Page 102 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“Does she really make it up and down all these stairs every day?” He huffed under the large stack of books he was carrying.

“Every day,” I confirmed. “It keeps her young, and I’m convinced she only carries that stick, so she has something to hit people with.”

He puffed out a laugh. “I just can’t believe she doesn’t live closer to the ground, that’s all.”

“It’s what she’s used to. It’s how we all live.” I glanced over, holding back a laugh. “Is it too much for the big old dragon?”

“If I need to carry something heavy or get somewhere high, I usually use my wings. Your people have evolved to dwell in the trees. Mine have evolved to need a little more open space.”

I knew he was probably itching to fly. Being confined by so much foliage was unnatural to him. Dragons were just not suited to this kingdom, which is why there were so few here.

He hefted the books he had insisted on carrying so that I didn’t exert myself. Despite the very uplifting power exchange we just had in the archives. My energy stores were full after that!

I went ahead when we reached her entrance hall and cleared some space on her worktable, which stood in the middle of her kitchen that she also used as a workroom. Her home was the result of two centuries of magical experimentation and family life. You never knew whether what was boiling on the stove was some new concoction for treating your ills or dinner. Everything took place in this space, we learned our craft here at her side and then ate at this table too, unless it was a formal affair.

As always, there was an array of books and notes as well as the remains of a spell in a fire bowl. I stacked it all to one side, making room to put down our haul.

Jaxus thunked them down on the table and wiped his brow. I watched him, my need still lingering. Since we gave in to it that first time, it felt like a thirst that couldn’t be quenched at times.

He turned and caught my lustful gaze.

“You can’t look at me that way in your grandmother’s house, Firefly.”

“I can’t help it.”

“Try,” he said firmly.

“She won’t be back for a little while,” I countered, stepping into his space.

He gently eased himself away from me. “I don’t care if she’ll be gone for a week. I’m not taking you here. She will know. I bet she knows everything.”

I shrugged. “Kinda.”

“There you go then. No.”

“Boo.” I sulked.

Jaxus busied himself spreading the books out. Gran was stillteaching her class but would be back soon, so we’d brought our findings here for her to go over once she returned.

“What’s that?” he asked, pointing at the fire bowl.

I peered inside but couldn’t make out what she had burned for the ritual. “Honestly, with Gran, it could be anything from a cold treatment to a spell to make all your hair fall out.”

Jaxus reached up to protect his golden locks, looking horrified. “She can do that?”

“Cross her and find out,” I teased.

Jaxus gave me a wide-eyed ‘no way’ look. “Is that…normal?” he asked hesitantly.

“She’s a little alternative compared to some of the stuffy traditionalists that make up the council, but she’s our wisest healer by far. She is the oldest fae in the Forest Kingdom, actually.”

“Alternative?”

“She subscribes to some much older methods than are common now. I suppose you could say she’s the traditionalist, really.

“You mean old magic?” Jaxus shot me a surprised look.

“Not in any way that could get her put on trial,” I assured him. “But she favors the old wisdom in a lot of things. She is all for learning from the past to better the future.”

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