From Anastasia (The Anastasia Series Book 3)

by Jordi Burton

  William and Anastasia pushed off from the ground together, flying up to a new shelf. There, they lost themselves among the scrolls, looking for anything that could help them return home.

  Dusk found Anastasia perusing a scroll with what looked like an alphabet in it. Thankfully, it used the same runes as the ancient language. Just as she was about to sit down to study it, Lili flew to the center of the library and called out to them.

  “Chris and Vlad will be leaving soon.”

  Anastasia sighed. “Right.”

  Tucking the scroll into her bodice, Anastasia joined the others in the lobby of the library. Together, they kicked off from the ground and flew back to Bahail. The return flight to the city was quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts. Anastasia could feel the collective frustration, however, and knew that though the library was promising, it hadn’t given them the answers they were seeking.

  They arrived at the castle just as Chris and Vlad were getting ready to leave. They were hopeful, determined, which lifted everyone’s spirits.

  Gingerly, Vlad approached his son. But as he neared, he instinctively recoiled and bared his teeth in a feral growl. Shame radiated off of him, and he backed away. Anastasia longed to comfort him, but knew there was nothing she could say that would help.

  “Tell him I’m sorry,” Vlad murmured.

  Anastasia nodded. “Of course.”

  Chris stepped forward. “We’ll bring your family home, Anastasia.”

  She couldn’t help but think of the months before, when Valdon promised to find her family so she could find her grandmother. For months, they were tortured at the hands of Adrian and the Shadows. She knew, or hoped, that this time was not the same. She didn’t think she could handle their torture on her conscience again.

  Reaching out, she squeezed Chris’ hand. He returned the gesture before stepping back and unfurling his wings. The jet-black feathers blotted out the glittering evening sky.

  Vlad shook himself and closed his eyes in concentration. In a flash of dark smoke, he transformed himself into a pale vampire bat. He’d discovered the ability to shift one night at dinner, quite accidentally. As he’d darted around, they’d stared at him, completely stunned.

  “Well,” Chris intoned.

  William cleared his throat. “Be safe.”

  “You, too.”

  “Always.”

  Vlad squeaked and flapped his wings, rising higher into the air. Chris tilted his head, listening, before he did the same.

  As she had with the other search parties, Anastasia watched until they disappeared on the horizon. Then, she, William, Ryke, Lili, Mohan, and Fommen made their way into the castle. Melina was bustling around the gathering room, setting up bowls of stew for dinner. Seeing as they didn’t have a cook in the castle, Anastasia was grateful Melina managed to bring them food from the inn.

  She looked up, her cheeks wet with tears. “Christopher’s left?”

  Anastasia nodded. “Yes.”

  Grunting noncommittally, Melina finished setting the table. They all wordlessly filed into seats. What a strange sort of family they made, a handmaiden, a baking apprentice, two warriors, a page boy, a sorcerer, a princess, and a baby. But they were family, in a sense. Seeing as none of their parents, outside of William’s father, had arrived in Bahail, they were all they had. It usually made for interesting meals, but tonight’s was somber.

  Anastasia wondered what they would do if they couldn’t read the language in the scrolls. How would they ever find anything out about the spell or how to return home?

  As she fed Aagney, she pushed such thoughts away, instead focusing on the positive. They’d found a library filled with scrolls. Something was bound to give them a history of the kingdoms, or information about the Vatis. There had to be something they could go off. All they needed was some time to find it.

  After dinner, they all cleaned their dishes together. When they were done, Anastasia took Aagney up to her room to put him down for the night. When she returned, Fommen was asleep at the dinner table, Melina and Lili had taken the dishes back to the inn, Ryke had gone home for the evening, switching shifts with Anastasia’s evening guards, and Mohan was outside smoking the pipe he’d discovered in the castle. That left William and Anastasia alone.

  She found him standing in the gathering room, staring up at the worn wooden shield with his family’s name on it. Anastasia’s two night guards hovered behind him in the doorway.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  He pursed his lips. “I never knew my family was prominent.”

  “They’re one of the oldest Nadmilise families in recorded history.”

  “What do you think it was like back then? I mean, they lived in this grand house near the other ancient families. Did they consort with other people in the town, or did they stick with their peers? Did they know your ancestors that lived in this castle?”

  Anastasia stepped up beside him. “Well, your name is in my home, so I would hope they knew each other.”

  He chuckled. “It’s just so different here. I can’t imagine how they lived.”

  “But this place has got an odd sort of beauty to it. I mean, picture what the city would look like with a blanket of snow. Think of what a winter solstice celebration would be like.”

  “Breathtaking, I’d imagine.”

  He moved away from his family’s crest and stepped underneath Anastasia’s—the Piliar family. They sat right next to each other, their facades equally as faded. Anastasia followed his gaze, looking up at her last name, carved into an ancient piece of wood. Not for the first time, she wondered what the purpose was for the crests. Why gather them all in this room? Why emblazon these particular names for all eternity? What was it about these twelve families that made them so special?

