Nocturne

☼ Chapter Fourteen ~ Aurora ☼

Aurora left the House with Elios just a step behind.

The sun began to rise, painting the streets and houses behind her in the gold of a new day as she strode with confidence towards the palace. Her eyes seemed to glow with righteous rage, yellow irises blazing with a coruscating and vengeful fire.

There were guards at the gates, of course, but a look from Elios combined with Aurora's anger convinced them to let the pair through without fuss.

"Wake the king," commanded Aurora, though she had a hunch that someone of royal blood was already awake. The guards looked hesitantly towards Elios, who merely nodded, a smile of equal parts pride and worry gracing his features.

"There's no need," came a deep voice from around the corner. The speaker strode into view and the soldiers bowed deeply. "Your Royal Highness! The Lord Elios and this... woman are demanding to speak with his majesty your father. Should we admit them?" asked one.

The prince waved a hand dismissively. "I'll take care of it. Lord Elios must have his reasons for barging in at this hour. Get back to work."

The guards bowed respectfully and returned to their posts as the prince ushered the two down the hallway.

The Prince of Light turned and gestured to the golden watch Elios still wore, ignoring Aurora completely. "Elios, you of all people should know that it is only seven. The rest of my family is in their room still. You're lucky I like to watch the sunrise. Most people would be beheaded for storming in at such an hour." For the first time, the prince seemed to notice Aurora.

"What's so important that you would bring this child to the palace at this hour with no warning, High Priest?"

Aurora fumed. She was only three years younger than him!

Elios inclined his head. "That is for Aurora to state, as she is the High Priest."

The prince frowned, for the first time noticing the golden belt around her waist. His eyes flickered upwards and he seemed to take a step back when he noticed the shade of her eyes. Aurora noticed he wasn't very observant.

"We do have a lot to talk about, don't we?"

The prince told them to wait in the throne room while he fetched his father and mother, which Aurora found a little flattering. He was gone over a half-hour before he returned with the king and queen.

Queen Surya had long blonde hair framing her delicate features and perfect caramel skin. She looked young- about 25, not the 42 she actually was. Her dress was deceptively simple in yellow and pale orange, perhaps due to being woken unexpectedly, though she had found the time to weave a scarf of shimmering transparent orange around her shoulders and place her crown of yellow flowers on her head.

King Arun, on the other hand, looked every bit a muscular 45-year-old, his blonde hair greying and wrinkles creasing his brow. He wore far more impressive attire- a formal robe of red-embroidered white velvet. A crown of gold and ruby ringed his head in a dramatic starburst. He scowled as he settled himself into his throne.

"Well?" he demanded. Aurora and Elios raised their heads. "Your majesty," said Aurora, almost hissing the words, "We have come to address a few important matters."

The king raised an eyebrow, missing the disdain in Aurora's voice. "Obviously. Now hush, little girl. I don't know why the old man brought you here, but you'll stay quiet and stay out of the way!"

Aurora didn't flinch. She looked him square in the eyes and said one word, one word that left the mighty King as breathless as if he'd been punched.

"Chrysos."

The king stood, his face ruddy with fear and anger. He walked out, and Queen Surya followed, shooting a worried glance over her shoulder. Only Prince Aelius stayed.

He shot Aurora a curious look. "How are you still alive?" he asked, slightly amused.

Aurora grinned mirthlessly. "He's killed me before."

Aelius smiled and shook his head. "Well then." He tilted his head at her. "What does "chrysos" mean?"

Aurora smiled and strode towards the door. "I can show you if you'd like."

Aelius grinned. "I'd love that."

Aurora guided him through his own home to a treasure she'd never seen but knew intimately, heard calling her through layers of stone and metal. It surprised her she'd never noticed until then. It was a call louder than any horn, a beacon brighter than any lightning.

The hilt was pleasantly hot in her hand, buzzing and humming. A golden light rose from the blade and from Aurora herself, wreathing them both in sunlight. Aurora turned to the prince and pointed it towards him, his eyes wide with shock.

"How?"

She only smiled, and collapsed without warning.

Far away, the last High Priest smiled to himself.