Chapter 55
Aiden
So strong, so true, and great her name,
and I reflect, am I worthy at all?
The library is the only place where my mind is wholly at peace, the only place where the headaches stop.
Where I am finally in control. Reading and learning were always deemed weak by my grandfather.
To him, power came through combat, through bloodshed.
He wanted me to be someone who carved my legacy in battle, but it had never come as naturally to me as strategy.
My intellect has always been my weapon of choice.
When I was younger, I often wondered if that was my mind magic.
Learning. But grandfather had remained unconvinced.
Agnis mind magic is interesting. My running theory is that she can see a person’s worst memories.
I shall avoid her touching me. I must protect Eira.
I thank the gods that my uncle and father, for the short time I had him, saw things differently.
Father would slip books into my chambers under the cover of night, eyes warm with encouragement.
He never forced me into combat, though he made sure I could hold my own.
Here, surrounded by the city of ancient texts and forgotten histories, I can breathe.
Here, I am untouchable. This place knows me, and I know it in return, every turn of its paths, every murmuring shelf, every quiet corner where thought is allowed to finish itself.
The library is a world unto itself, carved deep into the rock.
It goes back for miles. Vast, arched ceilings of glass stretch upward until they almost kiss the seas.
Light filters down in patterns, as if the ocean is reading over our shoulders.
Endless levels spiral outward, the books forming streets and quarters, districts marked by subject and temperament.
They stack themselves into neighbourhoods, towers, and landmarks.
Along the lower levels, books on construction and engineering trundle past in orderly lines, building and rebuilding their surroundings.
Shopfronts fashioned from ledgers and manuals are staffed by volumes on trade and negotiation that forever haggle and rearrange their displays.
Further in, quieter districts of chapels and temples whisper with philosophy, and prophecy.
Ms. Arina had been the librarian since the days of my grandfather, and like most others, was relieved when his soul finally left us.
She has been a kind presence in my life.
Keeping my secrets just as I had kept hers when I stumbled upon her and Mr. Brimstone embracing in one of the library’s alleyways, formed of dark romance novels.
She sets five books onto the table in front of me with a wide, red-lipped smile.
“Look what I found, something you haven’t read yet,” she announces with a triumphant grin.
“There are plenty of books I have not read.” I smile politely, examining the stack she brought me. I run my fingers over the shivering, aged spine of Beasts of Old. “What do we have here?”
“They were found in Vale’s quarters after he...” Her voice dips slightly before she regains her usual cheer. “The King’s advisors were trying to look through them, but they wouldn’t open. Apparently, they mention your sister.”
“Hmm.” My eyes flick up to her. “You would get along with her.”
“I’d be delighted if you brought her here to meet me.”
I try to smile but end up wincing instead. “Oh, no. No. No, thank you. I would not want—”
“Fuck me.”
I inhale deeply at the unmistakable voice that rings through my bones.
Agni. I turn in my seat just in time to see her spinning on the spot with the wonder of a tourist. The poor book I am holding almost leaps out of my arms. Kaed stands a few paces behind her, something dancing in his golden eyes, until he spots me.
I cannot be bothered with him today. I can barely be bothered with her.
I turn back to my book. “Captain, if you will excuse me, I— well, I guess not.” Kaed pulls out the chair beside me and thumps his massive body into it.
Ms. Arina bows to Agni, who gives her a cheerful grin. The librarian quickly finds herself somewhere else when she realises Kaed is staying.
“Prince, I have a favour to ask,” he says quietly, eyes still on the librarian retreating to her office.
A favour. I am, of course, going to refuse, but I am curious.
And Agni has already made herself at home.
Hovering over me and plucking books from the stack.
I try to take them back from her hands, politely, but she looks at me as if I am being absurd.
So, I let her keep them. Still, I cannot help but smirk when one lifts into the air on its own, snapping shut in front of her face before flying off.
“Proceed.”
“One word from you,” he says, “and Nyk goes free.”
I shift in my chair, keeping Agni in my peripheral vision as she flips through a tome without a care. “Not quite. He committed treason, Captain.”
“We both know he didn’t,” Kaed counters.
“We do?”
“Yes. You were able to have Cook pardoned. I will be indebted to you if you do me this favour.”
“I would say,” I lean in slightly, keeping my voice light, “that you are already indebted to me, wouldn’t you? But unfortunately—”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Aiden,” she slaps the poor book shut. “Just talk to our uncle. Don’t blink at me like that.”
I arch a brow, confused to say the least.
“Obviously, I just got here,” she continues, grabbing another book that purrs as she strokes its spine, “but from what I can see, you had your chance with Eira and decided to make a silly vow. Now she’s with Nyk and you’re jealous.
So, you’d rather let him die for something he didn’t do than fight for your girl properly.
Just figure out how to make another vow or something.
” She scoffs, flipping through pages far too carelessly for my liking.
“I keep hearing about how my brother is someone who always does the right thing, how he’s honourable and good.
But I’m not seeing that. I’m not sure I ever have.
