Page 113 of Court of Aether and Shadows

I wanted to press for more information, curious about both the unfinished statement and my strange reaction to Helios's name. But something in Aetheron's expression made me hold my tongue.

Did he want to defend this Helios person? Why?

I couldn’t quite decipher it, but I had a hunch that I’d get the opportunity to see or meet this person in the near future.

Instead, I focused on the matter at hand.

"For now," Aetheron said, his voice taking on that commanding tone that reminded me he was more than just my potential lover.

If I can even call us lovers at this point…

At the end of the day, he was a ruler of immense power and took that responsibility very seriously.

"We'll focus on your immediate training. The academy proposal will take time to implement properly, requiring delicate negotiations with all courts."

"You'll begin with the Portal Master," Kaelon elaborated, unrolling another scroll that shimmered with its own inner light. "Given your natural affinity for crossing realms, strengthening that ability should be our priority. After that, Moira will guide you in the ancient magics, and our Shadow Knights will help you develop your combat abilities."

The plan made sense, though something about the structured nature of it made me smile.

"Trying to make me presentable for court life?" I teased, specifically looking over to Aetheron as if I knew he’d get my comedic viewpoint.

Aetheron's eyes sparkled with amusement.

"My love, you could walk into court right now and command attention,” he says it so casually as if we’d known each other for far too long.As though we truly are lovers. “The training is to ensure you can back up that natural authority with power they'll respect. It would be amusing to see who quivers first at a glimpse of the power you uphold."

I wonder if I could ever get used to the confidence this man carried in me. He believed in me more than I believed in myself, something I’d never had the opportunity to experience before.

It was both enlightening and gratifying.

My heart couldn’t help but swoon in accepted glee.

Liam shifted in his seat, clearly still uncomfortable but making an effort to contribute constructively.

"Why don’t we get into the omega aspect of your nature,” he brings up suddenly. Almost as though he needs to bring something to the table as well that makes him feel important and valuable. “That's not something that can be ignored or suppressed."

Before anyone could respond to that loaded statement, a ripple of energy passed through the room — different from the shadow magic I was becoming familiar with.

This felt warmer, almost electric…but also light.

I couldn’t grasp it entirely.

Kaelon straightened immediately, his galaxy eyes widening slightly.

"My Lord," he said formally, "we have a visitor from the Aether Court."

The temperature in the room seemed to rise several degrees.

Aetheron's shadows coiled tighter around us, responding to some tension I didn't fully understand, though despite my lack of knowledge in the scales of magic, I did notice Aetheron’s shadows deliberately protected me and even Kaelon.

Leaving Liam out of that invisible bubble of protection.

"Interesting timing," Aetheron murmured, before raising his voice."You may admit them."

The doors opened, flooding the room with light that somehow didn't hurt my eyes despite its brilliance.

In strode a figure that made my breath catch in my throat.

He was tall, with skin that seemed to glow from within like captured sunlight. His hair was the color of a sunrise, shifting between gold and rose gold with each movement.

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