Court of Aether and Shadows (Crowned Monster Trilogy #1)

30. The Past Mistakes Must Be Shattered

The Past Mistakes Must Be Shattered

~ S PARROW~

The private chamber Lord Helios led us to was a perfect blend of all court influences — shadow-wrapped corners, light-filled windows, void spaces that bent reality, and living plants that seemed to pulse with elemental energy.

He settled behind an ornate desk that appeared to be made from captured starlight while we arranged ourselves in chairs that adjusted to each person's court affinity.

"Your schedules," he began, his iridescent robes settling around him like aurora wings, "are specifically designed to address the unique situation we find ourselves in. Each class serves a distinct purpose in preparing you for what's to come."

He waved his hand, creating a holographic display of our timetable.

"First Period: Advanced Realm Walking. This isn't just about moving between courts. It's about understanding the fundamental nature of reality itself,” he revealed. “Lady Sparrow's natural affinity for crossing realms needs to be honed, and controlled. The rest of you," he glanced at the wolves, "will need to learn to follow her without... unfortunate side effects."

How does he even know about the realm crossing?

Then again, it seemed everyone knew of my random arrival here, so him being one of the four Lords, I’m sure Lord Aetheron probably had to inform him of my abrupt arrival.

Liam shifted uncomfortably in his shadow-wrapped chair while Nyx snickered.

"Second Period: Combat Magic Integration. You'll learn to blend your different court magics effectively. Shadow and Aether, Void and Elemental. All working in harmony rather than opposition. This is particularly crucial given the pack bonds forming between you."

Which I’m sure Nyx is going to explain to me when she gets a chance.

"Third Period: Historical Prophecies and Their Modern Implications." His iridescent eyes fixed on me. "There are patterns repeating themselves, cycles coming full circle. Understanding the past is essential for navigating what lies ahead in the future."

That would be appreciated in my department. Not knowing history was a disservice on my part compared to everyone else who knew about the Courts’ past.

"Fourth Period: Advanced Energy Manipulation and Control." A slight smile curved his perfect lips. "Given this morning's scanner display, I believe we can all agree this is a priority."

We all nodded in agreement.

"Fifth Period: Omega Studies and Pack Dynamics," Lord Helios continued, though I noticed his energy shift slightly at this subject. "This class is... particularly vital given your unique situation. Multiple court wolves bonding to a single Omega is rare enough. Add in the fact that said Omega carries potential ancient power..." He paused, his iridescent eyes lingering on me. "Well, let's just say there are certain biological and magical implications that need to be addressed."

Nyx straightened in her void-wrapped chair.

"You mean her cycles."

"Indeed," he nodded. "When an Omega of Lady Sparrow's power level enters certain phases, the effects can be...devastating if not properly managed. Especially with four court wolves in close proximity."

"Six," Cypress corrected quietly, causing everyone to look at him. "If we're counting all potential bonds."

Potential bonds. So bonding means something significant in all this.

Lord Helios's expression tightened almost imperceptibly.

"Yes, well. That brings us to Sixth Period: Inter-Court Politics and Power Management. You'll need to understand the delicate balance between courts, especially given recent...developments."

From the early commentary, it would be a good idea to learn about these ancient rules and what the Elders consider are respectively good versus the banned evil we weren’t allowed to encourage.

Like being in a romantic relationship with more than one person.

"Final Period: Practical Applications of Combined Magics," he continued smoothly. "This is where theory meets practice. You'll learn to work as a unit, combining your various court powers effectively. Lady Sparrow's ability to channel multiple court energies makes her a natural focal point, but it also makes her a potential target."

It felt intriguing how he knew so much about me when he’d never seen me display a touch of this power. He spoke so confidently, it made me feel like some sort of powerhouse.

His power pulsed slightly at those last words, making the room's crystals hum.

"Which is why I'll be personally overseeing all of these classes. The situation is too...delicate to leave to regular instructors."

"Oh, so you're not specifically training Sparrow because of—" Cypress started, his elemental tattoos flickering with mischief, only to be silenced by Solaris and Nyx's hands clamping over his mouth. His ocean-deep eyes still danced with knowing amusement above their restraining grip.

"Can we survive until lunchtime, please?" Liam groaned, his shadows curling with exasperation. "I'm hungry, and some of us still haven't fully recovered from that portal transition."

I tried to suppress my smile at their antics, but a more serious concern pressed forward.

