Chapter 1 #2
River and I made our way back through The Grey, making sure we did one last sweep of District Five before we headed to the compound through the Lucius gates.
Cold winds rippled the feathers of my wings as I glided over the rooftops. All seemed as usual down below. Stall keepers yelled out their wares. Bakers walked through the streets carrying wooden boards stacked high with fresh bread.
The smell had my stomach growling. I couldn’t wait to get home and eat. Never again would I grab something quick as I ran out the door.
I glanced at River, and he nodded once. Our time here was done; we could head to the gates at the Lucius Veil. I banked to the left, dipping and rising with the current. A short while later, the shimmering curtain in the distance came into view. It was always a welcomed sight.
As I neared, I dropped in altitude. My boots crunched in the dirt quietly as I landed. River appeared beside me and together we walked the distance to the gates.
He wiped a hand over his growing smile. “Slap him with his own hand . . . classic.”
I flicked my gaze down to my hand, flexing my fingers as I walked. “He’s lucky I didn’t threaten both arms.”
River grinned. “His insults were harsh, you were definitely too gentle.”
“Right? I should have been appalled that he insinuated I was attracted to your ass.”
“I mean . . . I’m not that ugly.”
“It’s true. Perhaps I should’ve proposed to you before I hit him.”
Laughter rippled through River. “Could’ve invited him to the wedding.”
There was no need to flash our kingdom amulets to the guards stationed at the gates. They knew full well who we were. We just dipped our heads in greeting and stepped through.
My chest lightened every time I came home to Lucius. It’s almost like what weighed down the Shadowkin in The Grey would settle on me, just the same. But once I reached home, it never failed to relinquish its hold.
Warm sunlight bathed my skin—a contrast to the bitter cold on the other side of the Veil. It soaked through my Lucius leathers, heating my bones.
I caught the eye of a familiar face, and sent a friendly wave in the male's direction. “Blue, are you coming out tonight with us?”
The blue-haired male approached with a grin, his gaze meeting mine with a tilt of his chin. “Need someone to show you how to hold your liquor?”
I’d known Blue for years. He used to live in a part of Lucius closer to the gates to District Seven in The Grey, where Adalia and Matthias live.
But he’d moved to District Five a few months ago to be closer to the city for his blacksmithing apprenticeship.
He’d been in Lucius since he was a boy, and even though he was as tall as me, he was still only nineteen years young in the head.
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Please . . . I could drink you into the ground any day.”
Blue chuckled. “Name the time and place, though I won’t be done at the blacksmiths until later.”
“I have paperwork,” I replied, walking backwards.
He nodded and started heading back towards the city of Lucius. “Keep in touch.”
River fell into step beside me as we made our way towards the compound.
There was much to document, and the healers needed to know about the tear in the Veil.
I’d have to send someone to alert them. Paperwork was never my strong suit and, to be honest, I loathed it, but it came with the role of captain.
Plus, another tear in the Veil only meant more work for me—to make sure the Thorns of Oscuro stayed put.
I forced a breath out my nose. The sooner the healers were notified, the better.
The winter wind was much warmer in Lucius. It danced along the ground as I threw a glance in the direction of my curly-haired friend. “Are you coming out tonight?”
River’s hazel eyes flickered with mischievousness. “Don’t I always?”
With a smile that said it all, we headed for the area designated for one of the Lucius-based compounds.
It was responsible for overseeing District Five of The Grey.
The base was larger than the one I’d come from in District Seven.
It housed around twenty buildings constructed of wood and stone, with gardens that were lush and plentiful.
I passed under the stone archway that led into the centre of the compound towards the office I shared with River.
A large, square desk strewn with papers, a stained mug of old tea that needed discarding, and a worn leather chair greeted me. I welcomed the chance to sit and rest my legs. That Thorn had really given me hell.
River plonked himself down on his chair opposite me as we both busied ourselves with today’s series of events. Once I was done, I could go home.
