by J. R. Castle
“Do you have any idea what time it is, lass?” Leon tried to keep his tone light, despite the fact she shouldn’t be here so late. He didn’t wish to scold her now that she’d finally accepted his invitation to explore the library. He was actually pleased to run into her, of all people.
Her feet hit the floor as she spun toward him, an apology on her lips that stopped when he held up his hand. “Hush, I’m glad you’re here. What do you think?” Leon gestured toward the two stories of books.
Her dazzling green eyes lit up like the sun shining through the leaves of a tree. They were such a tranquil shade of green, he couldn’t help but feel peace whenever she looked at him. “This place…” Her open-mouthed gaze turned toward the towering shelves. “I’m in a dream, I have to be.”
The Rodon collection wasn’t anything compared to the Halls of Knowledge or even the libraries in Radiance or Aloblase, but he was pleased with their library.
At least there was something impressive about Rodon he could take pride in.
“Well, being out this late, you might think so, but no, not a dream. Just years of collecting and…well, we have scribes here who have written some of the books, as well. Many of them came from people who’ve attended the Academy and brought their lesson books back with them.” Another reason he wished more would make the journey to Aloblase. The knowledge they brought back always benefited everyone else. “What have you found that’s kept you reading so late into the night?”
As if realizing the windows were completely dark, she gasped and started to stand.
“Oh my, I probably shouldn’t be here.” She started to close the book with a disheartened sigh. “It took me all afternoon but I finally found a book that explains my, uh, well, what used to be my gifting. There’s so much I never knew….” Shaking her head, she slowly closed the leather-bound cover. On the front was the symbol that most Sanos had on their Medallions: a jar with a crack in it and a burst of light in the background. “Actually, I’m not sure why I’m reading it. I fear it only causes me to feel—” she shook her head again, but her saddened expression said more than her words would have.
“Why do you say used to be? What makes you think you are no longer a Sano? Did someone tell you that?” Leon pulled out the chair beside her and sat, crossing one leg over the other.
“Because,” Kardia’s voice wobbled. “I’ve tried. Without my fingers, I can’t—”
There really was so much she didn’t know. Not just about her gifting, but how Shaydon’s kingdom worked. Gifts came from the heart and didn’t disappear because of an injury. “Take that book with you and finish reading it. Then you’ll know the truth.”
She pushed the book away. “The truth is that I fear if I ever do meet the King, he’ll also shun me, thinking I’m nothing but a thief. He’ll probably—”
“No, Kardia, no.” Leon leaned forward until she looked at him again. “No, that’s not true at all. King Shaydon doesn’t look at your outward appearance. He looks at your heart, my dear. And I already know he’ll be pleased with what he will see when he meets you. Please say you’ll read the whole book. If you have questions, come ask me. Promise?”
The sweetest smile turned up her delicate mouth. “Yes, I promise.” She stood and started to put the book back on its shelf.
“That’s not how to read it,” Leon chuckled. “Take it with you.”
Her brows pinched with concern. “I’m already considered a… I can’t just take one of these books, Regent Sir.”
“Leon. And yes, you can.” He grabbed the book and tucked it under his arm, then motioned for her to follow him. “Right over here is a ledger. All you are required to do is write your name and the name of the book you are borrowing. That simple.”
Her bottom lashes began glittering in the dim light of the lamps that came on as they moved around the room. Another wondrous Curian invention. He sure hoped his old Academy friend would be able to come through for him.
He held up the quill, but she merely looked at it, then down at her hands. With a ragged sigh, she tried to grasp it between what remained of her thumb and her palm, but it kept slipping and though she did manage to write her name, it was barely legible.
“They will think one of Hilda’s toddlers wrote this.” She handed the quill back. “Would you mind writing the title for me?”
