Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
The ranking ceremony
nik
Three days had passed, and still no word from Sapphire.
I couldn’t let the doubt ease its way in. I refused. Even if it’d been gnawing away at my insides day and night. I told myself I’d give her the choice, and if she chose Oscuro, it would wound me forever but at least I would know that I did everything I could.
Muffled chatter wafted through the compound.
They held the advancement ceremony in the courtyard, decorated for the occasion beyond recognition.
Rows of Lightners stood in formation, polished armour in colours of white, gold and navy, gleaming under the sun.
It should have felt like something—a victory, a reward. But all I felt was hollow.
“Nikolas.” They called my name, I stepped forwards out of instinct more than pride. Captain Gild pinned the new insignia to my chest, a slight smile on her lips. “Glad to see you got yourself in order,” she murmured.
River was next. He stepped up beside me to receive his insignia. I couldn’t help offering him a small smile when he nudged my shoulder with his. He’d been by my side for years; he deserved this day just as much as the next Lightner soldier.
After all the names had been called, Captain Gild turned towards the crowd. “Let’s congratulate our esteemed soldiers who go above and beyond daily to help keep The Grey safe.”
Cheers erupted all around, but it felt distant, muffled, like I was watching from behind glass.
I caught sight of my parents near the front.
My mother’s eyes were wet, my father sat straight-backed and proud in his quiet way.
Beside them, Adalia clapped, smiling bright enough for both of us, and Matthias gave a small nod, the ghost of a grin pulling at his mouth.
I should have felt proud too. And I was—somewhere under the static in my chest. I’d earned this. Fought for it. But all I could think about was how far away Sapphire was.
When the crowd started to disperse, River clapped me on the back. “We did it,” he said, breathless, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah,” I managed, forcing a smile. “We did.”
But even as the words left my mouth, my gaze drifted east, past the walls, past the compound—towards the horizon where the light bled into shadow. River left me to go mingle with other Lightners who’d attended the ceremony.
I made my way over to the shade of a tree, its weeping branches a curtain to hide behind. The air beneath was cooler, quieter, a place to breathe without being seen.
Matthias sauntered over, hands shoved in his black trouser pockets. He shook his head softly even before I opened my mouth. He knew what I was going to ask. “How are you holding up?”
I shrugged lightly. “As good as I can. Even though I want to fly into The Grey and tear that brothel and the man who owns it to pieces.”
He dipped his head. “I hear you.”
“I also want to tear the hands off any man that has touched her, and I want to send her murderer to the abyss.”
“That’s a lot of potential blood on your hands,“Matthias huffed lightly. “I’m not sure what I’d tell the king.”
I ran a hand through my hair with a sigh. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Be patient. I know it's hard, but think of how hard it is for her. It seems as though she hasn’t been given much choice in her life. She will be struggling with this even more than you.”
With another sigh, I leaned my shoulder against the trunk of the tree. “I just—she was so fragile, Matthias,” my words tumble out, hopeless and empty. “I just wanted to protect her.”
“I know you do. You’re a good man,” Matthias said. “Let’s just hope she finds her way. It’s hard to believe in the light after you’ve lived in the dark for so long.”
He spoke the words like he knew them by heart—and he would.
The sun was sinking low, spilling gold across the compound until everything shimmered: armour, blades, even the cobblestone underfoot.
The light caught on every movement, a sea of gleaming silver and burnished bronze.
Lightners clasped shoulders, traded congratulations, and lifted their cups in celebration.
It was a joyous occasion, even if my heart felt heavy.
“When we find out who killed Sapphire, we will hold them accountable. I promise,” Matthias said as he looked out at the crowd of people too.
I glanced sideways at him, and for a brief moment, the weight in my chest lightened, if only a fraction.