What starts as a flicker ends as a blaze.
What now?
The shrill buzz of my phone yanked me out of sleep, cutting through the peaceful quiet like a dagger. My hand fumbled on the bedside table, knocking something over before I finally found the device. Sorcerer Lord-Not-So-Mighty.
I stared at it for a moment, debating. Then I declined the call and let the phone drop back onto the table with a dull thud. Whatever Livius wanted could wait.
I turned my head, still groggy, and caught sight of Flamma hovering nearby. The little fireball was unusually subdued, flickering softly as if it had been waiting for someone to stir. Its warm glow painted the dim room in muted reds and golds, casting a comforting light.
As I propped myself up on one elbow, my gaze drifted to Lil. She was still fast asleep, her features softened in the haze of morning. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow, a sharp contrast to the white sheets, and one hand was tucked beneath her cheek, the other curled loosely at her side.
For a moment, I forgot about the phone, the call, and everything that waited beyond this room. I let my eyes trace the curve of her face, the delicate slope of her nose, the faint rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She looked different like this—calm, vulnerable in a way I rarely got to see.
Flamma flickered closer, its light growing brighter as it hovered near me. I reached out absentmindedly, letting it hover over my hand, its warmth a soothing presence.
The phone buzzed again, insistent and relentless. Sorcerer Lord-Not-So-Mighty.
I groaned, throwing my head back against the pillow. The vibrations rattled against the table, refusing to be ignored. Flamma pulsed lightly beside me as if sharing my irritation, while Lil stirred faintly but didn't wake.
With a heavy sigh, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, grabbed the phone, and stood. The cool floor sent a small shock up my spine as I tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind me.
By the time I swiped to answer, my voice was already sharp. "What?"
"Finally!" Livius's voice rang through the line, his tone equal parts relief and annoyance. "I was beginning to think you'd died."
"I was sleeping," I muttered, leaning against the wall in the hallway. "You should try it sometime."
"Not when there's so much work to do," he shot back. "We need you to make an appearance, Shay. The magical community is in chaos after the battle with the Time Mage. Rumors are flying, and if we don't establish control of the narrative now, we'll lose any semblance of order."
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, already feeling the weight of the day pressing in. "Why is this my problem, Livius? You're good at talking. Declare whatever you want."
"Don't play coy," he said, his voice firm. "You were the central figure in that battle. Everyone knows it. Whether you like it or not, you've become the face of this. Your subjects, your allies—they need to be present. This isn't just about you. It's about the alliances you've built and the power you represent."
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What exactly are you planning?"
"A formal declaration," he said, his tone decisive. "We'll address the magical community, confirm the Time Mage's defeat, and set the stage for the next steps. If we don't, chaos will follow."
I leaned against the wall, staring down the dimly lit hallway. Flamma had followed me, its light flickering impatiently at my side. "Fine. When and where?"
"This afternoon at my council chamber," Livius replied quickly, sensing my reluctant agreement. "I'll handle the arrangements. Just make sure you and your... entourage are there."
I grunted in acknowledgment and hung up without another word, sliding the phone into my pocket. For a moment, I stood there, staring at the door to the bedroom, where Lil was still asleep.
Great. Just what I needed—another public spectacle.
I scrolled through my contacts, landing on Alex's nickname. The phone rang twice before his groggy voice picked up.
"Shay? It's early..."
"Lil and I will be there in ten for breakfast. Be ready," I said, cutting him off.
A pause, then a groan. "What—you're bringing her here? Do I even have enough—"
"You'll manage," I interrupted. "Coffee, eggs, whatever's quick. See you soon."
I hung up before he could argue further.
Turning back to the bedroom, I leaned against the doorframe, watching Lil for a moment. Her hair was a tangled mess on the pillow, and her face was relaxed in a way I rarely saw when she was awake. A flicker of guilt crossed my mind—she deserved the extra sleep—but Livius's interruption had set my morning in motion.
Crossing to the bed, I crouched down to her level and spoke softly. "Lil."
