A Court of Wings and Teeth

Chapter 6: An Unexpected Meeting

Celeste POV:

I shut the door and turned, accidentally bumping into someone. 

"Just the fae I was waiting for" a silky voice whispered. I stepped back and looked up at Aston, and found his mismatched eyes scanning over me. 

"Before you ask me, no I didn't know anything about that announcement, nor do I know what challenges they have planned," I said as my hand slid up in front of me. 

He shook his head and grinned. "That isn't why I waited for you," he said as he grabbed my hand. He stepped closer, closing the gap between us. "I hear we have some free time and I wanted to get to know you better" he leaned closer. "Why don't you show me around?" he suggested. I slipped my hand out of his and stepped back. 

"I'm sorry but I have to prepare for tonight, but if you want a tour I can send a courtier to guide you". He was handsome enough I thought, but there was something about him I didn't completely trust. I had never met another of my status and I didn't want to upset him. 

"Ah yes, preparation for tonight's ball" he considered it, I could almost see him calculating his next move. Placing a hand over his heart he bowed "will you save me a dance, my lady?". He looked up at me, pinning me with a stare. 

After a moment I nodded "yes". 

He stood up straight and the grin returned "excellent, see you tonight then". He turned on his heel quickly and swaggered off down the hall. I leaned against the wall feeling the cold marble under my fingertips as I tilted my head against the wall. This was going to be interesting. 

I started walking the opposite way down the hall, my heels clicking on the tile. My thoughts began to race, what are the trials, how do I win, and a hundred more crossed my mind. 

"Are you okay?" I whirled around to meet the voice. Nyx was lounging in an alcove, his arms spread behind him, resting on a bench. The sleeves of his black shirt were unbuttoned and rolled up revealing powerful forearms. He had a tattoo that seemed to be pulsing, whirls of shadows wrapping around his right arm, disappearing beneath his shirt. His gaze hinted at concern. 

"Perfectly fine," I said raising my head. The weight of the crown I was wearing felt reassuring. This was my home and I should be acting accordingly. "What are you doing out here?" I returned, stepping forward into the alcove. The midday sun filtered into the room through the windows, but he seemed to be almost encased in shadow from where he sat. 

"I wanted to get some air before returning to my room," he said innocently enough. 

"If you're hoping to find a clue about the trials, I fear you will have no luck", I leaned against one of the columns. 

"Oh? But I'm very good at finding things that were meant to stay hidden," he said, his lips curling up into a devilish grin. 

"I have heard about your Shadowsinger, I assume you trained with him," I said. My thoughts went instantly to the stories my father had told me about the Night Court's important inner circle spy. Nyx said nothing and eyed me curiously. "I assume your silence was a part of your studies" I teased. He smiled again and stood up. 

"Something like that," he said as he strode over to me. 

I watched him move towards me with a slow measured pace. He walked with the gait of a panther, smooth and controlled. He was a hunter and for a moment I felt like his prey. I drew myself up taller and held my head high. I was not his prey, I reminded myself; I was his equal.

 "So, my lady are you truly too busy to escort a visiting male for a short while, or were you lying to the heir of the Autumn Court" he said, his arm pressed against the wall over my head. His violet stare bearing down on me. With him so close, I noticed his short hair wasn't night black as I first thought, but mixed with darker hues of blue. It was as if his hair was a canvas of the night sky. And in his violet eyes, the silver flecks glistened like stars. My breath caught for a moment.

 "It wasn't exactly a lie, I do need some time to prepare" I answered after the air returned to my lung. 

He arched his eyebrow "oh?". "But you do have some time?" he queried. I considered for a moment, my father would think me rude if I wasn't polite to our neighboring court. 

"Some" I acquiesced. 

"Great, lead the way," Nyx said as he gestured towards the hall, his violet eyes never leaving mine.