Chapter 10 #5
The witch lets out a long sigh. ‘I should have been made aware of this before, Jak. I alone have access to the ward key.’
‘I know. My apologies. But we only recently discovered that it would be Kitore. I thought you’d have been told by the Underhill, though.’
Vie stands with pursed lips, and waddles over to her desk, ringing a small, tinkling bell.
‘Were other fae meant to be coming here as well?’ she asks.
I nod. ‘But we haven’t heard from them.’
Locke opens his mouth as if to speak, but closes it again just a quickly, saying nothing.
I frown at him, wondering if he’s keeping yet more from us, but now isn’t the time to address what he may or may not know.
Vie is a friend, but she’s also a powerful force here, and fae business is fae business.
Lia having us leave so abruptly and with no reinforcements doesn’t bode well for the state of the Underhill at the moment, that’s for sure.
‘I think we may be on our own,’ I say.
Vie nods. ‘Then, I will ensure the Library’s forces are at your disposal, but when this is finished, I expect the Underhill to explain why such a mission was sanctioned within Kitore’s walls without informing us.
The fae are entitled to their secrets, especially given what happened here, but not at the expense of the city, nor its occupants, Jak. ’
I give Vie a nod. ‘Understood. Our apologies, First Scholar.’
‘We’ll speak more on this later, once you’re settled.’
A novice dressed in brown robes appears at the top of the stairs.
'Ah, Jenken. These are my guests. They are to be afforded every courtesy. House them in the adjunct.'
'Of course, First Scholar. If you'd like to come with me.'
Bryn stands and Vie bows her head to her. Not sure what to do, Bryn mimics her movements, and Vie's expression morphs from slight annoyance at me to friendliness.
'I hope to see you again, First Scholar,' Bryn says.
'Vie, please. And I you, Bryn,' Vie sighs almost contentedly.
I give a final nod to Vie for being so understanding as I turn to leave.
‘Be here to meet with me and my captain at first light, Jak,’ she says, her order clear.
‘Yes, First Scholar.’
We're taken by the Library’s novice down the stairs and across the main floor to a large door. The servant opens it, and I see stairs that lead down into a wide passage on the other side, lined with light.
We start down the long hallway, and we arrive at another door not long afterward. On the other side, there’s another set of stairs, which we climb and find ourselves in an elaborately decorated room.
'The adjunct is usually reserved for diplomats and other high-born visitors to the city,' the novice tells us. ‘Please do ring the bell for whatever you require, and it shall be brought with the utmost haste.’
I nod and the novice withdraws with a bowed head, disappearing back through the tunnel.
'Come.' I pull Bryn up some more wide, winding stairs to an upper floor of bedchambers, complete with bathing suites and rooms with comfortable chairs and small libraries of their own. When we find the biggest one, I gesture around the room.
'Your chamber, my lady.'
'Mine?' she asks. She turns in a slow circle, admiring the stained glass in the windows, the thick rugs, and the smooth wooden furniture complete with comfortable, upholstered chairs.
'And this,' I say, pointing to a cord dangling from the ceiling, 'is to call the servants. Pull it whenever you want food, or drink, or water for bathing, and someone will come.'
'I'll get whatever I need myself,' she says quietly. 'I wouldn't want to bother anyone.'
She frowns, clearly not liking the idea of some poor human having to traipse all the way from the main building just to find out what she wants, only to go all the way back to get it for her.
'They aren't slaves, Bryn,' I say gently. 'They're servants and novices. They're paid well for their services here, I promise you. They want to be here. It’s considered an honor.'
'Oh,' she says, letting out a breath of relief, and looking as if she feels a bit silly. 'Of course.'
'Would you like to go out into the city?' I glance out the window at the darkening sky. 'We could eat at a tavern…as free humans in the Light Realm, I mean. Just you and I. If you’re not too tired after…today.'
'I’m not tired, and my body feels completely healed. But now?' she asks. 'It's quite dark and tomorrow…it all begins.’
I take her hand. I want her to have tonight, just a little time before she’s put in harm’s way.
'A city such as Kitore never sleeps,’ I say lightly. ‘And the lamps are lit every night in all the main streets.'
She nods and practically pulls me down the stairs. I laugh as we pass Morgan and Locke.
‘You’re going out now?’ Morgan rumbles but quickly falls silent at my angry look between them as Bryn falters at my side.
I’m showing Bryn the first human city she’s ever seen and my plan will not be curtailed. My skin goes cold as all the ways tomorrow could go wrong fill my mind.
No. I won’t think of it, and I won’t let Bryn either. Tonight is ours.
The morrow will come soon enough, when we’ll meet with Vie and use the human I care about as bait.
I shake off the helplessness I feel. It’s worse for Bryn. She’s been put in an impossible position, and I will never ever forgive Calder, nor the Underhill for making her do this to keep her place in the Light.
Are they really any different from Dark Realm masters?
The hypocrisy disgusts me.
I’m going to keep Bryn safe, I vow. I don’t care what I have to do to ensure it.
‘Of course,’ I chuckle, as if I’m not thinking these dark thoughts. ‘Why not? Come, if you wish.’
But I don’t wait for them to decide. I lead Bryn outside of the Library’s walls and into the streets where there are already colorful banners and garlands of dried flowers decorating the main squares of the city.
Her eyes hold a wonder that makes me giddy with excitement despite seeing many of these festivals while I travelled the Light and the Dark, and I don’t regret the prospect of living tonight as if the next day isn’t going to come.
She stops to look at everything, touching and smelling. I buy her whatever takes her fancy, from a roasted leg of turkey and a spiced bun, followed by a flavored ice to eat as we walk. If she lingers over ribbons, I get them. If she looks too long at a necklace, I have it wrapped for her.
When we come upon a large square where music is playing and people dance in the street, she turns to me in excitement and joins them, finally seeming to understand that she’s truly free.
I love it.
I love her.