Chapter 10
Glade and I moved quietly through the castle’s never-ending hallways. Though, before we could reach the grounds outside for my first Source Light training, a young servant girl appeared, her smile radiant, despite the flush of breath in her cheeks. She lowered herself into a cordial bow.
“My Prince… Last Daughter,” she said, rising to her feet and turning her gaze to me. “The king requires your presence in the throne room.”
I scrunched my face in disgust. “Why?”
Glade pressed a hand to his mouth, stifling a laugh.
“I am not authorized to say. Please, follow me,” she said, gesturing towards the far end of the hall, gathering her skirt in her hands.
I glanced at Glade, hoping he could offer some explanation, but his brow was just as furrowed as mine. Still, he stepped forward, ready to follow.
The servant stopped abruptly, murmuring, “Erm… I was not asked to gather you, My Prince…”
Glade recoiled in surprise before giving a decisive shake of his head. “Well, I’ll be coming anyway.”
The girl hesitated, biting her lip, then shrugging casually. “Very well, then.”
I felt a tug of amusement at the awkwardness, but the memory of how he had saved my life the night before squashed it.
We approached the grand wooden doors to the throne room. Two stoic guards flanked either side. As we neared, they grasped the hefty doorknobs and forcefully pulled them open, revealing the massive spectacular space beyond.
The room was as I remembered—a humongous brightly lit hall with intricately carved marble pillars lining the walls.
But unlike my first introduction to the royal family, it was nearly empty, save for the king seated on the throne, Jion at his side, a handful of guards scattered throughout, and two very large men standing at the end of the aisle with their backs to me.
Though, I knew instantly these were no ordinary men. No. They couldn’t be as sky-blue feathers covered the back of their heads.
My heart leapt in my chest, and I let out a small gasp, freezing like ice in the doorway. As if they could hear it, the two men pivoted their heads towards me—nearly one hundred and eighty degrees.
Terror surged through my veins, yet they only tilted their heads curiously, remaining perfectly still.
Glade coughed awkwardly under his breath and placed a hand on my lower back, urging me forward. The servant girl bowed in farewell and exited the hall. When the massive doors slammed shut behind her, the echo nearly made me flinch. Still, the men only stared.
I had never seen such beings like them before. It was as if some mad scientist had fused man and bird into a single creature. Their bodies were human in shape—save for the sky-blue feathers—but their faces were entirely avian, with sharp beaks and large, black, beady eyes.
“Last Daughter.” The king’s voice thundered throughout the hall. “There are two men you shall meet.” His white-knuckled grip on the arms of his chair pushed him upright, and Jion followed.
I nervously crept forward, despite every instinct screaming to retreat. Glade stayed close behind.
The king’s head tilted, eyes glancing past me. A shadow of annoyance crossed his face, though he said nothing, shifting his attention back to his guests. Glade, aware of the scrutiny, drifted to the side of the room, choosing to observe the introduction from the safety of the shadows.
I finally came face to face with the peculiar avian men and forced a polite smile, even as my insides twisted like tangled knots of string.
The taller one, standing to my left, wore a headpiece of twine and twigs, intricately woven into the shape of a crown.
Both men were dressed in leather-like outfits of near black, but neither wore shoes.
Their sharp claws pressed flat against the polished marble, threatening to gouge its surface.
“King Remaculus,” the taller avian began in a near-human voice, “please allow me to introduce my son and myself.”
To my absolute shock, the king submissively inclined his head. “As you wish.”
The man turned fully toward me. “Last Daughter. It is wonderful to meet you at last. I am King Zolaris of Zephryia. This is my son, Prince Aeris.”
Both men bowed their heads in my direction as though I were royalty.
My hands clasped painfully tight in my lap. I stretched my lips into what felt like a brittle smile. “It is nice to meet you, King Zolaris. Prince Aeris.”
With a feathered arm crossing his chest, Aeris rested a palm over his heart. “The honour is mine.”
Jion finally spoke. “King Zolaris and Prince Aeris are the first of the Seven Sovereign Worlds of the Celestial Accord to arrive on Ornath in preparation for our wedding.”
The admission struck like a blow to the ribs, stealing my breath away. I wondered if Jion felt it too.
In the last few days, I had allowed myself to forget what the Seven Sovereign Worlds meant. Once all seven rulers and heirs stood on Ornath, Jion and I would wed with their blessing—and gifts.
One down.
Five to go.
I struggled to find words. Instead, my mouth hung open in distress.
Jion, however, noticed the internal struggle wracking my frame and continued, “Forgive my betrothed. She has never stood in the presence of your kind—of Harpies.”
“The Last Daughter of Domus was raised on a primitive planet,” King Remaculus interjected, “unacquainted with the universe’s sophistication.”
Like clockwork, courage kindled in my core at the king’s insensitive words. “I was raised on Earth,” I declared, lifting my chin proudly.
Beyond the Harpies’ backs, nearly swallowed by shadow, Glade leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed. For a fleeting second, I could have sworn a hint of a smirk graced his lips.
