Page 10

Chapter

Nine

We stood amongst the two hundred and fifty candidates in the meeting hall, waiting to be given instructions.

The contestants were divided up by floor, “The easiest way to go about it,” the officials had said.

I was relieved when I realized I would be with Lil and Kadian.

“I’m glad I didn’t have to kick anyone’s ass to make sure the three of us were together,” Lil laughed, though I couldn’t help but believe there was some truth behind her teasing tone.

As I glanced around, I saw Emia and waved before my eyes landed on someone familiar—a man threading his way through the crowd.

Before I could process where I knew him from, he was in front of me, pulling me into a hug.

I froze.

“Good to see you again,” he said, his voice warm and full of ease.

“Glad you made it through.”

Kadian’s brows shot up, and Lil let out a laugh.

“Who’s this?”

I stammered, my mind spinning as I searched for a name.

“Uh…”

The man released me with a chuckle.

“It's Osforth,” he said, then added with a grin, “but just call me Oz. Trust me, I hate the full name just as much as you probably would.”

Lil raised an eyebrow, still smiling. “Oz, huh? Nice to meet you.” She gave me a sidelong look, amused by the situation.

Kadian smirked, crossing his arms. “So, how do you know Bri?”

I opened my mouth, still flustered, but Oz saved me, nodding toward the room. “I wished her luck during the first task, didn’t think we’d end up on the same floor. Looks like luck’s still on our side.”

I laughed, feeling some of the awkwardness lift. “Looks like it.”

Lil grinned mischievously. “Well, now that we’ve got the introductions out of the way, let’s hope your luck sticks with us, Oz.”

Oz winked. “You can count on it.”

His muscular build was hard to miss, complemented by a tattoo of intricate, swirling patterns snaking up from his left wrist to his shoulder.

At twenty-five, he was the first person my age I'd ever met without hair. “Shaved it off before we got here,” he joked, “didn't want to deal with it in this heat.” He was a charmer, similar in height to Kadian but with a bigger build. His amber skin and pale green eyes were striking—I couldn’t help staring at them. Noticing my gaze, he pointed to his eyes and said, “I think they’ll change. If I end up in the Eternal Court, I suspect they’ll go brown or amber like my mom and dad.”

“They’re both members then?” Kadian asked, though his gaze was fixed on Lil.

“They were both here for the Courting two hundred and seventy years ago,” Oz said, his eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and frustration. “Mom’s family is in the Court of Whispers, so when she was picked by the Eternal Court, it caused a rift. She hasn’t spoken to them since.”

Kadian blinked. “So, you have this whole family in another court?”

“Yeah,” Oz said with a wry smile. “Mom had to sort of adopt my dad’s family. I think she misses hers sometimes, though. It’s like being thrown into a new family where you’re supposed to fit in, but part of you is always somewhere else.”

I felt a tightness in my chest. The thought of Kadian and me ending up in different courts made my stomach churn. What would happen to us? Could our friendship survive the separation? The idea of facing that kind of divide was almost too much to bear.

“Wait,” I managed, my voice faltering. “Did you say two hundred and seventy years ago?” My shock was evident.

“Yeah,” he said, raising an eyebrow before a flicker of recognition crossed his face. “I’m sure this is all new to you, being human.” His smile softened, and for a moment, I felt a strange sense of relief. At least he didn’t see me as an outsider; he seemed...curious.

“My parents are still young for Fae standards. They waited a while to have me and my sister. She’s around here somewhere.”

Lil smirked. “Luck must have been on your side. For both of you to have been invited the same year.”

Oz chuckled. “I told you,” he added with a smile.

I absorbed the weight of what he was saying, feeling the quiet ache of my sheltered existence. Centuries to learn, to study, to read, to be with those you love—it felt like such a precious, enviable gift. Our human lives, so often fraught with pain, suffering, and fleeting moments, seemed almost insignificant in comparison. Over in the blink of an eye.

“Are we scaring you?” Lil’s voice cut through my thoughts, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

“A little,” I admitted, my mind racing with the implications.

Oz noticed my distraction and gave me a reassuring grin. “You’ll get used to it. We’ll meet all kinds of people around here.” He pointed across the room. “There’s my sister. I’ll catch up with her and see you later?”

“Yeah,” Kadian said. “We’ll see you later.”

Oz patted him on the shoulder as he left. “Seems nice. Friendly.” Kadian grinned at me as Oz approached his sister. They were the spitting image of each other, save for her dark, beautiful curly hair. She’s tall , I thought as I looked at her. She looked like a natural born fighter. Ready to take her place in the Eternal Court.

“Good morning, and welcome to the Center Court,” a voice said. I peered around a group of girls and saw a man of medium build. He had no distinguishable traits about him. His hair was a dull color that I couldn’t even identify, and his skin a bit lifeless.

He must be the least colorful thing in Azmeer .