  With a sigh, William put his arm around Anastasia’s shoulders. She snaked her arm around his waist and leaned into him, breathing in his familiar scent of smoke and the spicy waters of the Fire Lake. It was so odd that he smelled the same, despite the fact that they were so drastically far from home.

  “I don’t like leaving you,” he finally said.

  She nodded. She didn’t like watching him leave, either. It was hard to part each night, but she knew it was necessary. “You need to be with your father. Especially with Dani not being here.”

  “Where could she be?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Which was true. There was so much about the Old World and Joey’s spell that they didn’t understand. She only hoped that wherever Dani was, she was safe.

  William sighed. “I love you.”

  She turned to him, resting her chin on his chest. “I love you, too.”

  He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, flooding her with warmth. Reaching up, she cupped his face, holding him close. When they broke apart, he trailed his thumb across her cheek. Standing on her tip-toes, she gave him a quick kiss.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good night, William.”

  He playfully groaned. “Good night, Anastasia.”

  As he left, she felt his absence like a physical blow. But she’d insisted he go, in spite of it. They’d have plenty of time together in the future. Right now, his father needed him.

  Her guards flanked her as she went to her chambers. They took up sentry outside her door. She was bone tired, nearly too tired to undress, but she worked the ties of her gown, regardless. Pulling on a nightgown Mistress Woodsman had fashioned for her, she blew out the candles scattered about her room. After drawing the curtains, she fell into bed.

  She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  A nastasia rubbed her eyes, staring at the ceiling of her room. For the last three days, she’d been flying back and forth between the library. So far, she and Mohan had both managed to learn the alphabet of the strange old language, but they didn’t have anything to go off for meaning, so it left them
frustrated and strained.

  Rolling out of bed, she stretched. Her back ached from being hunched over for hours at a time, and her eyes felt like they’d never re-focus. Thankfully, Aagney was in good spirits; he helped lift them out of their funk.

  A knock sounded at the door before Lili stuck her head in. “Good morning, my Princess.”

  “Morning,” Anastasia yawned.

  Deftly, Lili dressed Anastasia in a fresh gown. As soon as she was free, Anastasia took a bottle from her nightstand and fed Aagney. While he drank, she and Lili made their way to the gathering room.

  Melina had set up breakfast for them before her shift at the inn. The smell of sweet porridge and fruit was welcome, even though they’d had it nearly every day since Master Blue’s arrival. It would still be some time until he was up to preparing his scrumptious feasts, seeing as he was still familiarizing himself with the foods growing in Bahail. But Anastasia didn’t mind; food was food. And something was certainly better than nothing.

  William and Ryke stood on opposite ends of the room, Ryke watching the only entrance, and William keeping an eye on the water through the windows. As Anastasia burped Aagney, Mohan trudged downstairs, still dressed in his nightshirt. He yawned, and blearily started eating.

  “What’s on the agenda for today?” Anastasia asked Lili.

  Her handmaiden had taken up the mantle of royal chamberlain, and she was much gentler than Anastasia’s aunt had been.

  It was a pity that Lili wouldn’t be able to hold that same position in Sehir. As she’d been grayed out from her mastery examinations when she was seventeen-years-old, and forced into servitude, all she’d ever be was a handmaiden. It pained Anastasia that that was her role. Maybe she could overturn it when they returned home?

  “You have a meeting with the Mistresses about the state of affairs. And winter is quickly approaching. We’ll need to make some decisions regarding the fall equinox and winter solstice, as well as what to do about the frost.”

  Mohan chuckled darkly. “When did we start living such pedestrian lives?”

  “What do you mean?” Anastasia questioned.

  “I remember when I went to a different ball every weekend. We always threw such grand parties. It feels like a lifetime ago.”

  Anastasia sat up, struck with an idea. “When my family returned to Sehir, we threw a feast, to unite the people and show goodwill. Why don’t we do the same here? To put the people at ease, make Bahail feel a little more like home?”

  Mohan lit up. “Oh, yes!”

  Anastasia turned to Lili. “Do you think it’s possible?”

  “You could propose it to the Mistresses at the meeting today, see what their reactions are. But I don’t see why not.”

  For the first time since arriving, Anastasia was actually excited to be in Bahail. A feast would do everyone some good, take their minds off their troubles.

  She scarfed down her porridge and hurried out the door with a wave to Mohan. He just grunted his acknowledgement, practically asleep at the table. William and Ryke flanked Anastasia and Lili as they stepped out into the morning light. The air was crisper, signaling the oncoming autumn. Vaguely, Anastasia wondered if the seasons in Bahail were the same as in Sehir. Or if it was like Hullenia, where it never snowed.

  It was a short flight into town; they touched down in the town center, where the vendors were just starting to open their carts in the marketplace. Anastasia and Lili passed them by, making their way to the inn.

  The Mistresses of the city gathered on the main floor, passing around a tankard. As Anastasia entered, Mistress Couland, the master bottler, hurried forward.

  “Your Highness, the first batch of ale is ready!”