"What about the mundane realm?" I asked, watching Lord Helios carefully. "Is there a possibility I could be... pulled back? I mean, I did sort of disappear without warning."

That had been bothering me, especially when I assured Aetheron I’d stay here for some time. Deep down, I’d want to return eventually, but when I felt more secure in my position here.

Carried more control revolving around my life.

His iridescent eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made the air thicken.

"Your transition between realms has created certain...complications. The mundane world will have adjusted its memories to account for your absence, but?—"

"But?" I prompted when he paused.

"But your connection to that realm isn't entirely severed," he admitted, his perfect features showing a hint of concern. "The barrier between worlds is particularly thin around you, which is one reason why the Realm Walking class is so crucial. We need to ensure you can control these transitions rather than being subjected to them."

That makes sense.

Liam shifted uncomfortably, his shadows coiling tighter around him.

"There is one problem though..." He glanced at the other wolves, who nodded their silent support.

Lord Helios clapped his hands once, the sound resonating with pure power. A shimmer of iridescent energy cascaded down the walls, ceiling, and floor.

"There. Complete privacy. Not even the Void Court's best listeners could penetrate this barrier."

Nyx raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed despite herself.

"Sparrow didn't just... stumble into our world," Liam began carefully, his voice tight with controlled anger. "She was forced through during a confrontation. A mission gone wrong." His shadows darkened as he continued. "She's highly trained in combat, weapons, and tactical operations. Years of experience in...specialized work."

Hearing him speak so highly of me was uncalled for. I noticed Lord Helios's expression sharpen with interest at this revelation.

"The mission was compromised," Liam pressed on. "Marco. Our supposed ally, and whoever was backing him...they tried to kill her. Nearly succeeded." His hands clenched at the memory. "What's to stop them from finding her again? From finishing what they started?"

When he said it like that, he did have a point.

What would stop them from searching the realms until they found the courts and had me in their grasp?

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 on scraps 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.

"Contrary to your expectations, Lady Sparrow, I have no interest in personal gain from your presence here." His iridescent eyes held a weight of centuries as he spoke. "My only interest lies in seeing the potential bloom that so many hope will remain dormant."

He rose from his desk, his robes shifting through impossible colors.

"In fact," he continued, turning slightly away from us, "the Council of Elders initially refused your admission entirely."

The revelation sent a ripple of shock through the room. Even my wolves straightened in surprise, their various court energies flickering with disbelief.

"What?" Nyx's galaxy eyes narrowed dangerously. "But her power levels alone?—"

"Are precisely what frightened them," Helios cut her off, his voice carrying harmonics of barely contained frustration. "As Lady Sparrow so accurately observed, this world, despite its magic and supposed advancement, still clings to certain...limitations."

He moved to one of the windows, watching the academy grounds below.

"The Elders, in their infinite wisdom," the sarcasm in his voice could have cut a diamond, "believe that maintaining traditional power structures is more important than nurturing raw talent. Especially when that talent manifests in female form."

His power pulsed briefly, making the barrier around us shimmer.

"They find it easier to suppress what makes them uncomfortable than to adapt to changing times. Much like your mundane realm, they prefer their women contained, controlled, predictable."

"But you changed their minds," I said softly, watching how his reflection in the window seemed to hold multiple versions of himself, each slightly different.

"I made them see reason," he corrected, though something in his tone suggested the process had been far from peaceful. "Though I suspect they're still hoping you'll fail spectacularly enough to prove them right."

He turned back to face us, his perfect features arranged in careful neutrality.

"Unfortunately, I must attend to an incident that requires my immediate attention. Take the remainder of the day to tour the academy. Ensure you know the location of each classroom. Eat lunch. Rest." His eyes fixed on me briefly. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow's classes."

As we rose to leave, a question burned in my throat.

"Lord Helios?" I called out just as he prepared to dissolve the privacy barrier. "One last thing?"

He paused, those iridescent eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my newly awakened power stir.

"Why did you vouch for me? Really?"

For a moment, something flickered across his perfect features — an emotion too quick to catch but profound enough to make his power ripple through the room.

"Because," he said finally, his voice carrying undertones that made the very air vibrate, "some cycles need to be broken. Some traditions deserve to burn."

He smiled then, an expression that held both beauty and terrible purpose.

"And you, my dear Lady Sparrow, have a rather impressive talent for shattering expectations."

His body shimmers with his words, leaving us with his truth.