I had trusted the voice in my head, which said that it would be alright with him. But he is scary, he even killed his other self. He also tried to kill me too, but the voice helped me, her name was Magic. She was kind but I don’t understand why she wanted me to trust him. But he was gone now, that was good although there was that strange shadow person that watched me. But he only watched me and soon, I got used to it, walking around the beautiful garden, often stopping by the black and silver roses. I felt a connection to these, their black stems and starlight petals hauntingly beautiful.

I still couldn’t believe that he could have created something this, it was too beautiful. But as the days past, I grew lonely and the voice in my head could only do so much. So I began to dance, the shadow watching me but doing nothing as always. I danced and danced, moving my body in ways that just felt natural. But during one of my dances, he appeared again, appearing through that strange door. I stopped and glared at him with hostility, was he here to kill me?

But he totally surprised me when he stepped aside and gestured that I step through the gate.

I asked warily, “What are you doing?”

He said, “I’m taking you outside.”

“Outside?”

He nodded, “Yes, there is a world beyond this one and I have decided that it would be best for you to leave this place. I had forgotten that you are human and all humans long for companionship.”

I was confused, but also excited, I’m finally getting out of this place! But then I froze, what if this was a trap just to kill me?

As if he read my mind, he said, “If there is one thing you can trust me to do, it will be not to kill you.”

So saying, he gestured I step through but seeing as I was still hesitant, he sighed and reached out, grabbing my hand. It wasn’t at all what I had expected, I thought it would be cold but instead it was warm, like mine. I was so surprised that I didn’t struggle when he led me through the door. I closed my eyes, expecting to die but instead, I felt cool air. I cautiously opened my eyes and I saw that I was in a strange place, columns stretching up to a black roof that appeared to be made of countless small black petals.

Seeing my look of awe, he explained, “These are trees, they are similar to flowers except on a much larger scale. They…”

He stopped, “It would be easier this way. Stay still.”

I obeyed as he placed his thumb on my forehead and instantly, knowledge flowed into my mind. It was only knowledge about this world, like mannerisms, how to talk etc. As I was recovering, he waited, standing absolutely still. When my mind had fully assimilated the knowledge, I looked at him, saying,

“Why are you doing this?”

He looked at me and for a moment, his eyes glowed like starlight, just like the flowers. I was entranced, although when he spoke I was returned to reality,

“It is because you are a subject of interest to me. There is no one else on this world like you and I can’t have you going insane. Now, follow me, I have to introduce you to some people.”

As we walked, he warned, “Also, do not tell others that it is Magic that helps you, for if they find out about your ability, they will try and take her from you. They have already enslaved her once, do not let them do so again. You will see them using her to accomplish things but you must not complain, if you do then you will be in danger.”

I nodded, I was suddenly scared of this world, I wanted to go back but he continued walking and the thought of being left alone here was more scary. So I followed him, wary of the shadows that moved when we grew near. At first I was afraid but then I saw that they weren’t threatening at all, rather they were excited, like children… that’s his memory, right? But I was confused, I thought that he was someone scary and he still was but seeing how they flocked to him happily, dancing around him I wondered if there was more to him. Some shadows ventured curiously, waving at a distance. I waved back and they danced happily, making their way to me and gently grasping my hands before letting go just as quickly, feeling as if a cloud of mist caressed my hand.

This continued until I saw a light and the shadows stayed behind. I waved goodbye and they did too. But I couldn’t stay for too long, he was getting away. I caught up with him and continued to follow, the light getting brighter and brighter until we were in a place without trees, the ground covered in green hair. I knelt, caressing it, looking to him for explanation.

He said, “This is grass, another type of plant. But since you already know how to read, I guess I can just take you to the library were you can read all about it.”

I cocked my head curiously, “Library?”

He nodded, “It is a place that has a lot of books, like the cottage. But it is much larger, anyways follow me.”

He created a door and stepped through, me following him after a moment, glancing back at the grass, it was so beautiful and so bright. But I didn’t stay too long, I hurried through the door and into a room, far bigger than anything I knew. I halted with awe, there were so many books, so many! I then saw him picking out a few books and heading toward a table with four seats. I made my way to him and he pulled a chair back for me, setting three books in front of me once I had taken a seat. Reading them, I saw that they all had to do with plants and he said,

“These will increase your knowledge on plants. Just say so if you need anything else.”

