// Chapter 30 \\

My palms were clammy against the smooth silver and starry stone of the throne I sat in. Blue satin of the cushions clung to my body with familiarity. However, it seemed like it had been forever since I sat here. The only reason I sat here was for an occasion.

Before me was a figure who walked forward on a blue carpet, guards lining either side of it. Elara Omal, known as the Mekalinan, was dressed in shining silver armor of a Captain of the Guard, blue silks twinkling like stars that accentuated the armor for the occasion. It was the official ceremony of the Knight becoming a Captain.

Elara seemed proud to know this from what I observed. She walked in a formal manner of a guard, but I could've sworn she was adding just a bit of swagger. Despite her inability to see properly, Elara didn't seem to have trouble walking along the straight path of carpet leading to the throne, nor walking up the first set of steps to the throne. She did this all with a slight smirk on her face. I didn't know the Knight that well, yet, but this was something I found myself expecting from her. She stopped perfectly in the center of the landing before lowering herself to one knee.

I rose then, taking my steps down from my throne towards her as I allowed a sword of white and silver star to form into my hand. I stopped a single pace before her and paused for a moment in the crowded but silent room.

"The Menkalinan stands before me." I spoke to the audience, "A valiant Knight who is now chosen to take on the role of Captain. Her strong will and cunning skills will lead our people in strength, and will lead our soldiers in that strength." I looked down at Elara, "It is my honor to give her that position. And so, second to me," I moved my sword to tap either of her shoulders, "I give Elara Omal the ranking of Captain of the Guard."

The crowds cheered as Elara stood then. She grinned in my direction mouthing a thank you before she turned and bowed her head to the people. I was surprised to find myself smiling as well.

And so the celebration for the new Captain commenced within the throne room. Guests cheered and spoke jovially, a majority being the guards of Night Court. Elara seemed to speak happily amongst them, though I noticed she mostly stuck to talking with the three other Knights she'd been with. I remember the many months ago I'd looked at their features and feared them out of their similarities to others I'd feared. However, now wasn't really the case as I gazed down towards them. Their smiles and laughs brought a smile to me as I watched them mingle.

However, it wasn't too long after their mingling that Elara broke off from them and she turned to face me— or my general direction. She began to make her way over to where my throne was. I waited patiently as she climbed the steps.

"You're all alone here up on the throne." Elara began as a way of greeting, a smile on her face.

I almost forgot the Menkalinan's ability to see the presence of life forms. She was right that I sat alone on my throne. The guards weren't stationed next to me, only around the perimeter of the throne. I had just obtained a new Captain of the Guard and Nanny had important matters to attend to.

"I am all alone up here," I admitted with a nod and grin, appreciating the joking conversation instead of a more formal one, "But why did you decide to come up here with the lonely Monarch?"

Elara hesitated, "I came to talk. And— well— thank you. For this position."

I smiled and gave a slight bow before quickly reminding myself that the recipient couldn't see, "Of course. You deserve this post."

Elara grinned, "You know, makes me feel like I've lived up to my dream."

"You've dreamed of becoming a Captain of the Guard?" I asked.

Elara nodded her head, "Since I was a little girl. I figured it out after I saw Aullgate— I was a bit late for High Monarch Trials and that was before I became blind. My eyesight was going, though." Elara shook her head, grinning with a dazed look as she recalled, "Aullgate Revinyn. She was the first Captain of the Guard assigned to you. I had the privilege to meet her and witness her kind soul." Elara sighed and turned more in my direction, "What was Aullgate like to you?"

Fuzz filled my head. "A kind person."

Elara hummed in agreement, "More than kind... she had the tenderness of what I always believed a mother to have. My mother certainly didn't have that. She was a brave warrior also and was aspiring. I wanted to be aspiring like that and now I have the chance to do just that." Elara smiled at me, "So thank you for this opportunity."

"Of course," I smiled.

Elara grinned in response before she cleared her throat and rolled back her shoulders, "I... also came up here to ask something of you— it doesn't have to be done right now. I just..." Elara awkwardly bit her lip before she sighed. She clapped her hands and shook her head as she spoke honestly, "I just knew that if I held it in, I would never ask this of you."

I nodded my head, "Okay. You may ask."

Elara nodded, hesitating once more before she finally asked, "Can you read my mind?"

I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped me, but I quickly caught myself, "Oh, night, I'm sorry. There's nothing wrong with what you're asking me— I just... didn't expect it."

Elara sheepishly smiled, "It's alright... It's just. I don't really want my mind read, but I've always had the theory that I can't dream because my magic doesn't connect to the dream world and that's how we're all connected to the dream world is through magic... I don't know. I just think that perhaps you could take a look within my mind and... see something that could offer a clue."

