Page 84 of Court of Aether and Shadows

"Shal'ven mor'eth kas'ul," I spoke, modulating my power slightly. "Let us not destroy what we both seek to protect."

The shadows binding the wolf loosened fractionally, a gesture of temporary truce.

The massive creature's response was subtle but clear — a slight relaxation of its battle-ready stance, though its power remained coiled and ready.

We had reached an impasse, two ancient forces maintaining a precarious balance.

The standoff might have continued indefinitely, each of us waiting for the other to make a move, but fate, as always, had other plans.

From within Kaelon's protective dome came a soft sound — a murmur, barely audible but carrying the weight of worlds.

"Liam..."

Everything stopped.

The wolf's eyes widened, its entire massive form going still as stone.

My shadows faltered for just a moment in surprise, causing hairline cracks to appear in the floorboards beneath our feet.

Even Kaelon's steady stream of protective magic stuttered.

On the bed, Sparrow stirred.

Her eyes fluttered, fighting against the pull of unconsciousness.

The shadowsilk garments rippled in response to her movement, and I could feel her power beginning to pulse more strongly. Each wave of energy made the cottage's structure groan in protest.

"...Liam?" she murmured again, the name carrying echoes of power that made the very air vibrate.

The wolf's ears pricked forward, its entire being focused on her voice with an intensity that spoke of more than mere interest.

The massive creature took a step toward the bed, all aggression gone from its posture.

The floorboards creaked dangerously under its weight, but it moved with surprising grace for something of its size.

My shadows still wrapped around it, but I could feel its attention focused solely on the awakening woman. There was something in its golden eyes now — something that looked remarkably like devotion.

Or love.

The realization hit me like a physical blow.

The wolf's familiar yet foreign energy, its ability to track Sparrow across realms, its reaction to that name...everything clicked into place with the force of prophecy fulfilled.

"Fenris,"I said softly, using the wolf's true name."So you've finally shown your true form."

The wolf's —Fenris— eyes met mine again, and in them, I saw confirmation of what I had begun to suspect.

This wasn't just any guardian or creature of power.

This was the other piece of the prophecy, one of the protectors who had been watching over my queen from the shadows of the mundane realm.

Before either of us could move or speak, Sparrow stirred again.

Her power pulsed stronger, making the protective dome shimmer like aurora borealis. The shadowsilk garments could barely contain the energy radiating from her now.

The cottage's structure groaned again, caught between too many powerful forces.

"Something's coming," she mumbled, her face contorting in distress. "Have to... have to stop them..."

---