The Will and the Wilds(22)

“Oh, it’s you,” he says, like I’m a great disappointment. I would think a merchant of any kind would be happy to host a customer of any make. “Bulbs? Seeds? I probably don’t have it.”

“I’m looking for something strong to counter mysting spells.”

“Did your little herb garden die, Rydar?” he guffaws, calling me by my surname. “Or did Daddy think they were weeds?”

I swallow a sharp retort. My Telling Stone rubs against the side of my hand, and I palm it, seeking strength. “I have coin. Do you want it or not?” Please want it.

He considers me. “I’ve many things against mystings. You’ll need to be specific.”

“Mysting spells. I need something to nullify their handiwork.”

He raises an eyebrow. “And what sort of mysting has been visiting you long enough to cast a spell?”

He’s already sowing his seeds of rumor—witch—and it’s an effort to keep disdain from leaking into my expression.

“It’s a matter of study.” I’m holding the Telling Stone so tightly the clasp that connects it to the bracelet pinches my hand. “Do you have anything of use?”

He taps his spindly fingers on one of his shelves. “I might know of something. Somewhere.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. I don’t have time for this. I truly do not have time, as my aching hand reminds me. I squeeze the stone hard enough that my fist tingles around it. “Tell me, Lunus. Something to affect a spell cast by mysting magic. Anything.”

He straightens as though suddenly interested in me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him stand so tall, and it gives me a fright. However, for one reason or another, my directness coerces an answer out of him. “I’ve nothing of the sort here, but in Caisgard there’s a great library, the largest one in this quarter of Amaranda. Once belonged to the Duke of Sands, but the family turned it public some fifty years ago. Perhaps you’ll find what you need there.”

I release the stone and rub my hand. Caisgard is the closest city to us, some three hours away on horseback. I wonder if this library is affiliated with the college there. I’ve only been to Caisgard twice in my life, both times with my paternal grandparents. The second time, my grandfather took me to meet with a professor, and it ended disastrously. The man had looked me in the eye and insisted women had no place at the college.

I shake the memory from my head. The largest library I’ve ever visited is the single shelf of books in the apothecary’s shop, so the thought of the greatest library in our quarter of the kingdom sends a thrill across my back. Even for just a day, it would be . . . nice . . . to dive into literature, to feed this hunger always gaping in the back of my mind. Of course, I won’t have the time to explore to my heart’s content—I’ll need to limit my research to my immediate predicament.

“Thank you.”

He eyes me, but doesn’t ask for payment, so I turn from the shop and step back into the sunlight.

I mull over my options. I cannot take my father with me—he will need too much tending, and I must focus on the task at hand. But I will need to offer him a convincing excuse for going there alone. I could tell him the truth about everything . . . yet I can’t predict his reaction. Nor can I trust him to keep secrets, and I direly need Maekallus to remain a secret, else Fendell will hunt me as though I were a mysting myself. Perhaps I can convince him I need more herbs for the garden, something strong to be used against goblers. If I put enough emotion into it, maybe I can persuade—

“Enna?”

I pause, noting that I’ve nearly stepped off the cobbled path, and look up to see Tennith with one of his brothers. My thoughts leave me for a moment, flying away like dandelion seeds. Tennith says something to his brother, who nods and continues up the path, leaving us alone.

I can still feel the pressure of Tennith’s lips on mine, the smell of his clothes—

“You look concerned,” he says, approaching me. He’s had a day of hard labor; dirt and sweat stain his homespun shirt. He reaches out and touches my arm.

My thoughts piece themselves back together, and before I realize what I’m saying, the first one tumbles from my mouth. “I’m going to Caisgard.”

His hand drops. “Caisgard? What for?”

I hesitate, but I cannot think of a good lie, or a good enough reason to lie. “There’s a library there I wish to visit. I keep an herb garden of sorts. Protection against the wilds. I think there’s much more I can do, but I need to research it first.”

He looks impressed. “I didn’t know you could read.”

I didn’t realize he could not.

He considers for a moment, chewing on his bottom lip, which only makes me think again of the side of his barn and the dark of night. Uninvited, Maekallus rises in my thoughts, oozing and wheezing. I rub my eyes with my fingers and smudge the image until it’s indecipherable.

“Do you . . . want an escort?”

I drop my hands. I had not expected such an offer. The word no weighs my tongue, but I hold it there, considering. I cannot take my father. But I, a single woman, should not travel to Caisgard alone.

“Truly?” The word is almost a whisper.

Tennith leans on one foot. “Harvest isn’t ready yet, and Pa has mentioned wanting a new milking cow. They have good stock in Caisgard. I think it can be arranged for next week.”