CHAPTER 11
Of course, Raena did not immediately agree to come to the forbidden library. First, she insisted that we call the servants to help us bathe and get changed into new dresses, making sure I understood that to be seen in the same outfit twice would mark the death of any highborn’s social life. For me, she picked out a long red gown, and for herself, she chose a gown draped in ruffled midnight blue fabric – apparently, these were the best choices for hiding all the dust we would be ‘swimming through’ during our second visit to the library. Then, she ordered a guard to fetch a platter of fruit for us to feast on while the servants fixed our hair. And as much as I hated to admit it, I found myself starting to enjoy all the preening. It really helped to clear my mind, even if the bliss only ever lasted a few minutes.
By the time we were finally ready to go, the sun was already high in the sky, and the halls of the palace were crawling with eagle-eyed, judgmental court members. As we walked through the hallways, I found myself very grateful for Raena’s fashion advice. For once, the number of approving looks I received far outweighed the distasteful ones.
It didn’t take long before we were back in the dimly lit library, where I hurriedly guided Raena towards the back corner. My fingers skimmed over the book spines just as they did before until, eventually, they paused on the spine of that same stiff purple book. Bringing both hands up again, I tugged.
Click.
I could hear Raena gasp beside me as the bookshelf door swung open.
“I knew this palace would have secrets,” she stammered, “but I never thought there would be anything here, in this old place…”
Meeting her gaze, I spoke in a serious tone. “Promise me that you won’t tell anyone about anything that you see here?”
She nodded, albeit reluctantly, and then without any more hesitation, we descended together into the darkness of the corridor. For the entire walk, Raena gripped my arm with more strength than you’d think possible for a young girl in a ruffled gown. From the way she was shuddering, I was certain she believed that if she were to let go, she would be lost here forever. Eventually, we reached the set of stairs that led to the secret room. I guided her down, but as we neared the bottom, I felt Raena almost leap out of her skin as a voice called to us from beyond the shadows.
“Who goes there?” It was a timid woman’s voice. Instantly, I recognised her subtle accent.
“Seraphina?” I called back. “It’s just me and… a friend.”
We veered into the open doorway to see Seraphina, partially hidden by her familiar blue hood, alone amidst the tall bookshelves. Except it didn’t sound like she was alone. All along the walls, books babbled and rocked as though they were excited to greet us. And beside me, Raena struggled to stay standing while taking in the shocking sight of it all.
“It’s good to see you again, Princess.” Seraphina smiled, closing the brown leather book she was reading. It appeared to sigh dramatically as her hand slid down the dusty cover.
“What… is all this?” Raena breathed, her gaze frantically darting from one book to the next.
Seraphina rose from her plush armchair and stalked towards us. “Who is your friend?” she asked, her bell-like voice chiming with suspicion.
“Oh yes, sorry. This is Lady Raena.” Gently, I pried the quivering girl’s hand from my sleeve. “I brought her here to help me decide what to make of all this.” Although, based on how she was coping with the babbling books, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
“So you are considering approaching the fae?” Seraphina mused, a smile tugging at the corner of her thin lips. “I knew you’d come back. You struck me as the curious sort.”
“I want to know more about the prince,” I said, dismissing her comment. “You said that he’s unmarried. What is he like?”
Beside me, Raena spluttered as she choked on a breath. “I’m sorry, but… Naria, tell me you did not bring me down here just to say you’re considering marrying a faery instead of Lukas? I know I said that they can be beautiful, but how can they possibly help with your kingdom?” She lowered her voice, ignoring Seraphina’s impatient gaze. “If you just want to marry someone beautiful, there are many lovely guards I can introduce you to.”
“Foolish girl,” the healer snarled.
My friend’s attention whipped to her, but before she had a chance to snap back, I held my hand out to separate them. “It’s alright, Raena. Please trust me on this. I won’t take any risks without knowing what I’m getting into… Which is why I’m here.” My gaze returned to the hooded woman. “Please can you tell me more about the prince? Do you think he would be willing to help my kingdom?”
I saw it then. That slight grin that slithered over her cheeks like a thin snake. And then I felt it too, in the pit of my stomach. It was like something deep inside me was trying to say this was a very bad idea.
