Seven Courts of Love and Magic

Chapter 13

Nyx

    The Day Court is overtaken by golden hues of sunshine itself. Everything is a warm shade of honey, as golden as Zaria's hair. The court emblem, a glowing sun, is carved into the wall behind Lucien where he sits at the head of the table. "Uncle Lucien?" I had whispered to Zaria as he led us through the court and to the dining area. "I didn't know the two of you were close."

    She kept her chin up and head forward. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Nyx." Feeling dismissed, I didn't have anything else to say.

    Now, we sit at the long table made of golden marble, a wide array of food splayed out before us, surprisingly not all golden. Smooth sounds of a violin echo from somewhere far within the palace.

    With unspoken words, Zaria and I had decided to tell the truth—at least in part. We would tell Lucien what we knew about the absence of magic, but not what we were looking for. We couldn't risk word leaking to other High Lords about our plans to steal the orbs, lest they not agree with our actions, greedy and unwilling to cooperate.

    "So," Lucien drawls, taking a bite of his food, "tell me. What brings you to my court?"

    "We," Zaria begins slowly, "know about the magic—the absence of magic, that is."

    Lucien sets his fork down, leaning back. "Ah. I see." He folds his hands in front of himself. "And you two think you can do something about it?"

    I look to Zaria seated beside me. Her eyes darken. "We have to try."

    I swallow a bite of food. "Please, Lucien, if there's anyway you can help us."

    "Do you know anything about the orb of the Day Court?" Zaria leans forward.

    I struggle to hold back my shock at her mention of the orbs. What are you doing? I speak into her mind.

    Get out of my head.

    I clench my jaw.

    Lucien cocks his head to the side. "Not much, but...I think I can steer you in the right direction. What exactly is it that you're planning?"   

    Zaria furrows her brow. I can't tell if she's truly concentrating or acting through the lie. "No plan, not really. I just thought that maybe if we can understand the orbs we can understand what's causing the absence of magic." The lie comes easy to her, making me wonder if my trust is something I can afford to give her.

    Lucien nods, considering. "Anyway I can help, I'd be glad to."

——————

    Lucien offers us separate rooms for the night and we gladly accept, exhausted and dusty from the day spent combing through the old books. I put an arm against the door frame, blocking Zaria from entering her designated room. She raises her eyes to mine. "Move."

    "What the hell was that about?"

    She shoves aside my arm and walks inside, saying nothing.

    I follow at her heels. "You told him about the orbs. I thought we agreed not to."

    She sits on the bed and rubs her eyes. "I made a split second decision. I trust him. I did what I thought was best."

    I stand, towering over her. "We are a team in this Zaria. I can't be blindsided like that."

    She sighs and closes her eyes, her voice soft when she says, "I know." She looks at me. "Did he give you the books?'