"You mentioned allies, as in.. friends?" I repeated.
King Althus laughed. A real one this time. It was short and quiet, like someone remembering how to do it again.
"Yes. Friends." He leaned forward in his throne. "You might be the first in years to call me that and actually mean it."
I looked at the guy, his ridiculous posture, and matching crown that shimmered like mine. He held his shoulders like a king, but his words now carried no venom—just hope.
Aelira crossed her arms. "If you're trying to bond with us because of the crowns, I swear—"
He chuckled. "What? Two kings with ridiculous powers and emotional trauma? Sounds like a perfect duo."
I smirked. "You're not wrong."
---
Later that day...
He meant what he said.
We weren't prisoners anymore. The chains were gone. The guards bowed. And we were led through the royal halls to rooms that could only be described as…
"Massive," I whispered as the door creaked open.
A personal fireplace. Silken curtains. A golden-framed mirror. The bed was so big it could've housed a small village.
"Your room, sir," the servant bowed.
Aelira and Lucen had their own too—right across the hall. The king gave us personal quarters in the royal wing. A gesture of trust, maybe even affection.
Still... something felt weird.
---
That night
The halls were quiet. Too quiet.
Moonlight poured in through stained glass windows, casting colors over the marble. My bed was warm. I'd even started to drift off—until…
Creak.
My door opened.
I bolted upright.
"…Who's there?!"
A head peeked in.
Shimmering blond hair. Dramatic posture. Slight tremble.
Lucen.
"...What."
He stepped in.
"Don't make this weird."
"I'm literally not doing anything."
He shut the door quietly behind him, glancing over his shoulder like a child in a horror story. Then, with the grace of a cat and the awkwardness of a goat, he climbed onto the bed.
"…You're scared of the dark," I whispered, staring.
"I am not!" he hissed.
"You brought a pillow."
"And you're jealous of my pillow."
I didn't even argue. I just stared at him as he buried himself in the blankets, facing the opposite side like we were a divorced couple forced to share a bed.
"…You're the self-declared perfect being," I muttered. "Why are you like this?"
"It is not the darkness I fear," Lucen whispered like it was some noble revelation. "It is what lurks in it."
There was a long pause.
Then a chuckle.
Aelira stood at the door with crossed arms and the most smug expression I'd ever seen.
"…Should I get a second pillow?"
I groaned and shoved mine over my face.
Lucen answered before I could.
"Yes. For me. I don't share."