I’d just finished the note to send to the healers when something shiny caught my attention. An envelope was poking out from under a few sheets of paper. Pulling it from its hiding place, I turned it over to inspect it. My eyes widened when I realised who it was from.
I grasped the small blade strapped to my thigh and sliced the envelope open. The creamy texture of the paper smelled like honey as I slipped it free.
Nikolas,
You have been invited to the palace by the king of light. Please make your presence known at your earliest convenience.
Yours,
The royal scroll bearer
It had been a while since I’d visited the palace in the heart of Lucius.
Turning the letter over, I found it empty.
There really was no context as to why the king wished to see me.
Had I done something wrong? Perhaps it was about Matthias, or Adalia—my parents?
Were they not alright? Surely, I would have heard directly from one of them if this was the case.
I rubbed my fingers across my brow. “Might need to reschedule tonight’s tomfoolery, River,” I murmured as I placed the letter back in the envelope.
Hazel eyes met mine. “Since when do you back out on a good time?”
“Since the king summoned me.”
River’s brow rose, bemused. “Word travels fast. Perhaps he doesn’t like it when you threaten to rip the arms off Thorns.”
I grin tugged at my lips. “Perhaps not.”
River stacked some papers and rose, his chair scraping on the stone floor. “If you don’t end up on suspension, you know where to find me and Blue.”
I followed his actions, rising from my chair, and pocketed the letter as the corner of my mouth ticked up. “The king loves me. I have nothing to be concerned about.”
~~~~~
So much for a good soaking and a hot meal.
I’d gone home, jumped in the bath, changed, and then headed out the door.
While I flew towards the palace, I finished the last blueberry muffin Adalia had baked and delivered to me a few days ago.
Despite living in different districts now, she always made sure I had homemade sustenance. I’d eat something heartier later.
A glittering white palace shimmered in the near distance.
No matter how many times I visited this place, it always took my breath away.
Gardens burst with emerald ferns, their feathery leaves rustling against bushes blooming with pink roses.
Fragrant honeysuckles clung in greedy vines, threading through the wrought-iron fences that circled the glass-like structure rising from the earth.
Blossom trees bowed with buds waiting to burst open in the spring.
Lightners scattered themselves across the ground with wool blankets and baskets of food, with nothing but laughter on their lips.
The breeze threaded through my crimson wings as I folded them in, drifting down to land just outside the palace grounds.
Warm sunlight shimmered on the sapphire river that wound beneath a glass pathway, leading into the heart of the palace.
My boots made a gentle tapping sound as I walked towards my fate.
Was the king truly going to reprimand me about the way I handled the Thorn earlier today? And if so, how did he even know? Had someone been watching us? I know that general kingdom expectations are to always choose kindness and love above all else, but did that really apply for Thorns as well?
I was currently studying for a promotion, in hopes I’d rank up from captain to major. The exam was to take place in a few weeks. Perhaps that’s all the king wished to speak about.
A few smiling faces glanced my way as I approached the doors to the palace.
I nodded at the guards and made my way inside.
The walls that lined the hallways were covered top to bottom with pictures of every Lightner that currently dwelt in Lucius.
The king insisted on looking upon everyone who lived here.
White marble doors with gold handles opened with a groan as I neared the throne room. My heart picked up pace as I stepped into the vast space. The underground river I’d been following stretched before me, tinting the glass floor with the gleam of sapphire as I neared the throne.
“Nikolas, my son. Welcome!” the king greeted.
I looked up, seeking his kind brown eyes, and smiled before I took a bow. “My king.”
He rose from his throne and made his way down the dais to pull me into an embrace. Perhaps the scolding would come later.
The hem of the king's royal purple robe swished softly against the glass floor as he took a step back. “I see you received my invitation.”
“I came as quickly as I could, my king.”
His eyes crinkled at the corners. “I appreciate your efficiency. Come, walk with me.”
As we moved about the room, my unease didn’t settle. Was I about to be reprimanded or was this simply a social visit?
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I asked you here today,” the king murmured.
I answered with a smile. “The thought did occur.”