12. Aurelia

Chapter 12

Aurelia

T his library was glorious. I'd never imagined one so big and so perfectly laid out. Upon walking in, I stopped dead in my tracks in wide-eyed amazement at the sheer size of the space. With two stories and a domed ceiling arched over it, it had to be bigger than the square in my village. Little niches within the beams were covered in hand-painted murals. Shelves lined the walls on each floor, and wood columns were dotted between the stacks. Each section had its own rolling ladder, and the second-floor balcony, constructed of the same polished wood as the beams, ran around the perimeter of the room.

Plush rugs covered the polished wood floor, and several seating areas were placed around the room, each holding large and fluffy pillows. Various little nooks offered more privacy, many of them cleverly positioned between the stacks and outfitted with blankets and cushions for a cozy feel.

It was... sensational. Better than anything I could ever imagine. The sheer amount of knowledge contained in this one room.

Not only that, but it was organized perfectly. I was in heaven. It was all categorized, labeled... Everything made sense here.

Everything except the hidden romance room. That space was a nightmare. Nothing was labeled, and all the subgenres were grouped randomly. I wanted to peruse the titles, but the haphazard way they were shoved on shelves gave me hives.

I scoured the library for gardening books while I contemplated the true mate conundrum.

I put back the book I'd been looking at as footsteps sounded down below. Various village librarians wandered the stacks, it being still early and within their perusal hours. None of them were up in the nonfiction area.

The next book had the same problem as the last few: no information on Moonfire Lilies. I found it fascinating how elusive the flower was. It was a challenge, protecting its secrets from those that were unworthy. I was determined to unlock its properties.

I gently pushed the book back, my mind drifting to what Vemar had explained to me while Cecil took my measurements.

Apparently, no one knew for certain if there was only one true mate for each person, but it was the common belief this was the case. Just the one. Regardless, they were so rare that most people never found theirs. The four-way bond was supposed to be proof we were true mates. Further proof would be if Weston could claim me twice, one mark on each shoulder, made permanent by magic. No one person would be able to cover a true mate's scent. The connection was wholly primal.

What I kept getting hung up on was the logic—or lack thereof—of it all. Shouldn't a bond like that be more than just blind lust? Shouldn't it be more than touching and fucking? Where was the love I craved? The human connection. I couldn't deny that I liked Weston for many reasons, but I didn't know enough about him to call it love. I didn't even know if we were compatible. We'd spent half the time we knew each other fighting.

If I accepted a claim, I wanted it to be for emotional reasons. Being handed a mate, like it had been assigned, felt like it was robbing me of choice. Robbing us both. After Granny, that idea terrified me. What if I ended up in a worse situation, a permanent one?

My wolf was not pleased about my stubbornness. Her vocabulary could be quite colorful. She'd learned a thing or two from Hadriel.

I grabbed the next book, opening to the back to check the glossary.

My thoughts were interrupted by a strange crawling sensation stealing over my skin and tingling between my shoulder blades. My movements slowed as I focused on it, pricks of unease warning me that danger was near.

I glanced at the bottom floor again, but the scene had not changed. People stood at the stacks or looked through books. None of their bodies had tensed; no one looked around. Whatever was setting off this feeling didn't disturb them.

Furrowing my brow, I returned to the book in hand, running my finger down the ‘ M' s. Finding the flower, I grinned with a surge of joy.

The sense of danger intensified, though, wiping away my smile. It slithered over me, sinking down into my flesh. The warning pulsed now. The weight of eyes pressed between my shoulder blades. Someone was watching me.

"You need to pay attention to this feeling. Take another look around," my wolf said.

I did, taking a step closer to the railing and peering over. The new people I was able to see, though, weren't any different than those I'd seen before. No one moved with a sense of urgency; no tension tightened their shoulders. Everything was the same as when I'd walked in.

Unwilling to give up, I flipped the book open to the page I wanted, turning more and getting right near the railing now, at the edge of the balcony. My gaze swept over the entire room.

