“You’re still thinking about her, aren’t you?”
The voice bearing the question was light and refreshing, like the salty ocean breeze coming in from the Straights of Fire to the West. Brennan looked to his partner and sighed.
“What am I supposed to do, Revi? Did you see how she danced? How she smiled?”
Revi nodded. “Yes. She was very beautiful. Your point?”
“Her strength is enchanting. You were there when Queen Elarin briefed Princess Yona. I don't think we could have done what she did if we were in her shoes.”
Another nod. “You would die trying. I lack the conviction it would require to even consider it.”
“Hogwash! You're one of the most convicted people I know.”
Brennan had seen firsthand how driven Revi could be. The subtle changes in Revi's expression, however, suggested he had made a mistake.
“I am not a criminal, Brennan. Having conviction is not the same as being convicted.”
“You knew what I meant,” Brennan huffed.
“Because I had context. My point still stands. What Lady Naliir did is beyond me. I see no reason to consider it further. Especially when I'm not the one pining after her.”
Brennan's jaw dropped in protest. “I am not pining!”
“Then colour me an Ardent, because you blush whenever you talk about her.”
Brennan really hoped that wasn't the case. It was one thing to find someone incredibly attractive and inspirational, and another to be an open book about it.
“You have to be exaggerating. I might have a crush on her, but I'm not some lovesick teen. She's just…”
“Enchanting?”
“And strong. Not to mention beautiful. When she danced with Lady Alena, my heart almost exploded. They were incandescent in their beauty. How could I not be infatuated with them?”
Brennan felt the colour drain all the way to his toes. He hadn't quite processed what he'd said, but Revi's smug grin told him everything he needed to know.
“What should I do, Revi? I know Lady Rowan is coming to Særis, and I would like to be friends with her, but these feelings aren't fair on her or Lady Alena.”
“There are several things I can suggest, but why do you think I have the solution?”
“Because you have more experience with relationships. I always get too invested and emotional, which tends to scare people away. Add in the power imbalance as well, and you've got a recipe for disaster and heartbreak.”
“Well, I can't help with your emotions, but if you really want to be friends with Lady Naliir, just be yourself. You'll inevitably see her again when King Dreigan formally assigns us to the task force investigating the Good Lords. Until then, I recommend looking for ways to distract yourself. The lads and lasses at the Villa of Ambrosial Desire are always looking for new customers, and I've heard good things about the Eluviin Hotel. We could also try getting ourselves banned from another gambling den.”
Brennan laughed ruefully. “I think that would require us going to another city or getting unbanned.”
“You're probably right. What are you thinking, then?”
“I might visit my sister. She just started her first job at the university library.”
“I'll leave you to it then. Things have been awkward with her ever since I rejected her confession last year.”
“I remember that. She cried for an entire week.”
“So you said. Is she doing better now?”
“I think so.”
“That's good. I did not enjoy upsetting her.”
“I know. Thank you for the advice. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Likewise.”
*****
Brennan found his little sister a short while later, tackling the monumental task of clearing the tables in the library of any books or scrolls left by the students. She was absolutely adorable with her voluminous honey-brown twintails, freckled cheeks, and determined visage.
Brennan walked up to her, full of confidence, as she struggled with a somewhat apocalyptic table and greeted her. “Hello there, little miss. Are you in need of any assistance?”
“For the last time,” the young woman started as she turned to face her brother. Upon seeing him, she exclaimed, “Brennan! What are you doing here?”
The moment her initial excitement faded, and she remembered they were in a library, she hushed herself.
“It's good to see you too, Amali. What was that about this being the last time?”
Amali blushed sheepishly. “There's a student who's been trying to flirt with me ever since I came back from my break a couple of hours ago. He seems to think he's smooth.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“Do you want me to say anything to him?”
“You've probably scared him off already,” Amali replied, giggling softly. “And if he tries anything, I'll report him to the head librarian. She'll most likely suspend his library privileges if it comes to that.”
“Good to know. I can also help with tables if you want.”
“I've got this one,” Amali said intently.
“You sure? It looks like whoever was sitting here took the idea of the pen being mightier than the sword a bit too literally.”
Brennan's tone was deathly serious. His eyes told a different story.
Amali rolled her eyes with another giggle. “I'll be fine. If you still want to help, can you check the little alcove hidden beneath the mezzanine? I would go myself, but I don't want to roll the die on someone having sex in there.”
Brennan's eyes opened wide. “Since when have people been having enough sex in the book nook for it to be a roll of the die?”
“I don't know. The other librarians keep saying it basically never happens to them, but I've been working here for a month, and it's happened thirteen times. Thirteen!”
That it had happened more than once or twice in a month was ridiculous, especially if the other librarians were being truthful about the frequency of their encounters. The fact that it had happened more than ten times in the space of a month was highly suspicious. Brennan took a quick mental note telling him to speak to the head librarian in case the sexual escapades in the book nook were intentionally targeting Amali.
“Leave it to me.”
