A Court of Heritance and Destiny

Chapter 6 Ikarad

He held his hand behind his back, standing guard outside of the estate. His number one priority when Etera was out on mission was to keep himself busy. And right now, that was by standing guard, looking out for something he did not know existed. Ikarad did his best to focus on that, and not that his mate was out, investigating the same unknown thing, in a different court... He shook his head, trying to focus on his task, his job. To protect his parents' home, not to think about his mate...

"Job first." He mumbled to himself, echoing the words Etera so often said when she didn't want to be distracted. "She will be back within a day or two..." The words did not help him calm down, nothing really did, it felt like someone was watching him from behind, like this invisible threat was so near...

Ikarad... Her voice came down the bond, Help... His world fell apart.

It wasn't even a choice when he left his post, calling out to Nyx to take over. He started to fly out, feeling how the bond between them took him forward.

I am coming. He could not winnow to her, not if he needed to fight. I am on my way. Has he ever flown this fast? Had he ever crossed the lands of the court at this speed before. The bond pulled him down and Ikarad followed, his twin blades drawn, ready to protect her from whatever had made her cry out for help. Etera never asked for help. He came down between the trees, and the sight in front of him took him back to that winter landscape fifty years ago.

Etera laid on her side in fae form, blood stained her side. He looked around, trying to find the one who had done this.

"Etera..." He sat down next to her, playing his hand to feel her pulse. "I am here love... I am here..." He found her pulse, and let out a relaxed breath. Slowly he lifted her up, careful to not make any of her injuries worse.

Nyx, call Madja to our home. He gathers his powers, getting ready to winnow. Now. He didn't wait for a response before doing just that. To move from one unknown place to a known one was easier than between unknown places, but it was still hard and Ikarad stumbled as he landed. Holding on to Etera, scared to drop her. But he found his balance and placed her down on their bed.

Etera turned her face, and the green eyes opened up. Ikarad swallowed as tears started to gather in the back of his throat.

"You came..." She whispered before closing her eyes again.

"Always love... Always... Stay with me... Stay..." Nyx! Call Madja now! Etera is hurt! He held onto Eteras hand, the Siphons glowed with a clear violet light.

She can't enter the house Ikarad, drop the shields. Nyx's voice responded. Ikarad nodded, trying to drop the shields. But the glow never faded. Ikarad, now. She had been on a mission, and gotten hurt, where had Azriel been? Etera moved on the bed, and the overwhelming smell of blood woke him up from his thoughts. The stones stopped glowing and shortly after footsteps entered the room. Madja started her work and Ikarad held on to Eteras hand, moving his fingers over her scarred skin.

"Ikarad." a male voice. Ikarad turned around, his free hand grabbed one of his swords ready to strike. Nyx blocked the blow, standing back in the doorframe. "Hey, it is just me." Nyx raised his hands.

"Azriel? Where is he?" Ikarad asked back.

"Still in the Day Court, we have not informed him." Nyx still held his hand raised. "I am holding wards around your home..." With that the brother left, and Ikarad sat back down next to Etera. Seeing how Madja had removed her leathers and worked on the injured side. Claw marks, starting around her shoulder blade, and continued down over her ribs.

"It will scar." Madja informed him as the skin started to stitch itself back together. "Not as bad as the others, and it will fade over time." Ikarad just nodded, hoping to see Etera wake up again