The Catalyst

Chapter 31

Later that evening, a servant informed Noah that the king wished to see him. After asking her for directions, Noah made his way to the third floor of the keep. He found Jaden outside his chambers, with various books, statues, and paintings cluttering the hallway.

"Good evening, mighty king," Noah said. "Should I bow?"

Jaden actually grimaced. Noah didn't think he'd ever seen his face do that before.

"What are you up to?" Noah asked.

"Redecorating." Jaden disappeared back inside, then came out holding a painting of Tessa Nightvale, which he leaned against the wall with the others.

Noah said, "I can see why."

Jaden gazed at the mess. "I'll have servants put them in some other chambers, or perhaps distribute them to whoever fancies such things, or—"

"Burn them?" Noah offered.

"Or that."

Then Jaden invited him inside. Noah didn't mind the lack of decoration, although the empty bookshelves did look rather sad. Noah approached the window. Dark blue curtains were drawn back to reveal an almost full moon that shone over the city beyond the castle's wall. When Noah turned back around, Jaden was holding up a black coat.

"Do you like it?"

The pure black fabric felt very soft when Noah touched the sleeve. It seemed finely-made and warm. Noah chuckled in surprise when he noticed the design in silver embroidery adorning one shoulder.

"Would be nice to see you in something other than your army's black-and-golds for once," Noah said. "But people might wonder why there's a spider web on your shoulder."

Jaden laughed. "You're quite silly. It's for you. Try it on."

At a loss for words, Noah shrugged on the coat. The fit was slim and perfect. This was by far the best quality he'd ever worn.

"I found a tailor with a taste for eccentric designs," Jaden explained.

Noah barely heard him though, because he felt the round metal tips of his throwing knives against his side. He opened the coat and there they were, all six knives secured in oblique slots, doubled in leather to protect the wearer.

"I told him to add that . . . and the spider web," he admitted.

Noah's throat tightened with emotion as he slid out a knife and its sharp edge caught the moonlight. "You even cleaned them?"

"Well, a servant did it for me," Jaden said. "I was doing it myself, but I got caught and then she wouldn't let me finish. Some of the servants actually scare me."

"I don't know what to say."

Jaden smiled. "I wanted to thank you . . . for what you did for Matt. For me."

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw his wound, Noah." Jaden's smile faded. "And with how much blood he'd lost, there's no way he could've survived long enough for me to get there. Not without your help."

"Well, it wasn't enough . . ."

"You did what you could," Jaden said firmly. "We got to say goodbye." He cleared his throat and looked up at the moon. Seemed like he didn't want to talk about it anymore.

Noah flipped the knife in his palm to hold it by the blade, and handed it to Jaden.

Jaden chuckled. "Don't make yourself short of a knife just because you feel you owe me a gift."