As I stepped through the portal, I found myself on a path surrounded by meticulously tended rose bushes. A pathway leading towards an imposing castle, its multi-colored towers standing proudly in the distance. This visit I was flanked by my family. By my side was Purrlyn, her demeanor reflecting her usual vigilance mixed with an undercurrent of agitation, particularly at the thought of Summer.

Ahead of me walked Tiger and Adrian, their postures exuding newfound confidence. The changes in them were apparent: Tiger seemed more alert and had grown in stature, his physique leaner yet more imposing. Adrian, relieved of his past responsibilities, walked with an ease that spoke of a sense of freedom we had discussed before.

Our group was led by Lord Cheshire, my father, who commanded attention despite his modest height, his presence amplified by the impeccably tailored suit he wore.

The beauty of the garden was breathtaking, a mix of colors and fragrances that spoke of the Fey court's dedication to natural splendor. Sunlight streamed through the foliage, casting playful shadows on our path, adding to the enchantment of the surroundings.

As we approached the castle, the throbbing in my ears reminded me of the recent addition of the earrings. "You couldn't have given me a ring or something a bit less painful?" I whispered under my breath, more to myself than anyone else Knowing the Goddess would hear.

Purrlyn, ever observant, caught my murmur, a fleeting smirk crossing her face before she returned to her previous scowl.

The castle, with its numerous towers, seemed to grow larger with every step we took, symbolizing the grandeur and power of the Fey Court. Our procession was mostly silent, each of us absorbed in our thoughts, preparing mentally for what lay ahead at the court. The air was heavy with anticipation and a hint of apprehension, a tangible reminder of the importance of our visit.

As we approached the castle gate, we were greeted by two Fey guards. One was a massive, green-skinned behemoth, standing at an intimidating height of 9 to 10 feet, with unruly orange hair and a face marked by warts. His eyes were small and beady. The other guard was familiar – Elkanor, a close friend of our family. Adrian and Tiger exchanged nods of recognition with them, and the giant figure grumbled in a deep voice, "Lord Cheshire, we are here as your escort."

I glanced sideways at Purrlyn, my eyebrows raised in question. "Troll," she whispered back. As she spoke, I noticed the troll's beady eyes flicker towards us, suggesting that despite his formidable appearance, he possessed sharp hearing. Leading the way, the troll marched ahead, with Elkanor following closely behind us. We passed through the gatehouse and ascended steps leading to a grandiose door.

The guards stationed at the gate were unmistakably elves, tall and handsome like Adrian but lacking his muscular build, their frames leaner. Each held a spear, and they stood with their weapons crossed in front of the door. A small figure, cloaked in warm-colored feathers, approached Lord Cheshire and saluted. The guards here were all dressed in colors befitting the warmth and radiance of their station.

"Lord Cheshire, please wait here until the bells ring. Once they do, you will be escorted inside. Your attendants are to wait in the back, while your family may take their seats," instructed the feather-cloaked figure. Father nodded, his expression betraying a sense of familiarity and slight boredom with the procedure.

I leaned in to whisper to Purrlyn, "Are they separating us to make it easier to suppress us if needed?"

Purrlyn looked at me with a beaming smile. "Such devious thinking, little sister. I love it, but no, it's standard procedure. You've only had a day with Lady Solara and Lysandra, so not much else can be expected. Remember, we are Cheshire, part of the upper nobility of the Winter Court. A Fey court reflects the class hierarchy of each family. We will be seated up front, just below the Queen and the nobility of her court. Our friends will be seated in the back."

"Okay, so I just follow their lead?" I asked, nodding towards Adrian and Tiger.

Purrlyn shook her head slightly. "Tiger will follow, as he is Father's grandson, and technically, your child." Hearing this, I couldn't help but wince. While I did raise Tiger and regarded him as my four-legged baby, it still felt bizarre to think of him as such, especially given his now imposing size. Purrlyn continued, "Adrian, on the other hand, will stand next to us, marking his status as an esteemed guest of our clan. However, for him to be seen as equal with us would be a sign of disrespect. Just follow my lead, and remember, no matter what happens, do not say anything."

