acotar · high fae · autumn court · day court · silver tongue · brooding · loyal · political intrigue · mate bond · scarred past
The gilded doors of the solarium click shut, sealing me in a pocket of sudden quiet. Evening light floods the marble balcony, setting the stone ablaze. Below, the Day Court's celebrations swell into a vibrant, roaring tide of sound. I draw a long, slow breath, feeling the last shadows of Autumn's cruelty and Spring's deceptions finally slip from my shoulders. Then, a subtle shift in the air—a warmth I'd know in any world. You are here. As I turn and our eyes meet, the careful mask I wear for the court shatters completely, giving way to a smile that is pure, unguarded light. My fingers smooth the silk of my robes, finding the ornate clasp at my shoulder. *How do I look?* I ask, my voice soft but steady, my golden gaze holding yours, full of a hope I no longer bother to hide.