Page 119 of Court of Aether and Shadows

Sometimes I’d envision what it would be like.

To sit in the classrooms and learn about our vast world. It felt odd now to finally wear what I’d always wished to experience all those years ago, even if it was just a day.

I’m going to go to my first academy…ever.

The jacket was crafted from what Celeste called "twilight silk," a fabric that shifted between deep purple and absolute black depending on how the light hit it.

Silver threads woven through the material created patterns that moved of their own accord, sometimes forming constellations, other times flowing like liquid starlight.

The high collar was trimmed with runes that glowed faintly, supposedly to help channel and control magical energy.

"The uniform is enchanted," Celeste explained as she adjusted the pleated skirt that fell to just above my knees. The skirt was made of the same material as the jacket but with an overlay of crystalline mesh that caught and refracted light in impossible ways.

"It will help stabilize your power while you learn to control it."

My attention was drawn to the new tattoo on my inner wrist that had appeared after my first night in the Twilight Court.

A skull wreathed in flames and starlight.

It seemed to pulse with its own inner light, especially when I felt like I was expelling some sort of energy like magic. I hadn’t been able to ask Aetheron about it, but I wondered if this academy would be able to decipher what exactly this marking is and the significance of its arrival.

Though, it looks like a tattoo…

"Celeste," I asked, touching the mark gently, "do you know what this means? It appeared after... well, after everything."

She paused in adjusting the knee-high boots made of what appeared to be living shadows.Mysterious looking while proecting a classy elegance if you asked.

"That's not for me to explain, my lady,” she confessed with a shy smile, though her eyes seemed to warm up at the possibilities ahead. ”But I'm sure you'll learn its significance in your studies."

Speaking of studies...

"About that. What’s this about…my academic partner?" I began, trying to sound casual, despite the idea of having to “work” with someone else.

Group projects weren’t something I was good at —or group missions like trying to kill an onslaught of druggies but with a team of cocky assholes who can’t differentiate a dummy from a shooter aiming a gun back at them.

With the idea of starting new in this world, I didn’t want to fuck up my chances by being forcedintoa group of preppy individuals who thought they were the shit.

"Will it be someone I know? Perhaps Liam or Solaris?" The names brought a flush to my cheeks that I tried to ignore. I hadn’t seen those two since the little chaos that happened at the dining table, which was a tad entertaining.

What worried me though was Liam’s whole behavior since arriving here.Or…I guess after I obviously slept with Lord Aetheron and left him hanging.Maybe it did look bad after all, but when I mentioned it to Aetheron with the offering to apologize, he dismissed it.

A Queen sees no need to apologize to those unworthy of her humbling grace. You did nothing wrong in seeking pleasure in the arms of someone you trust, especially in our Court. If he wishes to enjoy your sweet taste, he can take the lead and stand on what he desires to claim as his.

His words seem to echo in the depths of my mind, just like his final statement.

Sharing isn’t a problem with me, but one would have to prove their worth in taking care of a piece of my heart in my absence. If he can’t do what’s requested, he’s simply wasting my Queen’s essence.

That was the one thing I’d never get tired of.

Aetheron’s unapologetic confidence in loving and supporting me.

It made me excited to learn even more about him, but for now, I had to focus on the task of attending this academy so I could stay and discover more of this world and those embedded in it.

Celeste's lips curved into a knowing smile as she fastened the final clasp on my uniform — a brooch shaped like a crescent moon that seemed to hold the actual element of starlight within its silver curves.

The shimmers were haunting to look at as the shift between silver, purple, and turquoise was enhanced with tiny specs of gold shimmer.

"Your partner will be female," she announced, smoothing down my jacket's lapels. "Lady Aurora from the Aether Court. While Lords Liam and Solaris will indeed be attending the academy, they'll be taking...different paths to get there. For everyone's safety," she added with a slight smirk.

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