A gigantic man had been somewhat hidden by a curtain a moment ago, but my change in position now made him totally visible. He was Vemar's height but much broader, with popping muscles filling out his frame. Scars ran across his face and his neck; they were not terribly pronounced but hinted at a very hard, pain-filled life. His well-cut shirt held the sheen of some sort of fine fabric but did not detract from the sheer viciousness in his golden eyes, in his bearing. His handsome face did not hide or minimize the ruthless power emanating from within him.

He looked at me, his countenance unflinchingly hostile, as though he'd love nothing more than to make me hurt, to peel off my skin and make a doll out of it, or something else as horribly gruesome.

My wolf had wanted to assault Vemar for no real reason. I waited to see if she thought we should attack, but all she said was: "Run ."

Terror gripped me.

"No! Fuck you!" I shouted for reasons unknown, chucking the book at him on impulse and running like fucking mad. I hit the end of the balcony, swung up onto the banister, and slid down to the bottom so fast the wood burned.

I did not fucking care.

There was no way I was facing that behemoth of a man with the crazy eyes. All the confidence in the world would not save me from that creature. My wolf was not arguing.

I sprinted out of the library, much faster now that I had magic. I didn't hear footsteps behind me, but I hadn't heard him enter the library, either. I'd just felt him, felt his dangerous aura and then his vicious intent.

"Let me out. I can go faster," my wolf screamed in panic, and I almost tried.

Down the hall I saw Hadriel, who had just finished descending a small set of stairs. He took one look at me and his eyes widened.

"Fuck!" he shouted, turning in the direction I was going and putting on a burst of speed.

Fear gave me a gush of adrenaline. I caught up to him in no time.

"Fuck me, you're fast. Do not leave me behind to get killed," he said, struggling to go faster. "I will fucking trip you and leave you for dead if you don't slow down."

Someone ahead saw us and stopped walking. The older woman with tight curls and wire-rimmed glasses held a book in her hand. Without a word, she dropped the book, turned, and started to run.

"What's happening?" someone else asked, sprinting out of a door we were passing. "Ghosts?"

"Worse," I said, noticing I was barely out of breath. Despite my fear in the moment, I couldn't help but think having magic was great. "Way fucking worse."

"Quick, this way!" Hadriel pointed right, down a corridor, picking up two people as we passed. No one asked questions, just saw us running and took the fuck off. This place had obviously seen some shit.

After another two turns and picking up two more people, we burst through a back door out into the bright sunshine. I glanced over my shoulder as we hurried across a patio and down three stairs to spongy grass. I almost expected the door to burst open behind us and for that monster to come barreling out.

"What was it?" Hadriel asked, hands braced on his knees as he panted. "Fuck, I'm winded. I hate running. What was it, Aurelia? The king? Was he pissed?"

Everyone else stood around us, on edge, glancing nervously at the door.

"Ghosts? I knew it," one of the women said, peering at corners of the building. "This place is riddled with them."

"It's not fucking ghosts, Andrelle," Hadriel said, rolling his eyes. Then to me: "Is it?"

"Not ghosts." I watched that door, seeing a shadow on the other side of the paned glass and bracing. The door pushed open. "Fuck!"

Everyone scattered in different directions. Even Hadriel took off running, yelling, "Come on, I have a hiding place!"

Before I could move, Dante stuck his head out the door. "What is going on?" He stepped all the way out, looking around at the others, at one running across the grass to the trees beyond. "Where's everyone going?"

My heart was still beating quickly from the terror and then the sprint. I had felt like I was twelve years old again, being chased out of town, prey to people larger and stronger.

I pointed over his shoulder. "Is that monster behind you?"

He turned and looked. "There's no one behind me. The beta said you're freaked out about something and to check on you. He's busy taking care of some pack business. What's up?"

I heaved a relieved sigh. "Nothing. I got spooked, that's all. There was a huge guy glaring at me in the library. He looked ready to kill me."

"Oh." He nodded, then grimaced. "Yeah, you aren't a favorite around here. Not yet. You'll meet with the royals this afternoon. You'll get to straighten everything out then. Maybe just... go play with the plants or something? Lie low for a while. Was that Hadriel I saw taking off?"

"Yeah. He was spooked about the guy following us."

Dante looked behind him again. "That's weird. It's not like him to run off. Don't worry, though, no one is allowed to touch you—king and queen's orders. You're safe. Just stay away from the woods, and don't leave the palace grounds."