“I’ve never met him in person,” Seraphina began, moving over to the tall, looming bookshelves. “But from what I’ve read of both your families’ histories, I’d be very surprised if he didn’t want to help you.” She reached up to retrieve that same violet giggling book that she’d found before. “Your parents were good friends with the Faery King and Queen, you know. Many of the healing powders we use today originated from the crystals found by your parents who searched the faery caverns. And the fae were able to learn more about the origins of their own magic with your kingdom’s advanced medical knowledge. Together, they achieved so much.”
She carried the book over, letting it land with a soft thud on the table in front of us. Its pages resumed their quiet laughter as Seraphina leafed through.
“But I don’t understand,” I wondered out loud. “If what you’re saying is true, and my parents formed such strong relations with the fae, why is there so much distrust towards them now? What changed after the fire?”
The healer just shook her head as she continued leafing through the book. “Many things changed after the fire, dear princess… Although I suppose the reason why there are no faeries wandering around the Steel Palace, is mostly down to jealousy. Maybe even fear too.” She paused her reading to glance up at us. “I’m sure you’ve been told before that with magic, one faery could easily overpower several humans. It wouldn’t be hard to believe that the only reason the entire realm is not ruled by fae is because humans outnumber faeries tenfold. Apparently, there were an awful lot of people who didn’t appreciate how much power Corlixir was giving to the fae – many of those, were the rulers of our great kingdoms.”
“But what about my teachers and the village elders?” I persisted, moving closer. “They would’ve lived in Corlixir with the fae. Some of them were even researchers who I know worked alongside my parents, and yet they always insisted that we stay away from the faeries. Why?”
“You grew up with your fellow Corlixins in Honeymeade, correct?”
I nodded.
“Honeymeade belongs to Drothmore. Therefore, the King can impose whatever sort of curriculum he likes upon the young and highly impressionable children of Corlixir. Even if what he’s insisting you learn is completely incorrect.”
“That can’t be true,” Raena cut in. “King Ikelos would never do that. He’s a good king!”
“Is he?” Seraphina shot back with a frown. “Good king or not, never underestimate how far a man would go to keep away a potential threat to his throne, or his family.” Her last few words were heavy, as though there was a lot more to this story than she was willing to share right now. But I didn’t press, I already had so much else to think about. After hearing all of this my mind was such a mess. Next to me, Raena remained silent, and I wondered if the inside of her head was equally as scrambled. No doubt whatever happened here next, she would still spend the next hour scolding me when we returned to the tower. And I wouldn’t blame her. Talks like this within the walls of Drothmore’s palace were bordering on treasonous. If only the King knew about this conversation happening in his hidden library…
“I must say though.” Seraphina’s chiming voice interrupted my thoughts. “You came to me at the perfect time.” Her finger hovered over one of the book’s pages. “It says here that in only a few weeks, the faery royal family are hosting a grand ball where the crown prince will choose his bride. Didn’t you tell me you were looking for another prince?”
“How convenient…” Raena huffed. “We should go, Naria. I don’t trust any of this.”
“Wait,” I said quietly, causing both Seraphina’s and Raena’s attention to snap to me. “How certain are you that they would help me rebuild my kingdom?”
“I would bet my life on it,” Seraphina answered, and for some strange reason, I couldn’t help but feel she was telling the truth. “Even if the prince already has a bride in mind, for the greater good of both of your kingdoms, it would be such a wasted opportunity for you to not at least form some kind of alliance.”
Raena’s mouth fell open. “Naria, please don’t actually consider this.”
“I don’t know if I have a choice,” I said back to her. “If Lukas is not interested in helping me and there are no other options for me here, then speaking with the faeries may be the only way for Corlixir to ever be restored to what it once was.”
“But there are other options,” Raena snapped back. “There has to be. We just haven’t found them yet. And there’s still a chance that Lukas might change his mind about helping you with your kingdom. You’ve known each other for barely a week. Just give it more time.”
Across the table, Seraphina chuckled. “Maybe, might, a chance… Tell me, Naria, would you happily leave the fate of your kingdom up to chance? Would you marry the Prince of Drothmore because maybe he will help your people… someday?”