*****
Brennan had fond memories of the book nook. It was one of the quieter areas within the library, so it was perfect for riding out a storm of emotions or for studying during the hustle and bustle of exam season. It was also where he first met Revi. Now he was scared of those memories being tarnished by carnal passions.
Fortunately for him, he found it empty besides the familiar furnishings and a pile of books. Someone must have forgotten them for whatever reason. As he was already there, he decided to help Amali by returning the books to the proper stacks.
“Must have been a group,” Brennan said, muttering quietly to himself. There were books on history, architecture, mathematics, engineering, and cultural anthropology, along with a couple of romance novels from the library's recreational corner. An impressive mix compared to Brennan's own background in Tactics, Military Theory, and Ecology.
Instead of making everything overly complicated, Brennan went by subject, starting with history, as the history stacks were right next to the military theory stacks. Everything seemed to be in order, but there was something different when he returned to the book nook after rehoming the first set of history books. A Ferran girl with long, tawny-brown hair wearing an indulgently thick, wool-lined dressing gown stood there, facing away from him. Her face, or more accurately, her head, was being framed by steam from what he imagined was a hot drink.
The girl took a few tentative steps forward, muttering, “I swear I left them right here,” to herself in a half-whisper as she went.
Brennan could hear her confusion. She was talking about the history books. It was the only rational explanation. There was something else, however. A sense of enchanting familiarity in the girl's voice.
“Excuse me, miss,” Brennan said, announcing his presence.
The girl jumped in surprise, and Brennan realised the error of his ways almost immediately. The girl cried out as her porcelain mug shattered, hot tea splashing everywhere.
“Ow oww ow ow. Fuck! No no no. Please don't stain.”
Brennan could tell she was in pain, but she was focused on saving the books. Rather than saying anything else when there was work to be done, Brennan stepped in to help her, even going so far as to remove his tunic in an attempt to soak up the tea. When it became clear the books were safe, the girl collapsed into one of the chairs, and Brennan finally got a good look at her face. It was Lady Alena.
“I'm sorry,” Brennan apologised. “This was all my fault.”
Alena looked pensively at him, sucking on the side of one of her fingers. After a moment, she removed her finger from her mouth and asked him, “You're Brennan, aren't you? The Ardent who was assigned to Princess Yona during her recent trip to Midiris?” Her tone was colder than he remembered.
“I am,” Brennan answered as he made his way to one of the other chairs. “Though I'm surprised you know my name, Lady Alena.”
“I would say the same to you, but I was introduced at breakfast the morning after the ball.”
“Indeed. I must say, your dance with Lady Rowan was incredible. The flame between you was like a vibrant magenta blaze. I was a fool to think I could compete with a radiant flower such as you, especially when it's clear I had lost before I ever met Lady Rowan. Meeting you here, I realise I have lost twice over.”
“So you did have a crush on Rowan?”
Brennan considered the question. It was somewhat accusatory, but the coldness was gone from Alena’s tone.
“I still do,” Brennan admitted. “You are both incredibly beautiful, and I can feel the strength hiding within you.”
Alena started blushing, and Brennan realised he had once again spoken without thinking.
“You say that like Rowan isn't the only person you have a crush on.”
“Because she isn't. How could I not be fascinated by the person who captured the heart of someone as incandescent as Lady Rowan? I wish it wasn’t so, but it is for the time being. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, please tell me, and I'll leave.”
“No, it's fine. You can't help who you have feelings for. I know that as well as you.”
All the hostility that had been in her voice was now gone. Brennan could even hear the occasional brightness that he remembered from the breakfast after the ball.
“Thank you. Are the books all for you, or are you here with a group?”
Alena smiled proudly. “It's all me. I'm doing an all-nighter to help me catch up on a few things I missed.”
“That's…”
Brennan remembered doing all-nighters, but this was something else. Even if Brennan considered how each subject was complementary to the others, it was still five subjects. Alena had just become even more intriguing.
*****
The two of them continued talking for a few more hours, stopping only when Amali stepped cautiously into the alcove.
“Brennan, is that you?” she called out.
“Yes. Don't worry, it's safe.”
Amali sighed in relief only to see the shards of scattered porcelain and poorly mopped-up tea.
“What in the tides happened here?” she cried.
“Lady Alena here had an accident when I unintentionally caught her off guard,” Brennan explained.
“And you didn't think to come find me or another librarian? Or better yet, one of the cleaners?”
“I got distracted.”
“Of course you did. Sorry for my brother, Lady Alena.”
“He's been perfectly fine, Amali.”
“You know each other?” Brennan asked.
“Of course we do,” Amali answered. “Lady Alena is a regular. My shift is over, by the way.”
“I'll walk you home.”
“Not until I get someone to clean this up. Meet me outside.”
With Amali hurrying off, Brennan turned to Alena. “It's been a pleasure talking to you, Lady Alena, but I would be remiss if I didn't walk my sister, and you have studying to do.”
“Indeed. Feel free to stop by if you're around in the future. I'm typically here most mornings and a few times each week during the evenings.”
“You can count on it.”