𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟔// 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬

“Alright.” Alabaster sat down across the table from Nico and Hazel. “I got everything lined up with an Aureole sorcerer. They should be doing the same thing as we speak.” He set his gaze on Nico. “You know basic magic?” Nico shook his head. “That’s fine.” 

“How long will it take to learn?” Nico asked. 

“Just for this single spell? Maybe an hour.” He gestured at the papers and pens scattered on the tabletop. “Let’s get to it, then.” 

They started small, from teleporting bits of paper around the room, to the room next door, a fellow sorcerer across the palace. Alabaster taught Nico how to imagine his power consuming the paper, before envisioning the place he wanted it to go to. Pretty soon, Nico could teleport it to the Aureole sorcerer Torrington mentioned. 

“You’re a fast learner,” Torrington said. A piece of paper appeared next to him, and he smiled. “Looks like Solace is as well.” He passed Nico another paper. “Write something on it that the prince would recognize.” 

Nico jotted down I love you without thinking, then went red. Hazel grinned. He put his hand over it and did what Alabaster had told him, recalling Will’s face as he summoned his power. It vanished with a burst of shadow. 

“Now we just wait to see if the prince gets it.” 

Barely a minute later, the paper reappeared. At the bottom of the paper, I love you, too, was in Will’s writing. Nico smiled, feeling a burst of warmth in his chest.  

Alabaster smiled as well. “Anything else you need to know for now?” 

Nico shook his head, before switching the subject. “You’re getting crowned today, right?” 

Alabaster nodded, his smile growing bigger with either nervousness or excitement. “I’ll have to start getting ready around four or so.” 

“I’m happy for you.” 

“Thank you.” 

Another piece of paper appeared next to Nico, in Will’s writing as well. I’ve missed you so much, you idiot. 

Alabaster stood up, unable to hide his grin. “You clearly have a lot to catch up on. I’ll leave you to it.” 

Nico didn’t even wait for the others to leave before grabbing the paper and scribbling on it, How have you been? Everything alright? 

Fantastic, was the reply. I was struggling with some weird fatigue for a few days, but the healers are working on figuring out what I need, and I’m doing a lot better. 

I’m glad. 

Nico paused for a moment, not knowing what to say next. He had thought he would be bursting with things to tell Will, but he was simply content to stare at Will’s lovely handwriting. Gods, he was hopeless. 

He didn’t have to, though, since Will sent the paper back with quite the topic. I yelled at the Council a few days ago and I am so proud of myself. 

Nico laughed out loud. You should be! Tell me everything! When Will sent a paragraph detailing the event, he couldn’t stop grinning. I would’ve paid money to see that. 

I wish you were there. 

Nico’s smile turned a bit sad. Longing. I’ll be seeing you, right? You’re coming to my coronation? 

Absolutely! It’s a huge event! All the Aureole nobility want to be there! 

I can’t wait.