Chapter 12 Audryn
AUDRYN
The library was farther away from my room than the kitchen. I’d half expected to get lost, but I found the two mahogany doors leading to what likely held the name of the man I would destroy. With any luck, I’d kill the king and the executioner without being caught.
The moment I walked in, I lost my breath. The room was an open, two-story layout with four spiral staircases to access the upper level. Several light-blue stained-glass panes adorned the ceiling, letting the sky push in.
Books lined the shelves. Dozens sat stacked on small tables around the room, thoughtlessly abandoned without a home. My father would have slept on the stone floor if it meant he could live among the aisles. Maybe the prince would allow him to visit the space before he dismissed me.
“May I assist you?” a female voice drew my attention.
An older fae woman sat at a tiny table, glasses resting on the tip of her nose. She was exactly what I pictured when I thought of a centuries-old librarian. The woman wore a loose dress, avoiding the tight corsets that younger women endured in the name of beauty.
“Are you looking for something specific?” she asked. “Perhaps I can guide you to a section of interest or recommend a read.”
Staring for far too long, I examined the large mole pasted on her forehead. The irregularly shaped blemish was much darker than her fair skin. She cleared her throat, forcing me out of my impolite daze.
“I’m looking for a specific book, a records book of sorts.” I stepped forward and lowered my voice as my hand fidgeted with my mother’s necklace. “It documents each public execution, and I hear it goes back for many years, but I’m most interested in the last two.”
“Now, why would you want such a book?” The familiar voice sent a shiver down my spine. Hunt stepped out from behind a towering bookcase, his dark uniform blending in with the shadows.
Foolishly, I’d thought it was only the librarian and me in the enormous space.
I hadn’t considered others might’ve been roaming the surrounding aisles.
My knees weakened, legs threatening to collapse from under me, but I begged them to keep me upright.
He posed no greater threat than usual, but I’d carelessly tipped my hand.
“I … uh,” I stuttered, “I enjoy history, and I figured since I was here, I might as well make the most of it.” My words poured out. “Maybe a book about the Great War or the kingdoms dividing? Whatever you suggest, I’m interested. Gotta keep the mind busy.” I chuckled anxiously.
“The execution records are kept in the king’s personal library, in his study,” the librarian continued. “They are confidential and unavailable to the public.”
“It’s not wise to provide the whereabouts of that book to just anyone,” Hunt attempted to scold the woman.
“Guard Hunt.” The woman stood and stepped toward the haughty male. She was a full foot shorter than he was. “Do not tell me how to conduct myself at my work, and I will afford you the same respect. In the meantime, please leave so I may assist this young woman.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.” I smiled as Hunt skulked toward the door. Seeing him admonished by a woman at least triple his age was my new favorite thing; driving my dagger into his throat would be my next. Hunt stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
“You’re the first of the prince’s many women to come to the library.” The woman arranged the books into a neat pile on her desk. “My name is Vera, I run this place.”
“It looks like you’re doing an impeccable job.” I scanned the large room filled with shadows leaking from alcoves and corners. “I’ve never seen anything quite like this before. The public library is much smaller.”
“Yes, book inventory at the libraries has drastically decreased over the years. I suppose some believe knowledge poses a hazard, but I would assert it is knowledge that diminishes threat. For if all were given information equally, perhaps people would make different choices.”
The possibility of books being removed deliberately from the shelves hadn’t crossed my mind. I visited on behalf of my father every couple of weeks. Not putting much thought into the dwindling library, I had gone straight to the section of his interest and ignored the rest.
“We have several books about the Great War. However, most are on loan.” Vera pursed her lips.
“Whatever you’re able to provide,” I said, with no intention of actually reading any history books.
“I also have books on the continent of Crofea before it divided into seven kingdoms and existed only as one united land, would you like that?”
The woman walked off before I had the chance to answer. I followed her through the aisles, taking turn after turn. She moved with such confidence that I was sure she could find her way with her eyes closed.
“What about the Oras? Do you have texts covering the continent of the witches?” I might as well gather information about those we feared most, rather than believing the tales passed down through generations.
The woman didn’t answer. She stopped for a moment before proceeding down a low-lit aisle. She selected two books from the shelf, both ragged.
“This is a book on Rivale”—she placed the first book in my hand, then the other—“and this is on Kuroden.”
I went to argue that I didn’t need a book about our kingdom, as I was born and raised in Rivale, but accepted it anyhow.
Darkness crept in from the corners of the room as we continued onward. She placed five additional books into my awaiting hands, one for each kingdom.
“You will find each book provides information regarding the magic correlating to the land.” She peeked around the corner of the aisle and then lowered her voice. “I don’t know what you’ve been told. But we should all know the magic others hold, despite being prohibited from wielding our own.”
The tone in her voice had shifted only slightly, barely enough to even notice. But the disdain she had when speaking of the ban was clear.
Vera pulled several books from the shelf and stacked them neatly on top of the bookcase.
An old, worn text sat sideways against the back of the shelf, previously hidden by the removed books.
She pulled out the text. The leather was flimsy, and the papers practically trickled out of the failed binding.
She leaned in close. “There hasn’t been a direct threat from the witches for decades, but you should know their magic. You must always be prepared, you never know when you may run into one.”
“But the Macabre magic is unknown, is it not?” I asked, lowering my voice to a whisper.
With Rivale's ban in place for nearly my entire life, discussions of one's own magic was limited, let alone the magic of others.
“It is not unknown, but hidden. You must know only where to look.” The corners of the woman’s mouth perked. “I can only supply you with the resources, the rest is up to you.”
“Thank you.” I dipped my head slightly. “I’ll have them back to you as soon as I’m finished.”
She waved a wrinkled hand. “There is no rush, my dear. Hardly anyone knows these books exist.”
I carried the stack with me all the way back to my room, trying to contain my smile.
Though I didn’t find the records book, its location had been confirmed.
If I could just find the king's study, I’d easily be able to finish my tasks before the prince dismissed me.
In the meantime, I’d soak up the information I now had at my fingertips.