Page 160 of Court of Aether and Shadows

"Four," Nyx corrected, straightening her impeccable suit. "Don't think I won't join these little training sessions. Someone needs to show these boys what real power looks like."

"Speaking of classes," Solaris said quickly, clearly trying to change the subject, "we should probably head to Advanced Realm Walking. Lord Helios doesn't strike me as the tardy-tolerant type."

"Oh?" Nyx's galaxy eyes sparkled dangerously. "And how would you know what type Lord Helios is, dear Solaris? Been spending extra time observing our prestigious professor?"

The Aether wolf's perfect features flushed slightly. "I simply meant?—"

"He meant we're going to be late if we don't move," Liam cut in, though I noticed his shadows curled possessively closer to me as we started walking.

As we made our way to class, our powers intertwining naturally through our pack bonds, I couldn't help but smile. They might be chaos incarnate, but they were my chaos.

"By the way," Cypress said casually as we approached the classroom, "anyone want to explain why Lord Aetheron was sneaking out of the academy at dawn?"

I nearly tripped over my own feet.

Heat flooded my cheeks as four sets of knowing eyes turned to me. "I... that's... he was just..." I stammered, suddenly finding the crystalline floor fascinating.

"Oh, she's blushing!" Nyx crowed delightedly, her galaxy eyes sparkling. "Look at our little Star Girl, all flustered over her midnight visitor."

"I mean, can you blame her?" Cypress grinned, his elemental tattoos dancing with amusement. "The Shadow Lord himself scaling academy walls just for a late-night rendezvous? That's pretty romantic."

"He didn't scale anything," I muttered, then immediately regretted speaking as their grins widened. "I mean?—"

"Of course not," Solaris said smoothly, though his sun-bright energy flickered with mischief. "He probably just materialized from the shadows like the dramatic being he is. Probably brought roses made of darkness or something equally extra."

Liam remained conspicuously silent, his shadows curling tightly around him as he walked slightly ahead of our group. Thetension in his shoulders was obvious, even as he tried to appear unbothered.

Nyx, ever observant, rolled her galaxy eyes. "Oh, stop brooding, Shadow Wolf. You're practically radiating jealousy." She wrapped her arms around me possessively, resting her chin on my shoulder. "Besides, if anyone's going to steal our Star Girl away, it'll be me. I am the strongest, after all."

"Strongest and most humble," I deadpanned, though I couldn't help leaning into her embrace. Her void energy wrapped around me like a comfort blanket, soothing some of the embarrassment.

"Hey, no arguments here," Cypress raised his hands in surrender, ocean-deep eyes dancing. "I've seen what happens to people who challenge Nyx. I like my organs exactly where they are, thank you very much."

"Same," Solaris touched his bandaged cheek gingerly. "I'm still hoping this cut heals before Mother sees it. She'll have a fit if she thinks I've been 'brawling like a common wolf' again."

Nyx's galaxy eyes softened slightly. "Oh, stop whining, Sunshine. I have this amazing serum from the void markets – literally made from condensed starlight and healing crystals. It'll have you pretty as a picture again in no time."

"Really?" Solaris perked up hopefully.

"Of course! What kind of pack mate would I be if I let you walk around looking like you lost a fight with a rosebush?"

"Technically," Cypress interjected, "he lost a fight with my thorny vines. Which are much more sophisticated than mere rosebushes."

"Keep telling yourself that, Nature Boy," Nyx snorted, still holding me close. Her next words were pitched deliberately louder: "At least some people appreciate my void-touched beauty products. Unlike certain grumpy shadow wolves who think basic hygiene is optional."

Liam's shoulders tensed further, but he remained silent. The shadows around him had grown darker, more agitated. Something about his energy felt off – not just jealous but genuinely troubled.

"Liam?" I called softly, concern threading through our pack bond. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," he bit out, not turning around. "Just focus on getting to class before?—"

A deep rumble cut him off, making the crystalline floor beneath our feet vibrate ominously. Several nearby students stumbled, their court robes fluttering with disturbed energy.

"That's not me," Cypress said quickly as we all looked at him. "I mean, I know earth tremors are usually my department, but this feels different."

Another rumble, stronger this time, sent ripples through the academy's magical architecture. The very air seemed to thicken with power, making it difficult to breathe.

"It's coming from below," Nyx frowned, her void energy reaching out to test the disturbance. "Deep below. Like something's trying to?—"

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