\\ DUSK\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 7 \\

It was almost like I wasn't supposed to be the High Monarch of the Night Court. Who in their right mind would cower away from their duties over events that had taken place over three months ago?

I couldn't sway my thoughts of them.

From one man I'd fallen in love with to the other and then to the mania professed by the one who snuck to me in the twilighted night.

It seemed like things might've actually become bearable. That I could actually move on. That I could become better. That was before I was dragged away to the Eastern Court. It wasn't that I dreaded my time there— no. But something had changed me while we were there. I had not a single clue as to what that would be, though. Or did I? No, I wouldn't like to think that.

Now, the events from over three months ago seemed like they'd taken place a day ago. They protruded from the back of my thoughts— always. It was almost too heart-wrenching. It was like I'd been placed into a nightmare. I only wished for it all to stop, but I was constantly reminded in some form or another. Like the knights set to take their place as Captain of the Guard.

Nanny had desperately tried to persuade me over and over as the days of an eternal night sky progressed well into the distance from the time I returned home from Eastern Court. It was probably pitiful: what I was doing. I'd lock myself into my private chambers and not allow any intrusions. It was like I'd left the Night Court to the elder guardian of me as Nanny had taken on all of my duties when I'd done so. That bit of push she had to have me stand as the ruler of this court had died out again. I didn't question why that was but more-so I was satisfied to be eternally alone with my thoughts. Even though those thoughts were constantly reeled back to the ring in the sky, the red fire, the blue eyes of betrayal, the black blades of cold ruthlessness, the tears of blood sprinkling from a cherished life, and now the ocean waves reflecting how withering those thoughts were. They were withering.

Perhaps I was driving myself man as I laid there, cradling my legs in my arms as my forever-star looked to the purple stars above. When had they changed purple? Certainly a while ago but I could've sworn they were a glimmer of white or perhaps a baby blue? Had they been a faint yellow when I returned— no they were gold— orange? But when I looked out the window as I walked down the hall that day they looked green. Or was that the reflection of the window with the royal blue carpet? I didn't no anymore. This thought spiral had me feeling a bit of unease bile in my throat.

I sat up in the comfortable cushion of white silken bedding and blankets. That was what my bed was— a round disk of silken cozy cloth that was capsuled by the large circular gold tin. It was like a bird's nest, in a way. Well, if a bird's nest could float in the sky. Below was nothing of darkness, save if one could see in the night with my impeccable vision and find the running water far far below the mountain's palace that barely caught a single glint of the stars above. The tower that surrounded my quarters bore no windows. I had plenty of open views from above and below. The only surface one could stand on here was, well the bed, but also the small black glossy platform that also held the door leading into the palace halls.

The only way to get to it was by flying. This was why I'd allowed my silver wings to sprawl from my back— from the silver stone of scabbed scars— and let a few faint swoops of their might cary my weight to that platform. I hesitated, lifting my hand to the dark metallic feather carvings of the door. Part of my mind pressed for me to open it, to step out from my confined state. The other begged me not to, afraid of the results it would bring. I should've listened.