Chapter Text
“Are you ready to see your new room?”
Juno answered with a dramatic eye roll and folded her arms in a huff. She turned to walk into their new apartment, nearly hitting Gwyn with her leathery wings as she did.
Why hadn’t anyone told Gwyn how awful she would feel as a mother when her daughter became a teenager? Everything she did was wrong, uncool, or embarrassing. Although maybe Juno had the right to be upset with her this time.
But they had needed to make this move. It was important for Juno to learn more about her heritage, and all the books in the world weren’t going to be enough for Gwyn to teach her how to fly properly. Juno needed to be around the Illyrians and learn about their culture. Her daughter was already showing signs of powerful magic. Luckily, the invoking stones at the temple could be used like siphons for now, but she didn’t know for how long. Juno already wore three: one on each hand and one on a circlet, just like Gwyn.
Now that they were in the Night Court, Gwyn wasn’t sure if she would continue her devotion to the Mother as much as she had at the temple. She knew about the sacred library that housed priestesses and thought she might join them in their services to sing occasionally. However, this might be the fresh start they both needed.
Although she loved her sisters at Sangravah, she never truly felt like that was where she belonged. Maybe there was a new purpose waiting for her here; she just needed to find it.
She touched a finger to the blue stone in the centre of her forehead, feeling a spark of power from the Mother. She made a note to visit a jeweller soon. They could easily fashion her invoking stone into a simple necklace so she could keep it close, just in case. Gwyn only hoped the Mother would not see her deviation from the temple as a slight against her. Cauldron knew she still needed all the help she could get to convince her daughter she’d made the right decision for them.
But of course, taking Juno away from her friends had been the worst thing ever! Gwyn reasoned that she would make new friends, hopefully ones with wings just like hers. She’d been receiving the silent treatment ever since.
Two weeks of eye rolls, loud sighs, and questionable gestures.
Gwyn’s heart ached for Catrin. Her sister always knew what to say to Juno to calm her down, probably because they were so alike with their stormy, stubborn personalities. Even Juno's hair was jet black like Catrin’s. They were more like twins, than Gwyn and Catrin.
Although Juno did have Gwyn’s eyes… not as big, but just as bright.
It was so strange sometimes to see her eyes staring back at her, a mirror reflecting all the mistakes she was currently making in motherhood, apparently… but there was no going back now.
Gwyn knew it was a risk. She didn’t know anyone here, but the High Lord of the Night Court had opened his city for the first time ever, almost two decades ago. She imagined if a place was worth hiding for so long, it must be special. It felt like a sign from the Mother.
So now, Velaris, the City of Starlight, would be their home for the foreseeable future. It also happened to be within easy reach of the Illyrian mountains, the place where Juno’s father lived… not that she expected to find him.
Gwyn had no idea who he was. Juno had been conceived during the Great Rite, where magic chose a suitor for her. The magic had been so strong, so intoxicating, that she didn’t remember much of the male’s face or features, only that he was gentle with her and made her first time… special. She wished she’d at least asked his name before they parted ways at dawn.
When the temple healer had told her the babe inside her had Illyrian wings, she was put on bed rest for most of her pregnancy. At Juno’s birth, a prayer circle was formed around Gwyn, all her sisters holding their stones to channel healing energy, so neither she nor the baby would be harmed in the delivery. The healer had blessed Gwyn’s nymph heritage too for the safe delivery, and although Gwyn hated her big eyes, she was thankful for her pliant bones.
Sometimes, it took her breath away how the years had gone by so fast. Fourteen years ago, she held her tiny baby girl, brushing a finger in awe at her delicate little wings. A gift from the father she’d never meet.
Those beautiful little wings were now their biggest problem.
She had done her best to teach Juno how to fly, but her motherly instincts stopped her from letting her daughter do what she really wanted. She knew Juno was meant for the skies, meant to fly free… but if Gwyn couldn’t join her then how would she keep her safe?
News had spread to their temple of the newly formed Valkyries, led by an Illyrian female named Emerie. Gwyn was ecstatic when she learned that priestesses made up the majority of the army. Another clear sign, pointing to a safe place where Gwyn could take her daughter to be mentored.
It was just what Juno needed. A role model just like her, and other females she would feel at home around. And Gwyn would do anything for her daughter, even if it meant she was in the doghouse right now.
As she entered their new apartment, a modest two-bedroom over a bookstore, she sighed with relief that they were so lucky to find the space. It had everything they needed: a kitchen where Gwyn could attempt to cook and possibly burn their new home down! A cosy sitting room with a big open fire and tons of shelf space for all their books. She’d forever be grateful to the Mother that Juno had inherited her love of reading!
