Page 50 of What Lies Within Masks & Shadows

“Sounds like something your dear father would say. I knew you were just like him.”

Glass exploded from the windows, blasting across the library. The essence of death in the room could be sliced with a blade as the lanterns above their heads rained down the broken shards.

The High Prince’s eyes turned into a sea of ink, vacant of any light. Smoke and shadows tore away at pages, flinging books open in a harsh wind. The stacks, every one of them, beveled and rattled. The wood swayed and buckled. Some toppled and flipped over the mezzanine railing to crash into the open space of the first floor. The whole library was about to burst.

“Sire—” Eldacar’s voice cracked, calling from behind a pillar.

“What?” Garrik’s eruption shook the wooden floor and remaining upright shelves as he snapped his head in Eldacar’s direction.

Eldacar flinched, backing away into the shadow of the furthest mezzanine, eyes wide in fear.

Garrik’s voice softened. His face relaxed with a deep sigh as his storm around them began to fade, leaving a disheveled mess of torn pages, toppled piles, and shelves in its wake. He scanned the carnage, then looked to his shaking friend and swallowed hard. “Apologies, Eldacar. Please, speak.”

Eldacar hesitated. Hands trembling as he gripped a ruined book. “Might I make a suggestion?”

The High Prince nodded.

With a flick of his wrist, his shadows whorled and tendriled across the destruction. In a surge of darkened mist and clouds of ash, the library was returned to its previous state. Garrik moved with measured steps, leaning against the table as he did before. With a quick adjustment of his tunic across his abdomen, before he crossed his arms, Garrik lowered his head to stare at the gold stitching on the crimson rug, listening.

“Perhaps we can discuss dear Alora’s powers after dinner? I would be happy to meet with you myself, in here, with all of my friends.” He sheepishly grinned, handing her a book. “They know so much more than I do and are great listeners.”

Alora rubbed her arm, then reached out and accepted the book. It beheld an image of a butterfly, its wings made of fire. She traced her fingers over the indentations and a language that she had never learned.

How will I get out of this? I don’t trust them.Burning tears brimmed her bottom lashes.

“We are trying to help you.” Garrik’s gaze lifted from the floor, and a softened gleam in his eyes met her. “I would not have risked my friends’ lives otherwise.”

She refused to meet the High Prince’s stare but reluctantly nodded, glimpsing the redhead in the dim lantern light.

Eldacar gazed at her with an awkward smile. “We haven’t had anyone like you join us yet. I can’t wait to see what you can do.” He tapped his fingers together in delight.

“You may never get to unless the mighty prince gives me back my powers.”

Garrik shifted against the table. “In time, until then, prove to me you can be trusted without them. I will not allow a loose weapon in this camp before I know how it works.”

“I’m not an ‘it’ and don’t need my powers to be a weapon.” Alora purposefully jerked her eyes to the sword sheathed at his side. “I think I’ve proven myself already.”

That irritatingly annoying smirk crossed his face, and she balled her fist to prevent it from careening into his cheek.

“There will be opportunities for you to display what you can do. For now, stay and get acquainted with camp. When I return from my summons, we can find a place for you here that you are comfortable with.”

“What, you don’t wish to bring me along to keep an eye on me?” She crossed her arms.

Garrik’s smirk deepened. “Are you eager to sit on my horse once more?”

“Not as eager as you are to have me riding it, I’m sure.” Alora scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Desiring silver irises flicked down to her mouth, then slowly traveled up to burn into her sapphires. He cocked his head, eyes lowering in a squint as if he could see right through her.

Garrik held his wolfish grin for a moment longer. Alora warred off a sudden flutter low in her stomach from that starewhen he turned to the librarian and said, “Thank you, Eldacar, for your knowledge. We will return later for training. Do not go wandering off.”

Eldacar gaped. A puzzling look crossed his eyes as they widened. “Me? Wandering? Oh, sire, sometimes I wonder if you even know me at all.”

Garrik motioned for Alora to walk in front of him to leave. This time, when he held the entrance open, she reluctantly passed through without a glare.

It was easierto hate him.

To imagine him as the greatest enemy Elysian had ever known.

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