Page 21 of A Ballad of Beasts and Brothers

"It was as if he was restraining them from touching you." Nyx stomps down the stairs until we find the landing.

"And what did you see when you looked at me?"

"Your eyes and hands lit up, and I could have sworn your hair was also glowing, but it might have been the sunlight."

He holds the door open for me to reenter the fourth-floor hallway before we make our way to the main staircase to head down to the foyer.

"I felt my magic reaching for his," I break the temporary silence. "Is that normal?"

Nyx chews on his toothpick, contemplating the question before shaking his head. "I can't say it is. At least, I haven't heard of it being a common thing." He stops at the top of the staircase and steps in front of me, blocking my path. "Did you feel him reaching back?"

"Yes."

He rakes a hand through his hair and whistles lowly. "Damn, Kitarni. All this from one kiss? I would hate to see what would happen if you two fuc -"

I point a finger at him, forcing him to swallow the rest of that statement. "Don't. Don't you dare finish that sentence."

Lifting his hands in surrender, he smirks and says, "As my lady wishes."

"Ass," I hiss, drawing a rumbling laugh from him.

He drapes his arm across my shoulders and ushers me down the stairs. "Eris is going to be so jealous she missed this."

He's not wrong, but I wish I understood what exactly was happening. I'm just as confused now, if not more so, than before. Here's hoping that Calmara will have some answers for me tomorrow.

Seven

Shaye

Even though I just started school yesterday, I'm excited I don't have to sit through any lectures this morning. Instead, I'll be visiting Calmara; notoriously the most private library in all six kingdoms.

Since Finn will be making house calls to citizens who are too ill or old to visit his apothecary shop, he generously gives Eris the day off so she can join Nyx and I at Calmara. Eris has been wanting to see what lies behind the library doors since she first arrived in Tronovia, but access is rarely given to non-scholars, and never given to foreigners. I'm honestly ecstatic to have her come with us because I've been attached to Nyx for an entire day and he's far too observant for his own good. Especially when it concerns me and Atlas.

The carriage ride to the northern side of the crescent city is peaceful. At some point the hustle and bustle of the city dies down and the tall, colorful buildings fade from view. Majestic pine trees stretch up to the heavens on either side of the cobblestone road. I can hear the birds chirping, the waves splashing in the bay, and the houses become larger and more elegant the further we go. I know from speaking with the Harland brothers that their parents live at the northernmost tip of the crescent city, which is where the elite and most wealthy Tronovians reside. But before we can get close to the edge of the kingdom, our driver steers our buggy left and away from the harbor, up a tree-filled hill, until we find the smooth, black stone that forms Calmara glistening under the sun's rays.

Calmara is nothing short of expansive. The library stretches across the top of the hill and if dropped in the middle of the city would most likely take up several city blocks. Our driver pulls up to the entrance and brings the horses to a halt.

My mind is racing, and my heart is thundering inside my chest. Not only am I about to enter the largest library in Dalerin, but my feet will tread where no Midorian has been before – where most Tronovians will never have clearance to enter – and I'll be that much closer to finding answers about who I really am.

The double doors are propped open when we arrive and as we enter, my jaw drops. Looking straight down the expanse of the library, it's truly larger than I could have ever imagined. The polished wooden floors run the length of the library and fifty feet above us, the arched wooden ceiling runs the same distance. The aroma of ancient books fills my nostrils and makes my stomach flip in excitement. I can't wait to explore every inch of this legendary library.

Calmara, though extremely long, consists of only two floors and the second level is open to the main aisle with respective arched ceilings and openings peeking into each bookshelf. The library runs vertically while the bookshelves on either side of the aisle are horizontally placed. Built supremely symmetrical in nature, it looks like each bookshelf on the first floor has the bookshelf from the second floor directly on top of it. There are wooden spindled railings that stand around hip height on the second floor, safe-guarding scholars slipping in and out of the clearings.

As we walk down the main aisle, I notice by each bookend on the first floor, there are alabaster busts sitting atop polished wooden pillars with gold name plates glinting in the light that pours in through the windows. I'm not sure if the busts are fashioned after rulers, scholars, or magic wielders, but I make note in my head to ask Eris who some of them are once we settle in. Right now, I don't want to miss a thing by asking questions.

Mahogany desks large enough for four people are stationed throughout the main aisle and some smaller tables are tucked away toward the windows at the far ends of the bookshelves.

"Where are we going?" I ask Nyx.

"To see the Master of Literature. She will direct us to the right section to find what you're looking for."

"What do I even say to her? Do I just ask her to find books that will help me figure out who I am?" I shudder, the embarrassment already creeping into my soul. "I'm going to sound insane."

"Just ask her for books on Celestial magic to start." Nyx drapes his arm around my shoulders and squeezes. "Or ask for books pertaining to light magic. You've got to start somewhere, Kitarni, and I highly doubt you'll find what you're looking for the first few visits."

Nyx is right, but I don't openly admit that. He doesn't need the ego boost when he's already floating around the library.

I nod in agreement as we make our way to a circular reception desk half-way down the main drag. The marble counter is clear of clutter, with the exception of a black service bell and a gold-plated name plaque with the name Penelope Blackwater prominently displayed. Resting my elbows on the counter, I wait quietly for someone to appear, but no one does.

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