They both held their breaths as the very tip of the feather touched the cover…and there was a teeny little sparkle.
They both jumped back and waited…
Nothing else happened. The glow eased, and before they’d had chance to catch their breaths, the book had become like all the others…just a book.
“Oh.” Elinor was a little disappointed. “I wasn’t expecting that…”
“At least we’re both in one piece,” said Caleb practically. “I’m going to see if I can handle it.”
“Well, as I said before, just be careful? I cannot pick you up off the floor if you faint, and I’d hate to have to explain to Deryn why you were unconscious.”
He shot her a quick grin. “Ever the practical lady, eh?”
She managed a shrug. “I try.”
“All right…here we go…”
Elinor held her breath as Caleb reached out and carefully touched the book. Since nothing happened, he moved forward a little more and picked it up.
They both stared at it. Elinor reached around his arm and touched it as well.
Nothing. No glow, no strange behaviour, just an ordinary book.
“Well,” said Elinor, her hands on her hips. “That’s just…rude. I touch it, and I faint. You pick it up and absolutely nothing happens at all.”
Caleb grinned. “The author is, apparently, someone by the name ofEirlys…”
“Oh, how lovely.” She leant over Caleb’s shoulder. “That means snowdrop in Welsh, I believe.”
“I’ve been told I have a gift when it comes to flowers…”
Elinor shot him a frown and sniffed. “I’m sure you have, and I’d happily wager my best bonnet that those flowers had names like Rose, Lily, Daisy, or perhaps Violet?”
“All in the past, my sweet. All in the past.”
“Good.” She nodded. “Let’s see what this dratted book is all about then, shall we? I’m curious why it knocked me off my feet and yet you are unscathed. In addition, you’ve probably noticed there’s no more glow coming from it, either.”
He looked around. “I also notice that Carrádog isn’t here.”
“That’s right,” Elinor blinked at him. “It was when his nose touched the book as I held it that I fainted.”
“Interesting,” said Caleb. “Let’s do a bit of exploration.”
He tugged a low table in front of the sofa and gently laid the book down, opening the cover and revealing the first pages.
Elinor sat next to him, close enough to take comfort from the heat of his body. The room wasn’t cold, but she was, sheadmitted, somewhat nervous as to what this strange book might reveal. Or do next…
Leaning in, she took a breath as light fell on some incredibly lovely illustrations all over the first pages. “Oh my. How amazing.”
“Look at the colours,” breathed Caleb. “This is indeed an extraordinary and valuable work of art. Just these pages alone…”
She moved closer, spellbound by the intricacy and beauty of the work.
Turning a couple of pages, Caleb reached the text, and as he did so, a piece of paper fell to the floor. He frowned. “Drat, I hope we’re not destroying something valuable here. I didn’t hear or feel anything tear, so I’m not sure if that’s part of the book or not…”
Elinor had picked it up, and barely heard his comment. Her eyes grew wide as she read the words scrawled on the paper.
Among them was a word. And it was oddly familiar…
