Page 72 of The Healing Dragon
“There is no room for fear here.” Matias taps his chest with a close fist. “I recognize her.” He points at a photo at the bottom of the page.
“Olivia Pazduelo. The infamous witch who was forced to marry a prince from hell,” I say remembering all the times I heard her story.
Santiago shakes his head. “I’ve seen it somewhere else.”
“Doesn't look like she or any of her sisters continue the family line.” Matias gestures to the blank section of the book.
“Or the book doesn't know to add the names.” I shrug.
“I know it was somewhere important.” Santiago looks up to the ceiling deep in thought.
“How do these family trees get recorded into paper?” Matias asks.
“Magic,” Santiago and I say at the same time.
Matias gives the book a grimace and I can't help but laugh.
Santiago shakes his head. “It's not like The Red Book. This magic is old and only cares to keep records. We have records of all influential families. Even the families in the humanlands.”
Santiago pauses staring into mid air. Without any explanation he rises and then disappears into a bookshelf. His footsteps are hurried.
“Where is he going?” Matias stares at his retreating figure.
I shrug, but I know whatever he just thought of is going to be good. There is no point in making guesses. I lean back, leaving my book aside and wait for Santiago. It’s not long before we hear a hoot of cheer as the hurried steps grow closer.
He almost falls back into his chair, an excited smile playing on his lips. He taps an enormous book he places on the table. “I once read the history of Paz.” He shrugs. “I was bored, believe it or not, but there are periods where there’s nothing to do around here.” He gestures to the space around us.
He opens the book in his hands and looks for one specific chapter at the front of the book. When he finds it, his grin widens.
“King Maxxon renamed the kingdom to Paz in honor of his wife Mia Pazduelo on her thirtieth birthday. They both passed peacefully in their sleep at 99. The crown was then taken by their eldest daughter, whose line continues to rule." He points down at the book. “These events are dated before the creation of the Red Book. Only a few years after the gates to the underworld were opened.”
“A whole kingdom. What a gift,” Matias says, looking over Santiago’s shoulder.
“Mia Pazduelo.” I point at the name on the family tree.
There are a total of three sisters on that tree branch. Next to Olivia Pazduelo and Mia Pazdulo is another woman named Maite Pazduelo.
“One married a prince from hell, and the other the King of the Human Lands. I wonder what happened to the third sister,” Matias says.
“Have we unknowingly discovered a connection between awitch family, the kingdom of the human lands and a prince from hell?” Santiago asks us with furrowed brows.
If this family is linked to the royal families in Paz it's not common knowledge. The ruling of Queen Mia Pazduelo was also so long ago that it's possible her name got lost in the marriages that followed.
“As curious as I am about it, there are more pressing matters at the moment. We don't have time to add another topic to our research.” I point at Matias. “We haven't even addressed his magic and how he needs to learn to control it.”
I control my expression and fight the shudder I feel every time I think of what Matias did at my fathers keep. It has only been a few days but we don't need Matias going off the deep end and resurrecting people.
“Already taken care of.” Santiago looks almost proud that he’s ahead. “He can begin tomorrow with Lexi Blue and Alejandra.”
This seems to be news to Matias from the look of shock on his face. There is also a tint that colors his cheeks.
“Lexi and Alejandra?” he asks in a whisper.
Who is he nervous to be around? I wonder. Before I can ask any questions he yawns loudly.
“I feel like today was a total waste of time,” Matias says.
I look over at the number of books we got through. We definitely have not gotten any closer to learning how The Red Book works but we did learn something valuable.
