CHAPTER 920: THE RESPLENDENT COURT

With a final, critical look at Luke, Aerion turned and strode out of the manor. Several carriages awaited, accompanied by almost fifty guards. I recognized many of the mages who had returned from the front lines, looking rested and alert in their ceremonial robes. My friends and I weren’t alone in attending this banquet, as, aside from Aerion and Selena, almost ten other nobles from House Sunsinger were present. I hadn’t seen more than glimpses of them in the time since our arrival, as most were assigned away from the estate, overseeing various positions in the house’s business.

"Elise, your friends take this one," Aerion said, nodding at the middle carriage. "Many of the soldiers are still on leave, so I’m entrusting them with their own guard."

Everyone turned to me, and I nodded at Luxxa. She returned and positioned the other Star Guard nearby. Fable rose from the corner of the courtyard, but I sent him a stream of soulspeak, asking him to accompany Fyren wherever he was headed. The great wolf rose and padded over to the demon, plopping down at his feet, his shoulder level with Fyren’s chest. Fyren absently rested a hand on his back, giving me a nod.

"All of us in one carriage?" Korra asked, eying the vehicle skeptically. "Looks a little...cramped.

"They’re designed for four, six, even if they don’t look it," R’lissea said. "And besides, it’ll just be five. Elise is in the front."

"I call the back," Korra said.

She brushed past Gayron’s offered hand and jumped into the carriage. He frowned at her, but followed her up, taking the seat next to her. Luke sighed and offered R’lissea and me a hand, following up. He looked back and forth between the sides, hesitating briefly before sliding next to me, squishing me between him and R’lissea. I let out a little squeak, intimidated by the sudden, cramped proximity, before taking a deep breath and snuggling up against his side, holding his arm.

After a minute, we rumbled out of the courtyard, our escort surrounding us. The Star Guard followed at a discreet distance, mingling with the Sunsinger guards. R’lissea smiled at me, and I shyly smiled back, my tail curling around Luke’s ankle. He stiffened, looking down at my tail before letting out a sigh and relaxing, patting my hand.

It was strange. Just hours ago, I was dreading being this close to him, but now, it just felt...right. I let my head rest against Luke’s shoulder, and he squeezed my hand, sending another thrill through me.

My heart hadn’t had a chance to calm down before the carriage ride was already over. Then again, no ride might have been long enough. Luke was so warm and firm. I could have stayed tucked against his side forever, listening to the subdued murmurs of my friends. But the carriage rolled to a stop, and Luxxa opened the door.

Outside, the Ellenwinters’ manor was even more grand than the Splitbark Estate. Carved from the living forest, the branches of great trees wove together to form the walls and soaring spires of the manor. There were at least a dozen separate mansions and halls, all connected by elegant enclosed corridors high off the ground. Statues and fountains adorned the courtyards, with sprawling gardens extending for a mile around the complex.

The courtyards swarmed with elves, dressed in a dazzling array of silks and velvets. Most wore the crests of their houses embroidered across their chests or sleeves, with the most prominent being Ellenwinter, Whitemarsh, and Splitbark. I was surprised to see how many of the men had a thread of crimson woven into their clothing, while the women wore it entwined around bracelets or in their hair. It wasn’t just the youngest elves, either, but even a few older, venerable-looking elves had embraced the trend.

The grounds were separated by a wide terrace. A wide, marble staircase bridged the two, with the lower being a staging area of coaches and carriages. Elves flowed up the seamless stone paths, toward the manor looming overhead.

We emerged from the carriage, joining our house delegation. Aerion stepped forward, presenting a sealed letter to an attendant waiting at the top of the staircase. After breaking the seal and glancing across the parchment, he pointed us down a wide path toward a towering mansion tree that resembled the dance hall at the Sunsinger Estate, only it was four or five times the size.

The path took us past several other courtyards filled with elves of various houses. I recognized a few of them, mostly by their crests, as nobles belonging to houses we had visited over the past months. Aerion and Elise flowed freely between them, clasping hands and exchanging greetings before returning to us, only to bounce off again. I clung to Luke’s arm, overly conscious of the looks our party drew. We were the only outsiders in the entire estate, and though I wasn’t alone, my crimson hair and dress stood out like a flame among the subdued, earthy colors the elves favored.

As we approached the grand hall, the sounds of a string quartet drifted out, mixed with the murmur of hundreds of conversations. At the entrance, two stern-faced elves in dark green uniforms, emblazoned with the Ellenwinter crest, stood with halberds. They let our group pass without a word, but their eyes lingered on us, lips cast in suspicious frowns.