She stirred, murmuring something unintelligible as she pulled the blanket higher.
I smirked, leaning closer. "Wake up. I've got breakfast plans."
One eye cracked open, then the other. "Breakfast plans?" she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.
"At my place," I said. "Alex is cooking."
She blinked slowly, processing, then stretched with a groan. "Is this a bribe for waking me up?"
"Call it a peace offering," I said, standing and offering her my hand. "Come on. Let's not keep Alex waiting."
Lil took my hand with a small, amused smile, letting me pull her up. "He's going to love us dropping in unannounced."
"Exactly why we need to be on time," I said, already moving to grab my pants and shirt.
Lil stretched, rolling her shoulders as she stood, still drowsy but starting to wake up. She slowly pulled up her pants and changed her blouse. I handed her jacket to her, trying not to smirk at how she blinked at me like she hadn't fully decided whether to forgive me for the early morning summons.
"Fine," she muttered, slipping it on. "But Alex better have decent coffee. None of that instant garbage."
"Alex will manage," I said, pulling on my coat.
Lil adjusted the collar of her jacket, her movements casual, but there was something about the way she glanced at me, a softness in her gaze that caught me off guard. The room was quiet except for the rustle of fabric, and for a moment, the rest of the world felt distant.
I stepped closer, catching her chin gently with my hand. Her eyebrows lifted in question, but before she could say anything, I leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn't rushed or fleeting—it was deliberate, the kind of kiss that made the air between us still. She froze for a heartbeat, then melted into it, her hands finding my shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
When we broke apart, her eyes searched mine, and her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Is this another peace offering?"
"Call it motivation," I murmured, brushing my thumb over her cheek.
"Motivation?" she echoed, amusement flickering in her tone.
"To survive breakfast without burning anyone," I said, letting my hand drop and stepping back.
She laughed softly, the sound lingering in the space between us as we headed toward the door. "Fair enough, Shay. Fair enough."
Lil's teleportation was smooth as always, the world bending and snapping back into place as we appeared in my living room. The faint scent of coffee and sizzling food greeted us.
"Morning!" Alex called from the kitchen, his voice overly chipper for this early hour. He had a towel slung over his shoulder, a pan in one hand, and an assortment of ingredients scattered across the counter. "You're late, but I'm feeling generous, so breakfast is still happening."
Lil raised an eyebrow at the sight, her lips quirking.
We moved toward the dining table, which was half-set, as though Alex had started preparing but got distracted mid-task. My eyes scanned the chairs. Alex's place was cluttered with his usual mess of half-folded napkins. My spot and Lil's were clear.
Rolo's seat, however, was empty.
I wasn't surprised. He'd been missing from the table more often than not lately, burying himself in research or whatever else was consuming him.
Alex must have noticed my glance because he spoke up without turning around. "If you're wondering, Rolo's still locked in his room. Didn't even come down for cocoa."
"Of course, he didn't," I muttered, sliding into my chair.
Lil placed a hand on my shoulder briefly before sitting beside me, her gaze flicking toward the empty seat. She didn't comment, though, and I appreciated the silence.
Alex clattered a plate onto the table, startling me out of my thoughts. "All right, my Grumpy King, here's your sustenance. And for you, Queen of Flames," he added, placing another plate in front of Lil with a flourish.
Lil smirked. "Careful, Alex. That might actually qualify as a compliment."
"Enjoy it while it lasts," he shot back, grinning.
I leaned back in my chair, letting their banter wash over me. It was a small, fleeting moment of normalcy, and I'd take what I could get. Even if Rolo wasn't here, even if the weight of the Moonlight Casket's magic still hung in the air, the warmth of my friends made the world feel a little less heavy.
Alex dropped into his seat with a plate that looked like it had been prepared for a small army. Eggs, bacon, toast, and an unnecessary mountain of hash browns teetered precariously as he balanced it. He eyed my plate—which was decidedly modest in comparison—and smirked.
"Breakfast is fuel," he declared, digging in with enthusiasm.
