Page 110 of Court of Aether and Shadows

“Let me help you discover who you wish to become. Not with stressful missions and forced objectives that benefit everyone but you. Allow me the honor to give you the freedom you’ve earned long ago, but now can flourish and enjoy in an environment that wishes to see you blossom into your born element.”

Born element…

The three moons above us cast their multicolored light over the eternal twilight of his realm, our realm, and for the first timesince entering this magical world, I felt truly at peace with my place in it.

"I'll stay," I whispered and felt his shadows wrap around us both in joyful response.

He did the honors of sealing it with a tender kiss.

Tension Between Rivals?

~SPARROW~

"I... where do I even start?" I breathed, taking in the array of dishes that covered the massive table as I sat comfortably in the massive seat that felt like its own throne.

The dining chamber was a marvel of architecture and magic, with walls that seemed to breathe starlight and a ceiling that reflected the ever-changing sky of the Twilight Court.

But it was the feast laid out before me that truly captured my attention.

Some I recognized from the night before —the shadow-ripened fruits and opalescent cheeses— but others were completely foreign yet somehow enticing.

Pastries that seemed to glow from within, meats in colors that shouldn't exist, and beverages that swirled with their own internal galaxies.

My new attire, a gown of midnight blue silk that shifted colors like oil on water, whispered against my skin as I moved. It was far more comfortable than I'd expected, though not quite as soothing as the bath I'd just enjoyed.

The memory of that experience made me sigh contentedly — the huge pool carved from a single piece of crystal, filled with water that seemed to carry starlight within its fragile-looking walls.

The scents of eucalyptus and lavender still clung to my skin, reminding me of the absolutely decadent hour I'd spent soaking away the aches from... recent activities.

The maids had been attentive, almost too much so.

All except one — a quiet girl with silver-streaked hair who'd helped me dress without the endless staring and poorly concealed curiosity the others had shown toward my tattoos.

"Something on your mind, little bird?" Aetheron asked from his place at the head of the table, his golden eyes watching me with fond amusement.

I further sat in the chair he'd pulled out for me earlier, still marveling at how the furniture seemed to adjust itself to provide the perfect comfort even with the slight adjustments.

"Actually, yes. The maid who helped me dress. The one with silver tinsel in her hair. Would it be possible to have her as my primary attendant? She's the only one who didn't make me feel like some sort of exotic creature on display."

"Ah, Celeste," Aetheron nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "She's one of our shadow-touched servants. Born with an affinity for our court's magic, which probably explains her more... measured approach. Of course, you may have her assigned to you."

He gestured elegantly, and a shadow whispered away from the room, presumably to arrange the matter.

I took a sip from a crystal goblet filled with what looked like liquid dawn, the taste exploding on my tongue like summer sunshine and night-blooming flowers combined.

"Now," Aetheron continued as he looked pleased to see me drinking and aiming to eat what was before me, "we should discuss your training schedule. Kaelon?"

A tall figure emerged from the shadows near the wall — Aetheron's second in command, whom I remembered from the previous day's chaos. He seemed very nice and reformed in nature, holding a sense of calm which could be why he mingled well with Aetheron’s personality and traits.

His midnight-blue skin seemed to absorb the light around him, and his eyes swirled with galaxies as he bowed slightly. I’m sure anyone else who saw someone with a complexion like Kaelon or even Aetheron would be frightened and constantly bringing up how “different” or even “Alien-like” their appearances were, but it seemed rather normal in my eyes.

"My Lady," he said formally. "We've arranged for various masters to help you develop your abilities. The Portal Master is particularly eager to begin, given your natural affinity for crossing realms."

Before we could delve deeper into these plans, the door burst open with enough force to make the star-lights flicker.

Liam stood at the threshold, looking miserable yet bold as peered around the room. His usual grace was overshadowed by barely contained agitation, his golden eyes flickering with something wild and barely controlled.

That’s a first.

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