Katherina woke to light shining from her curtains. Some of its rays landed on her. Part of her wanted to stay in the warmth of her blankets, but another knew that if she didn't get up, someone would come and get her.
Which, when she considered it, didn't sound so horrible. She told Mor and Feyre, however, that she wanted to go out.
Somehow, Katherina found the strength to roll off of the bed.
She splashed some water on her face before getting changed.
A week away.
It was only a week away that she would be revealed to the world as the new and first Princess of the Night Court. The First Princess in History.
Katherina sighed, feeling a sting pain in her shoulder. Whenever Katherina would stress out about something, her shoulders would start to ache. And no matter what oil or cream she would try, it never worked.
A yawn left her mouth. God, what she do to just to sleep a few hours more...
Another yawn.
Perhaps a hot bath might help her wake up.
***
The city of Velaris was bathed in sunlight. Mor and Feyre walked alongside her. Katherina didn't wear her customary clothes because it was a scorching day. Instead, she wore a skin-tight dark tawny dress that reached down to her thighs and had coffee-colored buttons in the front.
She also donned a pair of little golden earrings and a couple of gold rings. Her hair is pulled back into a messy bun.
Katherina chose to bring Mor and Feyre with her since she needed a gown for the Night Court. Mor, who had a questionable fashion sense, invited herself and Feyre, whom Katherina decided she should bring because he was a High Lady.
They'd seen a few gowns, but none of them had piqued Katherina's interest.
One was completely black, with a 'V' neckline that ended at Katherina's navel. Even when the sun shone on it, it didn't sparkle or gleam. It appeared to be formed of shadow. Stopping at her knees.
Another was Navi blue, which revealed her entire back while stopping just over her hips. This one, unlike the last, shined. It came to a halt at her ankles.
The next one was Morrigan's color. However, from the way she kept looking at it, Katherina thought it best if she had it.
The day eventually grew tiresome. They eventually came to a halt at Rita's for a quick bite and to rest their feet. (Katherina more so than the others.)
"Do you have anything on your mind?" Feyre asked, as she sat across Katherina. In her hands, a refreshing pink-yellow beverage.
"I'm just a little nervous," Katherina shrugged.
Katherina swirled her glass, watching the ice fight each other.
"Did you ever wonder if your parents' faults would have an impact on who you are?" Katherina questioned uncomfortably. "Or How could they affect you? Or how they might portray you to the rest of the world?"
Feyre seemed to take in her words.
"Well, I never met my mother, but I knew she did things she shouldn't have done, and my father did the same.
"If you're worried about how your parents' choices may affect you, all you have to do is learn from them."
For a brief period, everything fell silent. If one were to ignore the sounds of passing people or the flapping of illyrians in the sky.
Feyre had picked up on Katherina's query, no matter how hard she tried to suppress it.
"Katherina, you're not your mother. Or even your father, It's not your fault that they have flaws. Hers aren't yours, no matter what they say. YOU aren't her's, you're ours."
Feyre suddenly realized what she had said, or rather, how she had said it, and swiftly amended it.
"Unless you want to be."
Katherina gave a kind smile.
"I do."
***
Katherina slumped on her bed, exhausted.
After her tak with Feyre, they went out again looking to see if they could find a dress for Katherina. Yet, they came back empty handed.
Well, not so much they. Feyre had bought a few new paints, they were from starlight, so they glowed in the dark. (She was super happy about that).
And Mor had bought a few outfits for herself. And some jewelry. And shoes.
Before Katherina could get ready for bed, a knock then came at her door.
She was confused for a minute. Usually, the Darkness just came through the walls or window.
She wondered who it was until she saw Azriel's face.
"Az!" Katherina exclaimed ecstatically. She reflected on how long it had been since she had just her and Azriel time.
"What a surprise, what brings you here?"
"Do I need an excuse to see my niece?" he asked softly.
"I guess not," Katherina chuckled, "come in."
She took a step back to allow him room to let him in. As she shut the door, he was already seated in one of her lounge chairs, which she would read in.
"Just give me a minute to change, and then we can-"
Azriel's shadows surrounded Katherina, and before she knew it, she was dressed in a faded orange nightgown. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun.
Katherina shifted her gaze to him, astonishment in her eyes.
"You have got to teach me how to do that."
Azriel laughed.
***
They talked for hours.
Katherina kept her curtains open so while they talked, she could gaze out into the city.
The lights were always Katherina's favorite. The way they would glow against the night, made it seem as though they were dancing with their fears.
She turned off all of the lights in her room, leaving only the stars and colors of the Night Court to illuminate her room. Azriel seemed undisturbed. Katherina's room surrounded by his shadows.
She had once had a dream, where instead of the Mountain, Katherina grew up here. Her hair wasn't red but more of a dark blonde. Similar to Feyre's. And her eyes weren't Indigo. They were sky blue.
Katherina's skin remained pale, but she wore Illyrian wings on her back. Big enough that they dragged behind her when she walked.
Katherina was a baby in the dream. Her Father was trying to put her to sleep late at night.
Katherina would not sleep no matter who held her: her Father, Feyre, Cassian, Nesta, Elain, Mor.
It was only until Azriel's scarred yet soft hands snuggled her to his chest, it was then Katherina stuck her thumb in her mouth and drifted to sleep.
Azriel smiled when she told him about it.
"I'll always be there for you, Katherina," He said, "regardless of whether you were born from Feyre or someone else."
As Azriel sat on her chair, Katherina lay on her stomach, facing the windows.
The silence stretched across them, but unlike the night on the roof, it was never tense or uncomfortable.
"Falling asleep?"
Katherina made a gentle turn to face him.
"A little," She replied.
He then stood up and drew her under the blankets. His shadows seemed to have warmed the bed already.
He kept her windows open as he squeezed her hand and kissed her head goodnight.
Katherina kept his hand in hers as he turned to depart, causing him to come to a halt.
"Will you take me flying tomorrow?" She whispered, sleep already overtaking her.
Azriel kissed her frizzy red hair one last time before burying her palm in her chest.
"Anytime."