The central door swung open without a sound, revealing a chamber vaster than any cathedral in the whole Capital. In its center rose a throne of grown gold crystal, roots climbing the ceiling to vanish into the arena.
Cassie raised the lantern, its flame looking like a firefly against the dark, "It's a chair the size of a cathedral."
"It is not a chair, it is a seat that someone is still growing," Aria said softly through the Chain.
"The whole room is humming, I can feel it in my teeth," Juna muttered, rubbing her jaw.
They crossed the floor on a road of fused crystal, every footstep ringing out like a struck silver goblet. Along both sides stood empty stone seats in rising rows, as though a vast audience were waiting to arrive.
Didi walked between Hajin and Cassie with her chin high, but her fingers were ice cold inside his.
"Father says the Crown is a promise," she said, staring up at the roots, "this is not a promise."
"No, Highness, this is a bill."
