Chapter One

“There are many types of rulers. Some lead with bright words and empty hands. Others carry blades, stained red. I am not a ruler. Not even close, but… I have always preferred quiet power. The kind that soothes beasts—power even silence cannot break. Those rulers? They are the ones crowns seek, for on their heads both shine without unbalancing one another. Rare, but when one appears? Light will not let them fade so easily.”

~~~

It was the height of spring in Meaia when King Eldrin visited Solarin, the gleaming city of the Solar Court. Golden spires reached toward the cloud-dotted sky. Flowers swayed in the warm breeze, dotted occasionally with the gold and soft black of drifting bees. The wheels of the Lunar Court carriage clattered rhythmically against the stones, drawing eyes as the elegant dark blue and silver carriage traveled toward its destination—the Solarian palace, home to King Sorren and his family.

It was one week before the trade agreement was to be signed—a means of bridging the emboldened warmth of the Solar Court and the elegant healing of the Lunar Court—an agreement steeped in metal ore pricing, boundary clarification… and marriage.

The city had prepared its bright welcome for King Eldrin, lining the road with extravagant displays of golden banners, stylized sun art, and flowers—verbenas in colorful multitudes, and goldenrod swaying with lavender. It was a proper welcome for the auburn-haired king, soon to bind himself in ink and promise to the Solar Court’s favored golden princess, Lady Aurelia.

By the time the carriage reached the inner gates, a crowd had formed—curious fae nobles in warm colors, lower-court shop owners adorned with golden rings, and the rare merchant or soldier pretending merely to pass through—as four dark chestnut horses, donning rich blue cloth in Lunar Court colors, pulled the carriage amid the city’s attention.

Behind the carriage rode three of the Lunar Court’s highly skilled fighters. Astride a black horse, Varen—the king’s personal guard and older dark-haired cousin—rode closest to the side of the carriage in which King Eldrin sat. His eyes never stopped scanning the crowd.

Jassa, the youngest of the three, let his horse drift closer to the onlookers, flashing a grin at two tan-skinned females with golden earrings lining their pointed ears, matching their golden collarbone marks. The shorter one giggled, while the other’s brows rose—significantly—as they passed. Jassa smirked and adjusted his bow as his sharp eyes landed on a small group of females wearing varying shades of pale orange.

The sword fighter riding beside him, Hial, guided his horse closer.

“Jassa, you are going to become the heart of half the rumors here. We are not here to flirt with court nobles,” he said, glancing toward Varen, “and you will irk him for neglecting your role.”

“You doubt me, brother. I can protect our king and impress courtly females. My skills are many.” Jassa straightened his shoulders as their horses passed the sunset-dressed group. “Did traveling make you lose your joy?”

“Perhaps you should be lost,” Hial muttered.

Varen glanced back at both of them, his stern expression one usually reserved for little ones bending the rules.

Hial eased his horse backward, and Jassa grinned faintly before adjusting his bow once more, his gaze lifting to the gleaming palace of white stone arching into the sky. Grand windows edged in gold glistened in the morning sun.

“A bit blinding,” Jassa murmured, squinting.

“If I find a river, I may toss him in,” Hial said, watching Varen lift a brow.

“It would be quieter if you both went,” Varen replied, the faint smirk already fading as he faced forward. Guards in sun-crested armor pulled the curling golden gates open. “Remember why we’re here.”

Inside the carriage, King Eldrin watched the palace gates give way to pristine gardens. A white-and-tan marble fountain stood proudly among the swaying colors, adorned with stylized suns. His blue eyes tracked it as they passed.

“If you think any harder, your magic will turn the ceiling into the night sky.”

Eldrin glanced up at the soft motes of moonlight drifting from his fingers. He stilled them and turned toward Lena, his lead advisor. Her black hair was pulled into a neat bun as she smoothed the skirts of her dress.

“Am I not allowed to think?” he asked quietly, his gaze shifting back toward the window as the carriage curved along the path toward the entry hall.

Lena studied him for a moment. “A big change, to have a wife,” she said, plucking a piece of lint from her dress where her neckline rested below her silver magic marks. Her silver-speckled eyes slid back to him. “You have been quiet.”

“And your Clarity does not need me to answer.”

“Correct. But a gift of the moon isn’t needed to understand this situation,” Lena replied, her gaze flicking to Jassa outside the carriage. He grinned at her; she raised a brow, and the century-old fae straightened at once. Her attention returned to Eldrin. “And what are you doing?”

“I am doing what must be done. Two courts of light should be united, not arguing over boundary lines.”

“One line of alliance will never stop the sun from reaching where it wishes.”

“Perhaps it will surprise you. There will be an heir tied to two thrones, as we discussed.”

“I will be rarely surprised the day Jassa does not put his boot in his mouth.”

Eldrin sighed faintly. “Enough. We need to focus.”

When Lena did not reply, he looked at her.

“Focused. Always,” she said as the carriage slowed before the steps. “Ready, King Eldrin?”

Eldrin nodded, fixing the storm-gray cuff of his formal shirt. “May we not melt.”

“One must be careful under such a golden sun,” Lena remarked, her brown eyes sparkling.

Eldrin ignored her as the carriage door opened.

~~~

Selene walked quickly down the hall, skirting around a servant carrying the last pile of clean sheets intended for the Lunar Court guests. Liana stayed close behind her.

“The main passage is nearly clear—everyone is rushing,” a male Aven servant whispered to Liana as he passed with a tray laden with goblets. The deep green plumage threaded through his hair was raised along one side.

“My lady, this way,” Liana said, guiding Selene’s arm toward a small runemark etched into the wall. “We may make it.”

Her hand brushed the rune, and the wall opened inward, revealing a long servant’s passage lit by narrow windows and the occasional light orb. Liana stepped aside, allowing Selene to enter before following her in. The wall sealed shut behind them as they hurried forward.

“Thank you, Liana,” Selene said as they reached a crossing.

“Left, my lady,” Liana replied, rounding the turn just ahead of her. “And I would prefer you escape the wrath of any royal family member.”

“May the gods be on our side,” Selene murmured as they neared the end of the passage. The wall there hummed faintly with another runelock.

Liana moved ahead, activating it. “Catch your breath. I will scout.”

“Shall I call you general now?” Selene teased, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

“If it helps—though the king may disagree.”

Before Selene could reply, Liana slipped through the opening. The stone-cooled air brushed against Selene’s skin as the wall closed once more. She drew a slow breath and glanced back down the passage, where angled light slanted softly against the stone.

“Auri is to be married soon.” Her words echoed faintly, settling into the corridor as if the walls themselves felt the weight of change. “No more chaos-filled mornings over honeyed oranges and tea.”

A sad smile tugged at her lips just as the wall opened again.

“We shall make it,” Liana whispered, stepping aside.

Selene straightened and stepped onto the gold-and-blue rug lining the entrance hall. Liana brushed a stray cobweb from her shoulder and adjusted the modest neckline of her dress, olive-colored eyes scanning her once more before she nodded.

“You are ready.”

Selene follow£‹ed her gaze toward the throne room. “May this go well, Liana—for the sake of both our courts.”

“Unity in light,” Liana said softly.

Selene nodded and began toward the throne room, Liana a few steps behind. Straightening her sleeve, Selene’s eyes drifted to a painting of the Goddess Solune on the wall. Her golden hair was the color of sunlight, and her eyes silver. The magic marks across her collarbones and neck were like vines—silver dancing with gold.

“And may Auri shine,” Selene whispered.