Page 154 of To Ashes and Dust
“Are you sure you’ll be good here,mea luna?” Damien asked as we stepped through the entrance to the Archivallia. The little librarians immediately took notice of me, their starlight eyes gleaming as they greeted me.
“I’ll be okay,mea sol.”
I’d gotten a bit more energy after breakfast and I was excited to really explore the Archivallia. Damien hated leaving me alone at the house while he oversaw the countless responsibilities that had piled up in recent weeks, and I’d hated being cooped up. This seemed like a good way to alleviate some of that.
“I’ll be gone a few hours at least, probably more. James and I are meeting with the subcontractors at the new complex, and then I have to meet with Xander to go over paperwork on new recruits. Salwa is here somewhere, so if you need to go early, just ask her. She can bring you home anytime.”
I smiled. “You’re doting again.”
A warm smile tugged at his lips; a genuine one, not one of concern or worry. “I love doting on you.”
I giggled, the sight of his smile warming my heart, and I pushed myself up on my toes to press my lips to his. His arms swept around me, pulling me against him as he deepened the kiss, his scent fanning out over my skin. I’d never tire of it.
“I love you,” he whispered, leaning his head against mine as he held me.
“I love you too,mea sol. Now go, you’ll be late.”
He reluctantly released me and pressed another kiss to my knuckles before heading back through the archway.
A tiny hand tugged at my loose joggers, and I looked down to find one of the astral sprites beckoning for my attention. I crouched down to its level.
“Hello to you, too,” I said warmly.
It pointed off down the aisle between the towering bookshelves, and a whisper brushed against my thoughts. I frowned, blinking down at the creature.
You used to communicate with them somehow.
Damien had told me that, but how? The creature lifted its eyes to me, and I held out my hand. Its tiny claws settled onto my fingertips, and that whisper danced through my mind again, like a feather drifting on the breeze. I reached out, tethering my thoughts to it.
The creature spoke to me, but it was soft, like a mouse. It was strange how they communicated. Their speech didn’t fully sound like actual words, more like intentions, their wishes and wills. Yet I somehow understood them now, or I guess... again.
“I wanted to read, but nothing’s in my language. Is there a way you can help me read Elythian?” I asked.
Another sprite tugged at my shirt from the other side, and I held out my hand, its response resounding and bright. How exactly did their magic work? The feelings flowing through my skin where the sprites touched me were so warm, so positive in their response to help me read a language I knew nothing about.
Where did I even begin? There were countless books within these chambers, the shelves reaching high to the ceiling where stars sparkled amidst the pitch night sky. I noticed the lanterns were resting on the shelves, on the floors around them. They’d been floating the last time I’d come here... hadn’t they?
I hoisted myself to my feet, groaning at the energy it took. God, I hated this.
A glint of gold caught my attention, and my eyes drifted over the illuminated glass case I’d seen my first time here. The three books lay within it, old and worn, and I wondered what they contained.
The sprites skittered alongside me as I drifted toward the case. The three books varied in color, the leather-bound covers dulled with age. Just how old were these books? I lifted the lid and dipped my hand inside, running my fingers over the text imprinted in the worn leather.
The Book of Lucia.
My hand recoiled as the words cascaded across my thoughts. I looked down to the sprite at my side, its tiny claws still holding onto my hand. I looked back to the books, reaching out to touch the next one.
The Book of Elena.
These books were about my past lives, but how did I know that? The sprites chittered at my side, starlight twinkling in the shadows of their bodies.
I reached out, running my finger over the engraved text on the third book, an imprint of what looked like a moth embossed in the leather. It almost resembled a lunar moth from the mortal realm, but... different.
“The Book of Moira,” I whispered, the thoughts spilling from my lips as they echoed across my mind.
I wanted to read Moira’s book, wanted to connect with those lost memories, but I needed to see if there were any hints of what Lucia had done to destroy Melantha. The sprites watched me with glittering, curious eyes as I pulled Lucia’s book from the case. I turned, but halted, my eyes locked back on Moira’s book. There might be time for me to skim through both. I caved, grabbing that one as well.
“Is there a comfortable place to sit and read?” I asked, the sprites gathering around me. A few of them tugged at my pants, urging me to follow. I giggled as they chittered and pointed with sparkling energy. “Okay, okay, lead the way.”
