Page 141 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

I’ve said the magic name. Not knowing where his sister landed in all this—if she’s even alive—is a heaviness he can’t shake.

He purses his lips. “If we are going, we must go now. Ailis will not wish to hold off securing Lyndel much longer.”

I stretch onto my tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips. “I’ll meet you by the dragons.” My soft chuckle follows. “Something I never imagined myself saying.”

The wrinkled shadow wielder wishes to speak to you should you return.

Oredai’s intrusion slips into my mind, unwelcome, the moment we cross the threshold into Ulysede’s castle. “I assume you mean Agatha?”

The Cindrae escort falls into step with us as we move toward the library.

We do not bother ourselves with learning their names.

“Right, I can see how that would be inconvenient for you,” I say dryly. “Why did you call her a shadow wielder?”

Because that is what she is.

“His voice box doesn’t work today?” Zander sighs, annoyed.

“I guess not.” Even if it did, I doubt his answers would be any clearer.

“Where are all the nymphs?” Abarrane looks down another empty hall.

Oredai drags his black eyes over her from top to bottom, as if deciding whether she is worthy of an answer. “They were removed from the castle upon Her Highness’s orders. Those within the golden city who could not abide the orders of civility have been exiled.”

“But there are practically none left in the streets. Are you telling us they couldn’t stop fighting?” Jarek asks. He’s right. We passed maybe a dozen in total. Ulysede has become a ghost town again.

The Cindrae grins, flashing his jagged teeth. “That is their nature, much as it is your kind’s nature.”

“Where did they go?” I ask.

Wherever they feel they belong.

Another nonanswer. We reach the library doors.

“Thanks for the escort, Oredai.” That we didn’t ask for. “You can remain out here.” I don’t bother smiling before we march into the library. I still haven’t forgiven him for not warning me about the poison in Jarek before it was almost too late.

Three young scribes scuttle past, their arms filled with books. They attempt bows, their wary gazes on Jarek and Zander. I imagine it’ll take them time to trust the Islorian immortals after all they’ve been taught.

I smile at their backs. “Looks like they’ve been busy.”

“Yes, and hopefully they have found answers, but we need to make this quick. Lyndel is our priority.” Zander vibrates with impatience.

Zorya sees us approaching and rushes to meet us. “Please tell me you are here to rescue me.”

“It can’t be that bad.” Jarek smirks. “I’m sure you’ve found someone to occupy your nights with.”

The one-eyed glare she answers him with would make most people cower. “Your favorite serpent is here. Let me go and find her for you,” she hisses, and stalks away.

I shake my head at my commander. “Way too soon.”

He winces. “I wasn’t thinking.”

We find Agatha in a different area—a section with rows of tables and lanterns burning. It’s filled with scribes, each with a stack of books of their own.

She beams when she sees us. “Your Highness! That vile creature gave you my message. Good. I did not think he would.”

“He did. And Lucretia gave you the journal?”

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