Chapter 4
The library is where I find my peace and center myself. It’s my favorite room in this massive, lonely castle. The librarian, Sadia, has known me since I was a child. I used to drive her mad with my endless questions, escaping here for hours on end, each book an adventure that awaited me.
“You’re in late today,” Sadia notes as I stroll into the main entrance.
The library is the size of twenty of my suites.
And I have one of the biggest suites in the castle.
The rows and rows go back as far as the eye can see, with tables and chairs placed throughout.
There are no traditional torches in here.
Instead, it’s lit by small orbs made out of specially crafted material that holds in the fire elementals’ flames, keeping them forever burning.
The lighting is dimmer in here than most other rooms in the castle, which is what causes me to squint at my books most days.
Even with the impeccable eyesight of an elf.
I feel that tingling sensation again, like I’m being watched, so I turn casually, doing almost a full spin before I pause.
Sitting several tables away at the end of the center aisle is my stalker, watching me with a bored expression.
But oddly enough, he lifts two fingers and points them toward me in a sort of salute, then returns his gaze to the open book on the table in front of him.
He looks deeply invested, like he’s been there for a while and whatever he’s reading has almost his full attention.
He was already here studying… before me?
So, is he not actually following me today?
In this low, warm lighting, his hair appears darker. Like a rich chocolate brown. A lock of it falls over his forehead as he reads, his brows scrunched together.
I look away and pull my old books from my satchel, placing them on the table with care. A small cloud of dust rises off the surface, even though I was just here at this very spot yesterday. I’m not going to let his presence distract me from what I do best. Study books.
The selections I brought with me today were carefully curated for a purpose. I’m so incredibly close to figuring out one of the last pieces of information I need, and these tomes just might have the answer I’ve been seeking for so long. I’m really hoping so, anyway.
The curse is a blight on our land. It’s slowly killing all living things—plants, animals and people alike.
I’m going to break it and free this land, along with all of its inhabitants.
It’s why I haven’t told Daegan’s secret. We have the same goals, he and I. He just doesn’t know it.
That day I overheard him he was talking about his real motivation for coming here. He doesn’t want to bow to the king or work on our relations, he’s here looking for the same thing I am. A way to free this land from the nasty curse that’s plagued it for far too long.
But do I tell him of my plans? Can I trust him?
Would he even believe me? He seems to loathe me and everything to do with my people, so I can’t imagine he’d simply accept my word.
Maybe it would be nice to have an ally, though.
I’m constantly surrounded by elves who don’t ever seem concerned about the rest of our world suffering.
Or they’ve just accepted it, because that’s the way it’s always been, and they’re far too comfortable.
Maybe it never occurred to most of them that a curse can always be broken. Always.
It’s occurred to Daegan, apparently. I don’t know if he has any sort of concrete plan, but I know he’s determined. I wonder if that’s why he’s researching so hard over there. I glance over again and notice a dozen more books scattered across his table.
Since he’s been watching me anyway, perhaps I can slowly clue him in. Maybe I can slowly gain his trust and eventually have an ally. Though as of right now, he treats me like an enemy he wants to murder.
It will be difficult. The hatred between our people runs deep.
After a few unsuccessful hours of reading and ignoring the figure across the way, scouring the texts for the last slice of information I think I need, my eyes begin to feel as if sand is stuck in them, so I pack the books into my bag, still ignoring the dragon, and head toward my quarters.
It’s late. No one else should be out at this time of night.