Page 95 of The Dragonrider and the Void
Solarian’s expression remained carefully neutral, but his eyes narrowed slightly. “And you are?”
“Lark of Sataran, a dragonrider, and bonded to Nix, a fire fae of the Night Court.”
The seneschal’s gaze shifted to Nix, who straightened under his scrutiny. “A curious arrangement,” he observed. “The Night Court does not typically permit such bonds.”
“Circumstances were... exceptional,” Nix replied carefully.
“Indeed.” Solarian returned his attention to Lark. “And what exactly do you hope to gain from an audience with our Queen?”
“Knowledge of the original binding ritual,” Lark answered honestly. “And the Summer Court’s contribution to the Vaerdium alloy necessary to perform it.”
A flicker of surprise crossed Solarian’s perfect features before he mastered it. “Bold requests from an uninvited guest. Yet the mention of Vaerdium and the Void Drinker in the same breath cannot be ignored.” He studied Lark for a long moment. “Show me.”
Understanding what he meant, Lark once again summoned the dual energies within her. This time, she allowed the purple light to spread further, illuminating the garden around them with its otherworldly glow. The plants responded, reaching toward the energy as if drawn to its unique signature.
Solarian watched with undisguised fascination. “Extraordinary,” he murmured. “The merging is nearly perfect.”
“It can be used to renew the binding,” Lark said, letting the energy fade. “But I need the knowledge of how, and the materials to do it.”
The seneschal seemed to come to a decision. “The Queen will see you. Follow me, and remember, in Her Radiance’s presence, speak only when addressed. Maintain eye contact when speaking, and under no circumstances accept any gift without first acknowledging the debt it creates.”
As he turned to lead them deeper into the floating citadel, Lark exchanged glances with Nix, who nodded encouragingly. They were about to enter the heart of the Summer Court, and with it, their first real chance of finding a way back to Sataran with the means to stop the Void Drinker.
The journey through the Summer Court’s inner chambers revealed wonders that made even the Waiting Gardens seem mundane. They passed through halls where the walls shifted like liquid gold, rooms where gravity reversed and visitors walked on ceilings, chambers where music was as visible as color and the lights performed elaborate dances in mid-air.
Throughout it all, fae nobles as beautiful as the gods only marred by their horns, closed wings, and long drooping tailswatched their passage. The strange people’s expressions ranged from curiosity to disdain. Their attire grew increasingly more elaborate the deeper they traveled into the citadel. Lark saw gowns woven from butterfly wings and morning mist, suits of armor fashioned from single gigantic gemstones, crowns of living flowers that bloomed and wilted in perpetual cycles.
Finally, they reached a massive set of doors formed from what appeared to be solid sunlight. Solarian paused before them, turning to Lark and Nix.
“The Queen awaits. Remember what I told you and know that your next words may determine not only your fate but the cooperation you seek.” He gestured, and the doors parted without sound.
The throne room beyond surpassed comprehension. It seemed simultaneously enclosed yet infinite, the ceiling opening to a sky that couldn’t possibly exist inside the citadel. Fountains of golden light erupted from the floor, twisting into elaborate patterns before raining down as motes that dissolved before touching anything. Even the air tasted of summer berries and warm honey.
And at the center of it all, seated upon a throne that appeared to be carved from a single massive sunstone, was Queen Aurelia of the Summer Court.
She was both more and less than human; taller, more radiant, her features perfect beyond reason yet somehow unsettling in that perfection. Her hair flowed around her like living gold, occasionally forming into shapes of birds, flowers, or dancing figures, before returning to cascading waves. Her gown seemed woven from the essence of sunset itself, shifting colors with each slight movement. Like the rest of the noble women, her horns were small and barely protruded above the golden crown that appeared to sprout from her head. Her wings, light and soft as satin were folded gently at her back so they werehardly noticeable. Her tail was of equal quality as her silver wings, and stretched to the ground, curling to a forked point at the tip just above the ground. When she smiled, her white fangs were hauntingly frightening and friendly all at once.
Attendants stood in ordered rows to either side of the throne, each more beautiful and terrible than the last. Their attention fixed on the visitors as Solarian led them forward, stopping at a respectful distance from the dais.
“Your Radiance,” the seneschal intoned, bowing deeply. “I present Lark of Sataran, rider of the dragon White Eye, and her bonded companion, Nix, formerly of the Night Court. They come seeking knowledge of the Void Drinker and the means to renew its binding.”
Queen Aurelia’s eyes were the color of summer lightning. They focused on Lark with an animalistic intensity. When she spoke, her voice carried the warmth of sunbaked earth and the cool promise of evening shade.
“A human who bridges dragon and fae magic stands before my throne,” she observed. “Curiosity demands I hear your tale, dragonrider. Prudence suggests I cast you out immediately.” A smile curved her perfect lips, revealing her sharp teeth. “Fortunately for you, curiosity often wins such debates in my court.”
Lark bowed, respectful but not subservient. “I am grateful for your audience, Your Radiance.”
“Are you?” The Queen tilted her head slightly. “We shall see. Tell me of this escaped entity, the Void Drinker, and why you believe the Summer Court should concern itself with the affairs of Sataran.”
Taking a steadying breath, Lark began. “The entity known as the Void Drinker has corrupted the King of Lamar, and likely the Kings of Wintermire and Skol as well. This Void Drinker has plans to expand its reach during the coming Flashover. Whenthe barriers between realms thin, it intends to tear them down completely, allowing unrestricted flow of his corruption between all worlds.”
Murmurs rippled through the assembled fae courtiers. The Queen raised a hand, and silence fell instantly.
“Continue,” she commanded.
“I’ve encountered it directly and while it’s confined to Sataran, it’s limited to our world’s power,” Lark explained. “It seeks not just passage between realms, but domination. It feeds on pure essence, the raw magic that flows through living magical beings. In Sataran, it has created servants called rimeshade by consuming and corrupting fae who were left behind after the first Flashover.”
“The abandoned sentinels,” one courtier whispered, quickly silenced by a glance from the Queen.
