A Court of Fire and Sun

chapter eight

*Helion*

Three days had passed since they had started searching through the libraries. Everyone was working together. Rhysand was even able to bring in three priestess from the House of Wind's library to help. This of course was tricky because they didn't normally leave the mountain and they also did not work with males. Morrigan had winnowed the three in and they were working in a library with only themselves and Lyssa. No one else was able to enter that library without their permission. The females had already been through so much it was the least I could do to accommodate them. Everyone understood how drastic the rules set in place were and no one dared challenge me on them.

"Helion, do you think Koschei was trapped there by another death god?" It was Esther who stood in the door. I broke my eyes away from the pages and gave her a smile.

Esther crossed the room and took a seat on the edge of my desk. She was wearing a pair of cotton shorts that tied at her waist. They were a soft maroon color, something she had requested from Taryn yesterday. Taryn seemed to really enjoy Esther because the shorts were ready this morning. Whenever I requested something Taryn would huff and wave a hand, I would normally see it by the end of the week. "I suppose it's possible. They're powerful."

"I heard Rhysand and you talking about the dread trove. Then I heard a whisper in the wind outside this morning..." Esther held a brown book that looked as weather-worn as any. The pages were crinkled as if they had been dipped in water and the cover had pieces flaking off into her lap. It was small, barely the size of my own hand. She opened the book halfway and slid the book over. "Gwydion. The magical sword that belonged to King Fionn the free."

My eyebrows rose up, "What do you mean the wind whispered to you?"

"I mean just that. I was outside, skimming through books and I felt a surge of air. In the air I heard 'Gwydion' and this was was the first book I found with it. It was made by a priestess who was wholly dark." Esther tilted her head, deep in thought. "Maybe that priestess set Koschei up and bound him to his water."

"Interesting theories." I placed a finger to my left temple, "This is all such a headache. I'll tell Rhys what you found today and see if that helps them any."

"Are we going to help? Against Koschei?"

Her question was valid. I would do anything for my friends. Rhysand and his court meant a lot to me so of course I would help if necessary. But, another war so soon? "I do not wish for another war. However some things are inevitable. If it comes time for me and my armies to fight, we will do so."

"Armies, huh? I feel like you've left a large part of the Day Court out of my tour. Rhysand told me you have a small herd of pegasus, is that true?"

I couldn't stop my mouth from twitching into a smile. "Meet me at sunrise tomorrow. I'll take you to them before we search the libraries once more."

Esther nodded, a silent agreement. She stood and smoothed down her shorts, "Taryn said dinner is ready. She also said if you try to eat dinner in your study for the third night in a row you won't eat at all."

I groaned, setting a small book-marker in the script Esther had given me. "What was it you called her? A viper?"

"She's ready to strike. You better join us." Was all she said before floating out of the room.

*Esther*

I was becoming nervous. Four nights ago Rhys had visited. Last night I had dinner with Helion but early this morning he came to my rooms and explained he had to leave. Previously we had an agreement that he wouldn't leave me here alone. But- Rhys and his librarians were in the libraries across the veil. So, as long as I was on the other side of that veil I would be fine. When he told me that I had to push every bad feeling inside of me down and pretend I was okay with it. However, sitting on the edge of my bed I felt sick. The anxious feeling swelled inside of me and I wanted to cry. I didn't not feel okay. Rhys was strong but I had never felt comfort the way I did with Helion.