Page 35 of Bright Soul

Braza had transported the stone platform and its furnishings that’d been within her at Moongrove Library. There was a bed, a couch, and an old-fashioned chest. We settled on the couch together, with her leaning against me companionably, one of her wings curled around my back and opposite shoulder.

“I would like to bestow upon you an honor that hasn’t been seen since the early days of librarian witches. Before my attention was needed to contain so many rooms and monitor a busy library, I was able to elevate one librarian by merging a significant piece of myself with him or her and empower them for as long as they may live,” she began.

I gaped at her. “You’re picking me for this?”

“You are the only mortal I trust this deeply. But I must admit, that is partway because you are Prince Phaeron’s next mate and this is a desperate measure to save him.” She patted my handto take away some of the sting of her admission. “Soul magic is heavy, Cress. If you accept the burden of Guardian of Moongrove Library, you will witness a portion of my memories. It’s more intense than the aftereffects of a mating bite, or so I’ve been told.”

“Wait, Moongrove?” I asked, overwhelmed.

“If we survive this, I will transfer back, and then the title will fit.”

I bit my lip, not missing theifin her statement. There were no guarantees we would escape before tragedy struck in its many possible forms.

“Memories of what kind?” I asked next.

“Nothing of my time as a powercore. You would witness my short time alive.” She sighed, shifting to take hold of my hand. “Cress, before you agree to this, you have to understand that I have seen a completely different side of Phaeron. Centuries before you were even born, he had a better life, a higher place in society, and a family I witnessed him love deeply. He…” She choked on emotion for a moment and bowed her head, whispering the rest. “He was my adopted father.”

I squeezed her fingers, sensing she was loosening the cork on some emotions she’d bottled up and buried deep. “I didn’t know that,” I murmured.

“Since my death, it has been easier for us both not to acknowledge what came before. And he has not confronted me as such…but my keeping him contained alongside his brother for so long has clearly dampened any love he used to feel for me,” she said, sounding miserable.

“You were trying to protect him when you thought he might turn into a monster.” I could see why she thought she owed him the most desperate measure she could reach for. “He’s barely had time to process what happened to him. I’m sure he will come around to forgiving you for doing what you thought wasnecessary. I was just thinking he’d prefer to die than become unnatural…”

“I know. And you’re right, he would,” she replied.

As my hand slowly warmed hers, the other thing she said sank in. About Phaeron having a family he loved centuries ago… There was someone before Morgana. Of course there was. I wasn’t sure exactly how old he was, but it made sense for there to be other women in his past. Still, I knew if we did this, it would hurt to see a happier version of him with someone of his own kind and afamily. Dimensional kids.

Braza heard my thoughts, of course. “As an immortal culture, my people avoid talking about past mates in much depth, like humans dodge discussing religion and wages. It’s considered rude. He would never tell you what you will undoubtedly see in my memories.”

I breathed an uncertain sigh. “I can’t let that be the reason we don’t do this. I’ll get over myself if it helps Phaeron. How, exactly, does this process work?”

Her nod seemed approving. “When I died, my soul was split nearly in half. It’s since become two pieces…” She gestured first to the dome of the powercore above us and then to her jelly-like body. “This gives me the option to empower you with one piece when you need it. I will need to leave a sigil on your person like Phaeron did with his mark of protection, except this one will create a significant tether between our souls.”

“So you’re saying…this has connected me to Phaeron’s soul all along?” I asked, pointing to the circular rune he’d left on my wrist. I’d never quite understood how it worked.

“The tiniest thread, yes. Its only function is supposed to be a tug on his awareness when you need his attention. I’ve been abusing it a smidge.” She gave me a brief fanged smile. “My mark will be larger and will glow when active. I suggest you putit on your back. I can try giving you something stylized, like a set of wings.”

I agreed to that readily when she mimicked how large a tattoo we were talking. It would take up the majority of my shoulder blades.

“As I create the mark on you, you will experience my memories. It will take only an hour of real time at most, but you will feel like years have passed. The truly dangerous part is that at the end, a surge of power will ring out to supernatural senses attuned to dimensional magic. We will project a buffet for Myuna to salivate over. Madigan did not tell you directly, but Hana has seen that this moment, should we choose to go through with this, will trigger an all-out attack on the library.”

“Okay, right, well…” I stammered. “We have to prepare for that fight before you and I do this. I think we should, though, when the time is right.”

“I agree. I mean you no offense, but when you are forced into combat against Phaeron, you will stand no chance without me. He has had lifetimes with blades in his hands, while you have had months at most. But with us tethered, I will be able to fight him with you. I was once Phaeron’s most devoted shadowborn pupil.” She smiled sadly at that.

“I’m not sure your memories will turn me into a swordswoman of his caliber—”

“No, but you will be able to carry me like you have a shadowborn form of your own. I can augment your movements with dimensional speed and grace and indicate the patterns of his fighting style. My reflexes will protect you properly.”

For a moment, I had a sinking suspicion that I had no idea what I was truly agreeing to. My eyes narrowed. “What else can this new partnership do for you?”

“There are no sinister motives here. But I suppose you have realized…I am capable of the same kind of haunting andbodily control Endaeron is. His abilities were my inspiration to experiment with my own capabilities.” She held up a clawed finger while I shifted uncomfortably. “However, I still have a home here. When half of me is not with you, it will return here. Endaeron does not have the luxury of any other vessel than the victims he possesses.”

“And you said this is permanent?” I asked.

She tilted her head, undoubtedly reading all the concerns underneath that question. Things I was too polite to say aloud because she was still a friend and I didn’t truly believe she was trying to trick me. “I give you my unbreakable vow as a dimensional traveler and an ancient powercore that I will not possess you against your will or do you and yours harm. I only propose a partnership for our mutual benefit.”

I cleared my throat, both embarrassed and relieved that she’d cut straight through my fears. “Thank you.”

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