Page 94 of Court of Aether and Shadows

"It's time for you to go," I said, addressing Moira and her charges. "Take the path through the silver grove. It will be safest with the rift's energy still dispersing. Liam, you should go with them. You need time to heal properly."

Moira nodded, gathering Elenore and Finn with a gesture.

"We will prepare the sanctuary," she said, slipping briefly into the old tongue. "Vash'nor thy'leth safe'haven awaits its queen."

Liam hesitated only a moment before carefully transferring Sparrow back to my arms. The loss of contact seemed to pain him physically, but he understood the necessity of our separate paths.

"I'll be close," he said simply, though whether he was speaking to me or the unconscious woman in my arms wasn't entirely clear.

I acknowledged him with a nod, respect passing between us — two ancient powers sharing responsibility for one precious life. He turned away, following Moira and the others as they slipped out into the twilight beyond the cottage.

"The seal is nearly complete, my Lord," Kaelon reported, his hands still weaving stabilizing patterns in the air.

I returned my full attention to the rift, gathering my power for the final phase of closure.

"Shal'ven mor'eth seal'complete,"I commanded, pushing my will through the shadows.

The tear in reality shuddered once, twice, then began to close like a flower folding its petals for the night. The edges drew together seamlessly, reality reknitting itself until only the faintest shimmer remained to mark where the breach had been.

"It's done," I said, feeling the last traces of the rift's energy disperse. "We should move quickly now. The sealing will have been felt by others, and questions will be asked."

Kaelon nodded, already moving to clear any traces of our presence from the cottage.

"The shadow paths await, my Lord. We can be at the sanctuary before the first moon sets."

I looked down at Sparrow's peaceful face, still cradled securely in my arms.

Even in sleep, her power pulsed gently, already adapting to the rhythm of the Twilight Court. My shadows curled protectively around us both, responding to my instinctive need to keep her safe.

"Then let us depart," I commanded, turning toward the deeper shadows where our path awaited. "Our queen has much to learn when she wakes, and precious little time to master her new nature."

Just before we stepped into the waiting darkness, Kaelon cleared his throat in that particular way that meant he had something significant to discuss.

"My Lord," he began carefully, his eyes falling on Sparrow's sleeping form. "There's something about her connection to the wolf that I think we should address."

I paused, shadows swirling expectantly around us.

"Speak freely, old friend."

"I've seen the way they interact, felt the resonance between their energies," Kaelon said, choosing his words with deliberate precision. "She bears the markers of an Omega. Not just any Omega, but one of considerable power. It would explain Fenris’...difficulty in maintaining distance."

I looked down at Sparrow's peaceful face, noting the subtle ways her power reached for the shadows around us.

"You think this is separate from her connection to Liarel? A trait unique to Sparrow herself?"

"Indeed," Kaelon nodded, warming to his subject. "The ancient texts speak of rare Omegas who could bridge multiple packs, acting as focal points of power and unity. Given her ability to cross between realms, to adapt to different types of magic..."

"You believe this could become problematic?" I interrupt, though I already suspected his answer.

Kaelon's expression turned thoughtful.

"Not immediately. But as she grows stronger, as Sparrow's own nature asserts itself alongside Liarel's power, her Omega traits will become more pronounced. And that brings...complications."

"Explain," I commanded, though part of me already understood where this was heading.

"Each court maintains its own pack of elemental wolves," Kaelon reminded me. "Aether wolves born of solar fire, Void wolves who run between realities, Elemental wolves who command nature itself. And our own shadowed Twilight wolves, of which Fenris appears to be one. Perhaps the most powerful I've ever encountered. His size and strength suggest Twilight Court origins, which explains his natural affinity for our realm."

I absorbed this information, connecting threads of possibility.

---