A Court of Radiant Darkness

Three: Of Ladies and Tensions

The chandeliers around the large ballroom had dropped a few feet from their usual position in order to allow the flames of the candles to light every corner of the room. Varying at different heights above the guests, each flame strongly shimmered from their designated spots. The candles flickered lightly from the breeze that drifted through the open balcony doors that lead down into the twisting gardens around the manor.

With only a few last-minute alterations and menu confirmations, the Spring Court Masquerade Ball was officially ready to begin.

"All ready?" Thalia asked as she flounced around her chambers in her dress.

Astrid nodded, pulling on her mask. "Isn't that supposed to be my line?"

"Shall we, Lady Astrid?" Thalia extended her arm out and curtsied deeply to her cousin. Astrid stifled a laugh and returned the gesture.

"But of course, Lady Thalia." They linked arms and exiting her chambers, meeting Argos in the hallway. Argos had opted to dress up with a three-piece suit of silver and grey, Thalia watched as he tucked a freshly polished blade into his sleeve away from her view, pressing a smile to his face as he diverted her attention.

"Wow..." He straightened, as he watched his High Ladies debut from their countless hours of laughter behind closed doors, no longer as children he used to look after.

It felt like only yesterday that Astrid and Thalia had been playing together as children, slipping and sliding through the halls of Winter Court. The endless nights of Astrid arguing with him about proper etiquette. How Thalia used to leave him gifts at his chamber doors. How Thalia had introduced Vash to him because she had insisted on bringing him to Winter Court to look more official as an heir before Lord Andras closed Spring Court's borders.

They had grown into the intelligent, graceful, and kind fae before him today.

Argos watched Astrid stumble in her heels before recovering as if it hadn't happened. Perhaps graceful was too far. Thalia and Astrid exchanged a whisper between them as Argos shook off the nostalgia, "You ladies look absolutely breathtaking."

As dusk trickled into night, the stars swirled around the clear skies, twinkling brightly in the sky. The garden lights flickered to life as Thalia willed them to, illuminating the winding paths and manor exterior.

The runes that protected Rosehall had been altered for the night – allowing anyone who had an invite to enter without running into an invisible shield.

"Let the games begin."

...

Waves of powerful energy swelled around Rosehall Manor as each High Lady windowed outside, preparing to be announced to the other attendants, not a hair out of place. Each High Lady brought not only power but smiles and promises of the future with them.

The fifth High Lady to arrive was the High Lady of Autumn Court.

The amber haired fae affixed a phoenix mask to herself that spiral up the right side of her face, as her feet landed softly in the Rosehall gardens.

She checked herself over once to make sure that nothing had moved out of place from her journey, and once the stray leaves had been removed from her clothing, she crossed her arms and looked forward.

"It wasn't that bad." Asteria grinned, removing her hand from the High Lady's shoulder and brushing herself off. As much as the High Lady of Summer was excited to practice winnowing with others, it had taken some of her energy and Asteria had to pause to catch her breath.

Scarlett rolled her eyes, shrugging. "I wouldn't call it good, either." Their seconds in tow, Asteria and Scarlett laughed.

"Come on, Scar!"