Later that day.
Alix doesn't return to Blackfall.
Instead, his carriage turns north, streaking across the sky toward the heart of his kingdom—Noctaris City.
The capital rises like obsidian flame from the land, dark spires crowned with glimmering wards, cascading waterfalls flowing from floating islands, and banners bearing Alix's crest billowing in the wind. At its core, the grand palace looms, its towers scraping the clouds.
Hours later, the palace gates open.
Servants bow low, but Alix says nothing. He moves through the halls in silence, each step echoing against polished stone and golden fixtures. Draya follows for a time, but at the throne room's entrance, Alix waves her off.
She stops, bows quietly, and says, "I'll have tea ready when you're done, Your Majesty."
The massive doors shut behind him.
He stands alone in the vast throne chamber. Sunlight filters through the skylight above the throne, casting long, broken shadows along the floor. And then—
shimmer
