Chapter 23
Leaf
The earthy tang of old parchment coated my tongue as I licked my finger and turned another page in a book about the history of Sun Realm magic.
Thankfully, the guardians, as the Taln librarians preferred to be called, were busy cataloging new titles from the Ice Realm and had left me alone to flick through a dusty tome called Masters of Mythology: A Case Study of Magnificent Magicians and Mages Throughout the Ages .
Earlier, I had grabbed a pile of books from the Historical Magic section and retreated to a snug corner nestled behind rows of shelves beneath the domed-glass ceiling, in a section of the library perched high above the town.
In one direction, the cozy nook overlooked the library’s entrance far below, and in the other, the mountains beyond the forest, making it the perfect position to study any fae coming and going from the building and waste time daydreaming as I stared out at the view.
No one had entered for at least an hour, so I skimmed through chapters undisturbed, searching for information about the magic behind the Sentura Pyre and my mergelyn anklet, concluding that the fae of Taln weren’t avid readers.
Twenty minutes later, a jinn who, for some reason had taken the shape of a centauress, arrived to water the library’s trailing vines and potted plants with a long spout that connected to her bulging saddlebags. She completed her duties quickly, leaving me to concentrate on reading instead of flicking her curious glances every time the clip-clop of her hooves sounded on the parquet floor nearby.
The soft-blue sky suddenly darkened to burnt peach as sparks rained down in a glorious shower of fire. What caused the spectacle, I couldn’t say. But the sight stole my breath, and I stared at it until my eyes glazed over, indulging in memories of Arrow and how delicious his big, warm body had felt, shuddering inside and around me.
I had sworn I’d never fall for his pretty lies again. But it was clear now that he’d been telling the truth all along. He did love me and had come to Taln for one reason only—to get me out of it. I could no longer deny how I felt about him. The Storm King hadn’t betrayed me, which meant I was free to love him until the day I died.
Pretending to read, I flipped another page, the crisp sound evoking memories of my bookshelf-lined bedroom in Mydorian. I recalled the bliss of lying beneath heavy blankets, letting my imagination soar beyond the palace walls into the thrilling realms of distant lands and other lives.
I had also been a frequent visitor to Mydorian’s light-filled library. With its whitewashed floors and silver branches of an enormous sapoula tree holding up the domed, open ceiling, it was quite a contrast to Taln’s three-storied, dark-wood building full of secrets and shadowy corners.
I studied the long, crimson tassels of candelabras that hung from the ceiling like upside down love-lies-bleeding plants and the candles burning on reading tables. The flames cast a purplish light over the flowering creepers that climbed the shelves, providing relief from the somber, closeted atmosphere.
Facing the mountains, I closed my eyes for several moments, promising myself I’d only think about last night one more time before returning my attention to the book.
“Hard at work, I see,” said a voice from above, startling me out of my reverie.
Damn. Guilty heat flushed over my cheeks. I glanced up, finding Arrow looming over me dressed in leathers and a cloak, the golden feathers on his chest plate tinkling as he shifted his weight and crossed his arms.
“Hello,” I said, the image of him unfastening those exact pants all-too fresh in my mind.
“What are you pretending to do in the library?” he asked, frowning.
I snapped the book shut. “I’m not pretending. I’m hunting for useful information. What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been hunting you . I told you I’d come looking for you after this morning’s meeting. Didn’t expect to find you here, though.”
“Why not? I can read you know.”
“Yes. You can read very well. Everything except me, apparently.” A smirk replaced his frown. “Found anything interesting?”
Prompted by the Storm King’s arrival, a guardian emerged from a high level of an internal tower, cleared his throat, and hurried halfway down a spiral staircase that ran the full height of the black-crystal-clad structure to stop just above us. Oval windows in the tower overlooked each level of the library, likely for monitoring visitors while the guardians worked inside it, busy with administrative tasks.
“Is all well?” the silver-haired male asked, the movement of his crimson wings fluttering the long whiskers of his mustache and wafting his robes around his stooped frame.
“Perfectly fine. Thank you,” I answered with a cheery wave while concocting a lie. “King Arrowyn has come in search of books on ice sculpting. He considers himself exceptionally skilled in the art. Did you know that he runs competitions in the Light Realm inside a purpose-built ice conservatory to protect the sculptures from the desert sun? He’s quite determined to win this year’s event and is seeking new inspiration for his designs.”