Right now, I’m seeing someone who can’t put aside his feelings to make the right decision. ”
I clear my throat, straightening my jacket. “Half-brother.”
She slams the tome shut again, harder this time, before grabbing another.
“Seriously?” A humourless smirk crosses her face when she tosses the book onto the table, yanking another one off it without a second thought.
“Would you be careful with those?” I snap, gripping the edges of my chair to keep myself from snatching them back. But all she does is roll her eyes.
“You care about the wrong things, half-brother. If you love Eira at all, you’d want her to be happy, no?
She’ll be devastated if Nyk dies, and if you think that will make her run back to you, the guy who can’t give her what she needs, you’re wrong.
And if she finds out you could’ve done something and chose not to because of your bloody feelings, what do you think that will do to her?
” I pinch the bridge of my nose, a headache is beginning to form; this is supposed to be a peaceful place.
“It is not as easy as that. There is a Cursewater confession from Theron that implicates Lieutenant Nykholas, plus his own damn confession. Rhory was not mentioned; therefore, I could request that he be excused.”
“Bullshit. You won’t even try?”
“It is not bullshit, Agni. And no. I would not waste my time. Let him suffer.”
“Aiden?”
I turn sharply, gripping the arms of my seat, the hairs on my neck standing to attention. How long has she been standing there? My instincts scream at me to move to her, to comfort her, to pull her into my arms and feel her warmth.
“Eira, I—”
“Please. For me.”
The crack in her voice breaks me and the urge to make it right collides with the selfish need to keep her protected. At all costs.
“If you do this, fight for his freedom...” Her eyes glisten, as she wrings her hands.
“I won’t be with him. How about that? I’ll stay here in this palace with you.
Or Above, wherever you go. Forever. And I won’t marry or leave your side.
I’ll be yours…in whatever way you need me to be. Just please… help him.”
“You would do that?” Barely a whisper escapes my lips. It is all I can manage through the visions her words bring. Me, her. Her and me. Though my body will still ache, though the bond will stay trapped within my soul, my mind might finally rest. Peace. I cross the distance without thinking.
When Eira nods, the prettiest tear spills onto her cheek. So perfect.
“Do you love him?”
Another nod. My heart splinters quietly beneath my ribs at her pain, but that is secondary.
Her safety matters above all else. Love is survivable.
People recover from it every day. Affection fades and attachments weaken.
In time, she would move on from Nykholas.
A sudden clarity settles over me. Perhaps Agni has finally found her purpose after all.
“Will you vow at the basin?”
“The fuck she will. What the hell is wrong with you?” Agnis footsteps thump closer, but I cannot pull myself from Eira’s eyes. “Yes” she says. And I am glad she can see the sense in my request. Because I am not cruel. I am not.
“He is not the male you believe him to be, Eira. His world will always demand blood before love. But I would give you peace. Devotion. A life untouched by fear. You may not believe me now, but you will be happy with me. Bond or no bond. I will ensure it.”
“Aiden!” Agni shoves my shoulder, then snatches her hand back as though the contact burned her.
I have been taught to never strike a female, but I wonder if a sibling counts.
Glaring down at her I take a little, deliberate step forward, tilting my head slightly.
“Agnimitra.” I lower my voice, slowing down every syllable so she can get it through her thick, human skull, “Eira belongs to me. She always has, she always will. And she knows it.”
Eira studies the stone beneath her boots and I cup her jaw in my hand, thumb brushing lightly along her rich skin, the contact sparking a heat in my icy veins.
Those beautiful, deep brown eyes and wet eyelashes make her look so endearing, I admit, the sight stirs something darker in me.
Something wicked. She does not need to be willing.
She just has to stay. To be safe. I almost lose myself in a trance when I trace her plump bottom lip with my thumb, but Agni’s expletives bring me back to reality.
“I will speak to the King this afternoon.” I say, loud enough to drown out her ranting.
“Then let’s do it tonight.” Eira sniffs.
I let go of her and watch her gracefully glide out of the library, my half-sister galloping after her. I work out a click in my shoulder, joy thumping through me. Mine. Safe. Peace. “So now you have what you need. Are you pleased?”
“No.” Kaed’s temple is propped against his fist as he lazily flips through a book. There is perfect silence for a while as I settle back down at the table beside him. “Controlling someone won’t result in them loving you, Prince.”
I do not even look up from my book. “And I suppose you would know all about that? And not that it is your concern,” I continue, ignoring his frown, “but Eira is simply running to your little friend for some...relief. He is her distraction. Perhaps in the way you were a distraction for my mother.”
Thankfully, he realises he has wasted enough of my time and makes for the exit.
But just as he reaches the threshold, his voice disturbs my peace once more.
“One day, we will speak about your mother. But not today. I do not wish to shatter the version of her you have built in your mind. Just know this: if you go through with this tonight, with Eira, you are continuing a cycle of brokenness. I know what you have been wrestling with all these years isn’t easy.
But you will always have power over your choices. ” The door shuts silently behind him.