So saying, he took a seat across from me and created a book, first summoning a black sphere that had a single eye which transformed into a book. He then began to read and after a moment, I did the same. Soon I was absorbed into the world of plants, who knew that so much was going on beneath their statue-like appearances? I was almost disappointed when I had finished the last book and remembering what he said, I asked,

“Um, Ieros? Are there anymore books?”

He looked up from his book and for a moment, I saw a genuine smile on his face,

“Ah, so knowledge intrigues you? As it rightly should, well, what types of books do you want? More about plants?”

I nodded and he created a smaller door, which he reached his hand into and pulled out five books. He then gave them to me and returned his attention to his book while I excitedly read mine. After reading two books in a row, I decided to take a break and as I looked around, my eyes inevitably landed on his face again, his face not its usual serious mask, rather it was unguarded, innocent. I also thought that he was smiling, although the curve of his lips was so minute that I couldn’t be sure.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

He then met my stare, his usual mask of seriousness back on and he asked, “Is there something wrong?”

I hurriedly shook my head and continued reading, hiding my face. For some reason it was burning and I focused on reading to calm myself down. I took a few deep breaths to help and eventually, I was calm enough to continue reading without any problems. But as soon as I was absorbed by the magic of books, I was taken from it by the voice of someone close to me, but it wasn’t Ieros. It was another boy, with blonde hair and sapphire eyes dressed in white and gold uniform. I was confused, why had he called out to me when we didn’t even know each other?

But as my mind raced with these questions, he said, “Oh most beautiful goddess, may I ask for your name?”

I replied, drawing upon the memories that Ieros gave me on social mannerisms, “I’m Rose.”

He then took my hand, which I wasn’t too comfortable about and kissed it, looking into my eyes as he said, “Such a lovely name for one as charming as yourself, lady Rose, if I do dare, can I ask for a date?”

I didn’t recall the word “date” and in my confusion, I turned to Ieros, “Ieros, what does he want?”

He looked up briefly and then eyed the boy, returning his attention to me and saying, “It appears that he wishes to be romantically involved with you. As for ‘date’, I believe it is when two romantic partners enjoy some time together, often with food and intimate conversation.”

I was further confused, I didn’t understand at all but as Ieros sighed, I felt something cold touch my soul. I shivered instinctively and suddenly, the same rush of knowledge flowed into my mind, new memories becoming a part of me. But it wasn’t as painful like last time, just really uncomfortable but I managed to get over it. Upon understanding my face began to burn once more and I wasn’t sure how to respond. The blonde boy took advantage of this and pushed forward,

“Please my lady Rose, grant this one wish of mine.”

I didn’t know what to say, thankful when Ieros said, “I believe it is rude not to introduce yourself to one you confess to.”

The boy looked at him with hostility before standing up and bowing again, “I am Arbane Ewarin, First Apprentice of Illithor Torven, Master of the Third Tower.”

Those titles meant absolutely nothing to me and I just looked at him with confusion, turning to Ieros, “What does that mean?”

Ieros had by now returned to reading his book, saying, “He means to say that he is in a position of power and he believes that if you were to know that it would boost his chances with becoming your romantic partner.”

I said, “That’s stupid, what does a title have anything to do with love?”

Ieros shrugged, “Love is a subject I have no interest in learning, therefore I cannot provide the answers you seek. Now either accept or refuse his confession and leave me in peace.”

I looked at him helplessly, did he really not care about me?

But Arbane called me again, “What is your answer, oh fair goddess?”

Finally, I remembered I still had books to read so I refused, “I won’t be your partner.”

He was shocked and angry, "Do you not know who I am?! I am Arbane Ewarin, Apprentice of Illithor Torven!"

I shook my head helplessly, "I don't know you, I am sorry."

Ieros then looked up with one eye and said, "Please be quiet."

