A Court of Wings and Fate

29. A Shadowsinger Sings

    Mikael almost couldn't believe that Estelle had agreed to stay with him. He had been certain she was going to leave. Estelle led him through several dimly lit alleys and down a few side streets. Her hand was warm in his. Shadows wound from her wrist to his own. Umbra had settled on his arm atop his leather sleeve, for once.

    "Where are we going?" Mikael asked.

    "You were going to ask me to dance before I left, weren't you?" Mikael nodded. "Then we're going to find another place to dance. Our people almost always have some sort of festivity going in the squares after dark."

    "Do they never sleep?" He joked.

    Estelle smiled. "This is the Night Court, Feathers. We thrive in darkness. It's where we feel the most alive."

    Gradually, raucous laughter and lilting notes flooded the air. They stepped into a market square, where a small crowd had gathered. Strands of faelights ran overhead, pinned between buildings. Lanterns were suspended as well, providing additional light. A few females wandered to and fro, carrying trays of pastries and drinks.

    One elderly female paused beside Estelle and Mikael. "A Peregryn in Velaris? You don't see that every day," she remarked. "I've heard that the Peregryns and Illyrians are training together now and have been for some time. They say the Heir to the Dawn Court is with them."

    Mikael stiffened and Estelle squeezed his hand. The shadows slithered up his arms. The female studied him intently. "It's you, isn't it? You look so much like Thesan."

    Despite his own misgivings, he didn't sense anything menacing about the female. She was genuinely curious. Mikael gave her a small nod and a smile bloomed across her features.

    She bowed her head respectfully. "I hope you enjoy our small gathering. Think of my people fondly in the future." The female offered up her tray of pastries. Estelle took one, thanking her quietly. Mikael followed her example and the elderly female continued working her way through the crowd.

    Mikael stared at the pastry, unable to hide his surprise. "What is it?" Estelle asked, swiping crumbs from her mouth.

    "She didn't say anything about me being a bastard." He swallowed hard, his eyes suddenly burning. "She didn't...she..." Mikael blinked rapidly. "She..." The words wouldn't come. He ran his fingers through his hair, lowering his head.

    Estelle hesitated, then took his hand once more. "Your people will see you the same way someday."

    "Mother above, I hope so," Mikael murmured. "I hope so." He measured his breaths until the lump in his throat vanished. He ate the pastry while watching couples waltz by. "I'm sorry. We came here to dance. Not for me to be...me."

    Estelle pressed his hand to her waist and his breath caught. "I like when you're you."

    She hooked her arms around his neck and nodded. He rested his other hand against her waist and they began to dance. Mikael kept his wings tucked close to his back to avoid bumping into the High and Lesser Fae dancing around them.

    "You've been distant the past few days," Mikael said, averting his eyes. "Nyx thought we might have argued again. Did I do something to upset you?"

    "No, you did nothing wrong. I just..." Estelle paused with a sigh. "I'm not good at understanding my own thoughts and actions sometimes. I'll do something in the moment and when I think about it later, I won't know why I did it or if I even meant to do it."

    "Oh. I see." Mikael couldn't stifle the jolt of disappointment that ran through him. So what she did and said on the bridge... She didn't mean it?