Page 88 of House of the Raven
Some moments later, a man pushes the door open with his foot, balancing a tall pile of books. He can barely see over the top. I hold the door open for him. He issues athank youthat he quickly regrets when he catches full sight of me.
I resist the temptation to trip him and watch him tumble down the steps, his precious load scattering all over the ground. It irks me how petty I’ve become. I ignore him, and it gratifies me to know that I can still rise above, if only because I have better things to do.
The puny erudito’s back is to the door. I’m up the stairs before he can blink an eye. Humans are pathetically slow. They only best us because their numbers are greater, but they’re like ants attacking a weak, fallen foe.
Most of the patrons don’t notice me as I walk the length of the second floor. They’re busy in their studies or research, noses buried in their work.
I spot Valeria and Jago at the end of the stacks. They are exploring books in a section markedFae Studies.
I enter one of the aisles several rows removed from where they stand, and carefully approach until I can hear their conversation.
“I take it you haven’t found anything of interest,” her cousin says.
“Not yet. It’s so frustrating. Why is the necklace so important to everyone?”
“I told you that trying to find knowledge here might be a waste of time.”
“Where else can I look?”
“As long as you’re willing to spend a lifetime here, going through all of these books shouldn’t be a problem.”
I stand frozen, processing what I just heard. Valeria Plumanegra doesn’t know what the amulet is, and she’s here to try to figure it out? I shake my head as the notion takes root. She’s not trying to keep the amulet because of its power? She thinks it’s just a necklace? And they’re here only to do research? Impossible.
She wouldn’t risk her life for something she thinks is nothing but a pretty trinket.
Slowly, I backtrack and find my way out of the library. I wait for the princess to come out. It takes hours and spends all of my patience until I’m pacing back and forth like a caged animal. When they finally emerge well after midnight, I follow them back to the same inn.
I clench my empty hands, the memory of how The Eldrystone used to rest in my palm, haunting my senses. Once more, my hopes are shattered, and my endless wait and banishment persist. Despair beckons, but I resist. I’ve never stood nearer to my goal. The amulet will find its way back to me. It’s only a matter of time.
25
VALERIA
“This blade, my lord, is a gift, skillfully forged by the most adept fae blacksmith. It is invulnerable to the weave of magic.”
Llewelur Virsier - Fae Emissary - 1699 DV
The royal guards at Nido’s gates can’t believe their eyes as I walk up to them, alone. Jago will come in later. It won’t be a stretch for Amira to figure out that he’s still helping me, but his absence might delay the realization.
I’m wearing the same dress from yesterday, with the corset tied even tighter, and my breasts straining against the fabric.
I also have makeup on and keep resisting the temptation to rub it off, wondering if this is the sort of thing one ever gets used to wearing all the time.
The white streak in my hair is fully visible now.
“Princess Valeria,” the guard in charge bows and orders the others to let me through.
Once inside Nido, I make my way to Father’s study, Amira’s now. That is the most likely place to find her at this time of the day.
My pointed heels make too much noise on the hardwood floor, and my dress rustles like a leaf-strewn lawn in autumn. These damn clothes announce my presence in every possible way.
At the double doors, I knock firmly and try to draw courage from the mother raven carved on the blackwood. My heart trembles, and my mind screams for me to run away. This could be the worst idea I’ve ever had. These could land me exactly where I don’t want to be.
There’s still time, Val. Hide!I glance right and left, feeling trapped.
The door opens. Emerito stands on the other side. At first, he doesn’t recognize me and looks annoyed at the interruption. But slowly, his expression changes, giving way to surprise.
“Va-valeria?” he stammers.
