Page 111 of Court of Aether and Shadows

He’s normally in a chirpy mood, or at least back in the Underground, he’d be tossing jokes and triggering loads of laughter before he’d reach where I’d be sitting and quietly eating my late breakfast.

I guess things were different in the Twilight Court.

"Good morning," he bit out, standing rigidly until Aetheron gestured to an empty chair.

"You seem troubled, wolf," Aetheron observed, amusement dancing in his eyes as Liam practically threw himself into the offered seat.

Dramatic much?

I was trying to hide both my confusion and judgment off my expression, but I doubt I was doing well at it seeing as Aetheron and Kaelon both glanced my way and smiled further.

"Not at all," Liam replied with patent insincerity. "Though I do hope everyone's...thirst... has been adequately quenched."

Thirst?

Now I was really confused, trying to figure out whatthat was supposed to mean.

Until it clicks.

Heat flooded my face as realization struck.

The water.

Liam had gone to fetch me water last night, only to return to an empty room because I had been... otherwise occupied.

My blush deepened as I remembered exactly how I'd been occupied, and with whom. That probably looked bad. Liam returning to find his best friend is obviously missing but coming to the conclusion I’m with a certain Lord of the Twilight Court doing things I only enjoyed in the depths of my horny dreams.

Oh god…this probably sounds horrible.

"Indeed," Aetheron's voice was rich with barely contained mirth."I made sure our Starlight's every need was thoroughly attended to,”the thrumming power in his voice that hummed through the room was like a teasing affirmation of what he obviously did.

Rubbing it in Liam’s face in Twilight Court fashion.

His shadows curled playfully in the air, carrying the scent of our shared passion.

Liam's knuckles went white around his goblet, proving just how mad he was. The wild energy I'd sensed in him seemed to pulse stronger, making the air thick with tension.

Honestly, I didn’t get why he was so mad.

I mean…he could have made a move so much sooner?

Just thinking of the difference between Liam and Aetheron’s dynamic made me realize that Liam was the type of man who watched from afar, wishing for a lifestyle that they could obtain with simple action.

Lord Aetheron, however, was one of those men who probably met a woman and told them ‘You’re my wife’ and married them in three months.

And between the two, I knew which one I’d lean towards.

Heck, that’s what was happening, wasn’t it?

"My Lord," Kaelon interrupted smoothly, clearly sensing the need for intervention. "Perhaps this would be a good time to discuss the academy proposal?"

The suggestion caught everyone's attention, even Liam's, though he still radiated barely contained jealousy.

"Academy?" I asked, grateful for the change in subject, though I could still feel the heat in my cheeks.

"Yes," Kaelon continued, spreading several scrolls on the table that seemed to materialize from the shadows themselves. "Given the recent surge in cases of women manifesting unusual powers in the mundane realm, we believe a neutral ground for training might be beneficial."

"Like the mental health cases you mentioned before?" I asked, remembering Elenore's warnings while also recalling the brief discussion I had with Aetheron on the way to the dining room to recap what occurred before I’d confronted Marco in the mundane realms.

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