Page 142 of Court of Aether and Shadows

Lord Helios's iridescent eyes met Liam's worried gaze with almost bored confidence. He shrugged, the casual gesture somehow making his immense power even more apparent.

"Me."

The single word carried such absolute certainty that even my wolves straightened in their seats.

"Why though?" I asked, leaning forward in my chair. "Why would you put yourself out like that for someone you don't even know?" The question made his iridescent robes shift color slightly, though his face remained impassive.

"I mean, I sort of understand Lord Aetheron's involvement," I continued, noticing how Lord Helios's perfect posture stiffened at the mention of the Twilight and Shadows Lord. His power flickered briefly, making the barrier ripple.

"Given our... connection," I hurried on, trying to move past the obvious tension. "And yes, I'm apparently an Omega who's found her wolf bonds through fate's design, but..."

I met his kaleidoscope gaze directly.

"What do you get out of this? All these special classes, personal supervision, protection from mundane realm threats...it seems like a lot of effort for a random student, even one with unusual power levels."

The silence that followed my question was heavy with unspoken implications. My wolves exchanged loaded glances, while Lord Helios studied me with an intensity that made the air between us crackle with energy.

"Tell me, Lady Sparrow," he finally said, his harmonious voice carrying undertones I couldn't quite decipher, "why do you assume my interest must be based on personal gain?"

I wanted to look away from his intense gaze, to hide from the vulnerability of the moment. But something in me —perhaps the same strength that had kept me alive all these years— refused to back down.

I met his iridescent eyes steadily, drawing a deep breath.

"Because my entire existence has been about other people's benefit," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "From my earliest memories, I was just another street rat. An orphan surviving onscraps and charity. When someone finally took me in, it wasn't out of kindness. It was because they saw potential. Potential for use."

The wolves shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but I pressed on.

"I was trained. Brutally, efficiently…because I showed aptitude. Quick hands, quick mind, ability to follow orders. Every meal, every roof over my head, came with a price. My value grew with each skill I mastered, each asset I became."

I noticed Lord Helios's perfect stillness as he listened, his power settling around him like a contained storm.

"But there was always a ceiling," I continued bitter memories coloring my tone. "No matter how good I became, no matter how many successful missions I completed, I was still just a woman in a man's world. They'd use my skills, and praise my abilities, but when it came to real advancement? Real respect?" I let out a hollow laugh. "Suddenly all they saw was my gender."

My hands clenched in my lap, remembering countless moments of being passed over, underestimated, and treated as less than.

"I had to work twice as hard for half the recognition. Had to prove myself over and over while watching less qualified men rise through the ranks. And even then, even when I became one of the best, it was always about what I could do for them. What they could gain from my abilities."

The room's energy had grown thick with tension, the barrier around us pulsing with sympathetic resonance to my emotions.

"And now I'm here, in this impossible realm, being offered things that seem too good to be true. Protection. Training. Respect. A chance to be more than just a tool."

I met his gaze again, noting how his eyes had taken on an almost molten quality.

"So forgive me, Lord Helios, if I'm skeptical. Life hasn't exactly taught me to expect kindness without conditions. Every gift I've ever received came with strings attached, every opportunity with a hidden price tag."

My voice softened but didn't waver.

"The mundane world taught me that nothing is free. That power and position have to be earned through blood and sacrifice. That being female means always having to prove your worth…always having to fight for every scrap of respect."

My words were heavy, the admission as truthful as I’d ever be.

"So yes," I finished, "I question your motives. Not because I doubt your power or position, but because experience has taught me that people, especially powerful people, don't offer help without expecting something in return. And I'd rather know the price upfront than be blindsided later."

The silence that followed my words was profound.

Lord Helios remained perfectly still, his iridescent robes the only movement about him as they shifted colors in response to some inner turmoil. The wolves watched the exchange with bated breath, while the very air seemed to wait for his response.

Lord Helios's power settled around him like a contained supernova as he finally broke his silence.

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