38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The light from the stained glass in the library distracted my thoughts from the handwritten books in front of me. I was a studious person, but I wasn’t one who read ancient texts for fun.
Emrys said Verin was conspiring to consume all magic and I’d yet to figure out how someone could do that.
The king kept busy handling matters of court with my mother, and I’d been here.
In the library with Nyx. Though today she was helping Tor get fitted for the ball tonight.
His attire was to match mine, her words.
I thought about skipping, coming up with an excuse like I was feeling sick again.
Although it wasn’t exactly a lie. I’d had a faint headache all day.
But the dim light in this part of the palace helped.
Rune was training. He spent the hours in the same way since arriving, keeping himself physically exhausted. The days apart were damn torture. I wanted to breathe him in, touch him, taste him. Hell, listen to his heart beat. I’d take anything.
We were close to our month deadline and I feared he’d end up killing his brother on the final day. We had to stay apart and it hurt.
“Excuse me, librarian?” I called out and the petite Owl Fae nearly floated over. Her big blue eyes brightened in hopes that I’d pepper her with questions. Myandris… a relative of Celestine I believe. She was nice, quiet, and kept to the books.
Her gaze shifted to the stack of books and then to me. “Yes, Princess Sapphira. Anything I can help you find?”
Perhaps I shouldn’t ask, involving more people was dangerous, but I was at a loss. The headache flared in my right temple.
“Yes. I have a hypothetical question.”
The Owl Fae pulled out the wooden chair beside me and waited. Alrighty then.
“Hypothetically, is it possible to consume all the magic in the realm?” I bit back adding “I’m not planning to though” because that sounded guilty in my opinion.
She pursed her lips and hummed.
“Anything is possible. There are legends of ancient creatures in the far north that have the ability to steal magic from others. Though, as far as I know, they only steal from one creature at a time, and not a whole realm. Plus, there’s no witness statements to solidify this claim.
” She closed her eyes and pressed a pointy finger to her lips.
The light danced across her grayish skin, and her hair wisped around like smoke.
“Without knowing specifics, it’s hard to say. To cause such great damage to the realm would surely ricochet into other areas of reality. Our world works in balances. To consume all magic would rid it from others, thus throwing off the great balance.”
“Yeah.” I guess that’s true. But my thoughts were on one problem at a time. Protect magic, and I wouldn’t have to deal with any fallout.
“Are you writing a novel with such a twist? If you are stuck on the plot, I always suggest sticking to what you know. Not that I’ve written books.
Well, a short story a long time ago.” She pushed her hair away from her face and bit her lower lip.
“Did you know that orcas sometimes wear other creatures as hats?”
Umm...
“I did not,” I said softly, confusion written all over my face.
“Yeah. I say facts when I’m nervous. And you’re the princess. I think you’re great and I don’t know how to help. I’m rambling.”
This wasn’t helpful, but something she said before her fact tic came out was.
“What did you mean by write what you know if you’re stuck in a story? I don’t know how to consume all magic.” My core tugged at something inside my brain. The headache made it hard to listen, but I knew this conversation was leading me somewhere.
“Well, where does magic come from in your story? Are the characters born with it? Is it gifted to them by gods? A magical creature or like in our case something similar to the Heart Tree?”
The Heart Tree.
“Like the Heart Tree. What books do you have about it? Do we know where it is?” No one’s officially seen it, but that’s the lore in all the Fae kingdoms. A magical tree gives us our power and chooses our mates. It holds the balance to the realm.
That’s gotta be it. Somehow, Verin knows where to find it, and will what? Chop it down to take all the power it holds?
Myandris popped up and ran off. “Yes. I have a few books about it,” she said excitedly and for the first time since sitting in this chair, I felt hope.
“The Heart Tree is one of my favorite myths about our realm. My aunt Celestine used to tell me stories about its crystal cave, and those who dared to find it.” She handed me two plate sized books with a smile.
Looks like I had another Owl Fae to speak with.
“Is it okay if I take these to my room?” I stood and a beam of light hit my eyes. My headache flared again.
“Of course. Take your time, and if you’ve got any questions, or need help with your story, I’m usually here.”
“Thanks. I appreciate your help.” I carried the books up the stairs and decided I needed to rest for a bit. Celestine and further reading could wait.
I closed the curtains, snuggled into bed, and focused on my breathing. Whenever I’d gotten headaches in the past, a little power nap in the dark usually knocked them out.
Within minutes, I was out.
Then the nightmares descended.