Page 22 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

The next morning dawned clear and bright as I made my way to the Light Court’s formal chambers. I’d dressed carefully—black leather, and silver, shadow lord formal wear, but muted rather than intimidating. I wanted them to see exactly what I was without feeling threatened by it.

The Eternal Council Chamber felt different without Gün Ata’s commanding presence. His light had been fading for months—not death, but a gradual decline that signaled his time as active ruler was drawing to a close. The chamber itself seemed dimmer, the crystal walls less brilliant, as if responding to their king’s condition.

The High Council of seven now bore the weight of succession decisions, which made this moment all the more crucial. At the chamber’s heart sat the Council members who would decide Ada’s fate: Councilor Aydin, whose tactical brilliance had guided the Light Court through countless conflicts; Councilor Merin, master of truth magic; and five others whose combined wisdom would determine the realm’s future.

When I entered, conversations halted, dozens of Light Court nobles turning to stare at the shadow lord who dared enter their most sacred space during such a delicate time. Ada sat in the gallery with her family, her face carefully neutral, though I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her light flickered with anxiety.

“Lord Hakan,” Councilor Aydin’s tone carried easily through the vast space, her tone carefully measured. “Your presence here is…unexpected, given the delicate nature of our proceedings.”

I bowed formally, shadows rippling with the movement. “Honored Councilors. I come to request judgment.”

Murmurs rippled through the assembled nobles. Levent, seated with his daughters, looked less pleased than I’d expected—clearly, this wasn’t part of his plan.

"Judgment?" Councilor Merin leaned forward, curiosity evident in her tone. "On what matter?"

"On the accusations made against Lady Ada," I replied, my words carrying clearly to every corner of the chamber. "Lord Levent claims her judgment has been compromised by her association with shadow magic. I request the right to submit to the truth examination, so the Council may judge the validity of these concerns directly."

The silence that followed was deafening. In the gallery, Ada’s hand flew to her throat, shock evident on her face. Even the seasoned Council members appeared momentarily speechless.

“Lord Hakan,” Councilor Aydin said finally, “Though His Majesty's condition was stabilizing for now, the Council needed to address potential succession plans while he could still guide such decisions.” She paused, studying me intently. “Truth magic examination is…invasive. It would expose not just your conscious thoughts, but your deepest motivations, your hidden fears, your most private desires. No shadow lord has ever submitted voluntarily to such a process.”

“Then perhaps it’s time one did,” I replied. “If my presence in Lady Ada’s life truly compromises her fitness to rule, let the Council see the truth of my intentions and judge accordingly. The realm’s future is too important for doubt or speculation.”

“And if we find those intentions wanting?” Councilor Merin asked, her light magic already stirring in preparation. “If we determine you are indeed a corrupting influence?”

The question I’d been dreading. I forced myself to meet Ada’s eyes across the chamber before answering.

“Then I will remove myself from Lady Ada’s life completely. I will renounce all claims to her affection, withdraw from any alliance between our realms, and ensure she never sees me again.”

Ada’s face went white. In the front row, Sarp shook his head in disbelief.

“You would sacrifice everything for this?” Councilor Aydin asked, something like respect creeping into her voice. “With His Majesty unable to guide us as fully as before, the Council bears greater responsibility for choosing his successor. You understand we cannot afford to be wrong?”

“For her happiness? For her future? For the good of the realm?” I turned to look directly at Ada. I let her see the truth in my eyes. “I would sacrifice anything.”

The Council conferred in hushed tones before Councilor Aydin nodded gravely. “Very well. The Council will examineLord Hakan under truth magic. All present will witness his responses and judge their validity.”

Councilor Merin approached, her hands beginning to glow with pure white light. “This may be…uncomfortable,” she warned. “Light magic and shadow magic are opposing forces. The contact will create friction.”

“I understand,” I replied, though my heart hammered against my ribs. “Proceed.”

The moment her hands touched my temples, fire raced through my veins. Not painful exactly, but overwhelming—as if every shadow I’d ever commanded was being examined, weighed, judged. The light magic burrowed deeper, seeking the core of my being, and I had to fight the instinct to resist.

“State your name and nature,” Councilor Merin commanded, her tone echoing strangely in my head.

“Hakan Bürsin, a student of the shadow arts.” The words emerged without conscious thought—truth magic making deception impossible.

“Do you seek power through your union with Lady Ada?”

“No.” The answer flowed immediately, accompanied by images from my mind projected for all to see—Ada laughing in sunlight, Ada challenging me intellectually, Ada’s light calling to my shadows not as conquest but as completion.

“Do you intend to use her position for shadow realm advantage?”

“Never.” More images—conversations where I’d actively discouraged Ada from political compromises, moments where I’d put her interests above those of my realm.

“What do you desire from this relationship?”

The question hit deeper, dragging up emotions I rarely examined even in private. The truth magic seized them, displaying them for the entire Council to witness.

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