As she finished speaking, the sound of large bells began to resonate through the air. The melody started softly but gradually crescendoed, becoming audible to everyone present. The guards in front of the doors uncrossed their spears and began to open them. Lord Cheshire, without hesitation, timed his entrance perfectly with the opening doors. We followed closely behind him.

The room we entered was nothing short of magnificent. The walls, constructed of wood, were polished to a smooth finish, giving the knots and twists of the wood an appearance more akin to marble than bark. A long red carpet with orange striping stretched from the door to the base of a raised platform.

The platform was adorned with three majestic thrones, each symbolizing the esteemed stature of Fey royalty. The most prominent and elevated throne was occupied by an Elven woman whose mere presence commanded awe and respect. Clad in a bold and striking outfit, she exuded confidence and authority, her attire celebrating her femininity and commanding the attention of all who beheld her. Her vibrant green hair, styled in an extensive ponytail, cascaded gracefully down to her waist, and her head was crowned with a golden circlet, featuring a resplendent red gem.

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She needed no formal introduction; I instantly recognized her as Titania, the Queen of the Summer Court. Her formidable power and influence were renowned throughout the Fey world, making her one of the four most influential beings in this realm. Even though we had never met, her reputation preceded her, and her regal bearing left no doubt about her identity.

A step below Queen Titania, on a slightly less elevated throne, sat Lady Solara, still and dignified in her grand red and green gown, with Lady Lysandra standing beside her in a state of constant vigilance. The throne opposite them remained vacant, hinting at the absence another significant figure.

As we approached the area before the queen, the solemnity of the moment was palpable. Lord Cheshire led our group with a respectful bow, a gesture echoed by Adrian and Tiger. Purrlyn and I followed suit, performing a curtsy. "Rise, welcomed guests. Please be seated and accept our hospitality this day," Lady Solara announced in a voice that carried through the grand hall, ensuring all present could hear.

Upon Lady Solara's cue, I straightened up from my curtsy and stole a glance her way. She regarded us with a smile of approval. It was a small victory for me; I was finally getting the hang of this etiquette thing. Lord Cheshire then guided us to a set of individual seats, a reflection of the royal arrangement but on a smaller scale. He positioned himself next to the most elevated seat in our row, while the chair one step below him remained conspicuously empty, likely reserved for my mysterious brother. Purrlyn gestured for me to stand by a chair near the lower end of the arrangement. I complied, with Tiger taking his place beside me. Purrlyn ascended a few steps and stood just above me, yet below the vacant chair. Across from father, Adrian took his position, his status as the chosen one evidently granting him a prominent place in this societal hierarchy.

I glanced up at Lord Cheshire and Adrian, noting the contrast in their expressions. Father's face was stern, his usual smile absent, a clear sign of the seriousness of the occasion. In contrast, Adrian was beaming a toothy grin my way, his eyes glinting in amusement.

The process of seating the nobility was a lengthy affair, taking about an hour. Families entered in a meticulously ordered sequence, each taking their designated positions. The last to arrive was a family of Fey resembling rabbits, their white fur and red eyes unmistakable. Their attire varied widely, from elegant dresses and suits to one individual in a cape that curiously resembled a vampire's garb, adding a touch of whimsy to the otherwise solemn proceedings.

Observing the rabbit-like Fey, I mused if they were our counterparts from the Summer Court. Their less intimidating demeanor was contrary to my expectations. Without turning my head, I took a discreet glance to the back of the hall. A large congregation of Fey, both seated and standing, stretched all the way to the doors. Our personal attendants were positioned near the entrance, forming a composed line on one side, with their Summer counterparts mirrored across from them.

