Page 53 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“I know this is hard for you,” she said, placing a hand over his. “Thank you for everything.”

“That’s what you do for friends.” Caiden pushed away the pressure building in his eyes.

“Today has been perfect, but I’m sad Aelia couldn’t be here.” Her eyes lowered, and she fiddled with the napkin in her lap.

“You’ll see her soon, though, right? You’re going to Ruska in the morning?”

She nodded, and looped her arm around Roderick’s bicep, gripping it tightly. He placed a reassuring hand over hers as he continued to joke with Lucius.

“Yes, such a bittersweet binding.” She swallowed as she glanced around the room, clearly fighting tears. “It seems I may never have my family and friends in the same room again.”

Caiden’s heart ached for the witch. She was right. There would be no peace until they wiped Erissa and Gideon from the continent, and even then, certain factions had been hungry for war for a long time.

“C’mon, let’s dance,” Roderick chimed in, leading Amolie to the dance floor where once-grand balls had been held. Now, just two solo dancers swayed in the twinkling light of burning fairy lamps, holding each other tightly, knowing this could bethe last night they ever spend together. Amolie laid her head on Roderick’s broad chest. Shutting her eyes to savor the moment. Roderick rested his chin on his bride’s head and together they swayed back and forth to the sound of the music as if there was no one else in the room but them.

Tonin escorted Tempestia to the floor, and together, the two danced looking lovingly at one another. Tempestia’s diamond earrings sparkled in the light—a gift from Tonin on their binding day. Still in love after centuries, they shared the love Caiden longed for. The kind he’d thought he’d found with Cassandra.

He sighed, finishing his drink.

“I think I’m going to head up for the night. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow. I think Ora… er, one of the scholars at the library, has found something pertaining to the Trinity Wells.”

“Well, that’s something at least,” Lucius said. He gazed out the window at the starless night. “Seems like a perfect time for me to slip away as well. I will meet you in the Woodland Realm for the Ostara celebration.”

Caiden nodded, and the friends slipped out of the ballroom.

13CAIDEN

Caiden’s headached from the champagne as he pulled himself out of bed the next morning. The house was still asleep when he tucked the book into the back of his trousers and donned his cloak. A thick layer of snow fell overnight, making the street slick. He did his best to hurry to the library.

The massive stone building stood high on a hill overlooking the city of Vantris. Built after the War of Three Kings, the library and university housed some of Moriana’s greatest antiquities. Many of which were hidden during the Sylph and Elven War.

The enormous wood doors creaked open as Caiden entered. Rows of scholars and students lined the massive reading room where the starry night flickered overhead.

Ora sat hunched over a book. Her hair was tied back in a neat bun, save for two unruly pieces framing her face.

Caiden set the book he’d found on the table next to her. “I thought you might find this interesting.”

Her brown eyes flitted to the book.

“Look at the marking on the spine…” Caiden said.

She ran her finger over the symbol. “A History of Moriana. Hmm… could be useful. Let’s see.” Opening the book, she scanned the pages until she found something. “Ah-ha! Look!”

She held up a page just like the one they’d found the day before, but the consolation was different. This time, the Trinity pointed to the constellation of the Warrior.

“The star on the tip of his spear…” Caiden said, more to himself than to anyone else.

“You’re right. It’s glowing.” Ora looked up to see the Warrior overhead. It wasn’t simply glowing, a beam of light stretched from the spear’s tip to the book’s star.

“Itispart of a puzzle!” Caiden exclaimed, followed by the inevitable shush from the scholars.

“Should we take this to a Grand Master?” Ora asked.

“No,” Caiden whispered.

Ora scowled and signaled for an assistant, who came eagerly.

“We need Grand Master Quail to come here as quickly as possible.”

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