A Light in the Flame

Rhain promises Sera that Veses will be dealt with. He accompanies her to a horse-drawn carriage flanked by nearly a hundred guards to accompany her to the City Hall in Lethe. Inside the carriage, Sera reflects on her protective reaction when she learned that Veses had been preying on Nyktos and realizes that she loves Nyktos. At the vast Hall, Nyktos’s entire realm is gathered for the coronation. Nyktos is dressed in immaculate black breeches, a brocade-lined tunic, and a crescent-moon-shaped crown made from shadowstone. Rhain begins performing the coronation ceremony, asking everyone to bow to Nyktos.

Nyktos and Sera walk toward the dais where Rhain stands. At the podium, Nyktos bows on one knee before Sera. He asks Sera to bend at the waist so that he can crown her and places a crown of moons, lined with chains of diamonds, on her forehead. He then announces Sera, the Consort of the Shadowlands, the “[o]ne who is born of Blood and Ash, the Light and the Fire, and the Brightest Moon” (510). As the gathering applauds for Nyktos and Sera, a golden mark appears on their hands. Nyktos announces that this is a very rare occurrence, signifying that the Fates have blessed their union.