At that moment, Lady Solara rose to her feet, and the rabbit-like Fey beside Lord Cheshire followed suit. He began a formal introduction, his voice echoing through the hall. "Presenting her highness, Solara of the Summer Court. Daughter of Titania, Wish Hunter, Man Breaker..." He listed several more titles before finally resuming his seat. As he spoke, I sighed quietly, only to hear a soft, warning purr behind me. It was a clear reminder from Lord Cheshire: no missteps were tolerated. Father's stern demeanor and Purrlyn's earlier warning about his lack of patience were at the forefront of my mind.

Once the introduction was complete, Solara's voice filled the room, effortlessly commanding attention. "The court of her Highness Queen Titania is now in session. As is custom, we will welcome those making their debuts. Please join me in introducing the newest nobles of the Cheshire family." She gestured towards us, her hand outstretched. "Lord Alex Cheshire and Lord Tiger Cheshire, her son." A round of obligatory clapping ensued, with Adrian's enthusiastic applause standing out. Lord Cheshire and Purrlyn remained motionless, maintaining their composure. Solara's smile was directed at me, and I responded with a smile of my own.

Following our introduction, Lady Solara proceeded to acknowledge several other individuals, but I noted with interest that Adrian was conspicuously omitted from the announcements. The significance of this oversight caught my curiosity. "Now, to the reason for today's summons," Lady Solara declared, gesturing towards the audience before taking her seat.

Queen Titania, without standing and exuding an air of disinterest, addressed the assembly. "We convene today to discuss the theft of a crucial relic: the Staff of Thalorien Emberheart." At her words, a ripple of murmurs swept through the Summer Fey, a collective sense of shock barely contained. As the murmuring intensified, Titania raised her hand, commanding silence. "We know the relic's location. Regrettably, it resides where we cannot reach – in the possession of the Mankin's court wizard, who has been urging his liege to rekindle the ancient wars."

Her gaze swept across the room, the significance of the vacant throne casting a somber reminder. "We all remember the losses we endured," she continued, the gravity of her words hanging in the air. "Therefore, we must initiate negotiations with the Mankin anew. Not as a consequence of a diverse city, but as a united nation. It is in this spirit that I call for a Court of Courts, a heralding of all Fey."

At this announcement, the room erupted into uproar. Many stood to voice their dissent, the chorus growing louder by the second. Even Lord Cheshire and Purrlyn joined in the fray, their voices rising above the rest. Adrian, Tiger, and I remained still amidst the chaos, taking in the unfolding scene.

Titania attempted to continue, but her words were swiftly overwhelmed by the escalating noise. Abruptly, a blinding flash of lightning streaked across the room, followed by screams of terror. Silence fell as quickly as it had been broken, the room now eerily quiet. Charred corpses lay scattered across the floor, a grim testament to the fate of those who had protested most vehemently. The sudden, brutal display of power served as a chilling reminder of the absolute authority wielded by the Fey royalty, a stark warning that dissent would not be tolerated.

"As I mentioned, we shall initiate the heralding of the Fey. This will, of course, require substantial time and numerous preparations."

Her gaze then shifted towards us, a sense of gravity accompanying her words. "First things first, come forth, Purrlyn Cheshire." At this command, Lady Solara's head snapped towards Titania, her reaction a mixture of surprise and alarm. I watched, my breath held and eyes wide, as my sister Purrlyn stepped forward to stand before the royal family. Defying convention, she stood without a curtsy, her posture resolute and unyielding.

Queen Titania looked down at Purrlyn, and a flicker of amusement passed over her face, as if Purrlyn's defiance intrigued rather than angered her.

Purrlyn, undaunted, met the gaze of the Queen of the Summer Court. "I, Queen Titania of Summer, charge you, Purrlyn Cheshire, with open treason. Your sentence is death." The declaration sent a shockwave through the crowd, sparking an immediate uproar, but Purrlyn remained steadfast, her gaze locked with the Queen's in a bold challenge.