Chapter 24: Sena - Fated to the Night King

Leah was a sweet, bubbly young woman who had no qualms about filling silence with stories about her time in the Night King's employ.

"Covenant Nights are my favorite." She claps her hands and does a twirl, her simple but well-kept dress flaring around her legs as she spins. "They have music and dancing, and it's so romantic when some of the people choose to make their covenant permanent. I think it makes King Alkan happy. He never denies them."

I watch her in the mirror of the bathing room as she easily pulls a comb through the length of my wet hair. "He can deny them?"

She bites her lip in concentration as she works to carefully pick through a snarl in my curls. "The king has to approve all covenants. He requires that all parties consent to it and are truly happy about the agreement. Used to be that the Night Court didn't have those kinds of protections for those that were claimed. He put a right stop to that business." I can almost hear her quoting Gus in that moment."

"So, he just approves them all?"

Her eyes go wide as she meets my gaze in the reflection, shaking her head. "Oh no. He's denied some covenants. Especially for that Valmont man. He's not to be trusted, that one. Miss Gus warned us all off him right quick when we each started. Pretty promises, but he has a bad reputation from before. Didn't treat his partners well. It's why he doesn't have a Source. Has to live on donations sent to him in a flask. He counts it as scorn, I've heard him say. He thinks those of us what work in the kitchens and such don't have ears. Tries to lord over us, but quiet learns things, you know. Miss Gus taught us all that."

There's a conspiratorial gleam in her eyes and she gives me a wink. "No need for you to worry, though, miss. Valmont won't come near you now that the King has claimed you. I about swooned when he made you his Source. First and only, you are. So romantic."

"What does that mean, exactly? Being someone's Source?" I didn't want to seem ignorant, but information was a necessity and choosing to rely only on Alkan to provide the things I needed to know seemed like a foolish mistake.

As expected, Leah was more than happy to explain. "A Source is someone who has been chosen to exclusively provide blood for their partner. It's a sacred designation. And the king has never had one before. He's just accepted anonymous donations that Gus sends up in a flask. But now you're here and chosen. That made quite the statement, I'll tell you. All of us girls are talking about it. Bet the boys are, too. It's a right sign of honor from Himself."

"He's never had anyone he's fed on?" My astonishment was hard to hide. As the leader of the entire Night Court, it seemed like he'd have multiple people willing to offer themselves over to him.

Leah hummed as she worked, braiding the strands that frame my face and then pulling them around to where she fastened them together at the back of my head. "None. Miss Gus says he didn't want there to be any complaints about others currying favor or him being biased when decisions need made. Him making such a public claim sends a statement to all here, you can trust that."

"Ah. I didn't know he'd had such a policy in the past."

"Well, how could you know? You're just new here, and Himself doesn't share all so much about the past. Watch and learn, you'll see. Stories I've heard of how he fought in the wars from before are right terrifying, but he's never been nothing but kind since I've been here.  Miss Gus and Mr. Danvers, they knew him from way back. He's not a bad king to serve, that much I know for certain."

Her creation complete, she stands back and gives it a critical once over, straightening a few strands before smiling down. "Perfect. You have lovely hair. And this should keep it out of your way while still looking pretty. Something my mam used to do for me before I came here."

Sadness crept across her face, at war with her almost unending happiness, but she turned away before I could offer her any sympathy.

"These clothes King Alkan had made for you are all so beautiful. I can't think how you'd ever decide what to wear. I know he said he wants to give you a tour, so perhaps these soft lined pants will do nicely. And this tunic is a good match. The embroidery was done by Alma, you can tell by her precise stitches. She learned from her mam."

Leah holds out the tunic and when I take it from her, I lay my free hand on her forearm. "Thank you for doing my hair and making me feel welcome here. I'd be glad to have a friend like you."

The sadness slips away from her face and she beams at me. "Oh, miss, you're very kind. Thank you. It's been a joy for me to help you. And I'm sure Miss Gus is glad to have me out of the kitchen for a moment or two. I'm not as good at baking bread as I am at braiding hair."

She assisted me in getting the tunic on without messing up the hair she'd spent so much time on. Once I was dressed, she opened the door for me and we entered the corridor, walking side by side. "I'm to bring you to his office," she said, guiding me with gentle nudges when we need to turn. "I hope he'll show you the garden. It's a lovely place. All kinds of things growing there. I'd have never dreamed we'd have such a thing here. One of the other girls showed me. We picked the nightberries for a pie. They're delicious."

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We passed other members of the Night Court, their curious stares impossible to miss. Leah simply greeted them and steered me away, until we stood before an imposing door, the wood grain polished to a high shine. My new friend gave me a final look, adjusted a loose strand of hair so that it framed my face more perfectly, and then knocked.

The low voice on the other side made goosebumps break out across my skin and my pulse throbbed in my wrist. The memory of his mouth there made me ache with a need I'd never experienced before. It was a craving that I couldn't deny.

The door opens and I'm greeted by the familiar faces of Gil and Chancel.

"Hello, Miss Sena," said Chancel, stepping aside to make room for me to enter. "You're looking very well."

Gil just offered a smile, which grew wider when he spotted Leah beside me. "Miss Leah, you’re a happy sight to see."

The young woman blushed and it's clear there's some connection between the two of them. I didn't have a chance to learn more before we were interrupted by a throat clearing.

"Gentlemen, you have your assignments. Please update me if you find anything of interest."

Both men made quick bows to their King, but I didn’t miss the way Gil gave the same farewell gesture of to Leah before he and Chancel disappeared into the shadows of the castle to follow the orders they were given.

We stepped into the king's study, and he stood from behind the large desk. His eyes traced over me, slowly, like he was searching for something he expected to find and then turned to my companion.

"You have my thanks, Leah. I appreciate your time assisting my Source in her preparations. Are you comfortable making your way back to the kitchens or should I call for someone to accompany you?"

She dipped her chin in recognition of the compliment, even as she shook her head. "No need, sir. Everyone here's too afraid of Miss Gus to do anything untoward to one of her girls. I'll be fine."

"As they should be," he agreed with a smirk on his face. "Truthfully, I'm afraid of her, too."

"Enjoy your night, miss. If you need me to assist you again, just send for me."

She slipped out of the room, a bounce in her step that showed how comfortable she felt in this place. It made me think of Glory, of my friends. And even myself. We never walked around the Citadel like that. We were always on guard. Braced for a blow that could come.

The Night King's Court was far different than I'd imagined.

When I returned my attention to him, Alkan's eyes had a serious, focused look in them. The moment stretched between, the room so quiet I wondered if he could feel the rapid pounding of my heart. His gaze darkened and his eyes dropped to my lips before he looked away, straightening some papers on the top of his desk before he crossed the room to me.

"Time for your tour, my little spy. Let's see what we have that might impress you."