The old librarian looked thoughtful. “It’s doubtful we keep anything on the subject. As you can imagine, with our kingdom’s heat, it’s not a popular pastime, especially not one kings are known to engage in,” he said with a judgmental sniff.
A map of the library appeared in the air in front of him, tiny flames morphing into what looked like a catalog of books that the guardian flicked through with a crooked finger. “No, I can’t see anything specifically on ice sculpting. Has the competition being going for long? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s not a well-known event. Arrowyn proudly started it in his twentieth year. But please don’t go to any trouble. I’ll help him look through Taln’s art collection. I’m sure something there will ignite his creative passions.”
The guardian dropped a bow and retreated up the steps, leaving me alone with Arrow’s hostile stare.
“Ice sculpting?” he growled. “Really? That’s ludicrous. As if I would—”
I swallowed laughter and grinned. “I’m sure it’s a fine activity for a Storm King. And to be honest, I think you’d look very attractive chiseling away at sculptures, half-naked as you worked.”
“Huh. Might have to try it one day,” he said with a smirk. “I can think of many uses for the ice that you might enjoy.”
Patting the cushion next to me, I brought out the book I’d hidden behind my back when the guardian appeared on the staircase. I checked for any physical signs that Melaya might have been eavesdropping—skin tingling, nausea etcetera—and found none. “I have discovered something interesting in this book. It says…”
He held a finger to his lips, silencing me as he mouthed the word, “Wait.”
Thunder clapped, and the city streets below sizzled, steam rising off the paving stones. Arrow looked over his shoulder and out the window, staring as if mesmerized by the fire rain.
“What causes the phenomenon?” I asked. “It’s beautiful.”
“Come with me, and I’ll show you.”
He held his hand out, and I grabbed it, allowing myself to be tugged to a shadowy corner of the library. Arrow backed me into the stacks, the smell of old books and dust teasing my senses. Soft lips kissed me tenderly, first my mouth, and then the side of my neck over the pulsing Aldara glyph.
“What are you doing?” I asked, so breathless I could barely speak. “I thought you were going to show me something about the fire showers.”
“No, I decided to ignite my creative passions, just like you told the guardian I would.”
“See? I always end up being right, don’t I?” I teased.
“If you kiss me again,” he breathed in my ear, “then you’ll definitely be as right as the gold-flecked desert. As perfect as the sun that blazes above it. And as—”
“Oh, do shut up.” I laughed, smashing our mouths together and silencing his ramble. “Why waste time arguing when we could do this instead?” I said between kisses.
My head spun, my limbs loose and languid, and for a few minutes, I forgot that we stood inside a library, located in a hostile realm.
But reality soon intruded, and I remembered that if we wanted to escape Taln, we had a lot of work to do, and locking lips leisurely would have to wait.
I pushed Arrow’s chest, reluctantly breaking our kiss. “How is this showing me what causes the fire rain to fall?”
“It isn’t,” he said, his dark-gold hair a ruffled mess and his breathing rough and heavy. “Obviously.” He let his face fall into the crook of my neck and rumbled the words against my skin. “But I can’t stop thinking about last night.”
“You can’t stop thinking about my blood?”
His low laugh sent a shiver down my spine. “No, your everything , Leaf. Eyes. Smile. Voice. Smell. Taste. Laugh. And in case you’ve forgotten, you’re mine. Mine. Mine ,” he rasped. “Forever mine as I am yours in life and death.”
“I’d prefer not to contemplate our deaths right now.”
“No? Then think about this,” he said, his fangs sliding into my neck and drawing blood. Only a sip, but enough to make my head fall back in response, something heavy tumbling from the shelf onto the floor.
“Arrow, the book…”
“ Ignore it ,” he replied through our bond, his silver gaze hot as he raised his head.
“ More .” I wound my fingers into his hair and tugged him back to where I needed him.
“Absolutely not.” His forehead pressed against mine. “ You need your strength, and I only took enough blood to speak through our bond . I have a plan. We’ll return to your cozy reading corner, converse about things of no consequence, bicker, and then I’ll leave in an apparent rage. You’ll wait five minutes, and then meet me by the fire moat .”
“ Why there ?”
He rolled his eyes. “ For once, instead of arguing, please just follow my instructions .”
