“Oh,” is all I say, stomach rolling with nerves knowing all too soon I’ll be Presenting for a spot in the Summit. Suddenly, my appetite is gone. “I’m not feeling too well. I think I’d better rest.”
Leaf walks me to my room, clearly believing my lie, and truthfully, I should rest.
But what Ishoulddo andhaveto do are two deeply different things. And what I have to do is go back to the library.
I still haven’t found anything more about the Helios Blessing stone and why it’s so important for Markus to win. So much that he is willing to risk the Treaty between races by cheating so his son can win it. And what does this stone have to do with “being the closest thing we have to a Starwatcher”?
I need answers.
I wait a few minutes before leaving my cluttered desk with renderings of Elven magical species to head for the library. Most of the outlined creatures were relatively harmless: small forest sprites or other woodland messenger squirrels. Only a few pages were reserved for the rocs, terrifying, eagle-like birds the Elven warriors used in their flying legions.
Nothing about the kelpies, ghosthounds, or the erebos. And surprisingly nothing about Starwatchers and their importance. Markus seemed convinced that the Helios Blessing would help fill the void of Starwatchers.
I head toward the library in search of more information on the treaty, starwatchers, magical creatures, Helios Blessing, pretty much anything that will help me gain an advantage in the Summit competition.
The library is quiet, dark, and most importantly, void of other cadets. I pass along the aisles of books and texts. So much history and knowledge sit waiting on these shelves to be consumed.
Before I really register where I’m going, I’m already in the deepest level of the library. Only small orb lights flicker dimly at random intervals throughout the room. Shelves are covered in shadows, the air thick and musty.
“Sunfyre!” I whisper as I loop my bandaged hands around in a symbol to conjure the small glowing flame. Compared to the darkness, my light is bright. Nothing like the small, wiltingflame I conjured with Leaf.
My fingers drag along the titles until I find three more interesting books. Two more about water fearing creatures and one on the history of Watchers. It looks ancient.
Perfect.
I tuck them into my satchel and continue walking along the far wall, only stopping when I’m standing in front of the tapestryof a mountain that disguises the secret passageway. The books weigh heavy on my aching shoulders.
My whole body aches.
“Sun burn me,” I say as I slip behind the tapestry.
The springs glow a magnificent light aqua blue as steam slowly rises from the bubbling water, creating a peaceful, constant noise as soft as silk. I keep my feet silent as I look around the last column of rock.
The cave is empty. I feel anxious, excited, and primal. It feels so wild and careless to bathe in a place where my enemy once was. A place that they could easily return to at any moment.
But my body is too sore and my mind too tired to think coherently.
I set my satchel down—along with my responsible senses—and strip off my clothes, setting them carefully in a pile a short distance from the edge of the water with my dagger on top.
The bubbling white noise beckons me closer. I first test the water with my toes. It’s deliciously warm, so I sit. The cold, rocky floor on my naked bottom is a stark contrast from the heat caressing my legs. Small clusters of water lilies float on the surface, their leaves spread atop the water in a peaceful rest while their glowing white blooms close tight, like they are resting. They bob up and down with the steady flow of bubbles. The lilies and glow worms on the ceiling make me feel like I’m surrounded by the stars.
I smile.
Slowly, I slip in deeper until I’m standing on the flat stone surface, almost fully submerged, the water bubbles around my neck and shoulders.
I moan and lean my head backward on the cool rock. This is pure bliss. The water is hot and flowing around my body, soothing my cuts, weaving them back together and healingthem. Restoring all of my aches and pains with each lap of flowing water.
Healing. Restoring.
I gasp.
I lift my hands in front of my face and quickly peel off the bandages. The deep cuts in my palm from my throwing stars are gone. Only soft pink skin remains, already almost healed.
A giggle escapes me. I feel… amazing!
The opening notes of a Midlander tune escape my throat, echoing within the chamber in delicate chimes. I let the music flow from the deepest parts of my soul until the ache in my muscles lessens. The gashed on my leg and arm from the obstacle course are now healed to a bright pink patch of new skin.
My senses become sharper, my sight clearer. I didn’t realize how anxious I was until my mood floats and bubbles like the water around me. The ancient magic of this place is both light and dark, new growth and old. I float for an immeasurable amount of time, allowing the spring’s warm embrace to carry me in her arms, protected, content.Safe.
