The coruscated throne, p.30
The Coruscated Throne, page 30
Prince Thauses pointed to the king and queen. Their shroud of light began to disappear, but their single star crowns remained. It was not only the return of their true heir that healed them, it was the death of he who betrayed them at their hands which reconciled their ailment. They landed and saw Aeteshara. She no longer hid
behind the large tree. She was ready to accept her fate.
"You must be punished for your offenses as well," King Vhileum said. Aeteshara let go of her guiding star. Before he and the queen were ready to issue her sentence, it rushed towards their crowns, explaining all of which it knew and what Aeteshara discovered of Euphranaĭ's deceit towards her.
"You may stay in the Kingdom of Udharīa, but not in these precincts," Queen Raī said. Prince Thauses still did not trust her. Nuraī sensed it.
"My prince does not know what they and she knows—and neither do I," the princess said. "I think banishment is best." Aeteshara did not know what to say. She was grateful that the Crown spared her life, but she did not wish to return to Ubraeī. Had not the stars proven that she was from among the People of the Stars, truly? She had not Nuraī to claim, Aueneiss to become acquainted with and was now rid of Euphranaĭ. Aeteshara was alone, except for the guiding star.
"I agree," Queen Raī said. "You will be assigned to the outskirts of the firmament. The stars in the heavens will teach you what you know. The Crown has granted you mercy this one time. Another betrayal and you shall encounter a death much worse than he." Aeteshara bowed to them all.
"You may go as you wish. When the stars are no longer bright and fade into the day, you shall report to the king and queen reg-" King Vhileum said.
"…that will not be their titles any longer," the princess said. "You both have returned, haven't you?" She looked up towards her mothers, waiting for them to confirm that what she saw before them were real. She had reunited with the queen and king as their daughter and as the true heir-apparent to the coruscated throne.
"Yes, my princess, we have," Queen Raī said.
They met briefly with Muraeth and Ganev who was very willing to relinquish
their temporal assignments. "My queen, you have returned to us!" she hugged Queen Raī, a surprise even for herself.
"I see that you being bonded to Ganev, has softened you," the queen said. Nuraī and Thauses watched with sincere curiosity. They had not known the nature of the interaction between all of them. The queen smiled cordially.
"Your starsword, Muraeth," Nuraī said. She handed it to her with much effort.
"Ah, yes, the trusted starsword, a good weapon for a warrior protector," Muraeth said. She gazed at it as if it were her childhood companion.
"My king," Ganev said. He stepped away from the throne and gestured for Vhileum to sit. Naīphīel returned to the healing chambers once he heard where they all were. He stood at the back of the main chambers.
"You need not wait to be summoned, come forth Naīphīel," the king said. The Seeker of Light was relieved to see their mystic shrouds no more. "This, this is a great one."
"He is that. I must thank you for watching over mother and father," Nuraī said. "The light is truly with you."
"Princess Nuraī," he bowed. "I would suggest one matter." He raised his index finger to call attention to what he was to say next.
"Yes, trusted light seer," King Vhileum said.
"For once, can we see you all sit upon your thrones, together, as you should?" he said. The king led, followed by the queen. Nuraī kept close behind her mother. She stood waiting to be instructed.
"Either of the lesser thrones you may have," Raī said. She chose the one closest to her. Thauses stopped before the platform with the rest.
"Prince Thauses of (X)ūpraeth," he said.
"Your Majesty," the prince replied and lowered his head.
"Are you not to join us?" the king said. Ganev smiled, holding Thauses accountable for his previous words. Vhileum offered it, he now must accept. "You are bonded to the princess of this world, this is your right." Nuraī looked at him with hope that he would accept. The prince slowly ascended and sat next to the king. The scribes and advisors were busy recording the latest events and sending word through messengers and guards to relay the news throughout the land.
Prince Thauses and Princess Nuraī would have two celebrations to attend. One in this world and one in the Kingdom of (X)ūpraeth. For now they must appeased the concerned inhabitants of the world of Udharīa. The prince and princess looked for the waters and solar.
"Have you lost something?" Naīphīel said.
"Despite our joyful reconciliation, we must return the solar and the, we possessed these captured waters—of the New Sun of (X)ūpraeth…." the princess said.
"and here has the dragon gone?"
"I will have a look for myself," Naīphīel said. He went to the window. "Your Morningstar and the rest have appeared to have departed without you. Perhaps they have already been informed of what they must do?" he called out as he returned to the Crown.
"We have never had this happen before," Thauses said. Nuraī heard him even though they were three people apart.
"There has been a lot we have not undergone before…" Nuraī said. "We will visit the Kingdom of (X)ūpraeth soon."
"When it is time for us to," Thauses said. "For now, we stay." The prince
believed that due to Queen Raī's and King Vhileum's most recent return, it was best
for them to for the sake of the Kingdom of Udharīa. They then hear the loud flapping
outside the window. An advisor rushed to the scene.
"A most marvelous sight indeed," he said.
"Something accompanies it?" King Vhileum said.
"It is there chariot. Their transport awaits them," the advisor said. Destiny made their decision for them. Nuraī and Thauses rose from their seats and faced one another.
"Queen Raī, King Vhileum, I must—just for now," the princess said.
"We shall return, when the stars have written so," Prince Thauses said.
"We understand. You both are now the prince and princess of two worlds. Greet Queen Xylīa and King Naĭsaph on this Crown's behalf," Raī said.
"Will this not be your throne forever, Thauses, Nuraī?" Muraeth said. Nuraī
leaned over and passed her mother and father and smiled at Thauses.
"Of course it shall be, forevermore," the princess said. "We shall return mother, father." They bid farewell to their other home and exited the main chambers through the palace window. They took their places in the chariot. The encapsulated waters glided itself onto Princess Nuraī's left shoulder. The solar gravitated above Prince Thauses' left shoulder. Each appeared ready to return to the New Sun and stabilize it—forever. Nuraī partially curtsied to her mother and father from a far off. Thauses raised his left hand towards them all. They could now see the guards below searching for any sign of a corpse. They replaced their swords in their sheaths and began to scatter in their usual posts, seeking reports and what awaited them next. Nuraī and Thauses looked at the back of the glass dragon. The Morningstar was in front of it.
"So it is time to return to our other world--again," Thauses said.
"It appears so." Nuraī said.
"The stars the sun, the firmament…." Thauses whipped the reigns as they began to soar. She braced her hands against the sides of the chariot. They soon bypassed the clear skies and reached the firmament. "There it shall forever be."
Nuraī watched as it appeared that the stars greeted her and the prince. They dazzled her. She did not have to peer into them for insight or guidance. For now, she could look at their aesthetic beauty and the peace they appear to bring to any sincere onlooker. "The light of truth has caused me to claim the throne."
"Is it not the Consecrated Throne?"
About the Author
Patricia M. Muhammad is a fiction author of crossover contemporary romance/science fiction, science fiction/fantasy, and historical romance genres. She is currently the author of 21 additional fiction books pending publication and is working to create more stories.
Patricia is an admirer of The Lion King Broadway Musical. She enjoys nature photography, international travels and is an intermediate genealogist. Patricia currently resides in the United States. You can visit her on Twitter @pmmuhammadbooks.
Patricia M. Muhammad, The Coruscated Throne
