by Elena Lawson
And ahead, cast in both shadow and light, lay the Night Court. My court. I watched, transfixed, as we drew nearer. The palace came into view after a short time, its spires, towers, and walkways all seemed hewn from the stars themselves and shone like polished ivory against the dark stone of the cliffside. It was beyond anything I could’ve imagined, and even more beautiful than how Thana described it.
“Your Majesty, I present to you your kingdom.” The Captain of the Queen’s Guard came to stand beside me at the bow, “It must seem vast compared to the Isle of Mist.”
Yes, I thought, remind me I’ve spent the entirety of my life trapped on an all but deserted island as if I’d forgotten. I did not give him the courtesy of a response, turning instead to where Thana waited to escort me below deck. It was time to get ready, as she kept reminding me, I couldn’t be seen wearing trousers outside of the ship. She shrieked when she beheld me wearing them, ordering me to remove them at once. I’d always preferred trousers and simple blouses to skirts and gowns. On the isle, I could wear what I liked. It seemed now, I didn’t have a say in even that.
“You’re a fast learner,” I mused as Thana braided and twisted my hair into an elaborate crown-like shape on top of my head. I watched her reflection in the mirror raise an eyebrow in question, “Do you know how long Alaric has been a member of the Queen’s Guard?”
She pulled my hair tighter, her lips pursed, “Taken a liking to him, have you?”
I shrugged.
“He’s brand new, all of them are save for the captain.”
I moved to face her, but she tugged my head back into place by my hair, “All?” I asked, allowing her to finish sticking pins into my skull, “Why were they all replaced?”
She inhaled slowly, considering, “The captain had reason to believe they were involved in the assassination of Enya, so, he banished them. But don’t worry dear, the new sentries have extensive training. He hand selected three of them and the council selected the fourth as is custom. Your Alaric was second in command to the Captain of the Horde.”
The Horde? He didn’t seem like the warrior type—in looks maybe, with his wide chest and corded muscle, but not in any other way I’d think a member of our armies to be.
Thana draped a delicate strand of black diamonds around my neck and stepped back to admire her handiwork, smiling one of her rare smiles, “There. You’re stunning.”
I shook my head at her, unconcerned with my appearance. “Send word to the council members when we arrive. I’d like to meet with them. Tonight.”
The mood at the palace was a far cry from that of the townsfolk. When we disembarked from the ship at sunset, an energetic crowd met us with cheers and shouts. They were joyous and stumbling over one another to welcome me home and give me their well wishes. With Alaric on one side of me, the captain on the other, and the other three sentries and Thana flanking us, none of them tried to get too close. But they were my people, shouldn’t I feel safe among them? They were, after all, ungraced, and therefore posed little threat.
“Welcome home, Your Majesty,” a groundskeeper said as we entered the palace gardens and I thanked her quietly, taking in the grandeur of the foliage surrounding us. There were flowers the size of my head, and some as tiny as a breadcrumb. And colors, so many colors—and smells. Heady smells that tickled my nose gave a sense of calm.
I was glad there was no applause there, nor any sort of welcome. It was a place of peaceful solitude, and I liked it that way.
On the other side of the gardens lay a marble-arched hallway connecting one wing of the palace to the other. Thana took the lead, steering us towards the western wing. On entering the mass of hewn stone, she turned on her heel to face the captain and his sentries, “Liana is in need of rest, I will escort her to her quarters.”
The captain looked taken aback at the subtle command in Thana’s words, “I cannot allow the queen to be unattended, even within the walls of the palace. I will accompany you.”
“You will not,” the words squeaked past my lips before I could stop them, “I mean, am I not safe in my palace, or are you that terrible at your job, captain?” And there I go again… I could almost hear Thana’s chastising voice in my head, patience, integrity, loyalty, and honesty, those are the traits of a great leader, not pig-headedness and pride.
He had the sense to remain silent for an instant before he said, “With the recent assassination of the late queen—gods rest her eternal soul—I would think it wise to stay with you at all times. Wouldn’t you agree, Thana?”
Using Thana’s love for me as leverage. What a manipulative ass. “Fine,” I said before Thana could answer him, “Perhaps you’re right and it would be wise to have someone well trained, equipped, and trustworthy to protect me at my side.”
The captain nodded his agreement, shifting a foot forward to follow. I held up a hand, meeting his confused stare. “Alaric will escort me.”
“But, Your Majesty, I—” the captain started, but I held up my hand again to silence him, catching the slight widening of Alaric’s eyes, and the tightening of his jaw.
“My decision is final,” I said, waiting for Alaric to move into place at my side before following a tense Thana from the foyer. I called back over my shoulder, “I will see you tonight, captain, at the council meeting.”
Chapter Three
We’d encountered few others walking the halls and corridors of the palace, and I was grateful because it gave me time to admire its stunning architecture. The palace was built under the reign of Morgana, and I had to admit, she had great taste. There wasn’t a single thing about it I would change. As we rounded a bend, the stairwell leading up to the royal quarters came into view across a grand ballroom. I was excited—eager to see where I would spend my nights. Anything was better than the small, lumpy bed in the shared cottage on the isle.
