Page 4 of Crown of Slumber

Thankfully, the people were unaware. There was enough light for them to continue with their festivities. But it wouldn’t be long before the dying fires would bring panic to our people.

“Sire,” Gorrick, my guard captain, said from behind me. “We’ve lost the Nightfire in the southern sector.”

My fingers clenched the stone railing so tightly my knuckles turned white, and the cold and unyielding surface bit into my palms.

We were out of time.

“Have the citizens evacuate to the western sector,” I said.

“Yes, sire.” Gorrick’s feet shuffled with his movement, but I stopped him.

“Double the guard,” I told him. “Once those fires are out, we have no idea what manner of beasts willemerge.”

“Of course, sire.” Gorrick bowed, pressed his fist to his chest, and exited the chambers.

With a heavy sigh, I ran a hand through my hair and turned to face the scene below once more. My eyes were drawn to the darkness in the south, where our Nightfire had just gone out.

I watched, waiting.

After several moments, the bobbing light of torches appeared, but they were faint compared to the blazing beacon of our Nightfire braziers. They wouldn’t hold off any unseelie beasts, that was for sure.

And here I stood, their prince and monarch, with no solution for them.

Soon, our entire kingdom would be plunged into darkness. And I could do nothing to save it.

“Fennick.”

I turned to find my mother, Queen Sonara, standing at my open door. She wore a silver gown that shimmered with each movement as if it were made of the stars themselves. Her silver crown rested atop her head of raven black hair, and a faint glitter lined her olive toned skin. It was a Nightfire tradition, to adorn one’s body like the stars. And Mother looked like the brightest star of them all.

A soft smile lit my face as I turned to inspect her. “Careful, Mother. You’ll outshine everyone. Even the stars.”

She grinned and waved her hand at me, stepping farther into my chambers. Her midnight black hair was pinned atop her head with several curls resting against her cheeks. She tucked one behind her ear as she joined me on the balcony.

“I have just spoken with Cressida,” Mother said, her voice soft. Cressida was the court mage. “She says there is nothing we can do.”

My expression sobered. I had expected this. But it didn’t stop my stomach from dropping.

“This may be our last Nightfire fete for a while,” she went on. “We cannot hide this from the people for much longer. If they notice before we tell them, we could lose their trust. I plan to make an announcement at midday.”

I nodded. “What of the other kingdoms? Can we ask our allies for assistance?”

“The stardust we use in our oil is unique to the Star Court,”Mother said. “Ordinary oil can only burn for so long. But stardust keeps ours burning all night.”

I nodded with a grimace. Stardust was our most precious commodity. We used it for currency, medicines, enchantments, and, of course, Nightfire.

And we were running out of it.

I sighed, bracing my forearms on the edge of the balcony. Here in the Midnight Court, the sun rarely made an appearance. Only during the summer did it peek out for an hour or two before retreating behind the horizon once more. We were Night Fae, after all. Our souls were made for the night.

But to be plunged in utter darkness was far too dangerous. We were accustomed to darkness, yes, but so were other less civilized creatures. All manner of unseelie beasts roamed these lands, and the Nightfire was the only thing keeping them from preying on our people.

“Cressida did say there was one other substance we could use,” Mother said slowly.

At the wariness in her voice, I turned, eyebrows raised. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense, Mother.”

Mother’s lips pinched, as they always did when I joked. “Dragonfire.”

I stiffened at that, my body coiling in anger.Dragons.Of course. Another reason to despise the Summer Court. Gritting my teeth, I turned to face the scene below once more, trying to ignore the rippling rage coursing through me. “Summer will never help us.”

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