Herona scurried down the hall quietly. At this time of night, the castle was still. Nothing but the faint flicker of candles dared to move. As she crept around each corner without a sound, she wondered when and if she would get the chance to see the thousands of books that lined the enormous walls of the castle. Enalia had told her about the room when they were children, but this was Herona's first time actually seeing it. She decided to give in and finally enter the library where she gasped in disbelief. Thousands and thousands of books, notes, papers, abundant and everywhere. Some were sprawled on the floor while others were displayed on tables or stands. The more important looking books were sealed in glass cases and adorned with jewels and family crests. She had never seen such beautiful written work or art work for that matter. The designs on the cased books screamed royalty, not that she wasn't. Isuli's library was similar, but didn't hold as much history and the book collection was smaller. Herona brushed her fingers across the first row of books sitting on the seemingly never ending, towering book case that wrapped around the entire room. A small fire on the far back wall dimly lit the room along with the moonlight streaming in through the enormous windows that stretched up to the castle ceiling. As Herona walked around the room, admiring all there was to be admired, she knew she just had to pick up a book and see what was inside. Her first instinct was to grab just any old one, but one bejeweled book glimmered in the moonlight and caught her eye. It was sitting on the desk in the far left corner, a few paces in front of her. The dark wooded desk had scrolls and papers sprawled all across the top of it, along with stacks of books and some laying open. Herona ran her slender fingers across the scrolls, papers and books, idly glancing at them. Her eyes were glued to her real prize, the book that promised something more than studies.
Both of Herona's hands folded over the top of the old book and splayed out over the jewels and thick cover. She folded her small fingers around the edges and clutched it between her palms and fingers. Her eyes glittered with awe as she stared at the book and made her way over to the small sitting area in front of the fire place. She plopped down on the chair that faced the fire, but squeaked when her body collided with something hard and human like. Herona turned to see the dark form of a man sitting on the chair she had chose for herself. A low grumble like chuckle filled her ears and she smiled as Farberost sat there chuckling at her. "My wife." He muttered and she smiled sheepishly, embarrassed that she had not seen him there. Herona was one of the kings consorts, one of higher rank and also Enalia's sister. She was an incantatorum with long, black waves for hair, but in the daylight it would be golden blonde. She wore calf high leather boots and black cloth leggings with a brown, rough leather vest. Beneath that was a brown cloth shirt that hung down to her thighs mid way. Herona giggled, still grasping the book tightly and holding it to her chest. Frost stood and guided her to the soft fox fur rug that was laid out in front of the fire. They sat and she opened the book slightly, letting her fingers trail across the first page that held the hand written latin of her people. Frost watched her curiously and grinned in amusement. "My mother gave that to me when I was just a boy." He said softly. Of course, it was almost over two hundred and fifty years ago that he was a boy.
Hexelle's lived a very long time, as did Ulrane and Incantatorum. Most Hexelle's, Ulrane and Incantatorum didn't have children until they were at least three hundred and most lived well past seven hundred. Frost cupped Herona's chin and lifted her face so that he could gaze into her snowy eyes. "I know you have been lonely after Aleron passed, but I am always here." Even though his face as stern, Herona could hear the love in his voice. She placed the book to the side and wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder. Frost lifted his arms to wrap them around her back and rub slowly, comforting her with each loving stroke. Aleron was Herona's first husband and king of Isuli, also Frost's brother. He was killed by one of his most trusted friends and leading general of Isuli's army, Livish. After the fall out, Livish had disappeared, until now and Herona was severely worried. Livish was one of the oldest and deadliest Ulrane throughout the land and Herona knew what kind of havoc he could wreak if ever given the chance.
Farberost rocked Herona in his arms and continued to hold onto her tightly, hoping to comfort her. Herona pulled back and looked into Frost's burning red eyes. They looked just like her sisters, only his red flames held no pupils caused by his age. She cupped his face in her hands and pressed her forehead against his lips, where he placed a small kiss and made her sigh, relaxing her just a little bit. Frost placed his large hand over the front cover of the book Herona had pulled out. He picked it up opened it to the very first page as she had. He slid one of his hands over the page and smiled, letting memories of his childhood flood back into his mind. "Stellatam Spiritus." Frost said quietly, his gaze catching Herona's. "It was my favorite book as a child. It's about my sister and her purpose." He handed her the heavy book gently and placed his hand on her shoulder, "It will be alright, Ona." His tone was comforting, smooth and unwavering. She nodded and pressed her lips together in a small smile. "I hope you're right." Herona replied and opened the book once again. She began to read and Frost stood, patting her back quickly, "It will be my dear. You will see." At that, he turned and left her alone by the flickering fire, though nothing could warm the chill that now weaved its way through her.
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