing. This . . . I've never worn anything like this before." The dress showed off all of her curves in a way Ana had never seen them before. She felt truly beautiful. Aurelia disappeared for a moment, returning with a set of light blue slippers. Ana thanked her as she put them on, the ensemble complete. "Oh, if Izzy could see me now . . . she'd have a heart attack."

Aurelia giggled, dressed in her own ensemble of orange and yellow. It showed off her glowing golden skin and her bright eyes. "Come on. Let's get to the festivities before the others drink all the wine!"

The blonde shot her friend a grin. "You trying to get me drunk already?" 

The fire nymph rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Of course. Trust me, you'll love the wine!"

Ana allowed Aurelia to pull her from her room and into the hall, where they bumped into Feyre. The Shadowhunter stopped in her tracks at the sight of her friend, blinking rapidly. Feyre was in a cornflower-blue chiffon gown with a crown of flowers above her head. She looked amazing, with all her natural beauty enhanced by the soft makeup she was wearing. Ana knew her friend was beautiful, but seeing her like this . . . 

"If I didn't see you as a sister and know that you want to fuck Tamlin, I'd spend the entire night flirting with you in hopes of getting a kiss," Ana admitted, causing Feyre to blush a vibrant shade of pink.

"You look amazing, as well, Ana," Feyre said, nodding to her blonde friend. 

The ladies didn't say much more as they descended the stairs. Ana remembered the last time she descended a set of grande stairs while looking so glamorous. It'd been her Junior prom, and she'd been wearing a dress of a similar color. Ana barely remembered her time spent in mundane school. It'd been brief, and most of her time had been spent training at the Institute and gathering information on mundanes. It'd been both a training exercise and a mission, and while Ana hadn't enjoyed most things, prom was something she'd never forget.

"Cauldron boil me," Lucien whistled as the trio came down the stairs. "They both look positively Fae."

Ana rolled her eyes, sticking close to Aurelia. Feyre immediately went to Tamlin's side, allowing herself to fall into his arms. "You look lovely."

Feyre squared her shoulders. "I'm surprised we're even allowed to participate tonight."

"Unfortunately for you and your neck," Lucien countered, "tonight's just a party."

Ana curled her lip while Feyre glared. "Do you lie awake at night to come up with all your witty replies for the following day?"

Lucien just winked at her, while Tamlin laughed and offered her his arm. Ana and Aurelia both pretended to gag behind their hands, giggling when they noticed Tamlin and Lucien's glares.

"He's right," Tamlin explained as he began to lead the group toward the garden. "Solstice celebrates when the sun outshines the night. As the longest day of the year, it's a time when everyone can take down their hair and simply enjoy being a faerie⎯not High Fae or faerie, just us, and nothing else."

"So there's singing and dancing and excessive drinking," Lucien chimed in. "And dallying," he added with a wicked grin.

Ana felt her stomach clench painfully at the thought. Flashes of Calanmai and her past filled her mind, and she faltered in her step for just a second before shaking them away. "Either of you come near me tonight and you will leave with all appendages related to dallying removed."

The group continued in silence until they reached the party. The sun was beginning its final descent just as Ana's feet hit the grass of the plateau where the party would occur. A multitude of faeries were gathered, all of them gawking at Ana and Feyre. Ana basked in their looks, not allowing Lucien's earlier statement to bother her. She was going to have fun and possibly get drunk and dance and eat and just enjoy herself. For once, since she'd entered the Spring Court, she'd completely let go.

Aurelia led her off to where tables were set with food, all steaming and delicious. Ana swayed softly to the music being played, chatting with a few of the Fae staff she'd come to know during her time at the manor. Aurelia stuck by her side with Feyre, the two finally taking the time to get to know each other while Ana stuffed her face with food. 

There were assortments of treats and other delicacies⎯strawberry shortcake, apple tart, blueberry pie, juicy pomegranates and apples and strawberries. Ana had never experienced so many different tastes and spices at once. It was delightful.

Once the sun was nearly gone and the bonfires were the only source of light along with the stars, Aurelia pulled Ana onto the large expanse of grass to join in on the joyful dancing. The blonde laughed as she twirled and swayed with the music, allowing the fiddles and flutes and drums to fill her wholly. 

Her mind cleared as she danced. For once, there were no worries or anxieties floating inside her mind. For once, she was free of the weight that was constantly pressing down on her shoulders. She spun and spun, laughter echoing through the air as she danced with Aurelia and some of the other faeries until she could no longer remain on her feet. She sang and cheered until her throat was raw and begging for a sip of water.

"Faerie wine," Aurelia said as she held up a golden goblet filled with fizzing amber liquid. The two had paused their dancing to get a drink, and as promised, Aurelia was getting Ana wine.

Ana took the goblet and sniffed the liquid inside, humming at the delicious scent. Fruity and sweet. "How much should I have?"

Aurelia shrugged. "One goblet should be enough for you. But I would be careful, since it is more potent than mortal wine."

Ana heeded her warning, taking small sips of the wine. It bubbled down her throat and filled her with warmth, just like the alcohol from home did. In fact, faerie wine tasted and awful lot like her favorite wine back home⎯the same sweet taste mixed with the faint aftertaste of grape. So, remembering to drink with caution, Ana filled her goblet once more and continued drinking with Aurelia into the night. 

The party continued until the sun rose the next morning. By the time the clouds were painted periwinkle and blue, Ana was a mess of drunken giggles and yawns beside Aurelia. 

Hey, Rhys? she thought, smiling to herself. Does your court celebrate Summer Solstice, too?

There was a soft chuckle on the other end. Ana, darling, are you drunk?

Ana giggled. Just a tad. Nothing I'm not used to. But you didn't answer my question.

Yes, the Night Court celebrates the Summer Solstice. But I would say our wine is exceptionally better than that of the Spring Court. 

The blonde hummed. Sounds deliciously delightful. I would love to try some one day.

Rhys's response sounded more like a promise to Ana, causing a bright, beaming smile to spread across her lips. One day, Ana darling, you can try anything of my court that you would like. Now get some rest, love. You need it.

And without a second thought, Ana lent her head against Aurelia's shoulder, her eyes fluttering shut as she drifted off into a world of dreams. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

𝐀 𝐔 𝐓 𝐇 𝐎 𝐑 𝐒   𝐍 𝐎 𝐓 𝐄   !

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⬩❖⬩ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Another chapter that you've all been waiting anxiously for. I'm so sorry it took a bit for me to get this one published. I was on vacation without my laptop for a week and didn't have time to write. But I tried to make this chapter amazing to make up for my lack of posting!

We are getting closer and closer to Ana entering Under the Mountain and Ana finally realizing who and what she is. The first step happened today when she finally noticed the golden magic that she seems to possess. You all probably already have your theories of what she is (hint back to last chapter) but I won't be truly revealing it until maybe next or the chapter after next chapter. It's soon but not super soon, you know?

Okay, we saw some glimpses at Ana again. She hates funeral and burials for obvious reasons, and she's also pretty understanding, I'd say. When Lucien and Tamlin were shit-talking the Night Court and Rhysand, she was able to understand why. Rhys keeps up a facade for those outside of Valeris (she doesn't know about that place yet, I don't think) and she understands that. I'm just excited to see how she reacts to his facade in the next chapter.

Please comment and vote!

I love you all!

~ a.h.