Tieran sat on his throne at the far end of the room on a raised dais. The seat was an intricate carved stone with precious white gems that sparkled like stars spread across the surface.
The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of great battles. The floor was a polished marble, reflecting the light of the crystal chandeliers above. Before the throne, a large, ornate rug led to a pair of dark wooden doors which swung open as the Lords of Darkhaven entered. Tieran's siblings along with them.
"So the rumours are true," Lord Nash smiled a toothy smile as they all came to a stop before the throne, "My King," Lord Nash bowed and the others followed suit, "You have indeed returned,"
"Councillors," Tieran greeted.
"I do not know why you've bothered to return," Lord Kô said, "We've governed quite well without your guidance,"
"How dare you!" Dana boomed.
"It's no lie," Nash said, "My Lord is but a relic of the past, a fossil from a bygone era. You've abandoned us, left us to fend for ourselves, and we've had to deal with the consequences of your absence. How now do you expect us to simply bow down and accept your rule once more?"
"It's been over 70,000 years since you sat in that seat, my lord. How sure are you that it still belongs to you?" Kô added as he shot a side glance to Kieran who shifted slightly.
"70,000 years is a mere trifle of time," Tieran replied, "My claim to the throne is not measured in years, but in bloodlines, sacred oaths, and the ancient traditions of our people. The seat may have gathered dust, but my right to it remains unwavering,"
"Except, it hasn't been gathering dust," Ivelle said, "Lord Kieran has ruled in your absence," Tieran narrowed his eyes and flexed his jaw, "It is no secret that Darkhaven has been in unrest for millennia while you were gone,"
Tieran knew this was coming. They doubted him. He had to win their trust and loyalty back. If he was going to save his people once more, he needed the lords to fight alongside him, "What do you suggest?" he asked.
Ivelled smiled, "A show of strength that you have not weakened in your time away. The mountains of Kha'vera would prove to us you are still fit to rule and worthy of our loyalty,"
"You dare!" Kieran turned to Ivelle.
"My lord can refuse," she said boldly, "but then this shall be the last that we bend our knees to you,"
Kha'vera mountain was known for its torturous chambers. Rebels and criminals were kept there. Most importantly, the mountain belonged to Ivelle. She would get a front row seat to his suffering.
"A trial of five days," Ivelle said, "and I shall never question your authority again,"
Tieran watched as the other lords smirked in agreement and waited. Kieran and Dana on the other hand looked at him as though they doubted he would survive. It angered him to see the little faith his council had in him.
"Very well," He replied. Dana opened her mouth to speak, but he held up his hand to stop her. The last thing he needed was for the lords to think his siblings had lost faith in him too.
~~~
Lily stared at the book intensely, willing words to form on the page. With a groan she dropped the book back onto the bed and rolled over to stare at the ceiling. Why didn't her mistress teach her to read the ethereal books? She sighed and reached for the book, holding it above her as she stared at the cover. It was worn and the edges were rough and frayed. It was almost as though Tieran had carried this book with him for decades. She bent the book applying pressure to the it's pages and watched as it sprang free, flipping through all the pages of the book with a slight wind hitting her face. She shut the book again and rolled back onto her stomach.
She tilted her head in surprise as she began to make out the words on the book's cover. The golden letters slowly began to reveal themselves, Elyna Calanthir, the words read. Why did that name seem familiar to her? The bedroom door opened.
"I see you're hard at work," Eiden entered her room with dinner.
"I don't have much of a choice," Lily pouted, "Tieran will get rid of me if I don't,"
"You should address Lord Tieran with his proper title now that you know who he is,"
"I suppose," she stood from the bed and made her way to the table to eat.
"You're…you're not afraid of him? Lord Tieran?" Eiden asked suddenly.
"Why would I be afraid of him? He hasn't harmed me. In fact, he was mostly kind to me. Eating my food, keeping me company, defending me in front of others,"
Eiden couldn't help the smile that crept on his face, "Kind? Lord Tieran was known for his cruelty and temper. Haven't you heard the stories?"
"Of course I've heard them. But I've also seen the sadness in his eyes when he stares at the stars, and the curiosity in his fingers when he touches a blossoming flower. I think there's more to him than people think,"
"And that makes you feel…safe?"
"Well, yes. Besides, I get the feeling he needs someone who isn't afraid of him, someone who can talk to him without fear,"
"You're either very brave or very foolish. I'm not sure which is worse,"
"Maybe a bit of both," she smiled, "but I'd rather be brave and see the good in people than be afraid and see only the bad,"
Eiden looked at her with curiosity and new found respect. She might just be the one to change his lord for the better. He quite liked the way Tieran behaved in Elyria when no one knew who he was. Almost as though he was free. Free from carrying the burden of the night fae. And Eiden wanted his lord to be free. He wanted to help lift that burden. He dared to say that he wanted to see his lord smile and be happy. He knew better than most how Tieran had suffered. The sacrifices he had made to ensure his people's survival.
Lily sighed with a mouth full of food, "This room is so stuffy. Can't we take a walk around?"
"Um,"
"Oh Eiden please! I'm going to lose my mind," she moaned as she held her head and looked at him with puppy eyes.
He sighed, "I suppose," Lily shrieked gleefully. "But only after you've finished all your food," She nodded eagerly and began scarfing down her food.
~~~
The castle hallway stretched out before them with a vast expanse of open windows serving as walls allowing the warmth and light of the sun to pour in. The windows were made of delicate stone frames.
As they walked through the hallway, the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers. The marble floor was polished and reflected the vibrant hues of the sky.
The windows offered a stunning panorama of the surrounding landscape of mountains and forests. The view was so captivating that Lily couldn't help but stop and gaze out at the scenery. She never imagined Darkhaven to be so delicate.
"Who is this?" Kieran asked, standing at the end of the hall.
"Lord Kieran," Eiden said, "This is Lily, Lord Tieran's guest."
"Tieran's guest? I wasn't aware we had a visitor,"
Lily didn't know why, but the look Kieran was giving her made her feel small. Like a mouse before a very large cat. She took a small step behind Eiden.
"We were just going for a walk," Eiden said.
"A walk?" he scoffed, "Tell me, Eiden, are you my brother's bodyguard or a chaperone?"
"My lord has order me to watch over Lily while he's," he paused, "away,"
"Away?" Lily repeated. Eiden felt the gentle tug of her fingers as she grabbed his sleeve.
Kieran raised his eyebrow, "Oh you didn't know," he eyes bore into hers, "Who did you say she was again?"
"My lord's guest,"
Kieran smirked, taking slow steps forward, "What kind of guest must she be if she's not informed of my brother's whereabouts? Who is she to him?"
Eiden stepped in front of Lily, "A very valuable guest,"
Kieran's eyes turned back to Eiden with a sort of hostility in them. "Tieran's has never had a valuable guest before. She looks like the sort to bewitch my brother's mind. Wouldn't be the first time,"
Eiden exhaled, "She's not," he said firmly.
"That is yet to be determined," Kieran sneered and walked past them.
Lily waited until Kieran had turned the corner before she pulled on Eiden's arm, "Bear is gone?"
He chuckled awkwardly, "Lord Tieran is, away on business,"
"Mm," she nodded, "Well, he has been gone for a while. It makes sense that he has some catching up to do,"
Eiden let out a relieved breath. Tieran had ordered him not to tell Lily where he was. He supposed that deep down in his dark interior, Tieran actually cared for Lily.
"Shall we continue?" he gestured further down the hall. A trace of a smile touched Lily's lips as she nodded.