The dinner preparation ritual felt strangely normal against the backdrop of thunder and darkening skies. Ali and Sage helped each other with their hair, weaving summer blossoms through the intricate braids as tradition dictated. The flowers seemed to shiver slightly in their hands, as if sensing the unnatural chill in the air.
"Do you think they'll acknowledge it?" Sage whispered as she fastened the last bloom in Ali's hair. "The weather, I mean."
"Probably not directly," Ali replied, remembering how the fae nobles had pretended not to notice the tension during the Night Songs. "But I'm sure they'll find ways to discuss it."
As if to punctuate her words, another roll of thunder echoed through the court, closer this time. The light pendant in Ali's pocket pulsed warmly in response, and she found herself touching it for reassurance.
They made their way to the grand dining hall, joining other tributes who moved with careful grace despite the growing tension in the air. The usual summer warmth of the hall seemed subdued, though the eternal twilight that illuminated the space burned as bright as ever.
Ali noticed immediately that the seating arrangements had changed. Instead of the previous night's scattered arrangement, the tributes were now seated closer to the high table where Queen Mirabelle would preside. Ali found herself placed between Sage and a fae noble she hadn't met before, with Melody-In-Moonlight seated directly across from her.
"An interesting day for music lessons," Melody-In-Moonlight commented as they waited for the Queen's arrival. Her silver-white hair now held traces of storm clouds, reflecting the turbulent weather outside.
"Every lesson teaches something new," Ali responded carefully, noting how other fae nobles seemed to be listening to their exchange.
"Indeed." Melody-In-Moonlight's lips curved in approval at Ali's diplomatic response. "And some lessons come from unexpected teachers."
Before Ali could decipher her meaning, a hush fell over the hall. Queen Mirabelle had arrived, her entrance marked by a surge of summer warmth that temporarily pushed back the unseasonable chill. The Queen's gown seemed to capture and hold the essence of summer itself, though Ali noticed it flickered slightly when another thunder roll shook the court.
"Welcome, my dear ones," the Queen addressed the assembled court, her voice carrying easily through the vast space. "We are blessed with an... interesting evening."
Ali caught the subtle emphasis on "interesting" and noticed how the fae nobles exchanged glances. Beside her, the unknown fae noble shifted slightly, causing a soft chiming sound from the bells woven into their sleeves.
The feast began with a traditional offering to the spirits of summer—sweet fruits and golden wines that seemed to glow from within. Ali noticed that while the tributes were served similar-looking dishes, their food lacked the otherworldly radiance of the fae offerings. Another of her mother's warnings proven true: never eat the glowing fruit.
As the courses progressed, conversation flowed around the hall in the careful, measured way of fae diplomacy. Every word seemed to carry multiple meanings, and Ali found herself struggling to follow the layers of subtext.
"The garden blooms exceptionally well this season," one fae noble commented, though their eyes were fixed on the storm-dark windows.
"Yes, though some blooms open before their time," another responded, with a significant glance toward the high table.
Ali focused on her food, trying to appear unconscious of the political undercurrents swirling around her. The light pendant in her pocket maintained a steady, warm pulse against her skin, like a tiny heartbeat.
"Your music this morning was quite remarkable," the unknown fae noble beside her said suddenly. Their voice had an unusual quality, like wind through ice crystals. "It spoke of... interesting perspectives."
Ali turned slightly to study them more carefully. Their appearance seemed to shift subtly as she watched, never quite settling into a fixed form. "Thank you," she replied, adding after a moment's consideration, "I'm still learning the court's songs."
"Aren't we all?" they responded with a smile that reminded Ali uncomfortably of frost patterns on glass. "I am called Winter-Whispers-In-Dreams, and I find your learning process fascinating."
Ali felt Sage tense beside her at the introduction. A winter-named fae at the summer court's high table? The implications were significant, though Ali wasn't sure she understood them all.
Another crash of thunder punctuated the moment, and this time Ali was certain she heard music in it—the same cold melody from the Night Songs. Winter-Whispers-In-Dreams' smile widened slightly.
Melody-In-Moonlight smoothly interrupted, drawing Ali into a conversation about the next day's music lessons. But Ali noticed how the fae musician's fingers tapped a subtle warning rhythm on the table as she spoke.
The remainder of the feast passed in a blur of careful conversations and weighted silences. Ali found herself hyper-aware of Winter-Whispers-In-Dreams beside her, noting how the temperature seemed to drop whenever they moved.
As the final course was cleared away, Queen Mirabelle rose from her seat. The entire hall fell silent, awaiting her words.
"The night calls us to rest," she announced, though the strange twilight outside made it impossible to tell the true time. "May summer's warmth guard your dreams."
The traditional blessing carried an unusual weight tonight, and Ali noticed many of the fae nobles touching tokens or charms as the Queen spoke.
As the assembly began to disperse, Winter-Whispers-In-Dreams leaned closer to Ali. "Your dreams may prove interesting tonight, little singer. Listen carefully to their songs."
Before Ali could respond, Melody-In-Moonlight was at her side, smoothly guiding her away from the table. "Come, dear one. Tomorrow's lessons require proper rest."
As they left the dining hall, Ali glanced back to find Winter-Whispers-In-Dreams watching her with that same frost-pattern smile. The light pendant in her pocket grew almost hot for a moment, as if in warning.
Sage was unusually quiet as they prepared for bed. Outside their window, the strange storm continued, sending shadows dancing across the walls. The summer flowers in their hair had wilted slightly, despite their magical nature.
"Mother never mentioned winter-named fae at the summer court," Sage finally said as they extinguished the lights. "It's not... natural."
"Nothing about today has been natural," Ali replied, thinking of her frost-touched light weaving and the storm's thunder-music.
She placed the light pendant on her bedside table, where it cast a soft, protective glow. As she drifted off to sleep, she could have sworn she heard distant music—a complex harmony of summer warmth and winter chill, weaving together in her dreams.
The night ahead promised to be anything but restful, as the summer court's eternal twilight darkened into true night, and the storm's songs echoed through the realms of both waking and dreams.