"Okay."

"I need to scout the woods and make sure everyone is doing their job, but how about we read the rest of that book after that? I have some rest time owed to me, since I just got back. We'll keep each other company."

I smiled. "Sure."

He winked at me, frowned in the direction Hadriel had taken off, and disappeared back into the castle.

"Wait, which way are the plants..." I let my words die away, looking around.

Shrugging, I randomly chose left and started walking. The grounds were beautiful and well maintained, with large expanses of plush green grass and various manicured shrubs dotting the way. Little benches were set here and there amid potted plants and pops of colorful flowers. I passed several little birdbaths, active with life.

Numerous people tended the grounds, all of them looking up as I walked by. Most of them straightened up, watching me, but no one stopped me from continuing on. It didn't bode well for my safety; Granny's people would be able to roam around easily.

That in mind, I kept plenty of room between me and anything someone could hide behind. If someone wanted to grab me, they'd need to cross some highly visible space to do it, and I'd have a head start toward safety.

I should've brought something sharp . . .

Around the back of the castle, I found a large field of Everlass. I saw two people amongst the plants, picking leaves and dropping them to the ground. I reasoned it must keep the plants healthy or something. Seemed like a shitload of work.

A huge, sprawling garden was set beyond the Everlass field. Several people worked within, picking things or weeding or doing whatever else gardeners did. Raz had usually dealt with all that stuff. I never had to bother. He hadn't had this kind of help, though. I imagined he would've been happier if he had.

Five large work sheds stood along the far side of the garden, smoke rising from each. The area buzzed with activity. Gods help me, this operation was swarmed with people. How'd they stay out of each other's way?

A dragon flew overhead. A dazzling green, this one was smaller than the one yesterday. It tilted its wings lazily, performing a half-circle overhead, its great head looking down at me. I watched it for a moment, loving the way it cut through the sky, before heading toward the gardens. I figured I could ask about the Moonfire Lily. Hopefully someone would know something.

Each grouping of plants was labeled with a little sign, the name written in the middle and a little flower symbol at the bottom corner. Some had a few of the same plant in each group, and some had as many as ten. After reading a few, I realized it was not just a flower symbol—the symbols changed from card to card. It must denote the type of plant. That was quite helpful. I gathered the flowers were right behind me, this group ahead had vegetables, and, as I continued, I found one with a sign for poison.

That was interesting. Did they just let anyone wander through this area, allowing free access to dangerous plants?

A stern voice called out, "May I help you?" indicating clearly, they did not.

I turned to find a late-middle-aged woman with perfectly styled graying hair, chestnut-colored eyes, and a regal air. She wore fancy flowered pants and a plain white top. She held sheers in her glove-adorned hands.

"Maybe," I said as she walked over, full of authority. "There should've been a Moonfire Lily delivered here last night for potting. I wanted to check on it. It's a little flower that glows pink and would have arrived in a bucket."

She studied me silently for a moment, showing no reaction to my presence or words. I could tell she was wary. She looked at me like most people tended to, though I knew it wasn't because she thought me magicless, but because I was a potentially dangerous stranger.

"Of course. Please, follow me." She carefully stepped out of the way and motioned for me to go first.

"Sure, yeah, thank you. Um..." I headed out of the garden area. "Which way are we going?"

"Just that workstation over there." She pointed at the far work shed, dingier than the rest. The structure looked much older than the others. "None of us knew the name of it, and only one of us has ever seen it before. It grows in the wild, right?"

"Yes. They like to hide. It's hard to spot, even though it glows. I always keep an eye out for it. It's easier to see with access to my wolf. At night, I mean. It's nearly impossible to find during the day."

She stepped sideways through the doorway, her eyes never leaving me. "Hannon, will you come out here, please?"

A man about Weston's height with wide shoulders and trim hips walked through the door. A halo of red hair swirled around his head, and thick arms hung at his sides. The sun highlighted a bit of stubble along his strong jaw on an otherwise handsome face.

"Hannon, this is our guest from the Red Lupine kingdom," the woman said. "She makes Granny's drugs." She turned to me. "Is that correct?"

