Page 6 of The Bones of the Cursed

Later that night we sit at the table, the potatoes bland, but the steak Elion picked up from the butcher shop mouthwatering. I just wish I could fully enjoy it. We only splurge on steak for special occasions, like birthdays or holidays. I know the only reason he bought this is because of the mission he’s been assigned. He hates feeling like he is disappointing me and I know I can’t let him leave here thinking that. As we clean up and head for bed, I hug him tight. “You are the best brother. Mom and Dad would be so proud to see the work you’re doing to protect this realm.”

His arms embrace me in a bear hug. “I love you, Lani,” he whispers.

“I love you more,” I tease back.

His quiet laughter warms my heart. “I love you more, more, more.”

Tears fall down my face as he finishes our ‘who loves who more’ battle that we have done since as long as I can remember.

When I wake the next morning, I find a note that Elion had left on the pale yellow table just inside our front door. With slow steps I pick up the cream-colored paper, his words scrawled across the page in his messy handwriting.

See you at end of week. Promise.

I exhale, knowing at least Levi will be with him.

We had both met Levi when Elion enlisted in the King’s Guard after we moved to the Primal Realm. He and Elion became fast friends, and soon I was cooking dinner for all of us almost every night. As the days passed, Levi and I grew closer. He would visit me at the library when I would read, stay long after dinner talking into the night. He brought me a sense of comfort, and soon I found myself falling hard and fast. Much to Elion’s dismay.

It’s not the same anymore. Not since I found Levi finding comfort in another. I still haven’t told Elion what happened. I don’t want to ruin his friendship. And he would certainly pummel his best friend for cheating on his sister.

Levi treated me well and took me to new places. One of the first dates we ever went on was to Elderwood, the trees a lush green and so thick that you could hardly tell what time of day it was when you were in the depths of the wood.

He stopped me right inside and told me to listen. A fluttering of wings was all I heard before a creature appeared through the canopy, its wings flashing bright red and yellow as it landed on a branch.

I sucked in a breath as I watched the giant phoenix perch, almost as large as my entire cottage. Its movements were graceful and mesmerizing.

“Oh my Gods,” I whispered.

Levi grinned. “One of my favorites. When a phoenix dies, it is reborn. A new life rising from its ashes.”

The bird flapped its wings, soaring high above us. I raced out of the trees, staring at the clear blue sky and watched as its bright colors faded away. “It’s beautiful,” I said in awe.

Levi smiled. “So are you.”

My heart was pounding. He’d looked at me like he wanted tokiss me and I let him.

But things changed. I went to surprise him one day and found another female leaving his house. My brain completely shut down, even as he walked to me with fear in his eyes to try to talk his way out of it. I didn’t listen, too far gone at that point. I pulled my fist back and punched him in the face, breaking his nose in the process. That tingling sensation I had felt before was back, but my mind and body were too numb to dig into whatever magic it might be.

I shake off the memories of what used to be and grab my satchel. Maryanna will not be happy with me if I’m late for work. It takes about fifteen minutes to walk to the inner city where the giant glass dome library resides. The front of the library has marble steps leading up to the massive black glass doors. The building is nearly all marble with shelves and tables running in a circle up four levels, but the middle is an enormous glass atrium. On a clear night, you can curl up in the chairs on the first floor and look up at the constellations.

It is the most beautiful, awe-inspiring location in the whole city.

Maryanna sits at a large ornately carved oak table in the center of the room, poring over the pages of her favorite book.

I still remember the day we met. I was so nervous going in to ask for a job. Elion and I had quickly learned that some residents were not happy with the refugee situation. It started with scathing glances and murmured words of anger. Then one day while leaving the market a man yelled at us to find somewhere else to live, or to go back from where we’d come. Our realm was cruel to the Fae and Witches, fearing their powers and banning them from entering. If one was discovered, they were killed. I didn’t let their hate stop me from asking for a job, though.

When I approached the front desk, the librarian peered over her glasses at me, talking in her nasally voice. “Can I help you?”she asked, as if she’d like to do anything but. Her curly hair was cut close to her shoulders, her deep blue eyes shrewd and assessing.

“I was wondering if you were hiring? I have always loved books and this has quickly become one of my favorite places in Percius. I even found a little nook in a corner that I like to read in, and it has a perfect view of the stars.”

The librarian’s lips twitched in what I thought might be a smile. “That’s one of my favorite places to read, too. Feels like you are in your own little bubble.”

The smile that overtook my face was a genuine one. The first real smile since everything went upside down. “After so much upheaval and chaos, this place has become a sort of safe haven for me. I lose track of time when I delve into stories of fantastical worlds. Not to mention all the extensive history that Percius has.”

She was definitely smiling now. “I will have to show you my favorite book in the entire library. You will love it.”

“I would appreciate that immensely.” I smiled and watched as she moved around behind her desk for a moment, gathering papers.

“I am in no need of another librarian,” she said, causing my heart to plummet in disappointment “But I’ve been looking for someone who may be interested in helping me write a book about my life.” She holds up her hands that are stiff from overuse. “It’s too painful for me to write so much on my own.”

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