I took in what Elara said for a moment before I nodded, "My mind reading powers don't exactly work that way. I see thoughts and memories, not connections— at least not that visibly."

Elara nodded in understanding, "Could you still do it at least? At least tell me what you find?"

I hesitated before I nodded. I knew what it was like to desperately find a connection to the dream world, "Sure. We can do it right now."

Elara's eyes widened a bit, "I'm... are you sure?"

I nodded before quickly correcting myself with a verbal response, "Yes."

"Okay..." Elara paused, "Do I have to do anything?"

"Just position yourself towards me and remain calm." However, I was already positioning her so we stood face-to-face. "Just don't turn away."

"Okay."

And so I gazed into the foggy pools of her eyes, honing in on the mysterious haze that laid there. However, in the flash of a second, I was no longer zooming into her foggy eyes. Instead, I was pushed away from them. Now, I had flipped over and my magic hurtled towards something golden. I didn't have a chance to process until I was deep within my own mind. Flowing silks of golden honey, dark noir, and cunning silver greeted me as I spiraled into my own mind. However, I couldn't help but notice the slight fogginess as I crept further within. Then, a word of thought struck me:

Chronos.

The echo of the thought was faint, fuzzy within my mind. I dared to search a bit deeper, but the fuzz was once again taking over the thoughts. It blurred several images within my own mind— I couldn't make the images out. The pulse in my vein pulsed. The fuzz was taking over once more. I couldn't search anymore, nor think of the thought of searching. No. I had to see what I meant by that. This was my own mind. I needed to search.

I need to remember.

Panic rushed through my veins as dread found its way into my mind. I snapped out of my own head, heart thundering and heavy breaths. That thought that now faded from my mind was something that I feared. Somehow... Why did I fear it? What was that thought? Why was I panicking? The fuzz only responded.

"Star? Are you okay? You're... breathing heavily." Elara's voice snapped me back to the reality of the situation.

"I'm... I'm fine, Elara." I responded, giving a reassuring smile despite Elara's apparent blindness.

Elara seemed to hesitate for a moment before she asked, "Were you able to read my mind?"

"I..." I hesitated in shock before I finally answered, "I can't."

Elara furrowed her brows, "You can't?"

"No— Um... Your eyes are like a reflection. When I try to read your mind, it's like my magic bounces back."

"Oh." Elara frowned slightly, her disappointment evident in her shoulder slouch.

I gave a simple nod, my lips tightening together, "I'm sorry it wasn't the result you expected."

Elara gave a faint simple nod, her blank eyes staring aimlessly at the floor, "It's fine."

I hesitated before I began to reach out a hand to the new Captain before me.

"Elara!" Both our heads snapped up to the sound of the voice to find Rollonf finding his way over to us. A large grin was apparent on the Knight's face, "Elara! Come on!"

Rollonf was quick to take Elara's hand, practically beginning to drag her along before she caught her footing.

"What— Rollonf! Right in front of Star!" Elara laughed but her tone was in protest.

Rollonf dared to roll his eyes— not like Elara knew, "Oh come on, Lar, you're going to practically have forever with her. We all want one last drink with you before you practically forget us." He ended his words with a convincing bat of his eyes. If only Elara could see it. "Please?"

Elara sighed, ducking her head down in thought.

I laughed, "It's okay, go. Enjoy the celebration."

Rollonf gestured to me, "See? Even Star, High Monarch of our lovely Court of Night, is okay with this."

Elara gave a bland smile as she raised her head, but that soon became a real one as she laughed brightly, "Oh, alright. Bet I can down more drinks than you."

Rollonf shrugged his shoulders as he began to lead Elara away, "Can't beat Idari if you beat me."

I heard the remnant of Elara's laugh as they walked down and disappeared into the crowd below. Only then when I was alone did I take a deep breath and allowed the earlier dread to settle in.

Now, I couldn't even remember what I found within my own mind. Part of me was frustrated by that, wanting to know what the thought was. That part of me wanted to beckon Elara back and use the reflective property of her eyes to see it again. Another part of me didn't want to see it at all. I may not remember what I feared, but I feared something. Something so evident it was on the tip of my tongue, but the fuzz kept it away from me. However, this seemed like too much to worry about before High Monarch Trials. The event was so close and I couldn't help the feeling that stuck with me from looking into my own mind. I couldn't help but feel that something more was near than just High Monarch Trials.

REMEMBER:​​​​​​

1. Smack dat butiful star

2. Leave a comment talkin abt dis tea

3. Share dis tea induced book with yo fwends

WHY? Because I appreciate it 🥺

\\ See u in the next chapter! \\