I had to agree. Myrr was clean, the streets and buildings well cared for, and the people seemed happy. Before leaving for the library, Thyra and I had intercepted Aleksander. He’d alreadyslipped behind Arla’s eyes to deliver the message to the rebels that it was safe to move south. I hoped that when the rebels arrived in a few days’ time, they would like Myrr too.
“My city brings out the best in fae.” Lord Balik’s gaze was trained on Bac. It was clear that he recognized how much Bac resembled his family line.
“You said your name is Bac?” Lord Balik asked.
Thyra’s friend and advisor met the high lord’s stare. “It is.”
“That’s the river that runs through my city. Not a common name outside of Myrr.”
“Yes.”
Silence stretched between them, but Bac offered no information. He wanted to know more about the Baliks, but on his terms. In his own time. I respected him for that.
“Why do you say it brings out the best in fae?” Thyra asked.
“Ah, well, many of those who were not born in the Golden City come to Myrr for the library. And those who are born here use it freely and often. My city is the most widely educated in the realm. Its scholars are second only to those in the House of Wisdom.” He paused, smiled smugly. “And I can’t fail to mention that we’re one of the few cities that trade with the Autumn Court, which means our food is excellent. Our cuisine draws some fae to Myrr too.”
I had noticed the food the Baliks’ ate differed slightly from what I’d had in Guldtown and Avaldenn. Vale told me it was because Lord Balik’s grandmother was from the Autumn Court, and she’d missed her own kingdom’s comforts so much she’d established trade routes through the mountains where none existed before. The Autumn Court’s influence was present in the names of the Balik children too.
“Here we are,” Lord Balik said as the sleigh came to a stop.
The doors opened, and the high lord exited. Thyra and I followed, and Bac and Astril emerged last. I didn’t miss whenBac’s eyes widened at the sight of the library, the very place where his mother had worked. Where his parents had met.
A symphony of gold and dark gray stone polished to high shine, the walls of the library reflected the light of the day. Faelight torches hung around the entire perimeter of the building, which was nearly as large as Ramshold with multiple towers coming off it. According to Lord Balik, these towers had been built to look like the Ice Teeth Mountain Range. Dozens of fae sat on the long line of steps leading to the doors, soaking up the sun and relaxing.
It was warm outside. Or warm by the Kingdom of Winter’s standards. That meant it was almost warm enough to melt the snow and much too warm for my thickest furs, which I was sweating beneath. Though the rise in temperature eased so many pains, I didn’t like to think about it. Any action King Magnus took that could be seen as beneficial to others would only make dethroning him more difficult. Particularly in places where fae rarely saw their king and had only others’ stories to judge him by. Smaller towns and villages constituted most of the kingdom.
Those in the second sleigh joined us, and we followed Lord Balik into the library. As with the outside, the inside proved a feast for the eyes, boasting so much gold, the miners must have drained entire mountains of the metal. Unlike the outside’s glittering gray, the inside of the library was a calming cream hue illuminated by warm faelights.
By comparison, the library in Frostveil was quite small. Confined to one of the castle’s towers that spun up seven stories. From the bottom, a viewer could gaze up at all of them and take in the shelves filled with knowledge. Still beautiful, yes, but far less impressive.
“Lord Balik, welcome. How might I help you today?” a brownie librarian appeared, dressed in a billowing cream robethat hid any other clothing. A few other librarians or assistants flitted about behind her, all wearing the same shade, though the younger fae wore pants and a top. I took a guess that the robe, which looked to be made of a luxurious material, was for librarians only.
“I’m here with Princess Isolde and Princess Thyra, both of House Falk,” Lord Balik announced.
The librarian’s jaw slackened before she fell into a clumsy curtsey. “Of course. Welcome, Highnesses.”
“They wish to study other wars. Those involving the Shadow Fae, as the White Bear’s Rebellion hits too close to home.”
“We have an entire section on their kind.” The librarian had regained her composure. “It includes much of the war won by Queen Sassa. Though much information on the queen and the war is also in another section. One dedicated to histories of the various noble families. Which sounds more like what you need?”
“We’d like to visit the section dedicated to Shadow Fae,” Thyra said.
The librarian’s gaze drifted to my hip, where Sassa’s Blade hung. Unless one was a guard, it was odd to carry a weapon in a library. But even when the vampires watched the Hallow, I didn’t like being parted from the sword for long. Thyra felt the same about the Frør Crown, currently hidden in a cross-body satchel she wore.
“Follow me, then.” The librarian waved, apparently deciding not to comment on the sword.
She led us through the expansive lobby. Fae of all orders stared as we filed through, and Lord Balik acknowledged many. They seemed as happy to see him as they were curious about us.
“In here,” the librarian turned into a room.
A vast space, empty save for two young males, one who had to be part troll judging by his size, who were reading at a table. They looked up and grinned at their high lord.
“I hate to do this, but could you lads clear out?” Lord Balik asked. “We have research to do and would like to keep it quiet.”
The larger youngling slammed his book shut. “I need to be getting home, anyway.”
His friend said nothing, but the pair filed out.
