Page 104 of The Last Syphon

Inara shook her head again, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she agreed with him. There was something about her friend that people loved. His carefree nature. The way he could make one smile even if they did not wish to. It worked on everyone.

Well, except for the Crowned Prince.

When Inara turned to face Prince Walder, she was surprised to see him already looking at her.

She couldn’t help but fidget. “What?” she asked, feeling slightly self-conscious.

His eyes moved, dancing over her face for a moment before he gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Go. I do not need you for the moment. It is probably best you are not present when Lord Villani arrives anyway. The man does not like you, and I have far too much to do to waste the time he will use to throw insults your way.”

She couldn’t help but hesitate. “Are you sure?” There was something about Lord Villani that set her bones on edge. Sent alarm bells ringing in her head. He wasn’t to be trusted—of that, she was sure.

He marked something off the parchment, his gaze never once returning to her. “I never thought you would be concerned for my well-being. Do not tell me you are starting to enjoy my presence?”

“Please.” She scoffed, ignoring that twinge in her stomach that told her there may be some truth to his words. That he might not be as bad as she had first thought. “If something bad happens to you, that’s my reputation taking a hit. I have Best Shielder status to maintain here. That’s all I care about.”

“Good.” He still did not look at her. “Return within the hour.”

She was curious about something, and could not help but ask, “I thought I was required to remain with you all day, everyday? Is that not why I was forced to remain in your office during lunch when court was being held?”

He did not answer, instead grunting, “go before I change my mind.”

Not wanting to loose this opportunity, Inara decided to take a page from Felix’s scroll. “As my Overlord commands,” she said, bowing with a flourish.

There was small part of her that wondered if he was allowing her to break the rules because she wished to see the librarium, but that thought vanished as quickly as it came on. It didn’t make any sense. Prince Walder was a stickler for the rules. Inara highly doubted he would break them for her.

That begged the question though, didn’t it? Why was he allowing her to leave when he’d been so adamant in the past that it was against the rules?

He finally looked at her. Their eyes clashed. Heat spread through her chest. She had no idea why. She boxed the strange feeling away, vowing to deal with it another time, but knowing she probably wouldn’t.

“Get. Out. Of. Town.” Inara breathed, stepping into the wide, grand space of the Arelian Librarium.

Circular in design and over five levels high, it was truly a sight to behold, almost transporting her to another realm entirely; one filled with wonder, knowledge, and history. Thick, heavy shelves lined the walls, wrapping completely around the room so they were surrounded on all sides by books, scrolls, and texts. Smack in the centre of the space was a huge spiral glass staircase, winding all the way up to the top and lined with vibrant, plush vines. Access to the other floors was granted by the staircase, each level branching out like balconies, left and right. Giant ladders on rolling wheels were attached to the shelves, making it easy for people to move and reach the books and scrolls in high, difficult places. Luminaries were placed on both the walls and floated in the air, casting more than enough light to see even during the darkest part of the night.

Words couldn’t describe how in awe she was. “It’s…It’s…”

“It’s fucking beautiful,” Felix whispered.

Her best friend, ever the poet, ladies and gentleman. But she couldn’t have said it better herself.

Moving over to the wall closest on her left, Inara raised a hand, her fingers hovering over the books. “You feel that?” she asked, her fingers dancing and gliding just out of reach of the spines. “There’s magic in the air.”

Felix copied her movements, eyes closed. “I don’t feel anything.”

She blinked, switching to her syphon sight. Every book, every text, and every scroll illuminated slightly with tendrils of gold. She wasn’t sure what to make of it, except that the pages were imbued with magic. She blinked again, and her syphon sight vanished.

The librarium was filled with people, but due to its enormous size, it didn’t feel cramped. Didn’t feel as if Inara was going to run into someone if she twisted this way or that way. People came and went, either talking quietly amongst themselves or eyes focused intently on the books in their hands. No one paid them any mind, which was exactly what Inara wanted.

“Okay, the Head Venerable’s chambers are on the very top floor. All the way up there.” Felix pointed upwards. “I already know he’s in. I checked with some of the other Venerables before coming to get you. Let’s head up and get a layout for the place. If the opportunity arises, we’ll take the book then and there.”

Inara nodded. “Sounds good.”

They slowly made their way up the endless number of stairs.

“Where’s Chompers?” Felix asked, his gaze wandering around the librarium with each step.

Like her, he didn’t really care much for books or scrolls. Not unless they were of value.

“He’s off doing Guardian things.” Inara was just assuming, of course. Unlike Fraener, she wasn’t sure how to access his mind like he did hers. She hoped to learn one day, though.