Page 143 of Court of Aether and Shadows

"Contrary to your expectations, Lady Sparrow, I have no interest in personal gain from your presence here." His iridescent eyes held a weight of centuries as he spoke. "My only interest lies in seeing the potential bloom that so many hope will remain dormant."

He rose from his desk, his robes shifting through impossible colors.

"In fact," he continued, turning slightly away from us, "the Council of Elders initially refused your admission entirely."

The revelation sent a ripple of shock through the room. Even my wolves straightened in surprise, their various court energies flickering with disbelief.

"What?" Nyx's galaxy eyes narrowed dangerously. "But her power levels alone?—"

"Are precisely what frightened them," Helios cut her off, his voice carrying harmonics of barely contained frustration. "As Lady Sparrow so accurately observed, this world, despite its magic and supposed advancement, still clings to certain...limitations."

He moved to one of the windows, watching the academy grounds below.

"The Elders, in their infinite wisdom," the sarcasm in his voice could have cut a diamond, "believe that maintaining traditional power structures is more important than nurturing raw talent. Especially when that talent manifests in female form."

His power pulsed briefly, making the barrier around us shimmer.

"They find it easier to suppress what makes them uncomfortable than to adapt to changing times. Much like your mundane realm, they prefer their women contained, controlled, predictable."

"But you changed their minds," I said softly, watching how his reflection in the window seemed to hold multiple versions of himself, each slightly different.

"I made them see reason," he corrected, though something in his tone suggested the process had been far from peaceful. "Though I suspect they're still hoping you'll fail spectacularly enough to prove them right."

He turned back to face us, his perfect features arranged in careful neutrality.

"Unfortunately, I must attend to an incident that requires my immediate attention. Take the remainder of the day to tour the academy. Ensure you know the location of each classroom. Eat lunch. Rest." His eyes fixed on me briefly. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow's classes."

As we rose to leave, a question burned in my throat.

"Lord Helios?" I called out just as he prepared to dissolve the privacy barrier. "One last thing?"

He paused, those iridescent eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my newly awakened power stir.

"Why did you vouch for me? Really?"

For a moment, something flickered across his perfect features — an emotion too quick to catch but profound enough to make his power ripple through the room.

"Because," he said finally, his voice carrying undertones that made the very air vibrate, "some cycles need to be broken. Some traditions deserve to burn."

He smiled then, an expression that held both beauty and terrible purpose.

"And you, my dear Lady Sparrow, have a rather impressive talent for shattering expectations."

His body shimmers with his words, leaving us with his truth.

Stubborn Lords And Ancient Laws

~HELLIOS~

I entered the Council chamber, my iridescent robes still crackling with residual energy from maintaining the privacy barrier.

The gathered assembly —Elders, Professors, and fellow Lords— were already deep in heated discussion about the morning's events.

"Unprecedented," Professor Serra from the Elemental Court was saying, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement. "The readings were beyond anything we've recorded in centuries."

"With a single step," Lord Thanatos of the Void Court added, his void-dark eyes gleaming with interest. "Imagine if she'd actually completed the scanning process."

Elder Moira's ancient voice cut through the excited murmurs.

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