“Earth,” King Zolaris repeated. “Yes, I know of it. Not so much primitive as…unenlightened. A shame, really. It serves as a reminder to follow the Goddess’ wishes.”
Prince Aeris clasped his hands behind his back. “I am deeply sorry to hear of Amantius’ punishment against the people of Earth. I hope they are all fairing well despite it.”
Though the Harpies’ expressions were impossible to decipher, I caught the barest glint of sympathy in Aeris’ eyes.
“Thank you, Prince Aeris,” I said, and I meant it.
The king’s mouth twisted into a displeased scowl, though both King Zolaris and Prince Aeris ignored him.
“Am I correct in assuming you have never heard of our Celestial—Zephryia?” King Zolaris asked.
I nodded, unable to hide my curiosity.
“Zephryia is an ancient and beautiful world. Our ancestors rose over millennia as the forests rose with them. We are born of towering canopies—trees that stretch hundreds of feet into the heavens. Our cities are not carved into the land… They are grown within it.”
The thought of a world crowned with trees so vast I could scarcely picture them was awe-inspiring.
“Zephryia sounds incredible,” I admitted.
Though his expression remained difficult to read, I could have sworn King Zolaris smirked. “You would be welcome to visit,”
“I would like that,” I replied politely.
“Perhaps,” King Zolaris continued, “once you and Prince Jion have fulfilled your purpose.”
King Remaculus stepped forward, reclaiming the floor. “An important purpose indeed,” he said sharply. “Enough of Celestials and courtesies. Let us discuss the coming nuptials.”
From the corner of my eye, Glade’s form stiffened as he uncrossed his arms and straightened. Beside me, Jion lifted a hand to the back of his neck, rubbing at his spine. My own fingertips drifted to my cuticles, anxiously picking at the skin.
“Let us discuss,” King Zolaris smoothly echoed.
“We are eager to see the union formalized,” King Remaculus pressed. “Have you heard anything from the remaining sovereigns? Might any arrive sooner than expected?”
“We all await the fulfillment of the Golden Oracle’s prophecy,” King Zolaris responded in a level tone. “But thus far, I have only heard word from King Thalassic and Prince Hydros of Pelagos.”
Remaculus’ jaw locked with impatience. “And?”
“They are expected the day after tomorrow.”
King Remaculus clapped his hands together, the loud report reverberating through the hall. “Excellent news!”
“Indeed,” King Zolaris agreed. “It is law that the union between Prince Jion and the Last Daughter cannot proceed until all Seven Sovereigns have assembled.”
Nausea rose in my throat. I had convinced myself I had two months to find a way out of this wedding. Yet another pair of Seven Sovereigns would stand on Ornath’s soil by the week’s end.
That left only four.
Four worlds.
Four blessings.
Four steps closer to the altar.
The king had all but said it outright—if the remaining sovereigns arrived ahead of schedule, the wedding would be advanced to match.
Prince Aeris stepped closer. “We are deeply honoured to stand witness to your sacred day. But before my father and I retire to our chambers, allow us to present you with Zephryia’s gift.”
Before I could fully understand his meaning, he reached into the breast pocket of his leather-like vest and withdrew a small, dark wooden box. Bowing his head, he extended it toward Jion and me. With deliberate but gentle care, Aeris lifted the lid.
Nested within plum velvet rested a russet-brown sphere no larger than a golf ball. It seemed ordinary—natural—but intricate grooves spiralled across its surface, deep ridges winding like the edges of a walnut.
With a dignified cough, Jion aligned his posture to perfection. “King Zolaris. Prince Aeris. You have my sincerest gratitude for such a remarkable gift.”
The two stood a little taller at his words.
I tilted my head, studying the peculiar object. By all appearances, it resembled a typical tree nut back on Earth—but I knew this was nothing of the sort.
And yet, without thinking, I blurted, “It’s a nut.”
Somewhere beyond my line of sight, Glade’s body shook with suppressed laughter.
King Zolaris and Prince Aeris exchanged a brief, uncomfortable glance before the elder cleared his throat.
“This is no ordinary nut, my lady. It is a Waycorn.”
Aeris’ voice softened. “It opens…but only for those who truly seek.”
Jion’s eyes widened at the revelation, “Oh. I have heard of such a thing.” He reached forward, carefully taking the box within his hands. “In times of true desperation, one may crack the Waycorn open…and it will reveal what the bearer seeks.”
Both Harpies inclined their head in confirmation.
“What an incredible gift.” Jion placed a hand over his heart in appreciation.
King Remaculus inserted himself once more. “Yes. A splendid gift. Now—” He snapped his fingers towards the guards stationed along the wall. “Escort the Zephryians to their chambers.”
The guards strode forward at once. As they moved to guide the royal Harpies from the hall, both King Zolaris and Prince Aeris inclined their heads in farewell before disappearing through the towering doors.
Silence settled among us. Jion cradled the Waycorn in his palm, reverent as though it were a sacred relic.
It opens only for the desperate.
I found myself staring at the small, russet sphere again. Harmless in appearance. Unremarkable. Yet, deep within my chest, I felt a certainty that I would not have to wait long before putting it to use.