Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
The light king
sapphire
I’d dressed up for men countless times. I’d been doing it my whole life.
But as I stood in front of the mirror in my room, something felt different.
Usually, I didn’t care for the male gaze.
I didn’t want to know what they thought of me, I only needed them to want me enough to put coins in my pocket.
I smoothed my hands over the midnight blue fabric.
Hadassah—Matthias’s mother—had been more than generous with the dress, insisting I keep it.
I couldn’t break it to her that I’d only be wearing it one time.
There was no point in taking it with me.
But for now, perhaps it was alright to pretend that it was mine. That I was staying.
Pale afternoon light bled across the floor of my room, licking at the hem of the gown.
It trailed behind me like a sapphire river when I walked.
Never had I worn something so expensive.
Yet no matter how it fit, I was still the same woman underneath the beaded lace and delicate stitches. Broken, and dirty.
A sigh escaped my lips. I turned, retrieving the matching intricate hair piece from where it lay on the bed. The mirror watched as I slipped the comb into one side of my hair, pulling blue strands smooth and taut against my head.
My stomach churned at the thought of showing Nik. Hadassah hadn’t allowed him to see me when I’d tried the gown on, which I’d appreciated at the time, but now I almost wished it was over and done with.
Worse still, I had to face the king. I knew once my nerves settled after presenting myself to Nik, they’d be thrown once more into a tempest I had no hope of taming. Even now, my palms grew clammy and my thoughts spiralled, uncertain why exactly he wanted to meet me.
I understood why Snake did. I was shiny. I was new. I could be whatever he commanded in the place where darkness ruled. But why I was of any real interest to the Light King baffled me. But surely he would be different. Nik said he was kind. I could only hope that was true.
I took one last look in the mirror, squared my shoulders and headed for the door. Standing around wasn’t going to make this all disappear. I’d see the king, return the dress, take Nik’s amulet, and slip out of Lucius. His life could return to some shred of normalcy.
He should have been out there, doing whatever it was Lightners did when they weren’t cleaning up messes like me. Protecting people who actually belonged in this world. Not wasting his time trying to convince me that I deserved to stay when I clearly didn’t.
My jaw tightened.
This was the right thing.
For him.
For all of them.
I stood at the door with my hand on the knob far longer than I’d meant to. Fingers curled around the brass, breath caught somewhere between my ribs and my throat. I could do this. I was The Night Jewel. And she knew how to put on a show.
With my palm pressed flat against the smooth wood, I exhaled and twisted the handle. The door opened with a soft sigh.
Nik stood in the living room fastening the top button on his shirt, crimson wings tucked neatly behind him. He looked up at the sound, and froze. His hands dropped away from the button like he’d forgotten what he was doing.
Heat shot through my cheeks. “Is it . . . too much?” I managed, smoothing my hands down the navy skirt.
His jaw worked, like he was trying to find words and none of them were safe. “You’re . . .” His voice came out low, roughened. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Sapphire, you look beautiful.”
I never cared what men thought of me. Perhaps I would have felt the same about Nik. Yet something had shifted these last few days, and for a moment, I let myself believe him. “Thank you,” I whispered.
His eyes lingered on me, and a sudden shiver prickled my skin.
There was no denying how attractive he was.
Worse still, I couldn't deny that a small part of me desired to kiss him again.
To run my fingers through his perfectly combed hair, inhale the fresh scent soaked into the pulse under his jaw, and sink into the smile that could melt butter.
“You look nice too,” I said in the most awkward way I possibly could have. I wasn’t used to complimenting males, even less used to meaning it.
His grin grew wider. “Thanks.” He took a small step towards me. “Are you ready?”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready to meet a king, yet knowing I wasn’t facing him alone gave me the courage to nod once. Nik offered his arm—not touching, not assuming—just there if I wanted it.
And for the first time in my life, I didn’t hesitate.
I took it.
~~~~~
The churning in my stomach grew worse the closer we flew to the palace. In the distance, its white walls shone like the polished bones of a great creature rising from the earth. It was certainly beautiful. Especially compared to the palace in Oscuro.
