an eye for an eye and the world goes blind
For far too long Somnus had pondered hard on what he might do or say the next time that he saw Ipomoea. The sting from the way that Delumine’s Regent had left still ached, remaining a stubborn, bitter taste upon his tongue that he simply couldn’t be rid of. While he was proud of his little brother taking off to defy the motions of the world and warp fate, to fight against darkness before it could truly bloom and smother, there was a part of him, deep down within the darkest recesses of his heart, that simply felt abandoned.
While Ipomoea ventured across the world and grew into himself, Somnus was left behind, inadvertently tasked with keeping the home fires burning. He wanted to assist where he could, and yet that power had been taken from his open hands. With Delumine so stagnant, leaving to follow his brother would leave the Dawn Court exposed in a terrible way, and so the Dawn King remained behind, a silent shadow who spent his days planning, anticipating, and praying.
So often did he spend his days pleading to Oriens for some kind of sign, for guidance, for help. What was left of him to do? The old ways were lost and the archaic traditions passed down since Simon the First had done nothing to help them now. In his days of silent, frantic prayer, realization came to him, followed by acceptance.
The Placeholder King.
Long ago, Somnus had claimed that to be his title when Kasil had abdicated himself from the crown. The former sovereign hadn’t found that funny, not a single bit, but back then, Somnus had hoped that the stallion would return and take the mantle back from the dunalino’s shoulders. It never happened, and so he shouldered the burden of sovereignship with grace and poise, trying to do what was best with the skills he had acquired over the years.
Perhaps the term ’placeholder’ had faded from his mind as the seasons passed, but now, staying behind as Ipomoea and Odet raced across the continent, fighting danger and ill-intention with undying light and righteous passion, the term was quick to return to his mind. His tea forgotten to grow cold within its cup, a sardonic smile pulled at Somnus’ dark lips as deep verdant eyes stared down at the scrolls upon his workstation.
The silent inquiry echoed throughout the room, witness only to Alba who popped her beak at her companion in an admonishing way, her glare downright disapproving. ’Nonsense. You were a good and just king and served Delumine faithfully. Who else held tea in the company of Oriens on so many occasions? Who else could call Oriens a friend, and not simply their designated patron deity?’ Her beak popped once more, the tawny, dappled feathers upon her wings fluttering with indignation. ’I won’t stand for this self-depreciating spiel and neither would he, so stop it, or I’ll go and tell your wife.’
’Were’. Alba’s choice of phrase was not lost on him. They both knew that his reign was over, and they were both perfectly fine with that.
The dunalino paused, his sardonic grin quick to melt away into a peculiar frown as he lifted his head to focus upon the barn owl. Golden brows furrowed as he thought, mulling over his companion’s words. Alba was right. Releasing a heavy breath, the Dawn King pushed himself to stand with the pop and creak of joints and bones. He groaned softly, taking a few moments to regain the circulation from sitting so long. Remaining cooped up in his study for hours on end was poor for his mental health, and he knew that he needed to leave before Eulalie and Regis came looking to drag him out by force.
Ipomoea. The prodigal son had returned home at last.
The question once more flared into his mind; how was he going to react upon seeing Ipomoea again? What would he say? Their eyes met, rich emerald staring into gentle rosy depths, unable to miss the warm, adoring smile that blossomed like flowers upon his younger brother’s face. Po carried with him the scent of incense and woodsmoke, but also heat and sand. His scent was foreign from his time spent away, but beneath all of that was the familiar perfume of Delumine, of home. Somnus did not miss the tawny feather tied into the Regent’s loose tresses, just as he knew Po would not miss the blue feather tied into his own ivory hairs, and such a simple sign of solidarity, of brotherhood, of family threatened to undo him.
What would he do once Ipomoea returned home? There had only ever been one answer.
Stepping boldly forward to lessen the distance between them, Somnus swallowed hard against the emotion that formed within his throat. His raced within his chest, beating like a harsh staccato against his ribs, frantic and desperate. With as much grace and poise as he could muster, tears welling in his eyes even as he stubbornly refused to allow them to follow, the Dawn King smiled.
There was so much that he wanted to know, so many questions that vied for dominance within his mind and upon his tongue, but they could wait until after their reunion. They had both undoubtedly waited a long time for this moment, and starting with a slew of questions would only ruin such a tender, precious display.