Thana surprised me by not chastising me for my outburst with the captain, but if the wringing of her hands was any indication, she was only waiting until we were alone to reign the fury of the gods down on me.
Laughter echoed from another corridor to our right, the sound growing closer. Perhaps it was my imagination, but Alaric seemed to tense. Two males emerged from the corridor, spilling into the ballroom. I blinked, realizing I had stopped in my slow walk to stare.
They were identical, from their rich honey brown hair to their laughing ochre eyes. Both shirtless. My fists clenched at my sides. Why were they shirtless? Their tan skin shone in the orange glow of sunset filtering in from the arched windows, contouring each of their muscles with strokes of shadow and light. Even their faces were the same, one a perfect mirror image of the other.
The instant they caught sight of Alaric, they raced over, their wings tucked in close to their backs. Wings! I had heard of the Draconian race of the Night Court, but they were so rare. Thana told me there was only a handful left.
Once, they could shift their bodies entirely, becoming the dragons of a time long since past. Now, their descendants muddled bloodlines could still produce the leathery black wings and were said to have skin as tough as scales, but nothing more.
“Alaric!” they shouted in unison, rushing to wrap their arms around him—clap him on the back.
“How have things been?” one asksed.
“Camp isn’t the same without you. Those useless—”
The one on the right who had been speaking shut his mouth when he noticed Thana and I. The other one followed suit, and in unison, they both dropped to one knee.
“Forgive us, Your Majesty.”
Alaric cleared this throat, gesturing to the two males before us, “Your Majesty, this is Kade,” he said, pointing to the one on my right, “And Finn,” he continued, pointing to the one on the left, “They are—er—were in my unit at the Horde camp.”
The one called Kade peeked up at Alaric, “And now we’re stuck with general whatshisname.”
Alaric didn’t conceal his laugh, or the shake of his head as he said, “Apologies, majesty.
These two are trouble-makers through and through. They do not understand how to act in the presence of royalty.”
Kade waggled his thick brows at Alaric, “We were once a trio of trouble-makers if I remember correctly.”
Finn punched his brother’s arm and together they stood.
“A pleasure to meet you both. And I’m sorry for stealing away your general. He’s been very… helpful these past few days.”
Kade and Finn shared a look, and I realized what they thought I was implying. And the way they stared at me, brows furrowed as they took in the full length of me, ochre eyes mischievous and glinting with something akin to hunger. My stomach flipped, and a blush crept onto my face before I could turn away.
“The queen needs to rest,” Thana scorned, taking my arm in hers, “She has had a very long journey.”
Finn brushed a hand through his tousled hair, “Of course. We look forward to seeing you again, and welcome back at court, Your Majesty.”
Kade nodded his goodbye, bending into another small bow and they left us. Alaric watched as they walked away, shaking his head as they passed out of view and their laughter began again.
The royal quarters were not what I was expecting. The rooms themselves were grand. The parlor was large enough to fit the cottage where I grew up threefold, and the bathing room was gigantic, the black marble basin big enough to bathe three people at the same time. And the bed—the bed! It was large and covered with down pillows and duvets. A quick stroke of the sheets and I knew they were of the finest silk. But everything was white, blank… boring. The furniture was white. The bedding, white. The walls and curtains and carpets, all white.
“You should rest,” Thana said, drawing back the covers on the bed.
Despite my protests that Alaric could enter my quarters, Thana demanded that it would be improper and forced him to stand guard at the entrance.
I wandered out onto the terrace, ignoring her gentle command, taking in the night as it swept over the bay on a warm breeze. Thana came to stand beside me, sighing. “You should be more careful,” she said, pushing a stray lock of her auburn hair back from her thin face. “The captain has held his position for many years and holds a good amount of sway with the council. You shouldn’t torment him so.”
I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes at her, “You are the one who told me to act the part. To not show any weakness. I don’t trust him. Why banish all his sentries before I could arrive? That decision should have been mine to make, or at least, to weigh in on.”
She placed a light hand on my shoulder, “It was to protect you from harm. If he thought they posed a threat, I’m grateful he was quick to pass judgment, and you should be too. If those sentries had been working with the Day Court to carry out Enya’s assassination, they are traitors and could very well have been aiming to end your line.”
Then she wouldn’t like what I planned to do at the council meeting.
“I don’t believe the Day Court is responsible,” I told her.
“Then what do you believe?”
I shrugged, sighing, “I don’t know.”
She huffed, spinning on her heel, her tone threaded with exhaustion as she said, “I’ll assemble the council. Get some rest, Liana.”
Chapter Four
Entering the council chambers was like walking into a dragon’s den, except, in this case, I was the dragon. And I would not allow them to make me feel as though it were the other way around. Thana insisted that she stay behind, explaining that a handmaiden couldn’t enter the chamber anyhow and that she would like to retire to her adjoining chambers.
If the only reason had been that she wasn’t allowed to enter, I would have told her that was nonsense and she would enter the chamber with me. But I could see the weariness in her eyes and would never force her to do anything.
Alaric moved to stand outside the doorway, but I ushered him inside with us. “I’ll need you to come inside with me,” I whispered to him and his brows furrowed.
