A Court of Wings and Teeth

Chapter 3: Arrivals

Celeste POV:

"What was that?" I ask as two dark shapes appeared out of the clouds and landed on one of the balconies. Helion turned around to glance out the window. 

"Hmm?" he looked closer. "Oh, that seems to be the Night Court". I squint but can't make them out clearly. "They're the last to arrive, so we can finally begin. Lady Feyre mentioned that they would be flying in". 

"Flying?" I asked, but before he could answer we were interrupted. 

One of the servants walked in, "we're ready to start the presentation if you're prepared Lord Helion". 

He nodded "yes yes, bring them in" he said waving his hand, gold rings flashing in the light. "Celeste come and stand at my side" he said. 

"Yes, father" I walked over and took up my position at his right side. The doors opened and a servant announced the first visitor. 

"Lord Thesan of the Dawn Court, accompanied by his consort Commander Eros and their daughter Iliana". 

Lord Thesan walked in first, his periwinkle robes, expertly tailored. A thin, woven golden circlet rested lightly on his chocolate brown hair. The hue of his robes brought out the rich brown of his skin. Following close behind him, almost touching was Commander Eros. He was tall, with broad, powerful shoulders and deep-set black eyes. Those eyes assessed the entire room carefully, spying out any threat to his High Lord. My eyes were drawn up to the helmet he wore. Plumed with a peregryn feather it matched his own wings. They were a perfect mix of gold and brown feathers and were tight to his back. I almost missed Iliana walking into the room. She was petite with a sweet heart-shaped face. Her shoulder-length chestnut hair was loose around her and she wore a simple circlet, like her father. As she turned, I noticed a feather braided into her hair, an homage to her other father, the Commander. 

"Ah, my friend, how are you?" Helion asked as he embraced Thesan. 

Thesan stiffened slightly, "hello Helion, I'm well and you". 

"Couldn't be better" he responded cheerily stepping back. "Let me introduce you to my daughter Celeste" he said smiling at me. 

I nodded at him and stepped forward to take Thesan's hand. "My lord, it's a pleasure to meet you, welcome to the Day Court" I offered. 

He nodded and shook my hand. "I have brought my consort Commander Eros" he gestured at him, Eros bowed respectfully. I dipped my head at him in return. "And this," Thesan continued, "is my daughter Iliana". 

She swept forward gracefully and gave me a gentle smile "pleased to meet you Celeste". I returned her smile with a small one of my own "likewise". I hoped we could become friends, she seems nice. I glanced down at her exquisite dress. It was one-shouldered and fit to her waist before flowing out into a fuller skirt. The color was a pink you would find in the early hours of dawn, a perfect picture of her court. 

I leaned forward and whispered into her ear "I love your dress". 

Her smile grew larger and she mouthed "thank you" as our fathers started chatting about new ventures. Helion laughed at something Thesan said and was about to respond when the servant announced the next court to arrive. 

"Lord Tarquin and Lady Talia of the Summer Court accompanied by their daughters Kaisys and Kyrrha" the announcer finished and held the door as the Summer Court walked in. 

Lord Tarquin came in first and was strikingly handsome. His long white hair fell past his shoulder in loose waves and his crystal blue eyes had a faint sparkle as if they were chips of ice. He held the hand of his High Lady Talia. She was similarly striking with hooded, forest green eyes and long straight black hair that fell to her waist. Her dress was a simple ocean blue with white thread embellishment that looked like waves cresting over the bottom of her dress. Her daughters fell in step behind them. Helion strode forward and clasped Tarquin's hands. "Tarquin, welcome to the Day court. I feel like I always meet you in your court that I find you rarely come to mine".