Rule of the Aurora King

The morning after their dinner in the Violet District, Nadir leads Lor back to the catacombs to search for the Crown. The oppressive atmosphere nearly overwhelms her, but she forces herself to continue for her siblings, Tristan and Willow, and Heart’s people. They find no sign of the Crown; Lor’s magic only responds to Nadir. He concludes that the Crown is not in the catacombs and reveals his next plan: questioning Vale, his father’s friend who has just arrived at the Keep. Vale loves to talk, especially when drinking, and might know about a recent errand for the king.

Back in Nadir’s wing, they prepare for an evening party. As Lor gets ready, Nadir enters the bathroom, and they share an intense moment of mutual attraction. He suggests they skip the party, but Lor reminds him that they need to question Vale. Nadir explicitly describes his desire for her and asks to perform oral sex before they leave. Though she hesitates, Lor agrees. As she reaches orgasm, she feels a profound sense of power and freedom. Nadir keeps his promise not to disturb her hair or makeup, then suggests they finish what they started after the party.

Lor reminds herself that her connection with Nadir is only physical. They arrive at a party in a large room with a central bonfire open to the night sky, where Lor spots Nadir’s sister, Amya, among the guests. King Rion confronts them, criticizing Nadir for not introducing Lor. Despite Nadir’s protective gesture, Lor introduces herself to the king. He takes her hand with visible disdain, recognizing nothing about her, then dismisses her to speak with Nadir alone. Lor feels a surge of pure hatred.

After Rion leaves, they find Vale, a High Fae with auburn hair who immediately flirts with Lor. When Nadir becomes possessive and threatens Vale, Lor de-escalates by expressing interest in Vale’s stories. Nadir is summoned away by the king, leaving Lor alone with Vale. She feigns naivety as Vale slides closer, revealing that he has been on a mission for the king to find a rare object called the Ark. Before he can elaborate, Nadir returns, yanks Vale away, and punches him in the face, breaking his nose. The entire party witnesses the scene.

Furious and embarrassed, Lor storms out. Nadir follows, and they argue fiercely. He claims that she is his and no one can touch her without his permission. Lor retorts that she is not his and that their arrangement is over. Nadir cruelly tells her to go back to Vale and asks if that is what she did for Atlas. Devastated, Lor tells him she hates him and orders him to find somewhere else to sleep.

Nadir watches Lor leave, filled with rage and regret. He questions his intense possessiveness, knowing it is more than a simple challenge. He resolves to apologize later. Turning, he finds his father watching him with a strange expression. Rion comments on the performance, and to cover it, Nadir lies that he found Lor at a brothel called the Scarlett Flower. When Rion asks about her name, Nadir dismisses it as a stage name. Rion seems to accept this and makes a cutting remark about Nadir finally becoming worthy of his role as heir.

As his father walks away, Nadir has a chilling realization: the king knows who Lor truly is. He runs back to his wing, orders his guards to let no one pass, and finds his rooms empty. He locates Lor in the bathroom and interrupts her to tell her the king knows her identity. Panicked, Nadir magically barricades the door and tells Lor to dress in warm clothes so they can escape. As they hastily prepare, the door begins to shudder under assault from outside. Nadir scoops a reluctant Lor into his arms, his magic forming into wings. The door splinters as he leaps from the balcony, and they fly off into the night.

Nadir flies with Lor through the night, his magic enveloping her in warmth. Despite her fury, she finds his presence comforting. They land briefly in the Void so Nadir can rest. He explains that the king knows she is the Primary. Though Lor blames herself, Nadir takes responsibility.

They arrive at the hidden manor, but Lor protests, fearing that they will lead the king to her siblings. Nadir swears they are safe in the magically hidden manor. Inside, they find Tristan and Willow, along with Mael and Hylene. Nadir announces that King Rion knows Lor’s identity. Overwhelmed by accumulated stress and trauma, Lor breaks down sobbing. Willow comforts her.

Amya rushes in from the party, alarmed that Rion sent guards to Nadir’s wing. Nadir confirms that the Crown is not in the Keep. He tells Lor he knows where they must look next and announces that he is taking her to Heart, telling her it is time to go home.

Lor immediately refuses to go anywhere with Nadir. They argue, with Nadir insisting she needs his protection to reach Heart safely. Lor questions whether he will still help her now that their sexual relationship is over; he says yes without hesitation. She demands to know his ultimate motives and what will happen after she reclaims her queendom. Nadir denies wanting the Crown, insisting he only cares about her safety.

Tristan urges Lor to go with Nadir, arguing there is no turning back now that the king knows. Mael reveals that King Rion has been rounding up and testing women in the Heart settlements, searching for the Primary. Lor is horrified and furious with Nadir for keeping this from her. He argues that telling her would have been a burden while she was powerless without the Crown. Both Willow and Tristan encourage Lor to go home. Overwhelmed, Lor is embraced by her siblings and agrees to go with Nadir, acknowledging that he is her only ally.

After the others leave, with Amya accompanying Willow, Nadir apologizes for his cruel words, calling himself an imperfect asshole. He tells Lor he is in awe of her courage and resilience. Though her anger softens, Lor reaffirms that their relationship is over and that she is not his. Nadir gravely responds that she will be, as if making an oath.

Lor has a restless night, haunted by visions of women being tortured by the king and confused by Nadir’s insistence that she will be his. At dawn, she notices that the Aurora sky now feels comforting, a change she associates with kissing Nadir. She dresses for travel and goes to say goodbye to her siblings.

Lor finds Amya in Willow’s room, both in their nightgowns. When Lor confronts them, Willow explains that Amya’s presence helps with her nightmares from sleeping alone in the large room. Amya tells Lor she cares deeply for Willow and has only her best interests at heart. A tentative understanding forms between them, and Lor accepts the situation but warns Amya that if she hurts Willow, she will kill her.

Tristan, Mael, and Nadir join them. Nadir confirms that Tristan and Willow are safe at the manor but says he and Lor must leave immediately. He estimates that the flight to Heart will take a few hours. Mael describes Heart as having fallen into ruin over the centuries, now just dead forest and swampland. Nadir explains that the nearby settlement inhabitants are descendants of survivors, waiting for their queen. Resolved, Lor says her goodbyes. Willow tells her to come back soon, and Lor hopes she can keep that promise.