Queen of Myth and Monsters (Adrian X Isolde, #2)(43)

“But those were all destroyed during the Burning,” I said.

“Hmm.” Zann did not sound convinced.

“What?” I asked.

“There were rumors for a long time after the Burning that Dragos was collecting spell books, that he maintained a secret library somewhere here in the castle.”

“And you believe that?”

It was hard to accept that Adrian would not have found it by now.

“Do you really believe a king let that kind of power slip through his fingers?” Zann asked.

I supposed I didn’t.

***

I watched Solaris wandering through the snow-covered gardens. I did not like that he felt such ease within my home. He was an intruder, a man with no allegiance or home, and he was corrupting the one place I felt the most comfort.

“Well, aren’t we sullen this morning?”

Sorin approached, a lopsided smile on his full lips. He sidled up beside me, peering out the window. He was quiet once he spotted the witch-hunter.

“Do you believe he was created by Dis?” I asked.

“I think Dis grants powers as she pleases,” Sorin said. “We are nothing to her but pawns…even Adrian.”

Sorin glanced at me as he spoke, and I wondered if he was trying to gauge my reaction.

“Adrian conquers for himself,” I said.

“Perhaps he does now,” said Sorin. “But what happens when his goals no longer align with Dis’s?”

I lowered my brows. “What are you saying, Sorin?”

He shrugged. “Adrian bears the mark of Dis. You have seen it, the white ring around his eyes. He executes her will, even if he claims it is his own. It was the agreement he made when he asked that you be resurrected.”

I did not know what to say or how to process this information, but I could feel Sorin’s anxiety over it.

“He would never tell you this,” Sorin said. “It is probably safer that you pretend you do not know.”

“Is there a way to free him?”

“Do you not think he has tried?” He paused. “I think in some way…he hoped you would know.”

His words made me feel guilty for not knowing how to help him.

“Are you angry?” Sorin asked, his voice quiet.

“I did not need another reminder that I have no value beyond the magic I once had.”

“That is not true, Isolde. If anything, with your new ability, you will be the only one who can protect us when Adrian loses his fight with Dis.”

Dread pooled low in my stomach. I did not like how he said it—as if it were an unavoidable truth.

“We should get to training,” he said, and we walked together down the hall. “Do you think Dis likes dogs?”

“Sorin,” I warned.

He chuckled and started to walk a little faster. “Maybe she would be more inclined to keep you around.”

I tried to push him, but he took off at a run, cackling. I chased after him down the carpeted halls of the castle. The dread and doubt Sorin’s words had inspired melted away as I ran after him.

“It was a simple question!” he said.

I ran harder and finally caught up with him, managing to jump onto his back. Unprepared for my weight, he stumbled forward and fell. I rolled off him onto my back, and he followed. We lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, laughing, and for a moment, I felt happy and unburdened.

“This is cozy,” said a voice, and I looked up to find Adrian smirking. He stood beside Daroc, who did not appear to find any humor in the situation, and it was under his gaze that Sorin ceased to laugh. I felt his anxiety descend as he got to his feet.

“Let me help you,” he said, holding out his hand, and I accepted.

“We were just on our way to train,” I said.

“Obviously,” Adrian said, an amused curve to his lips. “If it involves rolling around on the floor with you, perhaps I should join.”

I pressed my lips together and glanced at Sorin. He was staring at the floor rather than Daroc, who seemed desperate to get his attention and frustrated that he couldn’t.

“We’ll leave you to train,” Adrian said, and he stepped forward, pressing a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “I’ll take you on the floor later.”

As they passed, Daroc glanced at Sorin, but he still did not look at Daroc. As they disappeared around the corner, I started to ask Sorin about the interaction, but he stopped me.

“We should start,” he said. “We’ll run out of time.”

He walked ahead of me, and I hurried to catch up with him.

“Sorin,” I said. “Who knows about my ability?”

I was both curious and worried. I did not imagine Adrian would tell very many people, but since Sorin knew, I assumed Daroc also knew.

“Very few, I think,” he replied. “This isn’t something you want getting out until you have some control over the change.”

It was going to be hard enough when it eventually became common knowledge. Not only could I shift into a creature that had killed a number of my people…there were a fair number who had been bitten just like me and given no chance at survival.

Sorin led me into a large, open room. The floor was stone, the walls brick, and there was a stretch of open windows high above my head. It was cold, even though a fire raged within the hearth.