Page 32 of Winter Goddess
"Do you have any books on the balance of the seasons? Some that mention Spring and Autumn in particular?"
He thinks for a moment. "Not specifically, but there are some chronicles about the struggle of power between Queen Beira and Angus over the millennia. At least two of them refer to Flora, although I'm pretty sure there is no mention of Autumn. Are you aware that there is no God of Autumn?"
I nod. "I know that there wasn't, but there is now."
His aura changes into something that looks to me like enthusiasm. "There's a new God? Who created him?"
"It's a Goddess, and she created herself." I ignore his confused gasp. "That's the next thing I need information about. Are there any books that speak of a union between a female dragon shifter and a God? They had a daughter named Dewi, but I need to know who her father was."
"Not in any of the books we have about the Dragon Realm, but I suppose if the God wasn't from there... let me summon some books that may be relevant."
His aura suddenly flashes bright yellow and books fly towards us from all directions. Now that's a handy trick. I assumed he was going to look at old-fashioned index cards, but of course, I should have known better. This is the biggest library in the Realm, and it's a magical one at that.
About twenty books land in Algonquin’s arms and he huffs at their weight, letting them gently float to the floor. "It will take me awhile to find what you're looking for, Your Majesty. What's your priority, the balance of the seasons or the dragon shifter's partner?"
"They're connected," I explain, "and I don't need your help reading them. I can do that myself."
It seems word of my new ability hasn't spread yet. Algonquin will be very jealous once he finds out.
"I'd be happy to help, Your Majesty," he says, sounding like he's a little offended that I don't want his assistance. I better give him something else to do to make up for it and keep him busy.
"That's very kind of you, Algonquin, but I have another task for you. Could you choose some of the best books on battle strategies you can find and send them to Storm, maybe with a written summary? Especially those using guerrilla tactics, please. We might have a new advantage that we can use against our enemies. Oh, and of course anything you might have about dragon wars."
He bows, obviously pleased at having such an important task.
"Of course, milady. I will get on it straight away."
He shuffles off, leaving me with an amused Crispin. "You sure Storm hasn't already read all those books?"
I shrug. "Better safe than sorry. Now, let's read some books. Please make me stop when I go crazy. Or no, scratch that.BeforeI go crazy."
* * *
"I think that's enough now."
His gentle voice barely seeps through the words racing across my mind. So many words. Images. Sounds. Pictures. People. Lives. So much chaos. There's no order to them and they make my head hurt.
"Ouch," I say in a whiny voice. "Books hurt."
"Is it your head?"
I nod and immediately regret it. Nodding makes the words bump against my skull and gives me more pain.
Crispin lays his hands on my head and cool air begins to flow into me. Magic, not air. Same thing, isn’t?
He begins to massage my scalp, his fingers drawing small circles that feel good. Very good.
"More," I whisper and the coolness increases. The tumbling words slow down a little, but they're still too fast to grasp and understand them. I lean against Crispin, letting myself fall against his chest. He keeps rubbing my head, muttering soothing words to me that are even more complicated than the words in my mind.
"I think it might help if you sleep for a bit," he suggests. It's hard to understand him. His words sound jumbled even though I know they're in the right order. "Just rest, let your mind digest all that new knowledge. Want me to help you sleep?"
"Ouch," I repeat. Such a beautiful little word. So full of meaning.
He gently strokes my cheek.
"Sleep, Wyn. Sweet dreams."
* * *
