Page 29 of Court of Aether and Shadows

I strode past Kaelon, who fell into step beside me as we made our way towards the throne room. I could sense his curiosity and his concern. He had served me faithfully for centuries, one of the few I might consider a friend – if beings like us could truly have such things.

"If I may, my Lord," he ventured cautiously, "there have been... whispers among the court.”Isn’t there always gossip to entertain the creatures of Twilight? “Concerns about the potential chosen queens. Rumors of various individuals being up for grabs and their readiness. I’m sure they’re all questioning if a queen worthy of our merciless lands will come forward. Not to mention her ability to fulfill the prophecy."

Just the idea of anyone daring to question my queen’s ability to fulfill anything leaves me enraged.

I stopped abruptly, turning to face him with a snarl that revealed my rows of sharp teeth. The temperature dropped perceptibly, frost forming on the obsidian walls.

"You doubt my choice?" I growled, looming over him with deadly intent.

To his credit, Kaelon stood his ground, though I could sense the faint tremor that ran through his form. He’d never truly show signs of weakness. He wouldn’t be my second in command if he cowered, even to me, but testing his limits never hurt.

"Never, my Lord," he said quickly. "I merely report what I have heard. The court grows restless. They fear the Aether Faes will move against us before the queen can be found and appointed to take her rightful place upon our shadowed throne.”

For a long moment, I said nothing, simply staring at him.

I understood where their worries stemmed from. The Aether Fae enjoyed gossip as often as us, but their whispers glided along the whimsical winds of their realm, flowing and weaving their way down to the lands they seemed to despise and yet enjoy blending with due to their similar mundane features.

Always amusing for us to be deemed enemies and we’re all fighting for the same goal. The final “ever-after” that would grant us all salvation and eternal peace.

However, those who know nothing about the legends try to make this a competition of wit and elemental strength.

Fools, but entertaining, to say the least.

I could feel his fear, his loyalty warring with his instinct for self-preservation. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, I let the menace fade from my demeanor.

Making him think he’s a betrayer, rather than an ally would be deemed traitorousof me.

I placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture almost companionable.

"Your loyalty is appreciated, old friend,"I said, softening my voice marginally, but emphasizing a hint of power so he knows the truth is rooted in my words. "But have faith. I have waited centuries for her, molded the very fabric of our realm to accommodate her fateful arrival.”

That was the real truth. The underlying layers of planning and determination, woven into this blanket of fate I’ve ensured no one would tamper with, especially when made in our favor.

All these sudden women and rumors of multiple potentials being gathered across the mundane lands were nothing but entertainment in my eyes. If they wished to mislead their own into creating some sort of siren of blessings, they could enjoy hurting their own.

I know the power my Queen wields so effortlessly. She carried it with grace centuries ago. It will be no different now.

No. It will be different.Special and lethal to all those who try to usurp her domination.Entertainment that will be written in legends and books of prophetic empires bowing to her uprising.

A sight I’ll enjoy witnessing a second time in our forever lifetime.

“She will fulfill her destiny,” I reassure him. “And woe betide any who stand in our way."

Kaelon nodded, visibly relieved.

"Of course, my Lord. Forgive my presumption."

We continued on our way, reaching the massive doors of the throne room.

I gazed at the intricate carvings —scenes of ancient battles and dark revelry that I had lived through— that were shaped with my own hands.

With a mere thought, I commanded the doors to open, revealing the cavernous space beyond.

The throne room never failed to fill me with a sense of pride. The ceiling was lost in a swirling vortex of stars and nebulae, the walls of living shadow that revealed glimpses of other realms.

The pillars of crystallized darkness housed the trapped essences of my conquered enemies – all of it a testament to my power, my vision.

At the far end stood my throne, carved from a single massive piece of void stone. It absorbed light rather than reflect it, creating an aura of absolute power and authority.

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