For a moment, he was lost in his thoughts on how to fix her little problem. A strap, a quill without a feather. Perhaps if there was some way to make it thicker. He blinked, bringing himself back to the moment. “Um, sure, let me help.” Instead of doing it for her, he moved around so his hand rested over hers. Yes, a simple strap and more basic writing tool would work very well.
He didn’t miss the flush clouding her cheeks as he helped her write the title of the book she was borrowing. He bit at his upper lip to keep from grinning at her and making it worse. She was simply endearing.
“Thank you,” she whispered when they were done. “I miss being able to write. I suppose I need to get over thinking of what I lost and figure out a way to get past it. I know this, but…my heart.”
“Your heart still needs time to heal, too. Don’t be hard on yourself. You know what needs to be done, and I admire that. You’ll get there, Kardia. You will.” He so wanted to offer a comforting hug but knew he shouldn’t. The fact they were alone here together could cause tongues to wag bad enough if someone spotted them.
That wouldn’t bode well since he was pledged to the Lady Anabelle.
As Kardia extinguished the lamp at her seat, Leon pondered on his last thought. When had he officially pledged himself to Lady Anabelle? He didn’t remember ever actually asking to court her exclusively.
Squeezing his eyes closed for a moment, he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to clear his scattered mind. Ever since he’d kissed her…no, she’d kissed him. Either way, ever since then he’d had trouble keeping up with where he stood with her. Deep down, he wanted to tell Koloman it wasn’t working out, but every time he had that thought, he was left feeling all wrong. He needed her. She was his other half. Except, he didn’t truly believe that.
“Thank you, Regent Leon,” Kardia broke into his thoughts. “For your help and for showing me how to borrow a book.” She hugged it to her chest. “Are you feeling all right, Sir?”
“Leon.” Actually, he wasn’t feeling very well. “And let me accompany you safely back to your room.” He wished he could say she was completely safe wandering around the Meeting Hall, and she should be safe. But he knew that wasn’t exactly the case. There were still too many of Father’s old staff wandering around, and he didn’t trust any of them.
“Kardia, do you think it’s possible to consider me as your friend? I’m kind of indebted to you.”
Her brows furrowed again. “Well, one can never have too many friends, can they? But how are you indebted to me?”
He offered her his arm. “Because I realize the seriousness of the injury I suffered in Goia. Because of you, I was not laid up for months, and I’ve suffered no lingering discomforts. And because I fear that I let you and your town down when I rushed away so fast. I should have stayed. I should have made Goia my priority and not left until I completely understood what was going on there. I knew something wasn’t right.”
Her smile was tight as she slid her hand around his arm. “I’ll consider you a friend so long as it’s not because you feel as if you owe me anything. That’s not true friendship, is it?”
He had to laugh, already feeling better, the fog in his mind clearing. Of course, he never pledged himself to the Lady Anabelle. He doubted that he ever would.
“No, you’re right. For one who hasn’t had years of training and instruction, you certainly are wise.”
A laugh did escape from the girl. “I read in the King’s Letters that true friendship means caring for someone so much, that you’ll give up everything for them, including your life. That is true love in action. In his books, the king sounds like he wants to know us and invite
s us to get to know him more. I wish everyone could be like King Shaydon is in his letters. Is he really like that, when you meet him?”
They had reached the hall of rooms provided for workers who needed a place to stay. “He’s indescribable, Kardia. He’s everything you’ve read about and so much more.”
Her face seemed to glow as she smiled. Warmth spread along his arm from where she still held on to his elbow. That warmth seeped across him, calming his racing mind and inner fears. He wasn’t sure how long it would last but he knew one thing, she hadn’t lost her Sano giftings at all. And one way or another, he had to make a way for her to go meet the King.
* * * *
Leon had completely forgotten that Koloman wanted him to meet with the Lady Anabelle at the end of the week. He’d been trying to push her out of his mind, focusing on his work and a couple of side projects instead.
One of the little projects he’d completed that morning and was eager to find Kardia and show her the modified pen he’d crafted for her. If only fixing his province was as easy as finding ways to accommodate Kardia’s affliction.
