Page 79 of Esperance

“That’s very kind of you.”

“It’s my pleasure, Lady Vincetti.” He gestured toward Zerrif’s book. “If you ever tire of that and wish for something else to read, let me know. This library holds many wonders, and I’d be happy to share them with you.”

“Thank you.”

Felinus bobbed his shaved head, bid her farewell, and walked away. She watched him disappear around a tall shelf of books, a small smile lifting her lips. Her empathic sense found Felinus to be a warm individual, though she got the impression that he was generally quiet. It made her all the more pleased that he seemed to feel comfortable around her.

She turned her attention back to the open book on the table. She thumbed the pages as she slowly closed the book. She knew she shouldn’t be late to the council meeting, but she didn’t feel like moving quickly. As the fanned pages settled, she caught scattered words and phrases.

Bloodstonesflashed out at her, and she stilled.

She’d made it through most of Saul Von’s journal, though the notes were chaotic and hard to follow. And while it was a diary dedicated to his search for the five bloodstones, nowhere was there an explanation of what bloodstones actuallywere.

Amryn skipped to the beginning of the paragraph in Zerrif’s book that had caught her eye.

There isn’t much known about the origins of bloodstones, which, of course, only makes them more fascinating. Stories about them are vague and seemingly impossible to verify. Bloodstones are so rare, most consider them to be myth—if they’re even acknowledged at all. The majority of empaths I have questioned about the bloodstones scoff at their very existence. Only a few seem to believe they actually exist. My curiosity led me to the isle of Palar, where a bloodstone was rumored to be, but alas, I never found it. Perhaps they are rumor only. And perhaps that is best. One of the empaths I met in Palar exhibited fear as I asked my questions, and his final words remain with me—a warning not fully explained. A caution that makes me wonder if the bloodstones should, in fact, be relegated to mere legend: “The price some men pay for power is nearly as terrible as the fact that evil men are often the only ones who gain it.”

Amryn’s brow furrowed. She skimmed the following paragraph, and the next, but there was nothing more about bloodstones. She also didn’t find any mention of them before that paragraph, either. The whole topic seemed to be an aside from the rest of Zerrif’s thoughts, which centered around his visit to Palar.

Feeling as if she’d only gained more questions, Amryn closed the book. She’d delayed too long, and she’d need to hurry if she didn’t want to be missed. She could dwell on the mysterious bloodstones later.

She dragged the massive book to the edge of the table and hauled it into her arms. The weight made her grunt as she carried it down the aisle and found the clear spot on the shelf. It was above her head, but she managed to perch the tip of the book on the edge of the shelf, then she pushed out her fingers, straining on tiptoe to put it back.

A curse bit out behind her and she twisted. The heavy book dipped down, but a large hand caught the spine.

Carver stood nearly on top of her, and his sudden closeness stole her breath. She had known he was tall, and his shoulders were broad, but in this moment, caged in by him, she realized just how large he was. His hand was braced above hers, holding the book aloft as he gazed down at her. The emotions coming from him were familiar. Residual fear and concern were prominent, as they had been since the tea poisoning. But there was also elation.

He was happy to see her.

Heat warmed her cheeks and she dropped her hand, trusting Carver to keep the book from smashing down on her. She pressed back against the shelf, facing him fully. He was nearly trapping her with his body.

She found she didn’t want to escape.

Carver’s eyebrows lifted. “You didn’t cheat death only to be crushed by a bloody book.”

“You’re the one who nearly made me drop it. And you shouldn’t curse—we’re in a temple.”

He pushed the book into place and his arm lowered to another shelf, bracketing her against the books. He leaned his head in, his voice lowering conspiratorially. “I cursed because that book was going to fall on your head.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

“Yes, it was. I had the better vantage. Trust me.”

Trust me.Those words shouldn’t have awakened longing, but she wished in that moment she could trust him. But that was impossible.

She lifted her chin, catching his stare. “I got it down just fine.”

“Yes, well, natural laws make that easier, don’t you think?”

Amryn’s mouth twitched.

Carver’s eyes drifted over her face, and his perusal made her pulse skip. His emotions warmed and deepened. “You shouldn’t have left your guard at the door,” he said, his voice more serious than before.

“It was only for a moment.”

The intensity rolling off him tightened her belly. “You need to be careful, Amryn. The danger is real. Especially for you. Whoever poisoned that tea made it clear you and the other women are targets.”

We killed your future when we killed your wives.