A series of runes glowed above the massive double doors, thrown wide in welcome. My lips moved soundlessly as I worked out their meaning, struggling to interpret past the heavily stylized flare.

"The Resplendent Court," Aerion said, gesturing with a sardonic smile.

Beyond the gleaming silver gates, with hinges entwined with vines, a grand ballroom opened up, its ceiling lost in a canopy of glowing lanterns suspended from the high, vaulted boughs. A wide, circular staircase swept up the curved wall, with landings and ringed balconies overlooking the floor every twenty feet. Alcoved hallways on each level led away from the court. Over a hundred elves already mixed and mingled within, with more pouring around us like a river around rocks.

It was so bright, polished, and open, with tables on the edges featuring beautiful artworks and shimmering sculptures. Soft, golden light from floating orbs illuminated everything, reflecting off the polished wood and marble, turning the entire hall into a jewel box. A dozen serving staff drifted through the crowds, carrying trays laden with crystal flutes filled with golden liquid, and plates of tiny, artful-looking foods.

But despite my awe, as I gazed around, my chest tightened, and I shrank against Luke, holding his arm tightly. He looked down at me, brow furrowed in concern.

"This...it’s big," I whispered, tail tucking between my legs.

"Nothing to worry about," Luke said, "For all its grandeur, there is nothing here that can harm you. Not while I am here."

His words were a balm, and I found myself relaxing a fraction, enough to meet his gaze and give him a small, thankful smile. He returned it, and for a heartbeat, the sea of elves melted away.

"This is the Hearth Gallery," Aerion said, sweeping his hand around the vast chamber. "Those passages you see on the walls lead to the other galleries of the Court, the Sunset, Sunrise, and Zenith. Wander where you will, but return here by sunset. These banquets often go late into the night, but there’s no sense risking being out after dark."

"Oh, let them have some fun," Selena said, giving our group of wide-eyed heroes and apostles a smile. "They’re not children, Aerion."

"Hmph." He eyed us all, his gaze lingering on Korra and Gayron before he relented with a nod. "Fine. But be careful. The Ellenwinters are...traditional. If you happen to cross one, defer and be polite."

"Come, let’s find the other great houses. I want to see what the Whitemarshes have to say about our garrison’s performance," Selena said. Together, she and Aerion melted into the crowd, leaving the rest of us to our own devices.

"I guess we should look around," Elise said, a bright smile on her face. "I wonder if the galleries are set up differently. This place looks like it’s meant for mingling."

"I bet food is served in another. Let’s go, Korra," Gayron said, taking her hand.

The two ran off, disappearing almost immediately into the crowd. Korra, at the last second, gave me a grin and a wink that made my blush return.

"Don’t get into any trouble," R’lissea called after them. She turned to us, her eyes twinkling. "It seems we’ve been abandoned. What should we do?"

"I’ve got a few people to speak with, so I’ll catch up," Elise promised.

And then there were three. The thought sent a little thrill through me, and I tightened my hold on Luke’s arm. He covered my hand with his, patting it gently. My tail gave a little involuntary wag, and I felt a flush climb up my neck. R’lissea caught the movement, and her smile widened.

"Maybe I should go, too," she said, raising a playful eyebrow. "I wouldn’t want to get in the way of anything."

My blush deepened, and I shook my head. "Don’t!"

She laughed, a light, airy sound. "Alright, alright. I’ll stay for a little while."

"I’d like to walk around a bit," Luke said, peering at the balconies. "Get the lay of the land."

"Looking for anyone strong enough to threaten you?" R’lissea asked.

He nodded, pursing his lips. "I don’t feel any now, but they could be hiding. Xiviyah, keep an eye out for anyone seventh level or higher, alright?"

"Sure," I said, "But promise you won’t start a fight?"

He sighed, running his free hand over his horns. "Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

I giggled at his put-off expression, and he glanced down at me, a genuine smile spreading across his face. The way his violet eyes lit up made my heart do a little flip. The sensation left me feeling a little bashful, yet with no urges to pull away. All I wanted was to stay close, to feel the warmth of his arm under my fingers and the gentle weight of his hand over mine. Would that the rest of the night were as peaceful.

But, unfortunately, I knew we weren’t going to be so lucky. We’d already attracted so much attention that it was only a matter of time until something happened.