A Court of Wings and Fate

59. Unexpected Surprises

Estelle moved about the cottage, gathering up her belongings. Her thoughts were full of plans, questions, and ideas. She and Mikael had been up until dawn, discussing the aspects of their mating ceremony...among other things.

They had decided to find a priestess in the Night Court to perform the ceremony. Mikael explained that under usual circumstances, they would be mated in the Dawn Court because he was the Heir. However, he wasn't against holding their ceremony in her home, and that was where she wanted to have it.

Estelle had chosen a specific date for the ceremony as well. Starfall, an annual celebration of the migration of spirits across the night sky. The migration was only visible in the Night Court, and had always been one of her favorite celebrations. It took place around the Spring Equinox, just a little over two weeks away.

They'd already explained their plan to Thesan and Ameer and gained their approval. Estelle and Mikael would return to the Night Court that evening, and spend the coming days preparing for the ceremony and packing up the belongings Estelle wished to bring with her to the Dawn Court. Estelle had spoken to her mother about their plans as well, through Seren's daemati abilities. Seren passed the word on to Azriel, who expressed misgivings, but gave his consent.

Estelle strapped Znaniya to her thigh and sheathed Aesira at her back. She slid her gold siphons on top of her hands and smiled. How she had missed the familiar weight of the items. It had been far too long since she'd held them. She slung a bag over her shoulder, then paused, eyeing the corner of a box peeking out from beneath her bed.

Estelle knelt and tugged it out. She opened the box, eyeing the gown Celeste had given her for the Winter Solstice. She tilted her head thoughtfully as she traced the glittering diamonds with her fingertips. The shadows were silent, then passed over her eyes, dropping a vision into her mind.

Estelle saw herself wearing the gown. She saw how the waist length neckline flaunted her bronze skin and curves. The way the bell shaped sleeves draped around her wrists elegantly. She saw how the ebony diamonds shimmered as she moved. The way the dark fabric of the skirt hugged her hips. The long slit up the middle of the skirt displayed her sleek legs. The hem pooled around her feet and extended into a curved train, following her like a shadow.

She closed her eyes and the image vanished. "I don't know if I'm ready," she said.

You will know when you are, the shadows replied, fluttering across her cheek. And you will look beautiful.

There was a loud knock on the door downstairs before it opened and boots thumped on the floor. "Are you ready?" Mikael asked, appearing in the bedroom doorway. He paused, staring at the gown with raised eyebrows. "Is that yours?"

Estelle nodded. "Celeste gave it to me for the Winter Solstice. I've never even tried it on."

Mikael looked between her and the gown. "I think my heart would stop entirely if you wore that."

She smiled, the tips of her ears warming. "I probably shouldn't wear it then."

Mikael knelt beside her, taking her hands into his own. "You should. Someday, you most definitely should." He lifted her fingers to his lips, then released one of her hands. Estelle closed the box and let him help her up. "Are you taking it back to the Night Court?"

"Yes. If I don't wear it, I'm sure my mom or one of my many aunts could."

Mikael took the box and they left the cottage swiftly. Ameer and Thesan waited outside. Estelle let her gaze wander about the camp while they walked towards Mikael's fathers. She caught sight of several Peregryns watching them. The warriors bowed their heads when the two of them passed by.