Arbane grew angry, raising a hand and summoning a ball of lightning. But before he could do anything, a tendril of darkness devoured his lightning sphere and chains of darkness immobilized him. Then the temperature of the room plummeted and Ieros turned to face him, his grey eyes seeming to go a few shades darker,

“I am trying to read here, take your lightning outside of this building or be quiet. Next time I won’t be so lenient, but I believe two days without the ability to use magic should be enough punishment.”

He then released him from his chains and the temperature returned to normal. Arbane seemed really angry but when he went to summon another lightning sphere, nothing happened and after trying a few times, he frantically demanded,

“What did you do to me?”

Ieros glared at him balefully with one eye, “I will make it permanent if you do not leave.”

His face paled but he threw one last threat before he left, “I will be back!”

Ieros returned his attention to his book and said, “Do as you wish.”

I was worried so when Arbane left, I said, “Let’s go.”

He didn’t bother to look up, saying, “I have no need to run. Besides, he wouldn’t dare to try anything in the Library, no matter how powerful he is, the Librarian is far more powerful. And besides, my power is absolute, it devours all no matter how powerful for its hunger is infinite as well as its strength.”

Uneasy, I decided once more to trust him, for he had not been wrong so far. Soon, as Arbane had promised, he returned with his master, a man with matching blonde hair but except he had golden hair with matching gold eyes. He looked at Ieros for a moment and then said politely,

“I did not know that the one who assaulted my apprentice was a court mage.”

Ieros, equally polite, put down his book and stood, bowing his head slightly, “Your apprentice was disturbing the peace of the Library, even summoning magic in this place. I only punished him by sealing his mana for two days.”

The man, who I guessed to be Illithor, looked at his apprentice and then me, saying, “Ah, I can understand why he did so. Is this your girlfriend?”

Ieros shook his head, “No, she is an amnesiac I found who was wandering the forest, knowing only her name. I discovered that she was rather talented in magic and decided to take care of her for the time being until another can be found to do so.”

Illithor then looked at his apprentice one last time, his eyes full of disapproval, “Well sir court mage, I apologize on behalf of my apprentice, I should have taught him better.”

Ieros bowed his head, “No, it is alright, I understand that boys his age are so.”

Illithor asked, “Are you not similar to him in age?”

Ieros said, “That may be but I long since realized that things such as bodily pleasure and romance are useless things, they do not last forever while knowledge does.”

Illithor replied, “Oh?”

Ieros nodded, “Of course, after all, it is love that began the decline of mage blood, when mages and mundanes merged bloodlines and diluted it to the state it is today. As for bodily pleasure, it is like candy I suppose. It is delicious, enjoyable and addicting but ultimately something that is absolutely unnecessary. Sure you need it to reproduce and I will not deny that is something of importance but to pursue in the act without the intent to reproduce is foolish. Frankly I myself do not understand.”

Illithor asked, “Have you ever experienced it?”

Ieros turned to him, “Addiction cannot take root if one does not begin, I do not intend to become one of the foolish. Call me naive if you so wish but I have risen to such heights because I have managed to avoid being addicted. Sadly, I see it is not the case for your apprentice.”

The man asked, “Well, shouldn’t you try before you judge?”

Ieros shook his head, “No and besides, I am under oath. I have promised the King that I would never marry, for my power would upset the fragile power balance. And personally, I believe one of my power should die out, humanity has done absolutely nothing with the gifts that these geniuses had given to them other than to squander it on their own pleasures, your apprentice is a prime example once again.”

The apprentice looked ready to kill Ieros but the man held him back.

Ieros, seeing this, said, “I apologize for being philosophical. I suppose I will return your apprentice’s mana if it is needed for any lessons.”

The mage looked once more at his apprentice and then sighed, “No, you don’t have to. This is a valuable lesson to him. Anyways, I apologize once more for the trouble that my apprentice has caused.”

Ieros nodded and returned his attention to his book, the man taking his leave, Arbane glaring at Ieros one last time. We continued to read for awhile until, when I had finished my last book, he stood, saying,

“Come with me. The person that I want you to meet should be back at her tower now.”

I nodded, curious, just who would he want me to meet? But I think I trust him a bit more now, after all, he protected me. I suddenly felt all warm and tingly, what was this feeling? I’ll have to ask him later.