“You can turn the ceiling off anytime,” Delia explained with a smile at my obvious wonder. “The magic is fixed into this switch here, so you can turn it off or increase the number of stars.”
I had to have stepped into a dream, no way was this reality. Even the floor was covered in a plush ivory rug that I wanted to sink my toes into immediately. I loved everything about it, I couldn’t even imagine a better room than this. One where I could look at the stars whenever I wanted.
On top of having my freedom, it sort of made me want to cry—in joy, in shock, in being absolutely wonder struck…and yet totally lost.
The bed was equally incredible, with silver head and footboards, along with the four posts coming from them. The headboard had the phases of the moon across it, while the posts had scrolling designs down them including shooting stars—and I was sure I spied several runes. The sapphire bedding looked so inviting, as if I could just fall into it and sink down like a cloud. I didn’t know what fabric it was made of, but it was the softest thing I’d ever felt.
One side of the room also had floor to ceiling windows, with a door set into the middle leading to another balcony. A walk-in closet, that was larger than I thought closets could be and still be classifiedasa closet, was already filled with so many clothes I didn’t know how I’d ever wear them all. Casual and formal dresses, skirts, tops, pants, even leather armor like I’d seen Calix wear, which truly surprised me. One entire wall was taken up by accessories and shoes, and I couldn’t stop my mouth from falling open.
I walked out of it in a daze and continued into the bathroom. The white shining opal of the palace wasn’t covered up here—it was left to shine, with a large black tub big enough to fit an orgy, a standing shower with so many shower heads, I was sure it would feel like being in a waterfall, and a black vanity that took up the back wall. It was the most elegant bathroom I’d ever seen, and it was apparently for me.
It was almost unnerving—like they’d plucked out all of my dreams and laid them bare.
“Why don’t you take a bath and then get some rest? I’m sure it’s been a difficult few days for you.” Delia suggested, her hand squeezing my shoulder in a comforting gesture.
“What about my friends?” I asked, somewhat off topic, after the guilty realization I hadn’t asked about them yet. My face creased in concern as I turned to face her.
“They haven’t arrived yet, but I will let you know as soon as they have. I promise.” Delia swore, and I could see why she was a lady in waiting, she had a very soothing aura that I’m sure the noble ladies appreciated.
In truth, I didn’t mind it myself right now. My emotions had been jumping all over the place for the last few days, and it felt like I could take a deep breath in her presence. Especially as she got me in a bath filled with sparkling bubbles that changed color in the light. I couldn’t fight the smile each time I popped one of the rogue bubbles that floated upwards. Delia washed my hair, which was something I’d never experienced before—I had been severely missing out. I just relaxed and enjoyed it,it was the best bath I’d ever experienced.
When I got out, Delia was there with nightclothes and a robe for me. She ran her hands over my hair, I watched with wide eyes as it was left completely dry and bone straight in her wake, fascinated with the magic they used here. I wished I had the ability to access it as the Fae do. Having the ability to get my hair perfectly straight, with no frizz, was enough of a marvel to envy.
Delia tucked me into bed like a child, but I couldn’t even complain. When my body hit the bed, it felt like floating, and I was so comfortable that I drifted off immediately. Delia’s pleasant humming was the last thing I heard before I was swept from one dream to another.
I was delightedto find Zhu there when I arrived among the clouds—receiving a fiery kiss from his tail along my cheek that left a pleasant warmth behind. I’d managed to be lulled into such a sense of calm before falling asleep, that I hardly felt a difference in my temperament. Today, Delia, and my new surroundings, had managed the impossible—I’d been just as peaceful awake as I was asleep.
When I slowly woke from my nap, I felt better than I had in a long time. I was always groggy upon waking, needing to stretch and feeling that awful twinge pain—of my skin feeling too small and too tight. I shoved the blankets off, wiping my eyes and forcing myself up despite the pain in my back and legs. Right—I’d been riding a horse, hadn’t I? At speed too.
Everything kept hitting me in waves, and this time, I let myself truly process my new state of being. I looked around this unbelievable room that was apparentlymine, and I let the tears fall. I couldn’t even figure out why I was crying! I wasn’t sad, I wasn’t so angry that tears came to my eyes, I was…free. I wouldn’t sayhappy, I wasn’t even sure I knew what that felt like, butfree. And I was in the Night Kingdom, the kingdom I’d dreamt of seeing since I was child, but one I’d thought an impossibility—even more so after learning of the attacks.
