I had no idea these creatures could understand us. Or maybe it’s just this one. Either way, thank the Goddess he can, because it would have taken me ten lifetimes to find these books without assistance.
He jumps on my hand and runs up my arm to my shoulder. Laughing, I rub him while I scan the titles etched into the leather bindings. “Any chance you know which one talks about the mirrored princesses?”
He’s looking at me, just leafs from my face, but this time he doesn’t lead me to any more books.
Gathering up five volumes with titles that refer to prophecies, I make my way down to the chairs around the earth vessel. The little library dryrd crawls down my dress and curls up in a little ball next to my seat, warming the side of my leg as I flip through the books.
“I am going to need to figure out a name for you, little one,” I tell him.
He blinks up at me a couple times before he closes his eyes.
Several hours later, disappointment washes over me. I stand and look around the archives one last time before I need to leave. The fact that I’ve found nothing yet makes me hesitate. There has to be something in all these shelves of history.
“I’ll be back to see you later, I promise,” I tell my new friend. I can’t wait another minute without risking a scolding from Isolde.
After three daysof fruitless searching during every free minute I have, I am losing hope. I give the dryrd a little parting rub andslide out the door. When I see Cillian and Caspien stopped up the hallway, anxiety replaces frustration as I take them in. I’ve managed to avoid them both since we returned from Varethiel.
No longer. Since they both are looking straight at me.
“Good afternoon, Nissa.” Caspien greets me first, embers burning in his eyes. “Whathaveyou been up to?” He glances at the room at my back.
A creak from the door I just closed saves me from a reply. A little white tufted head and two familiar eyes peek out of the square-cut opening centered in the wood. The dryrd pops through the smaller door, bright eyes lock on me.
“Cyndr.” Cillian’s deep timber says in a firm but playful tone. “Where do you think you’re off to? Coming to find me?” He regards the little dragon with affection and reaches around me to rub his neck.
“Cyndr?” I look between the two as my new friend nuzzles into Cillian’s hand.
“The stray vermin he took in a few years ago.” Caspien wrinkles his nose. “He found it almost dead in his elemental lands. My brother insisted on bringing it back to the castle.”
I note his use of “it” when this dryrd clearly has a name.
“Cyndr adopted the archives,” Cillian explains. “Once he was feeling better, he made the space his home. I put in the door so he could come and go as he pleases.”
Just when I’m trying to distance myself, I find out that he’s out there saving abandoned animals.
“I hope he didn’t give you too hard a time,” he continues. “He’s very protective of his space.” Still rubbing the little dragon.
“Actually, I think he may have been following me out,” I confess. “He seems rather attached.”
Cillian’s hand pauses on Cyndr’s head. “You bonded with Cyndr?”
“Is that unusual?” I question.
A snort leaves Caspien’s throat. I look between the two of them.
“He doesn’t typically let anyone near him,” Cillian answers.
“That’s an understatement.” Caspien laughs tightly. “The little monster hates everyone other than my brother. There are scars on many to prove it.”
I turn back to Cyndr. “You aren’t a monster, are you?” I reach up, and he immediately jumps on my hand, scurrying up my arm to the crook of my neck and snuggling in.
Cillian’s mouth falls open.
Could this male that saves helpless animals really be lying to me about my sister’s death? I try to read the emotion on his face as I rub the back of the apparent terrorizer.
Caspien clears his throat. I flinch, pulling my eyes away from the sharp planes of Cillian’s face. I’ve been staring too long.
“I was hoping we could find some time to get together.” Caspien quirks a brow at me. “With the coronation approaching, it would be good to get to know one another better.”