“My name is Magister Illerium. Today, we'll start with a tour of the palace grounds and the Center Court. I remember when I first arrived here, it all felt…” he paused, searching for the word, “daunting.” He clasped his hands together, satisfied.

Kadian, Lil, and I exchanged glances. This is going to be thrilling.

“We understand that for many of you, this will be the first time away from home, except perhaps for your studies, which I assume most of you completed last year.” Nods rippled through the group. University had been a high point for me and Kadian. We attended the local college, close enough to Dad that I could visit on a regular basis.

“First days are best for acclimatizing to new surroundings,” Illerium said. “So, we'll start with a tour. Follow me and my assistant,” he gestured to a figure walking into the room.

“Isn't that…” Lil whispered, nudging me.

“This is Marsh from the Court of Whispers,” Illerium introduced with a smirk.

Lil grinned, “Gods. Glad we now know his name.” She murmured.

She wasn't wrong. Marsh's violet-streaked hair caught the light, and his amethyst-like eyes held a mesmerizing glimmer. I couldn't help but stare.

“Marsh will provide detailed information as we go. Try to keep up in speed and intellect,” Illerium added, irony heavy in his voice. I smirked at Kadian, “Do try to keep up.” I whispered.

He rolled his eyes back at me.

As we moved through the corridors, Illerium explained, “The true Courts are not in Azmeer but are rooted where each Primal resided.” We turned into a passage lined with deep green stone, like malachite, a stark contrast to the tan limestone that made up the majority of the palace.

“The Center Court is neutral ground for the Courts to convene,” Illerium continued, stopping before an ancient-looking doorway. “This is the entrance to the Eternal House,” he said, nodding to Marsh.

The moment seemed to pause as my gaze swept across the entrance, tracing the intricate carvings that wove tales of time and power into the very stone. I stood in awe, scarcely able to grasp that I was here, among legends and stories that once felt so distant, so impossible. The air was thick with whispers of history, and the magnitude of it pressed into my chest, a strange mix of exhilaration and disbelief coursing through me. The journey that brought me here felt fragile, as if one touch might shatter the illusion and send me spiraling back to reality.

Marsh stepped forward, his eyes briefly meeting mine, a smile playing on his lips. “When we join a Court, our skills are tied to it. Being away from your Court can weaken your magic or abilities. Therefore, Houses were built in Azmeer, using materials from each Court's homeland,” he explained, placing his hand on the stone. “This rock is from Hadash, home of the Eternal Court.”

“Well said, Marsh,” Illerium praised. “Each Court has a House in Azmeer. Some of you will experience one during your placements, but for now, let's move on.”

“We'll pass conference rooms, ambassador quarters, and the library before reaching the gymnasium,” Marsh continued.

It was hard to stay focused with everything around me, and Kadian and Lil's whispers didn't help.

“So the entire Court refuses to eat fish?” Kadian asked.

“Yes,” she replied. “When you're linked to water, fish-eating is frowned upon. My mom freaked out when I told her I tried flounder. Was completely worth it.”

Marsh's voice brought me back as we reached the library. “This is the largest archive in Eldara, holding sacred documents from each Court. The treaty binding the Courts required each to leave something valuable here,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine. A shiver coursed through me, delicate and fleeting, as though a feather had traced a path along my back at the sight of their pale purple hue. “Scribes preserve knowledge and maintain peace. They aren't pledged to any Court.” He added, leading us inside.

My breath hitched in my throat as I stepped into the library. The walls were made of the same pale limestone as the rest of the palace, yet here, the stone shone with a life of its own, bathed in light from the magnificent stained glass window overhead. Soft pastels—every color of the rainbow—danced across the marble floor, shifting as if the light itself were alive. The window, impossibly high, stretched almost to the ceiling, which seemed a hundred feet above me. It was a breathtaking display of craftsmanship, but my eyes were drawn to the books.

Intricately carved stairwells spiraled upward and around, twisting with grace as they led to multiple levels of shelves, each filled with volumes—books upon books, waiting to be read.

My heart raced with excitement, the researcher's instinct in me already sparking to life. The sheer number of texts held the promise of knowledge, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the answer to helping my father lay hidden somewhere within these pages. I could spend days—weeks, even—combing through this treasure trove. The thought gave me a strange sense of hope, something that had felt elusive since I left him behind.

“Not a bad place to be,” Kadian whispered to me.

I could spend a lifetime here, and it would never be enough .

“No,” I said, “not at all.”

In the distance, I saw a group of people dressed in tan robes that were brought together at the waist with rope. I made eye contact with one of them. She beamed when she saw me and mouthed later .

I could barely contain my excitement. It had been years since I’d seen Addie. What is she doing here?

“Is that…” Kadian leaned in to whisper to me. I nodded with excitement.

“We'll pause here and resume our tour in two bells. Feel free to explore the library, but remember, this is a place of quiet study,” Illerium continued before gesturing for Marsh to follow him. They left, leaving the rest of us to disperse.