“What is that you have in your hand, Leon love?”
He almost tripped when he heard her voice from beside the fountain. Lady Anabelle moved toward him, that alluring smile on her face. She was beautiful. Her features smooth like the marble statues gracing the courtyard.
The first words he tried to speak tumbled around his mouth, falling out like broken glass. What was wrong with him? Why did Lady Anabelle reduce him to a muttering fool every time he was in her presence? Finally, he managed, “Nothing really. A little gift for a friend.” He tucked it into the inside pocket of his jacket.
Not wanting to appear as if her visit was completely a surprise, though it shouldn’t have been, he said, “I thought we were to meet at the tavern at midday. Koloman sent a note saying you wished to dine at the one by the river shore?”
He wanted to get out of the meeting with her but wasn’t sure how without hurting her feelings. “I have work I need to do this morning. Would you like to come in and have a look around?” So far, she always made excuses. He certainly couldn’t pledge himself to someone who refused to enter a Meeting Hall.
Her hand rested on his arm. “Well, I would, but—” her words were cut off when the water in the courtyard fountain began to bubble.
Leon blinked, wondering what they’d been talking about, wondered what was going on with his fountain, and wondered why Mr. Darson was running toward them, his eyes wide with fear.
“We should go, my lady,” he said, grabbing her arm and pulled her away, toward the gates.
The Meeting Hall. Leon had been trying, again, to get her to come inside. He pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering what was wrong with his head?
A portal opened from a plume of water inside the fountain. “Riyah?” Leon started forward. But his guardian was walking the province, creating a White Path between Rodon and Osas.
Mr. Darson yanked on Lady Anabelle’s arm. “We must go. Now!”
“What’s your hurry?” Leon asked. Then his attention was taken from them to his Curian friend who stepped over the low wall, shaking the water from his long robes and shoes. “Brockley Weadon!”
Mr. Darson gave a quick gasp, then closed his eyes, breathing out before he said, “Sire, you are busy this morning, I can see that. Anabelle was anxious to see you, though I did warn her it wasn’t polite to show up unannounced.” He shrugged. “What one does when they are…in love.”
Her hands gripped her guardian’s arm. “I will see you later, Leon love? Please forgive me if my visit interrupted your important work.”
“No…” Leon’s attention was divided between Mr. Darson’s eagerness to leave. He continued to pull Lady Anabelle toward their carriage that waited by the gate. It was a lovely morning to walk, he wondered why they’d wished to be cooped up in a stuffy carriage. “Very well, I’ll…see you…this afternoon.” Had he been thinking of getting out of it? Why would he? They were in love, right?
Leon closed his eyes a moment, rubbing at his aching forehead. He wasn’t sure of anything.
Brockley slapped Leon’s back. “You don’t look pleased to see me.” He gave his robe another shake. “Why can’t you get a proper portal like the other provinces? Now my feet will be squishing in my shoes all day.”
Turning to his old friend, Leon embraced him. “I’m very pleased to see you, Brock. It’s been much too long since I’ve seen that goofy face of yours.” He stepped back. “A goofy face now covered in even more lines than before. You must be doing well, my friend, at the Halls of Knowledge.” Throwing his arm over Brockley’s shoulder, he started back toward his cottage. They were always stealing each other’s clothes while living at the Academy together. “I have some dry shoes you can borrow. Borrow, I say.”
Brockley threw his head back in laughter. “Well fine, then you can have these back. I borrowed them our last season together. You always did have fine taste in outfits, my friend. My Regent friend. We have so much to catch up on.”
Leon pointed at the sopping wet shoes. “Those are mine. I’d thought they’d been lost in the move to Radiance. You fiend. Thief!” He grinned with each accusation, knowing he still had a couple of Brockley’s shirts stuffed in one of his drawers.
“Not at all, my friend. I’m giving them back, aren’t I?” He hugged the rolls of parchment he’d brought with them.
