Page 102 of The Dragonrider and the Void
“This will be your second binding with our court. Do you understand what you’re offering?” Lord Noctis asked, his voice once again gentle. “Such oaths cannot be broken without severe consequences to your very essence.”
“I understand,” Lark confirmed. “And I offer it freely.”
Lord Noctis exchanged glances with Lady Umbral, some silent communication passing between them. Finally, he turned back to Lark.
“Very well. The Night Court will hear your oath and consider your request.” He gestured, and servants appeared bearing a small black box. “But first, Nix the deserter must account for her actions. Her fate will determine how much faith we place in your words.”
Nix drifted forward, her flame dimming anxiously. “My lord,” she began, her voice barely audible. “I accept whatever judgment you deem appropriate.”
Lord Noctis’s star-eyes fixed on her with piercing intensity. “You were assigned to observe the human child, to report on dragon magic in Sataran, nothing more. Yet you formed a bond, shared our secrets, disappeared from our sight for decades.” His voice hardened. “Explain yourself.”
Lark watched as Nix seemed to gather her courage, her flame brightening slightly.
“At first, I followed my instructions precisely,” she began. “I observed, I reported. But as time passed, I saw something in Lark that transcended my assignment. When she first came to the fae realm, we struck a contract. The right for our bond to form. One that has been honored to this day.”
“Your contract was an oversight certain members of our court were unable to comprehend. Your language was a trick,” he snarled.
“It was not a trick. It was the truth. She is the one the prophecy speaks of. The one who will form a bridge between realms,” Nix replied.
“The prophecy was not yours to interpret,” Lady Umbral interjected sharply.
“No,” Nix acknowledged. “Once our contract was forged, the pendant connected us. Our essences began to merge, and I knew the truth of it. This was not just any human child. This was the one who would bring the vessel foretold, the one who could channel both powers without being consumed by either.”
Lord Noctis leaned forward. “So, you leveraged the lesser Lords and Ladies into offering you this contract. You exceeded your authority, and why, because of your personal conviction?”
“Out of necessity,” Nix countered with surprising firmness. “The signs were there for those willing to see them. TheVoid Drinker was stirring even then, its corruption spreading slowly beneath notice. The original binding was weakening. The rimeshade were growing stronger. I chose to prepare Lark as best I could, knowing the time would come when both realms would need her.”
The throne room fell silent as Lord Noctis considered her words. Finally, he gestured, and a servant opened the black box, revealing an ingot similar to the Solarium but completely opposite in nature. Where the Summer Court’s essence glowed golden, this metal absorbed light, creating a perfect void in the shape of an ingot.
“Umbrium,” Lord Noctis announced. “The essence of Night’s mysteries and revelations.” His star-eyes shifted to Lark. “Make your oath, dragonrider, and we shall see if your conviction matches that of your fae companion.”
Lark stepped forward, aware that every word now carried the weight of magical binding. She placed her hand over her heart, feeling the warmth of the Solarium against her chest.
“I, Lark, as a dragonrider of Sataran, do swear that upon successful binding of the Void Drinker, I will establish permanent gateways between Sataran and the fae realm. These passages will be maintained by representatives from both worlds, ensuring neither bears the burden alone. The Night Court’s contribution to both bindings will be acknowledged in full, and efforts will be made to restore those corrupted by the Void Drinker’s influence. This I swear by both my bonds, dragon and fae, with the understanding that breaking this oath will sever those bonds permanently.”
As she spoke the final words, the dual energy within her surged. Purple light flared around her form, settling into a visible aura that pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat. The magic of the oath had taken hold, binding her to her promise as surely as chains.
Lord Noctis watched with evident satisfaction. “The oath is accepted.” He lifted the Umbrium ingot from its box, holding it out toward Lark. “Take this, with the understanding that unlike Summer’s gift, ours comes with no additional obligation. Your oath is payment enough.”
Lark accepted the Umbrium carefully. Where the Solarium had been warm and lightweight, this metal was cool and surprisingly dense, seeming to pull her hands downward with more force than its size suggested.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, securing the ingot alongside the Solarium.
Lord Noctis settled back on his throne. “Two courts have now acknowledged your quest, dragonrider. But Spring and Winter remain. The former values new beginnings, the latter respects endings. Both will require conviction to convince.” His star-eyes gleamed. “And time grows short in your realm, if what you say about the Flashover is true.”
“Then we should depart immediately,” Lark replied.
“Indeed. But you will not face those challenges with your current escort.” Lord Noctis gestured, and a tall figure emerged from the shadows beside his throne. “Umbra will accompany you, alongside your Summer Court guards. Her presence will facilitate your passage through our territory to the Spring Court domain.”
Umbra stepped forward, her expression carefully neutral, though Lark could sense her displeasure at the assignment.
“As for Nix,” Lord Noctis continued, turning his attention to the fire fae. “Your actions, while unauthorized, appear to have been guided by genuine concern for both realms. Your judgment is suspended until the outcome of this quest is known. Should the dragonrider succeed, your desertion will be pardoned. Should she fail...” He left the consequence unspoken.
Nix bowed deeply. “Thank you for your mercy, my lord.”
With a final, imperious nod, Lord Noctis rose. “The audience is concluded. May your journey be swift, dragonrider. Both realms await the outcome of your quest.”
As they were escorted from the throne room, Lark fought to contain her relief. Two courts down, two to go. The weight of the metal ingots against her chest reminded her of their progress, but also of how much remained to be done.