“He may not enter the chamber, majesty,” the captain said, drawing unnecessary attention to my arrival. The rest of the council stood in my honor. There were nine people seated at the long oval table, with the captain seated on the left among some of the oldest nobles in the Night Court. To the right sat a male who could only be Silas, the leader of the Horde armies, and a couple of other nobles as well as the court’s baron of finance. But it was the male at the head of the table who drew the most attention.
Adorned in a cloak of dark furs, offsetting his silvery hair and deep blue eyes, stood Edris, my father, smiling at me. “Welcome home, Your Majesty,” he said, and seemed to mean it.
My teeth clenched against the sentiment in his voice. Not trusting myself to speak to him right away, I turned my gaze instead toward the captain, “Alaric will be joining us for this meeting.”
The captain clamped his mouth shut and fell back into his seat, the rest of the council returning to their seats as well. After several minutes of forced formalities and introductions, Edris was the one to break the tension, “I think we’d all agree—we’re glad to have you back and for you to take your rightful place at court, but may I ask if there’s a reason for this meeting beyond formality?”
“Indeed,” the captain intoned, “All seems a little rushed. We didn’t expect to bring the council together until after your Blessing Ceremony.”
With an inward sigh, I clasped my hands together beneath the table, “There is another reason. I would like to make changes regarding the Royal Guard.”
After a painful silence, Edris had the decency to be the only one not to be taken aback, “What changes?” he asked simply, a note of curiosity in his tone.
“Effective immediately, I am relieving Ronan of his duties as captain. The council may decide where he would be most needed.”
A flurry of whispers broke out in the council chamber. Shock. Dismay. The emotions were plain on their faces. I noticed how Edris remained silent, meeting my eyes with an emotion more like pride. Alaric was a statue at my side, unflinching, the only indication he’d even heard what I said was the slight clenching of his jaw.
“Ridiculous!” Ronan bellowed, moving to stand. “I’ve held this position for decades.”
I stood, and the room quieted.
“Sit down, Ronan,” Edris said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Please, go on,” he continued, waving his arm in a sweeping arc across the table, looking far too amused by the whole situation.
My skin prickled at the tension in the room. Thana would say I was born for this role. You’re bossy as the gods, she would often tell me, and stubborn as a wild stallion. And my least favorite, you’ll make a fearsome queen someday. What she never said, but I’m sure she knew, is that though I hated being told what to do, what I hated even more was being the center of attention. It made my skin itch and my heart race.
I supposed now that I’d become queen, I’d have to get over that.
“Ronan will retain his place on the council,” I told them, trying to meet each set of eyes, “At least, for now,” I amended.
A red-faced Ronan spoke through clenched teeth, “And who will you appoint as captain of your Royal Guard? I hand selected those sentries—well aside from Alaric, and they won’t follow just anyone, I—”
“And I wouldn’t expect them to, which is why the three sentries you selected will also be released from their duties as Royal Guardians.” Breathe in, breathe out, pray this isn’t a mistake, “As to your first question, Alaric will assume the title of Captain of the Queen’s Guard.”
More whispers erupted in the chamber, their volume rising until they seemed to fill the space with hot air, rebounding back from the vaulted ceiling in echoes.
Alaric fell to one knee before me, bowing his head, but not before I could note how his face drained of color, “Your Majesty, I am honored, but—”
“Will you accept the position?”
He brought his head up to search my face, and I forced myself to maintain co
mposure. I wouldn’t force him to accept the position, but I hoped he would take it. When the wraiths made an attempt on my life, it was him who dove in to save me. When I was ill, it was him who aided me. And as we walked from the ship, it was him who was at my side, hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for an attack at any moment. I trusted him more than I trusted anyone else in these palace walls, aside from Thana, but Thana didn’t train in the Horde, and I doubted she could wield a blade.
He nodded once, sharp, “If it will please you, majesty, I accept. I vow to protect you until my dying breath.”
My breathing hitched at the sincerity in his voice, in the stillness of his gaze, “You have free reign to select the sentries who will serve as members of the Royal Guard at your side. I’ll give you two moons to choose who they’ll be.”
Silas, the leader of the Horde armies, stood, “Though I cannot speak to your reasoning for dismissing former Captain Ronan, I can speak to your choice of captain. Even at the top of the chain of command, I was made aware of Alaric’s bravery and skill in combat. He served as a respected leader of his regiment. It was I who nominated him as the fourth sentry to join the Royal Guard, and for good reason,” and then to Alaric, “Congratulations on your new position.”
Alaric nodded, “Thank you, general.”
Edris clapped his hands together, all too eager to have the meeting over with, he asked, “Now that that’s settled, is there anything else?”
I resumed my seat, signaling to the shifting and fidgeting dignitaries in attendance I was far from finished, “One last thing. I would like to invite an emissary from the Day Court to my Blessing Ceremony.”
Chapter Five
Chaos erupted in the chamber after that. Not a single council member supported my decision. I took each of their concerns into consideration, but none of them could change my mind. The feud with the Day Court was unjustified. There was no proof they were to blame for the fall of Enya.