Page 73 of Taken By the Fae King

“Was it a good surprise?” Kyven asks as he takes my hand.

A beaming smile lights my face in return. “Yes.”

“Good.” He grins. “Because I have one more.”

“What is it?”

He holds his arms out, and I step into them without hesitation. Gathering me to his chest, he lifts into the air and gently spirals back down toward the castle.

“You cannot possibly have a better surprise than the one you already gave me today,” I gently tease.

Kyven's laughter fills my ears, rich and warm, as the exhilaration of our descent courses through me. “And if I do, will it earn me a kiss?”

His intense gaze holds mine as he waits for my answer. I bite my lower lip as heat flushes through my veins. “Yes.” A smile tugs at my mouth. “Will my surprise require a blindfold again?”

“Not this time. We are already here.” As we near the ground, he gestures to a bridge spanning from the castle courtyard to another tree.

I recognize the palace library immediately. It's a breathtaking sight, a testament to the grandeur of the Fae. Built within the embrace of an ancient tree, the library is unlike any I've seen before. Its massive, pine-like trunk stretches heavenward, its great branches supporting the library's exquisite architecture. Golden light spills from the countless windows, casting a warm glow on the garden that surrounds it.

I can't help but gaze in wonder at the intricate carvings that adorn the library's exterior, a stunning depiction of the Fae's rich history and lore. The masterful artistry speaks of the dedication and reverence the Fae hold for knowledge, and I am reminded of the countless hours I have spent in similar hallowed halls back in Florin, my fingers brushing the spines of countless tomes, my mind expanding with each new world revealed to me.

As we touch down gently on the ground, I turn to Kyven, my heart swelling with love. He sets me down and takes my hand, his warmth spreading through me, as we walk toward the palace library.

The massive doors stand before us, carved with intricate scenes of Fae history and mythology. With a wave of his hand, they open smoothly, revealing the sanctuary within.

When we step inside, I am immediately enveloped by the familiar and comforting scent of aged parchment and old leather. A quiet hush blankets the space. The library is a cathedral of knowledge, its vaulted ceilings adorned with murals that depict celestial beings and otherworldly landscapes. The golden light from the windows casts a warm glow on the countless shelves, lined with books and scrolls that seem to stretch into eternity.

“This library contains ancient scrolls and texts that are found nowhere else in the world,” Kyven explains. “Their secrets have been passed down through generations, kept and guarded by our people.”

I follow Kyven as he guides me down one of the many aisles, my fingers trailing along the spines of the tomes that stand sentinel on the shelves. We pause before a glass-encased scroll, its parchment yellowed with age. Beside it are rows of shelves with dozens of tall, thick candles. Markings are etched into the wax. “Each line represents an hour.” Kyven gestures to them. “Pick one and I will show you what it is for.”

I grab the closest one, placing it on a holder while Kyven unlocks the case with a whispered word, and carefully, almost reverently, unrolls the ancient text.

“What is this?” I ask.

“A spelled parchment,” he replies. “It was created by one of our scholars over five hundred years ago. It is a spell that allows one to read and understand any language as if it were their own.”

I stand in awe as my gaze travels over the library. “I can read anything in here,” I whisper in amazement.

“Yes.” A faint smile curves his lips. “To activate the spell, light the candle and then speak the words. The enchantment will last as long as the candle is lit.”

He takes my hand and holds it over the lock on the glass encasement. Closing his eyes, he whispers words in the ancient Fae tongue. A glowing blue ribbon of light wraps around our joined hands and then fades. “Now you can unlock this anytime you wish,” he explains. “All you must do is wave your hand over the case and it will open for you.”

Soft footsteps echo behind me, and I turn to find a Fae male with orange wings walking toward us. He is dressed in dark robes and his long silver-white hair is tucked behind his ears.

He bows low as he approaches. His yellow eyes studying me a moment before turning to Kyven. “It is good to see you here, your majesties.” His voice is low and soft as if trying to maintain the quiet atmosphere in this sacred space.

“This is Scholar Norlyn.” Kyven introduces him. “He is in charge of the library.”

I dip my chin in greeting. “It is lovely to meet you, Scholar Norlyn.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Queen Grayce,” he replies. “I understand you are a scholar yourself.”

My brow furrows slightly.

“Word reached us before you arrived about what happened in Corduin. Your knowledge of Orc language and culture.” He gestures to several high shelves of books to the left. “That section of the library contains information on the various cultures of our world. But I am afraid it is severely lacking in anything to do with Orc culture. It is my hope that you might aid us in rectifying this situation.” His gaze darts briefly to Kyven. “It seems there is more to their people than a robust enthusiasm for drink and for war.”

“There is,” I agree. “Perhaps I can write to my brother and ask him to lend a few of the books from Florin’s library so that your scholars may make copies. We have many tomes on Orc language and customs.”

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