Page 21 of A Touch of Stars and Stones (Kirrian #1)

“More or less. Training and Transference both happen around your twentieth birthday. The Court is a small community. Some factions of it are closer to some parts than others.”

“You’re not close with them.” He didn’t seem to be bothered when we previously spoke about the other trainees, but there’s a divide, it seems.

“Aten’s dad is head of the Warrior Order. Crimson and Calix’s dad is the third in command and head of the armies. It’s a different life for them.”

I stop asking questions, trying to keep all the information straight in my head and wait for Micah to ask his own. Surprisingly, he doesn’t, and we walk through The Court. Tents and huts line the streets as we enter, and I watch people working, selling goods, and going about their day.

“Will you show me your house? One day? When we’re not sneaking into a restricted library?” I tack on in case he doesn’t want to.

“For sure. You already know Kyra. She’d love you to visit.”

“Thank you.” I pay more attention to the make-up of homes as we walk around the natural curve towards the centre and The Tower. Alleyways and tall columns of homes made from rock are built into the side of the outer wall. They shift and change the further we get to the centre.

The chatter and stream of information from Micah quietens, so I fill it. “You said there were armies. Why?”

“To fight. Why do you think?”

“In Estereah, there has not been war or fighting that I can remember. Is that not the same in Kirrasia?”

“We’re peaceful, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t threats or issues from elsewhere. Come on. Before someone stops us.”

More cryptic answers, or at least ones that don’t make sense to me yet. But I don’t need to know about the lack of war right now.

We reach the courtyard with The Tower in front of us, all its turrets and windows staring down at us, with the spire rising in the middle. “So, where’s the library?” I ask.

“Technically, I’ve never stepped inside. But I do know where it is.” He points to the castle.

“Come on then.” I start forward, eager to get this done before I lose my courage.

Micah walks us in and leads us through a maze of corridors, and I realise how big this place is.

Up and around a formal stone staircase we climb, and I wonder if this is taking us to one of the turrets.

“Here,” Micah steps to the side, and a huge wooden door faces us, just like the one to the Great Hall.

“Are you sure about this?” he asks.

“If people don’t want to tell me anything and won’t let me learn for myself, I need to take matters into my own hands.” I’m resolute, maybe for the first time since I arrived, and push the door for good measure.

As it swings open, light enters, revealing dust specks that shine in the air, mirroring the stars in the night sky, and giving the room a mystical feel.

Walls and walls of books, manuscripts, and scrolls decorate the shelves.

An elegant candelabra hangs in the centre, spreading a dim glow through the room.

The air is cool. Empty. And I wonder why this is out of bounds.

“Where do we start?” I ask, taking it all in. I’ve never seen a library, and it’s … intimidating, the enormity of knowledge within these walls, on each page.

“Well, the books,” Micah says with a grin. “Come on. There will be some sense in this. I hope.” He starts down one aisle, and I follow, my awe growing as we do.

“We’ve been reading and studying the histories of Aslendrix. Maybe we should find you something about that.”

“The Goddess who gives you power?”

“The same.”

“What about anything that could tell me what my gift might be? Or powers that awaken late, like mine? Or what the Transference might mean for me?” I ask hopefully.

He reads along the spines, pulls a heavy tome of a book down, and hands it to me, dumping it in my arms.

“Light reading?” I quip.

“Hey, you asked for this. Besides, your Transference is about more than just you and the Advocate. Do you know who yours will be?”

“I… don’t. I guess, Lyle? Although I haven’t seen her for the last day.

” That thought suddenly grips me with fear.

I was too cross, too angry that she’d kept all of this from me, but now, with the prospect of facing this alone, I very much want her next to me, and my chest pangs as if realising my mistake.

“What is she?” Miach asks.

“A Watcher. I told you that.”

“No, what Order? Everyone will have one. What can she do?”

I think back and remember when she held that ball of light in her hand. “Light. She can hold light. She used it to blind…” the men before stabbing them. I keep that bit to myself.

She killed. Murdered them.

“Elemental. Like me.”

“Does that make me an Elemental, then?” Although she isn’t my real mother.

“Not for sure. An Advocate’s power is important, but so is your own heritage.

Here.” He pulls another book, this time smaller in stature, and plonks it on top of the other.

“One more. It might be good to learn a brief history of Kirrasia. We go through it in lessons, but all the others are Kirrian. We’ve been learning this for our entire lives.

You might need the crash course, especially as you’re out of favour.

” He gives me an apologetic look and crosses to the opposite side, grabs a thick book, and adds it to my pile. “Let’s not push our luck.”

I agree. My act of defiance that spurred this into being was fading fast.

I nod. “Thank you. For helping me.”

“Happy to. But it’s all your fault if we’re caught.” He grins at me. “Joking. Come on.”

We leave without incident, and Micah has to navigate back to my rooms. “Come in,” I offer and dump the books on the bed in my room. He takes a measured look around.

“Nice digs.”

“Thanks. Although I’m a guest, remember. Do you think Kyra will know where Lyle is? She wasn’t at the meal the other night, and now I’m worried about her.” I can’t believe I haven’t asked before now.

“She likes to help, so I’m sure she will. Look, I’d better get back. I’ve been gone too long already.”

“I’m sorry if you get into trouble. But I really do appreciate these.” I nod to the books on the bed.

“Get reading. Make the most of them because I can’t promise no one will come looking.” And with that, he leaves.

I untie the laces to my new boots and feel silly for even enjoying putting these on this morning. I change back into my own clothes and grab the red leather-bound book that Micah picked last, feeling satisfaction in the first decision that’s been mine and within my control.