Chapter 14 Eryx
Eryx
I’m about to say something that can’t be taken back. A public declaration. A binding promise.
My father always said the most lethal magic was the kind you spoke aloud in front of witnesses. Once the words are out, they become real. They have power.
This might be the biggest mistake of my life.
Ask me in two months. Then I’ll know for certain.
“Ladies and gentleman, I’d like your attention please.”
I tap a champagne flute with the side of a spoon. How cliche can I get?
My guests go quiet, curious faces tipped in my direction. “I hope you’re having a pleasant evening, and you’ve learned that even though this is the Nightmare District, there’s nothing nightmarish about it.”
That earns a few giggles from the women and several understanding nods from the men.
What are you doing, Eryx? What’s happening?
I’m giving you what you want. No. I'm giving us what we both want. You want her magic. I want—
Her. You want her.
I don’t reply.
But how? What are you doing? Are we making a big mistake? She’s not even here.
And thank God for that. Please be quiet. It’s extremely difficult to carry on two conversations at once.
That’s never stopped you before.
But tonight’s been different and Nightmare knows it.
I smile at the crowd. “For too long we’ve lived on opposite sides of the barrier. It’s time our communities were joined together and that we know each other. My kingdom might be dark, it might be strange, but I think you’ll find that deep down, we’re not so different.”
Yes, we are.
Shut up, Nightmare.
“That’s why”—I clear my throat and hope this moment doesn’t get me killed, or worse—
What’s worse than being killed?
Having you run around behind my back.
It was just the one time, it says meekly.
And I know it won’t be the last, not unless I do this. “That’s why I’m declaring my intention to marry someone from Castleview.”
The crowd breaks out into a sea of murmurs.
“Who is it?”
“Has someone been sneaking off?”
“You’re wondering who it is,” I said loudly, pulling their attention back. “Well, you don’t have to guess for one more second, because I will be marrying”—
Awfully confident, aren’t we?
I am a king.
This is it. The moment everything changes. I could stop now. Make a joke. Laugh it off.
But then Nightmare will go after her. And I'll go back to being alone with nothing but revenge.
“I’m marrying Chelsea…” Oh shit. She never told me her last name. “She’s about this tall.” I place my hand to my chest. “Wears sparkly sneakers. Sorry, I don’t know her last name. Can someone help me out?”
One of the two women I caught on the balcony yells, “Thornrose. It’s Chelsea Thornrose.”
I snap my fingers. “Yes, that’s her. I’m marrying Chelsea Thornrose.”
The ballroom erupts. Not polite murmurs—actual chaos. Voices rising, people turning to each other in shock. This isn't just gossip. This is political. The Nightmare King marrying across the barrier? Uniting the districts through marriage?
I've just declared war on tradition itself.
And that’s when the blonde woman who interrupted me and Chelsea in my study, faints.
That wasn’t so bad, Nightmare murmurs.
It wasn’t so good, either.