Rule of the Aurora King

Nadir leads Lor to an unfamiliar wing of the Keep and into a silver-and-cobalt bedroom. There, Lor discovers a motionless figure in a chair facing the window: Meora, the Aurora Queen and Nadir’s mother. The queen is “catatonic,” and Nadir explains that this is why he hates his father most.

He recounts his family’s history. Rion slept with Meora to make another woman jealous, then cast her out of the court. When Meora returned pregnant, Rion tried to expel her again, but the Aurora Torch reacted violently, revealing that she carried the future Primary. Forced to bond with her, Rion blamed both Meora and Nadir for trapping him. This rejection shattered Meora, and she retreated into silence over two centuries ago.

Because of their ascension bond, Meora cannot die while Rion lives, essentially imprisoning her. Nadir visits her daily and explains that Amya blames herself for their mother’s condition, while he blames himself for failing to protect her.

When Lor questions his contradictory nature, Nadir explains that he wants to rule through loyalty rather than fear. He admits that his blind spot about Nostraza was believing its prisoners were irredeemable, though he now questions that belief. He also describes the kingdom’s system: “low fae” are executed without trial, while High Fae face only fines or house arrest. Nadir warns that he will destroy anything blocking his goals, then admits he cares about Lor.

Remembering how the Aurora Torch reacted to Meora’s pregnancy with the Primary, Lor asks if it might speak to her, too. Nadir immediately agrees to try. After kissing his mother’s forehead, he proceeds with Lor to the throne room.

The vast chamber features glittering black walls and two massive thrones with the Aurora Torch suspended between them. When Lor lifts the Torch from its bracer, it flashes brilliant colors—something Nadir says should only happen for an ascended monarch. A voice speaks in Lor’s mind, transporting her consciousness to a metaphysical space of rainbow glass and blurred colors.

The Torch recognizes Lor as royalty, noting that she spent years near it in Nostraza. When Lor asks about the Heart Crown, the Torch says it cannot sense the Artefact nearby. It explains that its primary loyalty is to Ouranos and the goddess Zerra, not the king, which is why it never revealed Lor’s identity to Rion. The Torch tells Lor that Nadir knowing her secret is not dangerous because he wants something from her other than her power. However, it warns that pursuing anything with Nadir will lead to heartbreak and ruin.

Before Lor can ask more, the Torch goes silent and burns her hands, violently returning her to the throne room. She tells Nadir only that the Torch cannot sense the Crown nearby, omitting the warning about him. They agree to still check the catacombs in a few days.

Bathing in Nadir’s chambers, where she has been staying, Lor contemplates the Torch’s warning while acknowledging her persistent desire for Nadir. She resolves not to give him her heart but decides to reclaim control by seducing him on her own terms.

Emerging in lingerie and a robe, Lor requests permission to touch Nadir, but forbids him from touching her in return. She performs oral sex, and when he demands she take off her clothes for her turn, Lor instead announces she is leaving to shop with Amya.

Nadir gets up, enraged, but Lor taunts him and reminds him of his promise not to touch her without permission. She gathers her clothes and escapes into the bathroom, leaving him vibrating with frustration. Her heart pounds as she locks the door behind her.

Still reeling from what just happened, Nadir realizes that Lor is now his, whether or not she knows it yet. When she emerges dressed to leave, he blocks the door. Her accusation that he is making her a prisoner again—comparing him to his father—hits hard. He steps aside, allowing her to leave while vowing that they are not done.

Consumed by guilt over his complicity in her suffering, Nadir storms through the Keep, intending to confront his father. He is intercepted by Vivianna, who tries to seduce him. For the first time, he coldly rejects her.

After incapacitating the guards with magic, Nadir bursts into Rion’s study and finds the king with another woman. Nearly overcome with rage about Lor’s torture, Nadir stops himself, remembering the need to protect her identity. He realizes he started caring for her the moment he first saw her.

After dismissing the woman, Nadir confronts Rion about Queen Meora, but the king is unmoved. Changing tactics, Nadir questions why his father is searching for women with magic in the Heart settlements. Rion warns him to stay out of his business and threatens his friend, Etienne. He then asks if Nadir has secured votes for his new mining labor bill. To buy time for Lor and keep his father distracted, Nadir lies, saying he is working on the votes, though he actually plans to oppose the bill.

Shopping in the Violet District with Amya, Lor tries on jewelry. When Amya notices the gold locket Lor always wears, Lor says it is her last keepsake from her mother. Amya defends her brother, saying he has a rough exterior but is not all bad.

At a dress shop, the shopkeeper, Cora, directs Lor to black dresses, explaining that Nadir’s companions typically wear black. Cora reveals, however, that Nadir has never bought so many gifts for a woman before, and no companion has ever arrived with the princess. Defying convention, Lor chooses a red dress—the color of her family’s legacy and her quest for vengeance. Amya understands the significance and approves.

At a pub, Amya surprises Lor by arranging a reunion with Tristan and Willow, who arrive with Nadir and his friend Mael. After an emotional greeting, Amya casts a privacy spell. Lor informs her siblings that the Aurora Torch said the Crown is not nearby. Nadir promises to keep helping, angering Tristan, who distrusts him.

Nadir sits beside Lor, and they exchange flirtatious whispers about that afternoon. He tells her he has eyes for no one else as long as there is a chance with her. Meanwhile, Tristan expresses his concerns to Lor, who reassures him that she can fight her own battles. They share a tender moment as he tells her she will be an amazing queen. Lor notices that Willow and Amya have become friends and asks Tristan to watch the princess, whom she still does not fully trust.

After the others leave, Nadir and Lor stroll through the Violet District. Lor marvels at the vibrant city, so different from what she imagined. Nadir tells her that the area was once a “slum” and that the kingdom’s stability is fragile under his father. He confesses that he went to confront Rion that afternoon, wanting to hurt him for what he did to her.

In a square, citizens are dancing to celebrate Frostfire. Despite her initial hesitation, Lor agrees to dance. As Nadir leads her through the steps, she admits uncertainty about how to act around him. He pulls her close, stating that she controls how fast their relationship progresses. She asks if they will continue sharing a bed; he reassures her she has nothing to fear.

Dancing beneath the aurora lights, Lor experiences fun and freedom for the first time in years. The moment reinforces what she is fighting for: a future for her family and the people of Heart. Overhead, the Borealis paints everyone with illuminated rainbows. Newly resolved and feeling a sense of trust, Lor tells Nadir she is ready to search the catacombs. He calls her brave. As they continue dancing, she looks into his eyes and whispers that she knows she can trust him in their shared bed.