Finally, there were two airy bedrooms right across from each other, each with its own en suite.
That had been one of Juno’s conditions for the move. She’d written her list of demands to her mother like a contract, refusing to move until they were met. She required a big bedroom with a huge window for lots of light, her own bathroom with a giant tub big enough for wings and a massive bed where she could spread out.
Gwyn had been shocked at how easy it was to find those accommodations in this court. She supposed she had the High Lord’s genetics to thank for that! Juno had frowned when Gwyn told her she had ticked off everything on her list, thinking she’d given her mother an impossible task.
Gwyn dropped her bags into the smaller of the two bedrooms.
Juno had gotten the bigger room, which she needed for her growing wings. It never ceased to amaze Gwyn how big they were getting. Juno was getting taller by the day too, making her mother wish time would slow down just a little bit so she could enjoy all the moments a little bit longer.
Sometimes she wondered if participating in the Great Rite had been selfish, with how it often deprived fathers of a chance to watch their children grow up. Juno’s father missed her taking her first steps and saying her first words. He was probably glad to miss the awful teen years, but he would miss the next parts of all that was to come. It broke Gwyn’s heart a little to think about.
Although Juno had never asked about her father, Gwyn wondered if she missed the other part that made her. But how could she miss someone she’s never met? Gwyn had never known her father, and she was fine. It was just the way life was at the temple. Most of the children didn’t know their fathers! Perhaps Gwyn dwelled on it all too much.
As she unpacked her suitcases, she listened to see if Juno was doing the same. Usually, there would be singing or humming coming from her room, but it was suspiciously quiet. She gave it five more minutes before she rushed across the hall to knock on her daughter's bedroom door.
“June?” she called out the nickname she used often. There was no answer. “Sweetie, I know you’re not talking to me, but just–” Still nothing. “I’m coming in.”
Gwyn gripped the brass handle and turned the knob. There was a little resistance as she opened the door, and it soon became clear why. The giant windows in the room were wide open, curtains billowing in the wind. Gwyn felt her heart jump to her throat as she raced towards them to look out. But there was nothing. Juno was already gone.
The panic, only the type a parent could feel when their child was missing, washed over her in waves. She didn’t stop to plan. She didn’t stop to think. She just ran, as fast as her legs would take her, out of their apartment and into the streets. Surely, someone would have noticed Juno, her wings being so distinctive… but she had moved them to a court where Illyrians lived and as Gwyn looked around, she cursed her stupid decision as she tried to spot her daughter in a sea of similar, leathery wings.
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Juno hated everything about this city.
She hated the starlit skies that always shone bright, she hated the winged people milling around effortlessly, and she hated her mother for moving them here!
She could already fly! She was doing it right now. How could her mother think it was a good idea to leave their family and friends for a place that seemed to be dark all the time, even during the day? It was the worst place ever.
This city felt like a cage, its perpetual twilight pressing down on her. She picked up speed as she fumed silently, dodging left to avoid a steeple rising high above the city below. In her distraction, she didn't notice the male flying right towards her until it was too late.
Juno yelped as they collided, her heart leaping into her throat.
In a clash of tangled limbs, they began to fall at a terrifying speed towards the ground. Panic surged through her, every instinct screaming in fear.
“Fuck!” Juno yelled, as the ground was coming up fast to meet them. She slammed her eyes shut in anticipation of the impact. Then she felt a coldness, like shadows in a forest, wrap around her before there was a whoosh of wind.
She felt a thump as her feet hit solid ground. That wasn’t right!
“Gods, are you okay?” said a gentle male voice.
Cautiously, she opened her eyes. Not dead, she thought in relief as she patted herself down in disbelief. The male was looking at her in a panic, waiting for her to answer.
“I’m fine… I’m sorry!” she exclaimed, feeling like a fool for not seeing him in the sky. Great, June. Just great. Her lack of experience was already causing issues, and she’d been in the court for five minutes!
The male let out a breath and smiled at her. It was warm and disarming. She found herself momentarily distracted by it. He looked familiar, like a face she had seen in her dreams.
“You were flying very fast around that obstacle. Did you skip your observation lesson?”
Juno couldn’t help her look of confusion. “My what?”
It was his turn to look confused. “Who was your flying instructor at camp?”
“Camp?” Juno repeated, feeling even more perplexed.
“I’m sorry… you are Illyrian, right?” He glanced at her wings, causing her to instinctively pull them in tight. The male took no offence and only watched her patiently, waiting for her to answer.
“Yes… well, no… I mean… I’m half Illyrian,” she stammered out, unsure why she was suddenly feeling so exposed and embarrassed.
