𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟗// 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

The music room hadn’t been used by the royals for years. So when Will slipped into the room on his downtime, he was surprised the place was still kept spotless. The piano shone in the light of the lanterns. 

Leaning his cane against the wall, Will sat down at the piano bench, running his hands along the ivory keys. He stumbled his way through an old song, trying to hum along, cringing at every discordant note. 

Technically, he had only promised to sing for Nico, but he didn’t see how he could sing without an instrument. He hadn’t played the piano in years, though he could still recall some of the basics.  

Playing by ear wasn’t the best, and he couldn’t remember what key to hit next. He slammed his hands onto the keys, swearing with the crash of notes. 

A familiar laugh behind him, and he nearly jumped off the bench. He turned to see his mother standing in the doorway, smiling. 

“What song is that called?” she teased. 

He couldn’t help but return her smile. “Frustration.” 

She walked over and leaned against the piano. “I haven’t seen you play in a while.” 

“Do you still play?” he asked. 

“Sometimes.” She sat next to him and reached for the keys. Her song turned out much better, though she did stumble a bit here and there. 

“Can you teach me to sing again?” he blurted. “And play?” 

She grinned. “Of course.” She glanced at the clock. “I have a few hours. I can teach you a few of the fundamentals.” 

☀️☀️☀️ 

“This is impossible,” Nico groaned, glaring at the notebook and mess of crossed out words. “I can’t do this.” 

“You can’t force creativity,” Reyna pointed out, spinning in her chair, tapping her book on her leg. “Better to try another time, I guess. When you’re in a better headspace.” 

“Can I read what I have so far?” 

“Of course.” 

“Don’t judge me, okay?” Nico joked. He swallowed, took a breath. “‘He gave me two choices, two paths. Go back to the life I once loathed, and pick up the pieces. Or forge onward, and create something new. I chose the latter. I chose him. And never once have I regretted it.’” He made a face. “It’s okay, I guess. Might scrap it.” 

“I like it.” Reyna smiled playfully. “I wonder who it is about.” 

Nico rolled his eyes, smiling back. “We both know I’m not good with subtlety.” 

A comfortable pause. Reyna broke it. “Hazel sent out the decree yesterday, right?” Nico nodded. “Anything new?” 

“Nothing yet.” Nico crossed his arms. “But it was only yesterday. This is going to take time.” 

Nico could still barely believe that it was all real—that the woman who raised him might be out there. He didn’t want to get his hopes up; knowing Abaddon, he probably killed her to make sure his secret was safe. But he allowed himself to wonder about her. 

He wondered what she looked like, if she would even recognize him. Abaddon had specifically chosen her to raise him until Bryce could train him. She was someone either loyal enough to keep Abaddon’s secret, or too afraid to speak up. He didn’t know which was worse. 

A sudden thought came to him, sending a jolt of fear through his gut. What if she had joined the Black Hand after Abaddon died? What if she was now dead or being held in the cells beneath the palace? He took a deep breath, trying to make his racing thoughts slow. He shouldn’t jump to such absurd conclusions. He needed to be realistic. There was no point in worrying. 

“Earth to Nico?” 

He jumped, and she laughed. “Sorry,” he muttered, face burning. “I spaced out.” 

Before she could respond, there was a knock on the door. He called them in, and a servant poked their head into view. “Are you ready, sir?” they asked. 

He nodded, standing from the bed. Reyna bumped shoulders with him and said, “You’re gonna be fine. Nothing to be afraid of, remember?” 

He smiled, and this time, he felt no fear. “Of course.” 

☀️☀️☀️ 

The stage was a simple thing crafted in the city square. Through the carriage window, Nico could already see all of the people packed around it. He was pleasantly surprised to find that he was only a little nervous, even though the ritual was going to be a bit painful. 

He stepped out of the carriage, and hundreds of eyes turned to him. He gave a practiced smile, before making his way up the stairs of the stage. 

At the top of the stairs was Head Sorcerer Torrington, watching his approach with a matching smile. In his hands was an unornamented knife. To his right was Hazel, hands clasped in the folds of her robes. 

Nico’s smile widened when he reached them, and the three walked to the center of the stage. Hazel raised her voice, and an immediate hush fell over the crowd. 

“There have been rumors circulating about Nico Levesque, so we are here today to put them to rest.” She pointed to the Head Sorcerer. “Sorcerer Torrington bears a blade that glows when it comes in contact with the blood of a Shade royal. He will use it on me first, to prove its credibility, then on Nico.” She smiled at the sorcerer, extending her arm. “No use keeping them waiting.” 

Nico winced as the blade cut her. A brilliant radiance spilled from it, apparent even in the daylight. The knife was sterilized with a quick spell, before the sorcerer stepped toward Nico. Alabaster extended his hand. “Are you ready?” Nico let him take his wrist, not allowing his hands to shake. He kept his face carefully neutral as the blade pierced his arm. 

Warmth spread over him, and lo and behold, the knife glowed as bright as before. After several moments, Alabaster pulled the knife back, watching as Nico’s blood dripped onto the stage floor, not letting go of his wrist. He turned to the audience with a faint smile. “The magic of the blade doesn’t lie.” He raised Nico’s arm into the air, shouting, “Hail, the lost child of Abaddon, and the heir of the Shade Kingdom!” 

Applause thundered through the square, echoing off the buildings. Nico grinned, a bit delirious, hoping his shaking wasn’t painfully obvious. 

A voice whispered in the back of his head, This doesn’t mean that they trust you. They have no reason to. 

He shoved the thoughts to the back of his head, swallowed his fear, and tried to enjoy how Hazel was smiling at him.