Page 40 of Winds of Darkness

Renly led Briar through the winding halls, and they entered the libraries through a large set of double doors that opened into a foyer as grand as the Citadel entrance above. He could count on one hand how many times he’d been here. Once on a tour with his parents when he was a child, and again on a tour when Sawyer was young. The other two times were meticulously planned well in advance, but none of those visits had him this deep in the catacombs as they moved past aisles and aisles ofbookshelves. The passages they took seemed to get narrower and narrower, and this deep into the libraries, there were nooks and rooms tucked into the shadows.

It was another ten minutes before Renly knocked on a simple wooden door, waiting for the invitation to enter before pushing it open. Briar wasn’t sure if he was more surprised or amused by what awaited them on the other side.

There was a worn plush sofa shoved against one wall, and next to it was a decent-sized table with three chairs around it. The chairs were all different, though. One was a basic wooden chair, while another had a cushioned seat and armrests. The third was completely upholstered and looked more like a chair for a sitting room rather than in this tucked-away study of sorts.

Bookshelves lined two walls, both of them stuffed full with books and ledgers. A low table sat in front of the sofa, and perched on the edge of the cushions was the Wind Princess in a simple dress of soft grey, her silver hair gathered atop her head, and her attention fixed on the three books spread out before her. Several pieces of parchment lay beside her, and she tapped the thin piece of charcoal she was using to write with as she continued to read.

Renly cleared his throat softly before saying, “Princess, you have company.”

Ashtine looked up, her eyes widening in surprise when they landed on Briar. That was interesting. She always seemed to know what or who was coming, and he assumed it was from the winds whispering to her. They clearly hadn’t warned her this time.

“Prince Briar,” she said, gracefully rising to her feet and stepping forward. It was then that he noticed the thick wool socks on her feet. “I was unaware I was to meet with you today.”

“It was not planned, and I apologize for interrupting if you are otherwise occupied. I can return another time if you wish,” he answered, glancing again at all the books scattered about.

“We tried to schedule another time, but he insisted on speaking to you personally,” Renly cut in. Briar could feel the male’s glare on him, but his focus was on Ashtine, her sky-blue eyes holding his.

“To tell me we could meet another time if I preferred?” she asked.

Well, when she put it like that …

“Yes,” Briar answered. “I was hoping to speak with you about a sensitive matter.”

Her brows rose so subtly, he almost missed it, but her Third certainly didn’t.

“Princess, if you do not wish for this, he can make a proper appointment,” Renly cut in quickly.

“It is fine, Renly,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her. “You can leave us.”

This time it was Renly’s brows that rose. “With all due respect, Princess, I cannot, in good conscience, leave you alone with a rival Court.”

“Are we at war with them, Renly?” she asked, her tone still light but the air in the room stirring.

“Of course not,” he answered.

“Do we have reason to believe the Water Court wishes to start a war by harming me?”

“No, Princess, but you have been—” He cut himself off, glancing at Briar. “I would advise against this.”

“Your advice has been noted and taken into consideration,” she answered, papers rustling on the table, and pages in books turning. “Renly, if you please,” she added, gesturing for him to leave.

Renly’s lips were pressed into a thin line, his shoulders tense. Briar couldn’t blame him. His Court had acted the same way when Ashtine had visited last week.

“I am not going far,” Renly finally conceded.

“I would expect nothing less, Ren,” she said with a small, reassuring smile.

“If you need anything …”

“I will send word.”

With a final hard stare at Briar, Renly turned and left the small room, the wood door creaking as it shut behind him.

Then it was just Briar alone with the Wind Princes, who wasstaring at him expectantly. His gaze dropped to the floor, finding her feet in the wool socks again. Her dress was a heavy material too, which only made the lightness of his own clothing that much more noticeable.

“It is cool down here,” Briar said, wondering just how awkward this conversation was going to be. He deserved this for being so impulsive in coming here.

“The sensitive matter you wish to discuss is the weather?” Ashtine asked, her brow furrowing.