Chapter 49: Alkan - Fated to the Night King

I woke, the strange tension in my muscles telling me that this was earlier than usual. The sun still ruled the sky.

Since bonding with Sena, I’d been less affected by the sun’s presence. I’d even climbed to the top room and stood near the edge of light that fell through the window. Holding my hand out into the golden ray, I hadn’t been burnt. At least, not for the few seconds I dared test my hypothesis.

But it wasn’t the sun that had awakened me.

It was the pain of separation. The stretching of the bond in my center, pulled nearly to its limit.

And I knew she was gone.

I was out of bed and dressed in moments, opening my door to find Gil waiting there.

“Where is she?” I snarled, needing to hear the answer. Confirm what I already felt sure of.

“She’s returned to the Citadel.”

Anger surged through me, powered by grief and worry, and I rushed at him. He ducked away, wincing as my fist glanced off his shoulder.

“Alkan, don’t do this.” Danvers was there, exactly as I should have suspected. Sena had roped him into this course of action, convinced him to let her go. She hadn’t even thought to discuss it with me. Because she knew I’d refuse. Would never let her go alone. “She has a plan. She knows what she’s doing.”

I wanted to laugh, but it was too painful.

“A piece of my soul is gone,” I growled, and I was already strapping on my weapons. Weapons I hadn’t had need to use in a very long time.

Had hoped I might never need to use again.

Danvers watched me from the corner, and I saw when understanding landed. “Oh, my. It’s that powerful?”

“It is.”

“She’s planning to return.” He said it as if I would have questioned that. I didn’t. Her blood told me all I needed to know when I was inside her.

She loved me. She’d accepted the bond.

She just hadn’t known enough to realize how much separation would weaken us.

And she was going to face Thalon on her own.

“She took vials of the cure with her.” Danvers said it quietly and it made complete sense. The urgency, why she hadn’t brought it to me. Allowed me to help.

Because people she cared about didn’t have time to wait.

“Gil and Chancel, choose the best we have on the patrol. You’ll need to follow me once the sun has gone down. Danvers, stay here and guard our guests. If Thalon figures out they’re here, he’ll come after them. Claim we trespassed, kidnapped his kin, or something like that. Anything to justify a war. Tell Gus as well. She needs to be prepared for a siege, should it come to that. Or retreat.”

His eyes went wide, and I felt bad for frightening my friend.

“It’s unlikely, but I’d rather she has every option ready should it be needed. We’ve done the drills. She knows what to do.”

The cloak in the back of the wardrobe waited and I hesitated before taking it out and pulling it on.

I felt the old me returning. It was the Mantle of Night, settling on my shoulders once more. The magic woven within the fabric was heavy, turning it from simple cloth into something almost like armor. I hadn’t passed it on when I took over the crown. Wanted to do things differently, so an executioner wouldn’t be necessary. No one else would have to carry the weight of those decisions. Those were mine alone. And so was this.

“It’s hours before sunset, Alkan. Will you be able to make it through?”

I pulled the hood up, the full weight of the magic wrapping around me. “The moon reflects the sun’s rays, Danvers. I have Her protection already. I’ll be fine.”

Before I walked away, I thought of one final thing.

“Danvers, should it be needed, bury me with the Night Roses.”

I turned away, walking steadily toward the secret exit of the castle.

I heard his answer.

Sad. Reluctant. Firm.

“As you wish, my King.”