Lil gave him a sideways glance. "It's also supposed to be humanly possible to finish."
"Watch and learn." He winked before shoving an unreasonably large forkful into his mouth.
I waited until he'd gotten into the rhythm of eating, letting the sounds of clinking cutlery fill the room. Once his plate was halfway demolished, I decided to break the news.
"Livius called earlier," I started, cutting through the casual atmosphere like a blade. Both Lil and Alex glanced up at me, though Alex's focus never entirely left his food.
"What's does he want this time?" Alex asked, his mouth half-full.
I didn't bother chastising him. "He's planning a public declaration about the battle with the Time Mage. He wants me front and center for it—along with all of you."
Alex froze mid-chew. For a second, I thought he might choke. He managed to swallow but immediately coughed, grabbing for his water as his eyes widened.
"You're kidding me!" he wheezed.
"Nope." I took a calm sip of cocoa, though the edge of irritation lingered in my voice.
Lil, on the other hand, didn't move. Her fork hovered halfway to her lips as her expression froze, unreadable. Slowly, she set her fork down and fixed me with a sharp look.
"A public declaration?" she echoed, her tone measured.
"Exactly that," I said, leaning back in my chair. "He wants to gather the magical community and let them know what happened—and, I'm guessing, to position himself as the voice of authority while he's at it."
"Of course he does," Alex muttered, his initial shock giving way to exasperation. He jabbed his fork at me, his breakfast momentarily forgotten. "And you're just going to go along with it?"
I shrugged. "It's not exactly optional. Since it's bound to happen with or without me, it's better to play along and control the story."
Lil's expression hadn't changed, but her fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the table, a subtle sign of her unease. "And he expects us to just… show up?"
"More or less," I said. "You've got half a day to mentally prepare yourselves. Breakfast first, panic later."
Alex groaned, burying his face in his hands. "I hate this already."
Lil finally exhaled, picking up her fork again, though her movements were slower now. "This will be a circus," she muttered, but there was something resigned in her tone.
"It always is," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "But I'll make it worth attending at least."
Alex peeked at me from behind his hands. "That's not as comforting as you think it is."
Lil gave a quiet chuckle, though the tension didn't fully leave her posture. "Knowing Shay, it'll probably involve him saying something that makes Livius regret ever inviting him."
"That's the plan," I said with a faint smirk. "If I'm going to be paraded around, I might as well enjoy it."
Alex groaned again, flopping back in his chair dramatically. "You're impossible. You know Livius is going to try to milk this for all it's worth. You really think you can outmaneuver him in his own game?"
"I don't need to outmaneuver him," I said, leaning forward slightly. "I just need to remind everyone why I'm the Hueless King. People listen to him because he's loud and relentless. People listen to me because they don't have a choice."
Lil's eyes glinted with amusement, but she didn't say anything, just took another bite of her breakfast.
"Great," Alex muttered, gesturing wildly with his fork. "So we're all just extras in the Hueless King Show now. Can't wait for the memes."
I finally cracked a smile. "Don't act like you don't thrive on the attention, Alex. You love those memes more than anyone else."
Alex huffed but didn't deny it, instead shoving another forkful of food into his mouth. I finished my cocoa.
"You're coming with us, right?" I asked after a moment looking at Lil.
She glanced at me, her smirk fading into something more genuine. "Of course. I wouldn't throw you to the wolves without me."
"Wolves is a strong word," Alex said through a mouthful of hash browns. "They're more like really aggressive sheep in fancy robes."
Lil laughed, and for a moment, the heaviness of the situation felt a little less suffocating.
"Eat up," I said, standing and stretching. "We'll need all the energy we can get for this circus."
"Speak for yourself," Alex muttered, eyeing his half-finished plate. "I'm already carb-loading for emotional support."
Lil shook her head, hiding a smile behind her hand. As I left the table to refill my coffee, I caught Flamma hovering near the doorway, looking both curious and cautious.
Even the little fireball seemed to sense we were heading into something messy.