"Yes." I offered a light bow. "I'm Aurelia."

"Hello," Hannon said pleasantly, offering me a smile.

"Would you mind escorting her back to the castle?" the woman said. "She shouldn't be wandering around the grounds on her own."

My heart sank. "Could I at least see the flower? If you plan to let it die, you should at least pick the petals first."

Hannon tilted his head as he looked at me, but didn't comment.

"We do not plan to let it die," the woman said. "It is pretty. We'll plant it and examine its properties. Hannon, if you please?"

I pouted as he stepped closer, motioning for me to walk with him. At least Dante had promised to read with me. That would ease the boredom of just sitting in the tower.

"Are you a dragon, too?" I asked as we walked back the way I'd come.

"No, I'm a phoenix. It's why I am charged with getting you back. It's safer because I can't die. You don't mean any harm, though, do you."

It wasn't a question, though I couldn't really focus on that now. I'd turned and grabbed his arm in excitement, beaming up at him.

"You're the phoenix!" I half shouted at him. "And you have red hair!"

"Guilty as charged."

"Until Hadriel told me about you, I'd thought phoenixes were just myths. It blows my mind that they are real—you are real, I mean." I was brimming with excitement. "Tell me truly, is it super cool being you? I bet it is. Are people just always delighted to be near you?"

He laughed. "No, definitely not. They don't love that I can read their emotions, especially when that emotion is sadness or fear. Warriors don't like to admit their vulnerabilities."

"That's right! You gain power through consuming other people's emotions, right?"

"Correct." His eyes sparkled as he looked down at me, his focus acute. My belly wiggled at the notice, unused to the interest. "Something tells me it won't bother you."

"Why is that? I mean, no it won't. I don't really care if you can read me. How did you know, though?"

His head tilted again. "You advertise your emotional state. What are you?"

"A wolf, I guess," I replied, but something prevented me from telling him how I knew. Maybe it was his confident, relaxed manner and easy smile, or his attractiveness, or how comfortable he made me feel—light and carefree. Hell, maybe I was just awestruck. Whatever the reason, I just wanted to keep my business to myself. Maybe hide my baggage a little.

He shook his head a little at that. "Not just a wolf, though, surely."

"I didn't know I had magic until recently. My... guardian, I guess—Granny. You know of Granny?"

"I do. She and her organization are not well liked here."

"Right. Well, she should've been able to feel my animal, and yet she told me all this time that she couldn't feel any magic."

"I feel your pain. Why did you believe it, if you don't mind my asking?"

I told him about my mom and my upbringing, noticing how he veered away from the castle doors and took me across the grounds instead. He asked how I'd ended up with Granny, and I tried to give him a summary. He stopped me, though, with a gentle hand to my forearm, and asked for the full account.

He listened with a patient ear and then reciprocated with his own experiences. He'd grown up dirt poor, barely able to put food on the table. His grandma and mom had been lost to the sickness that plagued the kingdom, and his dad had barely made it. His sister had been the hunter of the family and he the caretaker, a role he greatly enjoyed.

Something about that last fact sent butterflies through my belly. I loved a strong man who enjoyed taking care of his own.

Memories of Weston's attention to his pack surfaced, as did the constant small things he always did for me, even when he and I were at odds with each other.

"Shall we sit?" Hannon said, cutting through my reverie.

He stopped in front of a bench placed before a bed of flowers.

"I'm not keeping you from anything?" I asked, hesitating.

His gaze was unwavering. "No."

I grinned like a dummy. A mythical phoenix was taking a moment with me.

A phoenix!

"Okay," I said. "I don't really have anything to do, especially since the royals have all my stuff."

"About that... What brought on the change from making the product to wanting to stop it? Other than how Granny has treated you?" he asked.

My smile dwindled. "Oh. Is this step one of my interrogation?"

"No—well, yes." His vivid blue eyes sparkled. "I'm sure the royals will want to know a lot of this information and, coming from me—with my type of magic—they'll know it is genuine. But I'm asking because I am curious. I enjoy talking with you. You're so fresh and honest, so forthcoming with your emotions. I'm interested."

My face heated, and I had no idea why his words would cause a tingle of both embarrassment and delight. "I like talking with you, too."