24. Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Three
Isoria
None of the books were useful in this vast library—or at least, none that I had found.
I’d leafed through some that discussed various types of magic and how it could weaken or be strengthened, but nothing on the loss of magic.
And, unsurprisingly, there was nothing about phoenix shifters kept out in the open for the public eye.
I’d have to venture into Archer’s library when he wasn’t there to scour through his books, including the one about our blood bond.
But even he had limited knowledge of our bond and how it could be broken—if it could be broken.
If I wanted to save my people, I first had to find a way to be free of this close proximity to the prince, so I determined my primary focus should be learning about the bond. Once I had the freedom to help my people again, I could find the means to do it.
A few times, I thought I’d found promising locations where forbidden books might be tucked away.
There were multiple nooks and alcoves that contained elegantly carved mahogany doors, but they were all locked, and not a librarian was in sight at this hour.
Even if there had been, I imagined they wouldn’t easily let me in.
I wasn’t sure if my status as the prince’s betrothed would hold enough sway.
I’d lost track of time walking through the rows of bookshelves, up the winding marble steps that led to floor after floor of additional bookshelves, and investigating each closed door I found.
The flickering candlelight in the sconces danced lowly in the light, and more than a few had started to burn themselves out. Others were no longer lit.
Glancing over my shoulder, I climbed a smaller staircase winding to the fourth floor of the library, where creeping shadows were so thick, they spilled down the steps like living creatures. I repressed a shiver—it was silly to be afraid of the dark. My footsteps echoed. No one else was around.
I checked again and again as I stepped onto the fourth floor.
My mind screamed at me in fear as I swallowed, trying to gather my courage and focus on my magic.
There was no reason to fear that I’d be caught when I was alone, but it was difficult to stifle the terror that stalked me when I was trapped among my enemies.
Any hint of phoenix magic would condemn me, and I had to be extra cautious.
Confirming again that there was no one around, I dared to summon a tiny flame, letting it dance around my fingers and illuminate the air a few feet in front of me.
My blood thrummed, the heat of my flame a comforting, familiar sensation.
A part of me was relieved to wield this small portion of my magic, while the other part only ached more to stretch my wings and fly.
My light danced along the books’ spines, giving me glimpses at the endless titles about history, the gods, politics, and wars. I noted a few books on magical studies that might be promising in my search to help my people, but nothing promising about blood bonds.
Were they truly that rare? My skin prickled with frustration, foreboding, unease.
Why had the gods, who were said to have been distant long before my time, only occasionally meddling in our fates, chosen to bind Archer and me?
Did it have something to do with the prophecies Maris had spoken over us?
Had they seen the future, that one of us would sway the fate of Emberglade, and decided to stay our hands by bonding us when we met?
Or was it actually just blind, dumb misfortune? A terrible accident?
But did that mean Maris’ futures—either one—would never come to pass? Or when she’d spoken of us being tethered, had she also seen this bond?
If one of us could kill the other in one of the paths she’d seen, that meant there had to be a way to break the bond.
I refused to give up hope and condemn myself to settling for this life trapped with Archer and his emotions.
Creeping further among the shelves, I got lost in scanning titles, my hopes rising when I discovered a book about magical bonds.
Balancing it carefully in one hand, I held my flames aloft in the other to scan the pages as I approached a nearby table tucked in another alcove.
There, I settled into the chair and began flipping through the pages, reading the titles of chapters listing various types of bonds.
Oath bonds. I’d never heard of those either, but a quick look at the first few lines told me they were voluntary, created to ensure oaths were fulfilled, and not applicable to our state.
The next showed fated mate bonds, rare instances where gods of distant lands revealed to the fae in question that they were meant to be, soulmates chosen to be together before they were born.
Nothing, nothing, nothing. My chest tightened with frustration and dread. What if I never found a solution? What if I was doomed to never make it back home?
Tears burned my eyes.
A footstep jolted me out of my thoughts and I doused my light, plunging myself into darkness.
Whirling, I faced a figure at the end of the aisle holding a candle, casting his face in a buttery glow.
There was something unpleasant about the gleam in his pale eyes and the grin on his too-large mouth, like he’d caught me.
But surely I’d put out my flame before he could see I hadn’t had a candle… Hopefully.
I abandoned the book, hoping to make a hasty retreat. Unfortunately, the quickest, most well-lit exit was to follow the aisle toward the male and the staircase not far behind him.
“Isoria? I thought when Prince Archer left the party with his lovely bride-to-be, it was to steal some alone time with her.” He laughed, but the sound struck false.
I drew a sharp breath, wondering if he expected me to be drunk. My hands grew clammy. “No, I just wanted to take some time to explore my new home,” I said with forced brightness, “but it seems you startled me into losing my light.”
His eyes flicked from my hand to my face, but I refused to let my smile falter.
I tried to fill myself with confidence despite my fear.
After all, even if he suspected something, my back had been to him.
He knew there had been a flame, one that could have been from a burning candle I’d dropped.
It could have rolled under the shelves, lost to sight.
It was much more likely that his eyes had played tricks on him in the shadowy library than that his crown prince was betrothed to a phoenix shifter.
“Forgive me,” he said, but his smile still seemed wrong and fake.
He dipped into a half-bow. “My name is Dell Rosebough. I didn’t mean to startle you or make you drop your candle—wherever it went.
” He injected clear doubt into the words, making sure I knew he suspected me of secrecy.
“I can escort you back to your charming prince?”
Not wanting to appear more suspicious by acting on edge, I smiled. “Thank you, that is very kind.”
“I wouldn’t want the prince’s betrothed tripping in the dark and falling down a flight of stairs.” Dell said it like a jest, but my skin prickled as if he were making an oblique threat. I didn’t trust him for a moment.
“What took you away from the feast?” I asked conversationally as we strode down the first flight of stairs together, his flickering candle guiding us. “Do you not enjoy partying the night away?”
Dell smirked. “Sometimes I prefer solitude and taking my leave early. Perhaps like you,” he added. “The quiet of the library at this time is a little more enjoyable. I like finding something to read before bed.” He glanced my way. “Does your prince know you went exploring?”
My stomach clenched at his insinuation that Archer didn’t know where I was. “He does,” I said lightly. “He preferred to drink in his rooms, and I told him I’d join him a little later.”
We walked through the empty library, our footsteps echoing as quiet settled between us. “Are you well acquainted with my betrothed?” I asked, trying to break the tension and learn more about this male.
“Oh, not well-acquainted, but I’ve always greatly looked up to him.
My father is an advisor to King Wystan, a prominent member on the council, and it is my dear hope that one day I will perform the same duties for Prince Archer.
I admire his efforts for the kingdom, especially his dedication to finding and executing all of the phoenix shifter threats. ”
I kept my smile firmly in place, acting as if his words hadn’t struck their intended nerve.
We’d reached the doorway and the well-lit hallway beyond, so I turned to him.
“Thank you for the escort. I’ll be happy to return to Prince Archer myself now that I have plenty of light and His Majesty’s guards throughout the castle.
I’m sure you would like to return to the festivities and celebrate Prince Archer’s most recent success, eliminating one of the terrifying phoenixes.
Or, if you’re too tired as you said, finish your mission of selecting a book since I interrupted that. ”
Dell’s pale eyes were unreadable as he scanned my face. “Hmm. I suppose so.”
“I’ll be sure to share your sentiments with Archer,” I added. “Thank you for your assistance.”
He dipped into a silent bow as I swept down the hallway, imbuing my footsteps with confidence I didn’t feel. My pulse was erratic enough I prayed he didn’t hear it.
The entire way down the hall, I sensed his gaze burning on my back.