Page 49 of To Fight and To Fold

"Runa, can I speak with you? Inside?"

Runa looked surprised, but stepped easily across the hallway and into Aaryn's quarters.

"What's wrong?" she asked, studying Aaryn's features.

"It's driving me mad, and I just have to say it aloud. There's nothing going on with the prince and I, despite what an image we made during training."

She blinked. And possibly, her cheeks flushed, unless Aaryn was imagining it.

"One thing about the First Guard, Tethered Aaryn, is that we excel at being just as perceptive as we are at not seeing anything at all."

Aaryn waved her hand. "No, but see, you saying that implies that there was something to see, which there wasn't. I do not feel…" She waved a hand. "Anything for the prince. Much to my mother's dismay," she said, muttering the last part.

A strand of Runa’s usually tight bun was slipping out of place and the sight of it managed to calm the rumble of chaotic energy within Aaryn. She pointed to it, and then smoothed her own hand over her hair. Runa mimicked her as she said, "If there was anything to see, which there wasn't, I find that it does not concern me. No rumors will leave my lips, I swear this to you." The pale green hair was tucked back into place, out of sight, and so was the memory, Aaryn hoped.

She nodded as relief in relief. "Thank you. I only hope the prince understands as well."

Her smile dipped, but Aaryn didn't give her a chance to correct her. Aaryn wasn't ready to face what it might mean.

"Do you fancy a walk?" she asked.

"I will go where you go, Tethered Aaryn."

She thought it kind that Runa continued to use her title when her title no longer applied. "Alright, then. Can you walk beside me, and not behind me, this time?"

The sun was bright, but the wind was sharp, and Aaryn looked to the sky. Thick clouds were dispersed amongst its blue expanse, and she hoped they wouldn’t bring forth a storm.

The cobbled pave of the castle's courtyard led them toward the town center. Once the university came into view, Aaryn sighed, her steps speeding up.

"What do you need to visit the university for?" Runa asked a rare question, wincing against the sunlight. It made the wisps of her dark verdant hair glow where they escaped her severe bun.

"I want to do some research at their library, get some fresh air," Aaryn answered. The fact that she could do her research without the unsuspecting prince was even better.

Of course, the library the prince had shown her likely held the answers she sought, but she doubted the prince would allow her unfettered access to it.

The brick building loomed overhead, with stone dragons perched atop the steps to watch over them as they entered. She wanted to give their heads a pat, but she could never reach the top.

Inside the large building that was almost as grand as the castle itself, Aaryn followed the signs for the stacks. Their steps echoed off the marble floor, and they passed several scholars on their way in.

She felt less out of place once she entered the library's large doors, rows and rows of books stretching high overhead. Aaryn craned her neck back and then sighed.

Where in the world do I start?

Turning to Runa, Aaryn said, "This will take me a while. Why don't you find a table, and I'll start working on finding books."

"Alright, alright. Explore to your heart's content, but stay within my line of sight, please."

"Of course," Aaryn agreed. She walked down the first aisle she came to, and then another, and another, until she found what she was searching for.

History.

On Evergale, on the current royal line, on the Great Dragon himself, and more.

She had an entire stack by the time she returned to the table Runa had chosen.

"Great flight. What exactly are you looking into?"

Aaryn paused, sliding into her seat slowly.