“I need assistance with preparations for Conjugation.”
“Of course!” Pricilla said. “I would be delighted to.”
Amaris recalled Theodoric and Esaias discussing the same topic weeks ago. “What’s a Conjugation?”
“They’re splendid,” Pricilla began. “This will be my first!”
“You think Conjugation mighty? Try Mosfelkov Veil of Vows. Weeklong party of trials and celebrating,” Ms. Borstad added, wiping her sweaty hands on her apron.
“I wish to live a life as full as yours, Ms. Borstad.” Pricilla tipped her head back and smiled as she sighed.
“What’s a Conjugation?” Amaris repeated, feeling she’d been shunned to the shadows like the discarded books with layers of dust.
“To announce union. Luther to be wed to the Honorable Petra Godfrey,” Ms. Borstad said. “Lovely woman. We all know Luther needs woman with head on right and not stupid girl.”
“It’s a wedding?” Amaris asked.
“Oh no,” Pricilla added. “The wedding is a simple and formal affair that’ll take place when they’re ready. The Conjugation is a mass celebration. I’m surprised you’ve never heard of one.”
Amaris imagined a sparkling disco ball and everyone hopping in tune to a popular line dance, but she doubted the Conjugation would resemble anything close to her senior prom. Magoria seemed more sophisticated than acne-covered teenagers sneaking swigs of slipped booze in the middle of the dance floor.
“I add both you to list of hands,” Ms. Borstad said before scurrying away.
“When is this fancy party?” Amaris asked, turning to Pricilla.
“Only a few weeks away!” Pricilla said, shaking with excitement.
Amaris almost found herself missing the chance to attend such an elaborate affair, but she knew she wouldn’t be here long enough to attend the Conjugation.
“I’ll leave you to your books.” Amaris turned to head back to the tower. Another failed mission, due to Pricilla’s love for late-night reading.
“I have all night to put those away. Join me for a bit?” Pricilla latched on to her arm, whisking her away. “I want to show you this extraordinary book I’ve been flipping through.”
If Pricilla moved any faster, Amaris would’ve found her legs flailing behind her as they sped toward her recess at the back of the library. Pricilla’s excitement was an interesting contrast to Viv’s brute honesty, punchy quips, and vulgar stories. Amaris clung to the image of her best friend: Viv’s black jeans, combat boots, and leather jacket. A screech ripped the picture from Amaris’s mind as Pricilla shoved one of the worn chairs to post up beside her desk.
As usual, a large scroll was held down with whatever Pricilla seemed to get her hands on. Tonight, it was a brass candle holder, a blue slipper, and two books on the other corners. Amaris’s finger skimmed the text, but it was in a script of different symbols.
“What language is this?” Amaris asked.
Pricilla threw her slipper over her shoulder and let the scroll roll up. “Gorrin.” She replaced the scroll with a large book. Dust billowed around them and flew up Amaris’s sinuses. “This is Hofati.”
“Can you read them?” Amaris asked, her eyes watering as she pinched her nose.
“Gorrin, yes, but I’m still learning to read Hofati. It’s a dead language and not many scholars or tutors teach it anymore.” Pricilla opened the book, thumbing the edges until she came to a marked page and shovedthe book in Amaris’s face. “What I wanted to show you are the paintings.”
“How…? Did Theodoric tell you?” He’d been the only person she confided in about her love for art.
“He may have mentioned it. What do you think?”
Amaris returned her attention to the page. It was more a work of art than a book, with bright yellows and oranges jumping out. Amaris traced the gold painted edge of a sunset. “Is this gold?”
“Many rulers had their important texts or pages transcribed with the material.” Pricilla caressed the page, her dainty hands brushing against the shimmering symbols before she flipped to the front. The entire first page was a long paragraph of the decorative markings.
Amaris pulled from the book and wandered toward the wall of shelves to discover her own treasure. What if there was something that could help with her situation? Her finger slid across the bindings while she tilted her head to read each of the spines.
“Over there, you’ll mainly find legends, mythology, and magic.”
Her fingers stopped. “Magic, you say?”