Once I was done crying, I surprisingly felt much better. I may not know what to do with myself, may not quite understand why King Calix was doing all of this, or why he decided to free humans to begin with, but I had a focus going forward. For now, at least. Calix said I could meet with the Resistance and make my decision then. There, that was a plan to go forward with. I didn’t need to be so overwhelmed by the choices and options before me. One step at a time, I reminded myself.
“You’re up!” Delia’s musical voice carried in, followed by the rest of her. A wide smile that quickly turned to concern. My face was surely a splotchy mess thanks to my tears, so I quickly wiped at my eyes and cheeks to clear the evidence as best I could.
“Are you alright, Asteria?” Delia asked, her concern clear in a lowered tone and furrowed brows. When I didn’t answer immediately, trying to decidehowto answer, she continued. “I know you’ve been through a lot, and you don’t need to talk about it, but Iwouldlike us to be friends, and friends are there for each other.” Delia seemed unsure of herself for the first time, shifting slightly from foot to foot as she bit her lip.
“That would be nice.” I told her honestly, smiling up at her. Friends may be a newer development for me, but Priscilla had proven how needed they were to me. I wouldn’t make the same mistakes of the past and turn down more. “I’m okay, just a bit overwhelmed, honestly.”
“Well, that’s certainly understandable.” Delia seemed relieved, her smile flitting back across her face. “What feels overwhelming? Maybe we can tackle it together.” She urged me up as I detailed my thought process on the different choices and paths now ahead of me, helping me get ready and making sympathetic noises as I talked it out. She agreed with my plan, explaining that many others had felt similarly upon being freed, which was a relief to hear. When I asked about my friends, Delia let me know they would be invited to the meeting I’d soon be attending.
Unlike in Dusk, I wasn’t told what to wear. Instead, I was allowed to pick whatever I wanted. When I just stared at all the clothes in the closet before me, Delia smiled sympathetically and rubbed my back slightly as she urged me forward.
“You will never be told what to wear or what to do, again.” Delia assured me. “You’re free, here. And hopefully, one day, humans will be free everywhere.”
“It’s surreal.” I shook my head. “I dreamed of freedom all of my life. Raged against the circumstances I was born into, feeling like I was shoved into a life that was never meant to be mine. And now—” I shook my head again, wandering to the closet and touching the different fabrics, trying to figure out where to even begin when it came to just deciding what to wear.
“It’s not just the big life decisions that a lot of humans struggle with when they first arrive.” Delia smiled at me. “It’s the little things too. But I promise, you’ll quickly grow used to making your own choices. But for now, how about this?” She pulled out a pair of pants made of some type of soft leather, and a corset style top that would show off my shoulders, arms, and cleavage. The very idea of wearing pants was so bizarre, but I found myself eager to try them, nonetheless.
“These are often worn by our warriors here, and you strike me as a warrior, Asteria.” Delia’s words made me straighten, a warm sort of pride rising. “The leggings are made of cloud leather, as soft as the hide of the Cloud Beast. The top is armored, so if someone were to stab here—” She pointed to the middle of the corset, where it would cover my stomach and lots of important organs. “The blow would glance right off. Many prefer ease of movement when fighting, which is why there are only thin straps. There are typically pieces that go over the exposed areas when they armor up for battle, but you certainly won’t need that for a meeting.”
“I’m—I’m not a warrior though.” I protested, feeling like it would be disingenuous to wear warrior’s clothing when I had no idea how to fight.
“Only because you weren’t allowed to be. You can be trained.” Delia insisted, eyes alight. I took in a sharp breath, my own eyes lighting up. I’d always wanted to learn how to fight, but it was strictly forbidden. The idea that I could now actually train to fight made me eager to get the clothing on.
Delia helped me dress, and I was taken aback by the final result. The outfit was comfortable and freeing, and I felt strong. Looking in the mirror, at the dark hair I was finally able to wear straight as I preferred, at the light makeup Delia dusted on my face, not overdone, but just enough to highlight my features, I felt more myself than ever before.
Walking through thepalace halls, I was struck again by the differences between Night and Dusk. It was so much lighter and brighter here than Dusk. It was always so dark and oppressive in that palace, but here, everything was the opposite. For a place that called itselfNightKingdom and specialized in darkness, you’d think this would be the gloomier kingdom, but no, everything looked inviting and wonderful.
