The black throne heir

CHAPTER SIX - The Induction ball

The night feels too big for my chest.

I am sitting inside the pearl colored carriage, my hands folded in my lap so tightly that my fingers ache, listening to the gentle creak of enchanted wheels rolling over stone. The carriage glows softly, light reflecting off its curved surface like moonlight trapped in shell. My mother sits beside me, her posture composed, her expression calm in a way that only comes from years of choosing grace even when she is scared and nervous to death. She is wearing a gown the color of deep dusk, blue edged with silver embroidery that catches the light when she moves. Her hair is pinned neatly, a few strands loose around her face, softening her features.

Across from us, Jake adjusts his collar again, then smooths the front of his coat, then exhales sharply as if reminding himself to breathe. He is handsome tonight, broad shouldered, his dark hair brushed back, eyes bright with nervous excitement.

“This place,” he says quietly, peering through the window. “This place is unreal.”

I nod, though my throat feels too tight to speak.

As the carriage slows, the gates of Obsidian rise before us, towering black stone carved with sigils that glow faintly as we pass. Magic hums beneath my skin, responding to the enchantment woven into the academy grounds. Beyond the gates, the compound stretches endlessly, vast and enchanting, illuminated by floating lights that drift lazily through the air like captive stars.

Carriages fill the courtyard, dozens of them, each more elaborate than the last. Horses stand tall and elegant, some with manes like flowing embers, others pale and luminous as frost. Fairy guards line the pathways, wings shimmering softly, armor etched with ancient runes, eyes sharp and watchful as they scan every arrival.

I swallow.

Do we belong here.

The carriage stops.

The door opens.

Cool night air washes over me, carrying the scent of magic, polished stone, and expensive perfumes. I hesitate for half a second, then step forward, placing my foot onto the smooth black stone. The moment I do, warmth spreads upward, magic responding to magic, the fabric of my gown stirring gently as if alive.

The sound hits me next.

Glass clinking softly. Laughter rising and falling. Music drifting through the air, layered strings and enchanted harmonies weaving together. The murmur of voices, dozens of them, blending into a constant hum of wealth and confidence.

Then it shifts.

I feel it before I see it.

The subtle pause, the intake of breath. The way conversations falter just slightly.

I lift my head.

People are turning.

Not all at once, but enough. Heads angling. Eyes lingering. Whispers starting and stopping. My gown moves with me, dark and luminous, its surface catching the light in a way that feels intimate, it does not sparkle like the others, it breathes. Magic hums beneath its surface, responding to my pulse, to the wards of Obsidian itself.

I realize then what sets it apart.

Thread and jewels can be bought.

Magic like this cannot.

My mother’s hand brushes my arm, Jake lets out a low whistle before remembering himself.

We move forward.

The grand doors open, revealing the heart of the hall. The ceiling arches impossibly high, chandeliers floating freely, casting warm golden light that reflects off polished floors etched with ancient symbols. The music swells as we enter, live musicians weaving enchantment into sound, every note vibrating through my bones.

I hear glass clink again, closer now, crystal meeting crystal as students laugh and toast and pretend not to stare.

I feel eyes on me everywhere.

Then I feel his.

My gaze lifts instinctively.

Kael.

He stands near the center of the room, dressed in dark elegance, his presence commanding without effort. Power coils beneath his calm exterior, familiar and dangerous. His family surrounds him, imposing, regal, their presence warping the space around them. He is not smiling.

He is watching.

Directly at me.

For a moment, everything narrows. The noise dulls, the light softens, his eyes hold mine, unreadable, something flickering beneath the surface. Surprise, perhaps Curiosity.

Then I notice her, the girl at his side.

Brunette, tall, striking in a pale gown woven with tight controlled magic. Her hand rests lightly on his arm, casual but possessive. She follows his gaze and her expression changes instantly. Her eyes sharpen. Her lips press together.

Who is this.

That is what her face says.

A prickle runs down my spine.

I look away first.

Breathing feels like work again.

We move through the hall, my mother greeting politely, Jake nodding stiffly, and I am vaguely aware of whispered questions following in our wake. Drinks are offered. I take one, the glass cool against my fingers, the liquid inside shimmering faintly. I sip, barely tasting it, my senses too overwhelmed.

Girls gather in clusters, their laughter bright and rehearsed, their eyes flicking constantly toward Kael and his family. I hear fragments of conversation as I pass.

His father is here tonight.

Do you think he is watching.

If you dance well enough, maybe.

My shoulders tense.

Someone asks me my name.

Someone asks where I am from.

Someone asks about my dress.

I answer, smile, nod, move.

The music changes.

A hand is offered.

Then another.

I dance.

The floor is smooth beneath my feet, the rhythm carrying me forward, my gown moving like liquid night around me. I feel eyes on me again, heavier now, and I do not need to look to know whose they are.

Laughter rises nearby. Glass clinks again. A fairy guard glides past, wings brushing the air softly.

It becomes too much.

I need space.

I slip away quietly, moving toward the balcony doors, the night calling to me like a promise. The moment I step outside, cool air wraps around me, carrying the scent of night flowers and distant magic. The stars stretch endlessly above, bright and watchful.

I rest my hands on the railing.

I draw in a deep breath and let out, I do it continuously, having to tucking in my stomach im this right gown sure made me quite nauseated, I hate that I always have to be tensed in this school, I genuinely hate it here, but I’m doing this for legacy, just to make my mum proud and to give value to our family name.

Behind me, the music continues, muffled now. Laughter drifts through the open doors. Somewhere inside, power shifts.

There are no footsteps or presence but I feel magic first, no not just any magic, a spell casted, it’s dark and violent, full of resentment

I turn just as it strikes.

Force slams into my back, stealing the air from my lungs, lifting me forward. The world tilts violently. Lights smear into streaks. The stone railing vanishes beneath my hands.

I gasp.

The night opens beneath me.

And then there is only falling, is this how I die. Mum . Jake….