Page 169 of Lady of Shadows

“A watery prison, a locked away king, a world walker’s book,” Cyrus said, mulling the words over. “Any ideas?”

No one spoke.

Scarlett sighed from her perch on the table. “Before I left the Oracle, she told me to find a book.”

“Why am I not surprised in the least that you have information?” Briar asked, taking a seat at the table.

“What sort of book?” Sorin asked, sliding into the chair nearest her.

“I don’t know. An old one, apparently. Likely the same book Ashtine referred to considering the Oracle’s words were ‘Those who can walk among the worlds brought a book with them in the beginning. You would do well to find it.’”

“And you are just telling us now?” Sorin asked, his brow arching.

“A lot happened with the Oracle and a lot happened after the Oracle. A lot of whichyoubenefited from,” she added with a pointed look at Sorin’s wedding band on his finger. Sawyer stifled a laugh. “So I apologize,your Highness, if I didn’t realize I omitted something important until now.”

“Don’t be a brat,” Sorin ground out from between his teeth with an unamused glare.

She batted her lashes at him and replied sweetly, “Don’t be an ass.”

I am going to start keeping a list of every name you call me, Princess.

She smirked.What are you going to do about it?

She could have sworn his eyes went a shade darker as a feral smile crossed his face.

“As much as this little show never gets old,” Briar cut in, his eyes twinkling,“World Walkers are mythical beings. Most believe them to be nothing more than legends.”

“Rayner said many believe the same of the Oracle, and she is real as can be,” Scarlett countered, tearing her eyes from Sorin, who was still staring at her with primal greed.

“Let’s say that is the book,” Cyrus said, “any idea where we start looking for it?”

“A few,” Scarlett answered, popping a grape into her mouth.

“Helpful,” Cyrus remarked sarcastically.

“It’s more than you’ve offered,” she retorted.

“You are ridiculously unconventional,” Sawyer observed with amusement.

“Yes, but I keep things interesting,” she replied with a wink.

“Would it possibly be in the same place you’ve found books on blood magic?” Eliza asked casually. She had been fairly quiet up until now, and Scarlett could not quite read the look on her face.

“What sort of books?” Scarlett asked as another grape went into her mouth.

From a flame, Eliza pulled a book and floated it to Scarlett. Scarlett gently took it and stilled. “Where did you find this?”

“In the library. When I was chatting with the mortal prince. He said it was one of yours. One that you have been reading,” Eliza said slowly.

“It’s history reading. Nothing more,” Scarlett said flippantly, sliding the book under the table. She conjured a shadow panther, who took the book gently in its maw and disappeared back into the darkness.

“History reading. On blood magic,” Eliza deadpanned, not convinced in the slightest. “It is not something to mess around with, Scarlett.”

“Is my twin flame bond not blood magic? My soulmate bond with Cassius?” Scarlett countered. “It is research, General. Nothing more.”

She stared down Eliza. They had never argued before, but she could see the skepticism that lingered in her eyes.

“Who do you think a locked away king is?” Neve asked, fixing a piece of cheese to a cracker and taking a bite, breaking the tension.

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