She was right. My people needed certainty, and if Lukas couldn’t provide that, then maybe the fae would? But could I really trust Seraphina? Raena had a fair point when she said this was all very convenient. What if this was all some horrid trap and, like a fool, I was walking right into it?
My head was spinning.
“I just – I don’t know,” I replied honestly.
The healer’s finger lazily traced the page she was reading before asking in a cool tone, “How about this then… Do you know where to find the faery kingdom?”
Both Raena and I said nothing, staring blankly.
“This library has taught me a lot about the fae,” Seraphina started. “Apparently, many of their magic rituals require crystals that can only be found in cave systems hidden deep underground. Which means that for centuries now, the faeries have resided in the ground beneath us. They call their kingdom Faelenna, and it is said to be so vast that it spans from the mountains to the coasts.”
“They live underground?” I remarked. “How is that even possible?”
“They must be terribly filthy all the time,” Raena added, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
Seraphina eyed her with another harsh frown. “I would suspect that considering they have a court and a royal family, that they do not just dig around in the dirt all day like beasts.” She then turned to me. “I’ve heard there is an entrance to it, hidden away in Drothmore’s forests, about an hour’s ride from here. If you’re convinced that I am lying about all this, I suggest you try talking to them yourselves.”
“Absolutely not!” Raena spat.
I wanted to speak, but no words came out. Inside my mind, a thousand thoughts were racing and swirling like a wild hurricane. What if Seraphina was telling the truth? What if the fae were the best hope for Corlixir? But what if she was lying?
Eventually, I sighed and brought my hand up to my face, letting the smooth part of my nail brush against my lip. “I’ll go,” I said, without even realising I’d spoken.
“What?” Raena spluttered.
“I’ll just go and speak with them,” I explained. “If there’s even a chance that they can help my people, then I need to at least try.”
Raena shook her head with a furious scowl. “This is so foolish. You could die, Naria. What if something happens to you? You’ll be in the middle of a forest. There won’t be any guards to protect you!”
“Then let’s bring some with us. Surely there must be a few guards you trust to keep us safe.”
She snorted. “Us? Tell me you do not expect me to come along for this death mission.”
“Please, Raena.” My lower lip trembled. “I can’t do this alone, and you’re the only person here I trust.” We’d been friends for barely more than a week, but already she’d helped me through so much. I wasn’t lying when I said I needed her there with me.
Her lips parted as though she wanted to protest, but all that came out was a heavy sigh. And after a few long seconds, she grumbled, “I do have some friends in the garrison. I’m sure I could convince them to come with us, even if only to accompany us through the forest… But, you need to promise me something.” She took my hands, her brown eyes staring deep into mine. “If there’s even a chance of any danger, anything at all that might hurt either of us, we leave immediately and we don’t turn back.”
I swallowed thickly, then nodded. It was decided.
Across the table, Seraphina was dipping a feathered quill into some ink. I hadn’t noticed, but during our conversation, she’d been scribbling something onto a faded scrap of parchment.
“These are directions,” she explained, continuing to write hurriedly.
“You’re not coming with us?” I asked.
She shook her head. “My place is here, with the King. And as much as I don’t agree with some of his decisions, I have been hired as a healer and I will never refuse to give someone care, no matter how undeserving they may be.”
Respect blossomed in my chest. I understood very well the pledge that healers take once they begin practising. They always strive to protect, no matter when, no matter who. Even when the ‘who’ was someone you couldn’t stand.
Seraphina passed the note towards us, and I accepted it while trying to force down the fear rising in my throat.
“Stay safe in the forests, Naria. Since you are the Princess of Corlixir, the fae should not harm you, but I cannot speak for the wolves.”
As she spoke, I shuddered.
“You’re really making me want to change my mind,” Raena complained, but before she could say any more, I ushered her towards the door.
“Thank you for this, Seraphina,” I called back for a final time as we turned to leave.
“You do not need to thank me, Princess Naria. I shall pray every night to your Ancients that Corlixir will rise again.” The healer dipped her head in parting. “Like a phoenix from the ashes.”