“All wet!”
“Well, as I said earlier, if you’d provide a decent portal, we’d not have to come through your courtyard fountain of all places! Why I have better entry points in Wilderland.”
Leon gave him a playful shrug, so pleased to see a friendly face from the past. From happier and more carefree days. “Have you come to build me one then?”
“No, actually, I’m working on the first project you’ve challenged me with. Your ideas were quite intriguing. And I’ve already started on a prototype, but I’ll need to see the subject’s hands to make a proper fit.”
Leon slowed his steps. “I’d hoped to keep this as a surprise. Do you think my idea will really work? I don’t wish to get her hopes up falsely. She’s already been through so much.” He bit at his thumbnail, then remembering Mother’s scoldings, dropped his hand. He probably would never be as dignified as his father.
“Interesting.” Brockley stopped when they reached Leon’s cottage.
“I don’t like living in the Halls. I—”
“Not that!” He waved his free hand toward the house. “This suits you. But that woman you were with doesn’t. Then when I hear you actually speaking about the young lady in need of your invention, I clearly hear where your heart is.”
Curians! Brockley could always see right through him.
“However,” Brock went on. “I do suppose someone in your position must unite with someone who is also in a prestigious position. Though, I certainly never could have believed you would court someone who wasn’t wholly human.”
Leon wasn’t even sure what the Lady Anabelle saw in him. Surely there were better prospects than him in more prosperous provinces. She didn’t love him. Deep down he knew this.
“Wait, what did you just say?” Leon asked. Sometimes his friend spoke in the strangest riddles. “Your time living at the Great Halls have—”
“Oh no. I’ve been traveling, my friend. Your messenger bird found me up North in Kinti. They have proper portals, I daresay, and lucky for you, a means to the kind of special metals I needed for our little project. Now come, I would like to get out of these sodden shoes. We have much to do. My assistant will be along shortly with my luggage. When the Kintian’s heard it was you who was in need of the metals, they were glad to offer as much as I need.” Brockley shook his finger at Leon. “But it’s going to cost you, my friend.”
Chapter Seventeen
Darnel yanked Anwynn toward the awaiting carriage parked outside of the Meeting Hall’s courtyard. Relief flooded him. For a frightening moment, he thought Riyah w
as arriving through a portal.
Blast! He’d forgotten about travel through the water passages! What a risk they’d taken spending so much time in the courtyard. But Anwynn feared going inside the massive hall with its imposing white stone walls. Traveling the white cobblestone main road was bad enough at times.
“Get inside.” He ordered. Shoving her in before him. Once she was settled in on the opposite bench, he banged on the roof and shouted for the driver to take them to the inn where they agreed to meet the regent for a shared midday meal.
Anwynn smoothed her flowing, yellow skirt. “I’m running out of excuses to keep from having to enter that hall. Just standing before it makes my skin crawl. Eventually, he’ll insist that I join him and his mother there for dinner. What am I to do?”
Darnel leaned back in his seat and covered his face with his hands. He needed to calm his racing heart. Hopefully, nobody had noticed his panic. “I fear the regent is simply too strong for your charms. We need some help.”
She was going to hate his plan, but he knew of no other alternative, except to give up their ruse all together.
Fajer wouldn’t hear of it and Koloman, though it was none of his business, would side with the wizard. Darnel could take lessons from that snake on how to appear kind and humble one moment while planning one’s demise another. Koloman wanted the regent gone from this province and was only too eager to do whatever they asked of him. However, in the ruler’s presence, Koloman practically groveled at his feet like a dog.
Anwynn’s tone softened. “What do you have in mind, my heart?”
Her gaze was so trusting that he couldn’t help but reach over and take her delicate, yet deadly, hands in his and press them to his cheek. Somehow, she’d managed to break a massive chunk out of his protective wall and had slipped into his heart. He hated himself for allowing it.
