This is chapter 4! It's Niall's POV and takes place where the last left off. REVIEW please, as they both motivate my writing and tell me how the story is being percieved! I don't own Wicked lovely. Melissa Marr does.


When Niall left Electra, he was seeing red, his mind spinning. The more he thought back to Irial's deceit, the rage entered his mind. He was more upset than he wanted to be and more than logic told him he should be, and as if drifting into a state of subconscious, he was losing ground. The mortals that walked the streets were chafing him with their presence. The fey who lingering on the city sidewalks were an irritating sight.

And all the while, through the anger and frustration and guilt, Niall was afraid. He was afraid of what changes his feelings toward Irial would bring, afraid of how infuriated he was, afraid of hurting someone innocent because of it.

But he was afraid of himself, and that disturbed him more than anything.

The fear finally became too much, and he stopped himself by leaning on the wall of an alley for support. His heart was a rapid crescendo as he rested against the damp bricks; his breaths puffs of smoke in the dark. He put his face in his hands, thinking only about his own foolishness.

He had trusted Irial again, only to be burned. And I knew this would happen, but like an idiot I clung blindly to hope. It was foolish of Niall to believe him, to believe that Irial could change, and he hated himself for not being able to prevent it or be a dominating king. Were I a good king Irial would stay in his place. He wouldn't question or disobey me.

Niall sighed. But I give him privilege. Whenever I scold him, he enjoys it. He laughs at it. And I let him.

Niall ran a hand through his hair, feeling as though he would rip it out in any minute. He must learn. But is this the best way? Torn with decisions he shouldn't have to make, Niall stared idly at the night sky. The stars were out, and they had a calming effect on him. As his breathing slowed, his thoughts gained clarity.

Niall was far too unnerved to go back home, and he definitely didn't want to explain the decisions he was making to Gabriel. With not many other options, Niall went to visit the only faery he trusted without a doubt.


Seth's train yard was desolate as Niall approached it. Most fey avoided such a large amount of iron, but being the Dark King gave Niall a special privilege. Colorful plants and metalwork sculptures adorned the train's entrance, made more stunning in the dark. A chrysanthemum stared back at him invitingly. Niall brushed his thumb over one of the many flower petals, only to watch the flower shrivel and die from his touch. He frowned.

Before Niall could fully mourn the loss of the plant, Seth was already at the door, looking as darkly beautiful as always. The High Court faery's moonlit skin and dark hair contrasted wonderfully with his sleep-red lips and curious expression.

"Hey, Niall." His now-fey voice was akin to the husky sound of broken glass and wind chimes. When Seth opened the door more fully to let Niall to step inside, Niall was aware that Seth was wearing grey pajama shorts and not much else. He tried not to visibly show his discomfort at the sight of Seth's mostly bare legs. I had woken him up; It would only make sense that he would be… indecent.

Niall sat down in the lounge area of the train car as Seth went to the kitchen to procure some drinks. Niall glanced around the room to pass time. Boomer was resting in his terrarium, and the lights were dimmed.

When Seth came back with a beer and a cup of tea, Niall blurted, "I know the hour is late, but I really need to speak to you." He felt wrong for coming to Seth's residence so late at night with problems the boy probably couldn't effectively help him with anyway.

Seth arched a pierced eyebrow. "Okay." He sat down in one of the plush chairs, playing with his lip ring as he watched Niall, who almost looked afraid. "Spill."

Niall cleared his throat. He took a swig of the beer and allowed the moment to stretch until the air was pregnant with uncertainty. "It's Irial. He isn't… obeying me."

Seth looked thoughtful for a moment. "It must not be his usual disobedience, or else you wouldn't be here, asking me for help."

Niall calmly lit a cigarette so as not to show how worried he was. Seth let out a grunt of irritation as he slid a metal ashtray to Niall. Finally, Niall admitted, "He keeps secrets from me."

"But you knew that, did you not?" Some months before they'd had a similar conversation about Irial's secret-keeping.

"I did." Niall closed his eyes and sighed. "But he said he would stop. Be more honest."

Seth bit the inside of his cheek and frowned. Niall could taste his discomfort. "So what do you want to do about it? You are the Dark King."

Niall opened his eyes. When he spoke, his words were sad. "Yes. I am. I am what he made me." When Seth didn't respond to that, Niall took a sip of the brew and idly watched Seth toy with his lip ring, entranced by the motion of his tongue touching the ball of the ring.

When Niall had been staring too long, Seth gave him an odd expression. His voice was throaty. "Niall, are you alright?"

Niall took his eyes away from his friend for a moment, mortified for being sexually attracted to Seth's mundane actions. He's my friend. My only true friend. Niall was surprised with himself; he knew he was being improper. He shouldn't have been staring at his friend's legs or wondering how Seth's mouth tasted. His bout with Irial had his emotions in a tangle.

"Yes, I'm fine. I was thinking."

Seth sat back in the chair and drank more tea. His eyes observed Niall as he contemplated the situation. "Irial said he would be more honest with you, but what if he already is? What if he's being as honest as he can at the moment- for him at least?"

Niall tilted his head at Seth's idea. "Perhaps he is, but that doesn't stop the anger I feel every time I find out proof of new deceit."

Seth grinned. "Well you do have a temper", he joked.

Niall rolled his eyes.

Seth shrugged. "Meditate then, like you used to. That usually works." Then his tone grew more serious. "Unless… you want to banish him from Cour-"

"No", Niall interrupted. "That's out of the question." He sighed in frustration, his emotions a mess. "I need him too much. He can't leave."

When Niall looked up, he saw a curious expression on Seth's face, but his friend quickly disregarded it. If Seth heard the desperation in his voice, he chose to ignore it.

Instead, Seth said, "Well, try to work things out, Niall. That's my advice. I cannot think of much else, as this is unlike any… relationship… I've dealt with." He gave Niall an playfully entreating look and yawned. "Think on it when you go to bed."

Niall still felt undecided, but seeing no sure answer yet, he nodded nonetheless. He put out his cigarette. When Seth stood up to retreat to his room he said, "Can I sleep here for the night; what's left of it?"

Obviously tired, Seth nodded. "You can have the couch." Then the mortal-but-not-mortal boy said goodnight and retreated to his bedroom.

All of the anger Niall had felt earlier was making him tired, and Seth's nearly helpful conversation was taking a toll on him, making his decision even harder to make. With sleep heavy on his lids, Niall grabbed two throw pillows and made himself comfortable on the couch, where he slept for many hours.

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