Lil sighed, leaning against a wall. “I don’t know if I can handle more of this this afternoon,” she muttered, then brightened. “Want to grab some lunch? If we go now, we’ll get the best selection.”

“Yes, I’m in.” Kadian’s agreement was instantaneous.

“I’ll catch up later. I want to look around a bit,” I told them.

Placing a hand on my shoulder, Kadian nodded and smiled at me before he and Lil proceeded to make their way from the library, turning left as they exited. I wandered through the shelves, trailing my fingers along the spines of old books. The scent of worn leather and aged paper was intoxicating.

Rounding a corner, I heard a familiar voice, “This is the sole volume we could find, Your Majesty. I reviewed it myself and believe it will answer your questions.” Addie stood there, handing a book to none other than Prince Dainan. My heart skipped a beat as they both turned to see me. Addie's face radiated joy, while Dainan's remained impassive.

“If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to find me.” My aunt Addie bowed her head as a sign of respect.

As Dainan strode past, I couldn’t tear my gaze from him. His sleeveless black shirt revealed a lean, muscular build, and his eyes—shifting colors beneath dark lashes—hinted at hidden depths I couldn't quite grasp. His bronze skin and striking features made it impossible to look away, his presence magnetic. For a brief moment, his eyes met mine, and a subtle, intoxicating scent hung between us, leaving my pulse racing.

“Brida?” Addie’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“Addie!” I squealed, rushing to hug her.

“What are you doing here! Oh, it has been far too long.” She wrapped her arms around me as hard as she could. “Gods, you look so much like her.”

“I missed you too,” I couldn’t help but laugh. I had. We’d seen Addie less since Mom died, but she had always made a point of staying in touch and coming to visit when she could.

“You didn’t answer my question.” She pulled back, hands on my shoulders. “Wait, you didn’t get an invitation to the Courting, did you?”

Here we go. “I did! I was just as surprised as you…”

“That’s rare. Only a few humans each year are offered an invitation…”

Before she could continue, I cut her off. “What are you doing here? Last we heard, you were in Haliar.” She’d been working as a librarian there for the past several years.

“I started working here not long ago and sent you a letter, but I guess it got lost in the shuffle," she said, placing a hand on my cheek.

My heart sank a little, remembering the letter I never opened. I’d been too consumed in readying myself for coming here.

“Are you settling in okay?” she asked, leading me to the main desk.

“The rooms are more than I imagined.” I’m also terrified of being here, that someone will discover my secret, the repercussions of what that would mean for me…for dad. But that’s a conversation for another time .

She offered a warm smile. “But are you really settling in? Being away from home can be hard.” She lifted my chin.

“I’m lucky Kadian’s here,” I gestured towards the exit.

“I thought that was him,” she chuckled. “He’s grown into a fine-looking young man.”

“Gods, not you too. It’s not like that.”

She laughed, raising her hands. “Just an observation.”

My eyes drifted back to the doorway, “Does…” I began to ask and forced myself to stop.

“ Does? ” She rifled through books. Addie was a multitasker, “ I need to keep busy! ” is what she’d always said.

After a moment of less-than-amiable silence, I asked, “Does Prince Dainan often visit the library?”

She nodded, scratching something off her list, “He’s often here. Despite what people may say about him, he’s devoted to his studies.”

“And what do people say about him?” I asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

She lifted her eyes to meet mine, a serious glint replacing her usual lightheartedness. “Do I need to remind you to be careful?” Her brow knit, an expression I wasn’t used to seeing on her face. Addie had always been the carefree spirit in the family. Not that there was much of a family to speak of.

“No, no, you do not.” I shook my head for emphasis.

“Good,” she made her way behind the desk and leaned on it. “Well,” her hands slapped the top, “you need to go get some lunch,” her demeanor and tone grew softer, “come see me whenever you need a break, okay? Maybe I can pull a few strings and your placement will be here.” Her smile was so genuine, and warm. It could melt ice even on the coldest days.

“I could only be so lucky,” I continued to look around the room. In another lifetime, this would have been my dream. It had been my plan following university to work in a library. Being a herald of stories, a protector of history. I looked back at Addie, who had lost herself in receipts. I grabbed her hand as my way of saying thanks. “I’ll come visit soon.”

“You better,” she picked up a stylus and returned to a list that she had no doubt been working on earlier. My heart felt light as I turned on my heels and made for the exit.

Left or…Right. Ah, yes.

The hallway buzzed with activity, a whirlwind of movement as lunchtime drew most of Azmeer toward the dining hall. The crowd made it nearly impossible to navigate, compounded by the captivating decor—reliefs, tapestries, mosaics. My gaze lingered on a floor mosaic of migrating birds when—shit—I collided with someone. "Sorry," I blurted out.

“Someone isn’t paying attention.”

Freeing myself from the arms I landed in, I glanced upwards. Staring at me with an expression of curiosity was Prince Dainan.