“Faelith sent word that you wanted to see me?”
Color rose into her face. “It’s so sweet of you to come this quickly.”
Seeing Calista subtly shifting toward us out of the corner of my eye, I snagged Valera’s arm and urged her to the stairs and up them, calling out to Calista. “Remain downstairs.”
Calista huffed but was wise enough not to follow.
At the top of the stairs, I paused.
“I’m terribly sorry, my queen,” Valera said. “But I haven’t gathered more books for you—yet. Yet! But I’ll be happy to do so. More romances or would you like some mysteries? I have a few that are brilliantly written.”
“I don’t need any books yet.”
Air swirled around us, and I peered around, looking for an open window but not finding any. Shaking the odd feeling that came with it off, I faced her again. “You said you remembered.” I spoke softly, not eager to be overheard.
“Remembered what?” Valera blinked slowly.
“Who your mother told you to give the ring to.”
“Oh, the ring? Yes, of course.” She wasn’t making any effort to keep her voice down, but it probably didn’t matter. Her smile rose quickly, though it held a touch of sadness. Like before, she lifted the ring and the tiny key and strummed them along the chain, the whir echoing around us.
“The ring?”
A stronger breeze gusted around us. If only I could controlthe elements like Lore and Merrick, but I doubted adding lightning to the wind would make things better.
“I remembered last night.” Valera’s bright smile rose. “It was . . .” A frown replaced her smile, and her blurred gaze drifted away from mine. “Isn’t that silly? Now, I can’t remember. Oh, wait, yes. It was . . . It was . . .”
Wind burst across the loft area, hitting us hard.
Valera’s feet shifted on the carpet, and the heel of her right shoe gave way. With a gulp, she spiraled her arms and tilted backward, her body stuttering toward the stairs.
I snapped my hand out to grab her, but her weight carried her farther . . .
. . . With a sharp cry, she fell, tumbling down the sharp staircase to land hard on the wooden floor at the bottom.
“My goodness!” Calista rushed over, stopping beside Valera to gape down at her. “Lady Windhaven? Lady Windhaven!” As I took the stairs as fast I could to reach the bottom, Calista bent toward the librarian, gently rolling her onto her back.
Valera’s breathing jerked in and out, and she reached up toward Calista.
“Get a healer,” I barked, dropping to my knees beside Valera. “Now!”
Calista straightened. “Surren—”
“You go. Leave Surren here.” That wind . . . Why hadn’t I paid attention after what happened with the knife in the hall? Had someone sent it to knock me down the stairs but hurt this poor woman instead? The blades Merrick gave me must’ve protected me, but . . . “Surren, surround us immediately. Haveone guard search the room. If someone’s here, detain them.” I’d question them myself.
“Yes, my queen.” He jerked his chin to one of my guards, who took the stairs two at a time to reach the top, gliding from view.
Power surged from Surren’s fingers, encasing us as Calista backed away, her distraught gaze on Valera.
“I’ll go for the healer immediately.” Calista spun and rushed from the library.
“I . . .” Valera’s face tightened. “I . . .”
“Hold still,” I said, gently rubbing her shoulder. “The healer will be here soon.” Get here now, please.
“I remember now.” Valera blinked slowly; her eyes milky, but her speech coherent. “Odd how I forgot when it’s very . . .” Her fingers rose, and she fumbled to undo the clasp to the chain around her neck. She tugged it down and held it out toward me. “You.” Her milky gaze met mine. “Mother told me to give it toyou.”
“Me specifically?”
