21. Isle Show You #3
And yet he huffed as if pleased as they settled into place, and his tail wagged until they were in the air again, and then he was all excited focus.
Thea pointed him toward the southeastern isle.
As they neared, a rune flared to life on the barrier's surface before it faded into the shape of an entry point, allowing them to glide through. Rune Hatch spread before them, and Aaryn gasped. Her mouth stayed agape until they were on the ground, and she shoved at Thea’s shoulder.
There was something delightful in the brief contact, and she laughed at Aaryn’s reaction. “What was that for?”
“I have never seen anything like this,” Aaryn breathed, pure awe.
“I know,” Thea said. “You should see it at night.” Runes covered most surfaces, their bright glow dimmed beneath the sunlight, but once the moon was high, the entire place shimmered with magic.
It was otherwise rich with growth, not unlike the Heart.
Starspark pranced ahead, tail flicking in interest, and Thea tugged Aaryn to a stop when he paused.
He hunched down, braced lightly on his feet, and Thea’s chest inflated as he wiggled back and forth. Aaryn bit down on her fist and Thea could feel the aggression of her adoration. Then Starspark launched forth and landed on a rune, smacking at it with his paw.
“What does it do?”
“Watch,” Thea said, biting down on a smile.
Aaryn was rapt as the breeze picked up—except it wasn’t the breeze, but the leaves and blooms from the nearby trees.
They fluttered from the limbs through the dappled sunlight and rained down on Starspark.
A high-pitched noise spilled from Aaryn, and Thea cackled as she chased him down to step on the rune alongside him.
Thea watched, tucking the moment away before steeling herself and approaching. “Alright, come on. There’s a tree I think you’ll like even more.”
“Doubtful,” Aaryn scoffed, and gave up peppering kisses on the bridge of Starspark’s snout—for now.
“I take it back,” she said once they came to a stop.
The Archives loomed before them, a door of an oak awaiting them. Not a door made of oak. An actual oak tree, huge, towering, could've been centuries old from its size—and in the center of the bark, an arched door.
Aaryn's eyes went wide as her gaze trailed up and up. "Magic is so…" She shook her head, unable to find the words.
Thea loved Aaryn's awe at her world, her home. "We aren't even inside yet," Thea told her, and pulled open the door.
Her voice would've echoed in the large space, had there been room for it to echo.
Instead, shelves had been carved into every wall, dim light gleaming from magically-lit lanterns.
Book spines filled every curved shelf, some thick and straining at their bindings, others thin and loosely bound with twine instead of leather.
A familiar face smiled at their entrance, and she rose from one of the few desks scattered about the floor. "Thea! Long time no see! What brings you here?" Willow's tone was jovial, friendly, and Thea hadn't seen her since the night of her return, at the bonfire so many weeks ago.
"Hi, Willow," Thea greeted, and shut the door behind them, sticking her tongue out at Starspark, who would just have to wait.
"Stop antagonizing him," Aaryn said, a bit of a laugh in her sympathy whine.
"But he's so fun to antagonize," Thea argued, and introduced them. "Willow, this is Aaryn. She's—new. And this is Willow, a keeper of the Archives."
Willow offered a polite nod and smiled. "Welcome! Are you looking for anything specific?"
Thea turned to Aaryn, offering her the floor.
She blushed. "Uhm, I—I don't even know where to start."
"That's why I'm here," Willow beamed. "Allow me to show you, well, everything."
And Willow did. Where books on the beginning of the druids rested, their pages waiting to be read.
Information on the Tethered, the Awakened, dragons and their habits, their lineage, the Great Dragon himself.
What they knew of the Tear and the Terrors.
So much more than could ever be consumed by one curious woman, at least in a day.
It was as enlightening to Aaryn as it was frustrating. She told Willow as such. Then, "Willow, I'm about to become your new best friend.”
Thea was fine with this.
Willow looked far too happy about it. "I'd love to tell you more. Come back anytime."
Aaryn was wide-eyed with wonder when they left. The sun was already dipping below the bed of clouds, and darkness was settling, and Starspark was still waiting, lounging on the grass nearby.
"I didn't even get to training today," Aaryn complained.
Thea silently congratulated herself on a plan well executed. Out loud, she said, "Damn, I guess we have to wait until tomorrow."
"Thea!" Aaryn whined, and smacked her arm. Something like bubbles burst in her chest. "You did this on purpose."
"Vaelen told you to get settled first, and I think that is advice to heed."
At the sound of their raised voices, Starspark lifted his head, gaze locked on Aaryn, and shot to attention, practically flying to her side to nudge his nose into her.
Aaryn wrapped herself around as much of Starpark as she could reach. "How are we supposed to get settled? He can't fit in your house."
He'd sure try to, though, from the look of it.