“Just like our High Lord,” he quipped. Something settled inside her to hear she wasn’t the only half-breed Illyrian. “Are your parents from the Night Court?” he questioned next.
Juno shook her head.
The male started to look at her with concern. “Are you alone here?”
“No… my mom’s probably out looking for me already…” She felt a twinge of discomfort admitting all this to a stranger, but oddly, she found herself at ease in his presence, his aura calming like a soothing lullaby on a restless night.
“So, you ran away?” he guessed.
“No!… I flew away!”
That made him chuckle. “You’re a bit of a smartass, do you know that?”
“I get it from my mother,” she shrugged with charming irreverence. He offered her a crooked smile.
“What did you do before… when we were falling?” she blurted out in curiosity.
“I used these guys to winnow.” He gestured vaguely, and she realised he meant the misty tendrils that seemed to cling to him.
“Are they… shadows?” Her eyes widened. This was something she’d only heard about in stories, her favourite ones, in fact. She’d always been fascinated by the concept of shadows stepping into the light, defying their very nature.
As if they could hear her inner thoughts and curiosities, some of them peaked above the stranger's wings to look at her. She flashed them a grin of amusement.
“Yeah.” He smiled again, and it softened his sharp features.
“So, you’re a shadowsinger?”
“Yes. Or Azriel if you’d prefer,” he offered.
“Nice to meet you, Azriel. I’m Juno Berdara, but everyone calls me June.” She felt a bit stupid over-explaining herself to him. Like he cared that much.
He looked thoughtful for a moment before he spoke again. “Juno? That’s a beautiful name. Do you know what it means?”
She shook her head.
“She was the goddess of the skies, when gods and goddesses roamed this land. It’s a powerful name. And judging from those siphons, your name is a perfect match.”
Juno huffed in amusement at the suggestion. “I don’t feel very powerful… I can’t even fly properly.” The admission felt heavy, like a weight she’d been carrying. She hated to admit that her mom might have been right about the flying, and having someone teach her wasn’t the worst idea.
“It just takes practice. I didn’t learn to fly until quite late either.”
“Really?” She couldn’t hide her surprise.
Azriel nodded his head in reassurance. But, he quickly changed the subject, as if he didn’t feel like discussing the reason why. “Do you need me to walk you home?”
His offer was kind, but she didn't want to seem helpless. She knew the general direction of the apartment, and for certain her mother would already be out looking for her.
“No, it’s okay, I’m sure my mom will find me soon–”
As if summoned, they both turned to the sound of shrieking. “JUNO? WHERE ARE YOU!! JUNO!!” her mother’s voice echoed through the streets in an alarming pitch.
“See?” she said, unable to help the tinge of pink that flushed her cheeks in embarrassment. Of course, her mother was making a scene.
Azriel laughed and gave her a wink. “Stay out of trouble, kiddo.”
Juno nodded and watched in awe as Azriel effortlessly took to the sky, his giant wings surprisingly elegant in their manoeuvres. Suddenly, moving to the Night Court didn’t seem like the worst thing in the world anymore. Maybe she could fly just like him someday. For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of hope.
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“June! Thank the Mother you’re okay! Don’t you ever do that to me again,” Gwyn’s voice caught with a mix of relief and sternness as she rushed over to Juno, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I’m sorry!” Juno groaned out, her wings twitching nervously behind her, guilt etched on her face.
“You will be sorry. You’re grounded!” Gwyn's tone was firm, though she couldn’t hide the flicker of concern behind her motherly authority.
Juno bared her teeth in frustration at the suggestion. “You can’t do that… like literally! You brought me here to learn to fly!”
Gwyn glared at her, and Juno knew she’d won. "Well then… you’ll work extra hard to learn when I find an instructor!” her mother’s voice softened slightly.
Juno rolled her eyes, but Gwyn could have sworn her daughter had a slight smile, as if the idea of learning to fly made her happy.
“The High Lord and High Lady are opening their court for a citizen forum tomorrow. We’ll go and ask them about meeting the Valkyries, and the Illyrian general. I’m sure they’d be happy to help us find someone to teach you.”
Juno nodded.
“Are you still giving me the silent treatment?”
“No…”
“Okay, good…” Gwyn looked around, trying to hide the smile on her face and a slight tear in her eye. She noted a bakery not too far up the road. “Do you want to get some cake?”
It was Juno’s turn to smile, something so radiant it lit up the dark court. She nodded enthusiastically.
“Let’s go... On foot!” Gwyn teased, and Juno's eye rolls returned. Gwyn didn’t take it personally, though. She knew that one day she would miss these years, just as she missed all the ones before. They walked down the wide street in comfortable silence, Gwyn grateful that her daughter seemed willing to embrace their new life.