Page 68 of Court of Aether and Shadows

My Lirael. My little Songbird. The Twilight Court Queen.

I reached past Kaelon and grasped the handle myself, deciding to take the lead in this next arc ahead.

The metal was cool beneath my touch, but I could feel the thrum of magic pulsing through it – protection spells, wardsagainst evil, blessings for those who dwelled within. All of it parted before me like mist before the dawn, recognizing the touch of their true master.

I took one last steadying breath, steeling myself for whatever reaction might await me on the other side of this door. Joy, fear, confusion, anger – I had prepared myself for all possibilities.

Or so I thought.

But as I began to push the door open, I realized that no amount of preparation could have truly readied me for this moment.

For the first time in centuries, I, Aetheron, Lord of Shadows and ruler of the Twilight Court, felt a flicker of something dangerously close to fear.

Not fear of danger or defeat – those were constants I had long since learned to live with.No, this was the fear of hope.The fear that comes with knowing that everything you've ever wanted is finally within your grasp and that losing it now would utterly destroy you.

But I was not one to let fear, even fear born of love, control me.

Be strong. Resilient. Brave, like your Queen always encouraged.

With a final glance at Kaelon, who nodded in silent support, I pushed the door open fully.

The door swung open, revealing the interior of the cottage and the figures within.

And in that moment, as my eyes sought for what I had longed to see for centuries.

The prophecy had begun.

Threshold Of Destiny

~AETHERON~

"My Lord!" a familiar woman gasped, immediately dropping into a deep bow, her forehead nearly touching the ground.

Elenore, one of my most trusted agents in the human world, stood before us. Her eyes widened in recognition, a mixture of awe and fear flickering across her features.

I could see the moment she truly comprehended who stood before her, her aura flickering with a combination of reverence and trepidation.

"I... we didn't expect... I apologize profusely for not contacting the kingdom immediately about the riptide and spiritual interference. We were just ensuring the Princess's safety and-"

I raised a hand, cutting off her flustered explanation.

The scent of her fear was palpable, mixing with the lingering traces of my queen's presence. It took considerable effort to keep my power in check, to not let the shadows around us deepen in response to my impatience.

"Your loyalty is noted and appreciated, Elenore," I said, my voice carrying the weight of centuries of authority. "But right now, there are more pressing matters. I need to see her. Now."

I’m sure I didn’t need to express further who my heart was yearning to witness.

Elenor straightened, and I saw a flash of something in her eyes – determination, protectiveness. It was admirable, if ultimately futile.

No force in any realm could keep me from my queen now that she had returned.

"Of course, my Lord," she said carefully, her voice steadier than I expected. "But... I must ask. Can you swear that no harm will come to her? That she will be safe?"

Beside me, Kaelon bristled at her boldness, shadows swirling ominously around him.

His eyes, usually a swirl of galaxies, darkened to black holes of fury.

"How dare you question the Lord's intentions?" he growled, his voice resonating with otherworldly menace. "Do you forget who you're speaking to?"

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