The midday sun cast a golden glow over the ground, softening the edges of all it touched. Nik and I soared over groups of Lightners wandering the streets of Lucius. I’d grown so accustomed to my wings that I almost preferred flying over walking.
He gestured below, tucking in his wings. I nodded and we descended towards a quiet street, landing with a soft thud.
Nik brushed his fingers through the wayward strands of his copper hair, grinning. “Tell me, on a scale of one to terrified, how are we doing?”
I let out a sigh. “Somewhere between ‘fine’ and ‘I’m about to pass out.’”
He chuckled softly, the corner of his eyes crinkling. “I’ll aim to keep you at ‘fine.’”
The walk from the outskirts of the city, into the palace gardens, and all the way up to the gates was a blur. I barely remembered a single step of it, though the scent of blossom trees still lingered as proof that we’d passed under their heavy, flowering boughs.
One moment I was staring in awe at the glass encased sapphire river that ran from the city—so Nik told me—all the way to the throne room.
The next minute I was standing at the gates—luminous and impossible, carved from crystal and white stone with gold threaded through every edge like captured sunlight.
My steps faltered the instant I crossed the threshold.
I folded my hands tightly in front of me, terrified I might brush against something and leave a stain I couldn’t undo.
Guards bowed as we passed, and every dip of their heads made me flinch.
Nik’s palm settled against the small of my back, guiding me forward, and I stiffened—not from fear, but from the crushing feeling that I was trespassing in a place that should never have opened its doors for someone like me.
“Nik, wait,” I blurted as I spun towards him.
His brow pinched, but he stopped walking. “What is it?”
“I—I just need a minute.”
He took my hand, pulling me gently to the side. “Take all the time you need.”
Lightners dressed in their finest roamed the hallway. A few took the time to nod, smile, or greet us as they passed. Nik acknowledged them all, and I kept as close to the walls as I could.
That’s when I noticed the pictures. Each one framed by gold. Smiles on faces, and light dancing in their eyes. Though none of the images were named. “Who are these folk?” I asked Nik.
He turned to look at them. “These are all the Lightners who live in Lucius.”
“What’s the point of all their pictures hanging here?”
“The king likes to look at all his subjects.” Nik replied, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets..
I angled my head to the side, peering at the smiling faces. “Does he know who they all are?”
Nik flicked his gaze down to me. “Yes. He knows all of us by name.”
I knew very little about Snake and what type of ruler he truly was, but I had a large suspicion that he didn’t know—nor care to know—every Thorn’s name in his kingdom.
Emerald eyes lingered on me, making my cheeks feel warm. That same heat began to spread lower, and I quickly turned away. This man was unintentionally doing things to me that I’d never experienced before.
“I’m ready now,” I spluttered, even if it was a lie.
The hall seemed to stretch forever, and my palms began to sweat the closer we came to the end. The throne room doors opened with a low, echoing groan that rippled through my ribs. Cold fear pooled in my stomach, as familiar as breathing.
Nik took half a step closer, the heat from his hand brushing mine. It grounded me in more ways that I’d ever admit.
The room blurred into brightness at first. White stone polished walls, golden light spilling across the sapphire floor. Columns carved with scenes of light, gardens, and animals. No shadows dared to cling to anything here.
On the opposite side of the room, large arched windows—twice the size of Nik—overlooked Lucius below.
My shoes clicked softly against the glass floor. Each sound felt too loud.
Nik leaned closer, voice barely above a whisper. “You’re safe.”
I wasn’t sure if my body could believe it, even if my mind did.
As we approached the dais, my heart beat faster. Upon the throne made of solid gold sat the king. His crown caught the light and broke it into a thousand soft colours that danced across the room.
He glanced up as we approached. And he looked nothing like what I’d imagined. No cruelty. No greed. Just shoulder length brown hair and kind eyes that matched. There was something about him that was so . . . familiar.
The king smiled and as soon as he did, I knew where I’d seen him before.
He was the stranger from my dream. The one who told me to wake up. The one I’d wanted to run to.
My feet stopped of their own accord and I drew in a slow breath. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure that everyone in the room could hear it.
Nik’s hand settled on my back, a small comfort that I appreciated. It was enough to force my feet forwards.
The king rose, making his way down the dais to greet us. “Welcome.”