“ Now you’re worried about being discreet? Anyone could’ve walked around the stacks and seen us. Bakhur, even Azarn, who I’ve heard loves to lurk around his city, hoping to find someone plotting his demise .”
“Are you ready?” he asked, leading me back to the couch where my books waited on a low table.
“As I’ll ever be.”
“You’re quite wrong, Princess,” he said in a fake pompous tone. “My ice sculptures shouldn’t emulate forms from other realms.” Frowning, he sat beside me and angled his head toward the window. “ Look carefully at the pair near the library entrance playing a board game ,” he said through the bond.
Two cloaked men that looked a lot like Raiden and Zaret moved clay figures over a board, joking and laughing as if they hadn’t a care in the world.
“ You’ve set watchdogs near the entrance ?” I asked.
He smirked. “ Yes .”
I crossed my arms, forcing a frown. “I disagree. I think featuring fae from other realms in your art is actually a radical act of peace. You should try it.”
As I spoke, Esen approached Arrow’s guards across a courtyard dotted with statues of winged orcs and trolls. Rising, Raiden smiled and slapped Esen on the back, then she squatted down and joined the game.
“I have no desire to sculpt fire fae,” Arrow rumbled, sounding cross.
In shock, my gaze cut to his. “ You’ve forgiven her ?”
“ It’s a long story. Now please continue our tiresome, petty argument out loud .”
Stacking the books on the table, I huffed out a sigh. “But, King Arrowyn, I’ve seen your ice work. You have a talent for sculpting bodies, buttocks in particular. I think you’d do a magnificent rendering of Prince Bakhur.”
Arrow laughed, turning it into a growl as he shot to his feet. “Are you suggesting I have a… a fascination for the Fire Prince?” he shouted.
I tried hard, but failed to stop my shoulders from shaking with laughter. “And what if I am?”
He shook his head slightly, warning me I’d gone too far. “This is the last time I come to you for artistic advice, Princess Zali. You’ve been no help at all today.”
I shrugged. “Fae kings often react poorly to constructive feedback.”
With a whispered curse, Arrow turned on his heel, his cloak whipping out behind him as he marched away. The words “ Fire moat ,” echoed in my mind as he swept through the library doors. “ Five minutes. Don’t be late .”
The old librarian appeared at the top of the stairs again. “Is King Arrowyn all right?”
“Oh, yes,” I replied, picking up the mythology book. “Don’t mind him. He’s very sensitive about his creative process.”
The fae harrumphed, and then disappeared in a whirl of black robes.
I contemplated the book on my lap, running my finger over the gold-embossed runes and dragons on its red cover. It mostly contained long-winded tales of the deeds of ancient fire wielders.
One particularly harrowing story detailed the scene after a battle, where the fire mages set a lake alight and burned the Ice Realm families who were taking refuge in it. Another recounted how the fire fae had conquered the lost tribes of sand dragon shifters in the Light Realm thousands of years ago, a story I thought best not to share with Arrow.
At least not until we were safely back in Coridon.
I used my final minutes in the library to run through what I’d found in the books—mostly things that I already knew.
The Sun Realm’s strength stemmed from the fire fae’s ability to transform their appearance and in their mastery of the dragons that flew over the city with their trainers each dawn, perfecting complex battle formations.
Flipping through the book one last time, it fell open on a page toward the back. I ran my finger over a passage about twin mages, the words partly concealed within the embossed illustration of a palace consumed by flames.
It said: With each pair coming to ascendancy during the reign of a Sun Realm king, mergelyn twins are the key to a ruler’s success. Lose one, the other fails. One dies, the kingdom falls. Protect the powerless, for he is the holder of the other’s glory.
A short, but extremely interesting piece of information.
Heart pounding, I wondered if I’d stumbled across the secret to bringing the Fire King down. If we could somehow gain control of Nukala, perhaps it would be easy to disable his brother, Melaya, and remove the block on our magic.
I snapped the book closed and returned it to the shelf, sliding it between tomes of bardic poetry and quickly scanning the rows around them. Each book in the section contained the word poems or songs in its title, while the surrounding shelves were designated for volumes of art history.
A Case Study of Magnificent Magicians and Mages had been misplaced, possibly not intended for the eyes of the average reader. Or a captive princess from the Earth Realm.
I brushed dust off my hands and headed toward the exit, eager to share my newfound information with Arrow and feel the delicious burn of his silver gaze trailing over me.