  Dolan passed Anastasia the tankard, giving his son a nod in greeting. Anastasia swirled the little bit of ale left in the tankard, breathing in the yeasty smell. It was lighter than the one they usually had in Sehir but seemed otherwise much the same.

  As she took as sip, Mistress Couland continued, “And I’ve started fermenting grapes for wine. They should be ready by the fall equinox.”

  Anastasia grinned and passed the tankard to Lili. “That’s great news!”

  “I can have some bottles sent to the castle once they’re ready.”

  “That’s part of what I wanted to discuss today.” Anastasia motioned to the tables. “Shall we begin?”

  The Mistresses all sat, facing Anastasia and Lili at the head table. In her years in Sehir, Anastasia didn’t meet all the Mistresses. Sure, she knew them from seeing them in the marketplace, or conversing with them in their shops or at gatherings. But this meeting was new, a council of the people, rather than the monarchies. It felt auspicious.

  “When my family returned to Sehir after out ten-year absence, they were advised by the High Council to hold a feast, to gather the people of the royal city together to show a united force. Though not the same circumstances, I think it would be good for the community as well.”

  Gerrard leaned forward. “You want to hold a feast?”

  “Yes.”

  Dolan rubbed his chin. “We’re only just getting our bearings, here.”

  “And just how long do you think we’ll be here?” Master Blue questioned. “Surely we’ll be back home in Sehir before too long?”

  Anastasia shook her head. “There’s no way to know.”

  “I think a feast sounds like a great idea,” Mistress Couland said. “What warms the heart better than good food, great ale, and generous company?”

  Anastasia couldn’t agree more. Looking back on her childhood, the best memories she had were in the company of friends and family, celebrating. There was something comforting about bringing people together for a happy occasion, especially during dark times.

  “When would you want to hold the feast?” Gerrard asked.

  Anastasia shrugged. “What seems reasonable?”

  Mistress Couland pursed her lips. “The fall equinox works for me.”

  Master Blue nodded. “I could work with that, as well.”

  “Shall we put it to a vote?”

  Dolan grunted. “I don’t think that’s necessary. We’ll have a celebration of sorts during the fall equinox, try to bring as many of our traditions from Sehir here to Bahail.”

  With that settled, Anastasia listened as the Mistresses regaled her with the goings on in the marketplace and town—the volunteer warriors were learning quickly, taking up shifts around the edge of town; Master Blue had convinced a few other people to waitress at the inn, to relieve Melina; Dolan had made nearly enough daggers for the Guard, and was working on other metalwork throughout the town; the coins were almost complete, and it was decided that they would be embossed with the royal seal of Jacqueline.

  Most importantly, the Mistresses had decided to hold mastery examinations for those that were ready. Which meant that William could finally be tested and named a Warrior, instead of apprentice. The only concern was about the tattoos. Though Mohan could perform the ceremony, there was no telling what his magic would be like, or if it would even work in the Old World. Did they even really need them with the colored swirls on their skin?

  Anastasia figured the tattoo was superfluous at this point; they could always get them when they returned to Sehir. What was important was consistency, and recognizing the students for their talents. They needed structure, tradition, to keep from losing themselves in this foreign land.

  As the meeting adjourned, Anastasia took Aagney out into the fresh air. She supposed it was time to return to the library, to see if she could find anything that could help her and Mohan learn the language.

  She turned to Lili. “I’ll probably be back from the library late tonight. Will you be sure to tell the warriors?”

  Lili inclined her head. “Of course, my Princess.”

  William stepped up beside Anastasia. “Ready?”

  Instead of responding, Anastasia unfurled her wings. William and Ryke followed her, and they took off into the sky. It felt like mere moments
later that they arrived at the library. Anastasia resumed her searching from the day before, while Ryke took to wandering around. Two days ago, he’d discovered a tunnel that split off into all different directions. Anastasia was hoping they’d learn enough of the language to find something that could tell them what the tunnels were for.

  Settling down on the perch, Anastasia flipped through the scrolls. William joined her and they passed the hours in amenable silence. At noontime, she fed Aagney again, and paused her search to stretch her legs.

  Fluttering sounded down near the entrance of the library. She was about to wave it off as a bird having flown into the room when she remembered that Nadmilise had wings.

  William was on his feet in an instant, his dagger drawn. He motioned for Anastasia to stay behind him as he flew forward. She crept behind him, clutching Aagney close. Ryke brought up the rear, his eyes trained on the room behind Anastasia. For the first time that she could remember, Anastasia felt vulnerable, felt unprepared to fight back. She supposed it had to do with the very fragile infant in her arms.

  To everyone’s utter surprise, Chris’ father stood on one of the perches near the entrance. He looked up as they approached, apparently unsurprised to see them.

  “Good afternoon.”

  Anastasia started. “Knowledgist Woodsman?”

  He dropped down to the floor and headed towards them. “I see you’ve found the Royal Library of Anarelia.”

  Orange swirls spotted his pale skin, in contrast to his dark eyes and soft gray wings. He brushed past them to a lopsided table with only three legs and spread out the scroll he’d grabbed. Anastasia stared after him. The Royal Library of Anarelia? As in the very first Nadmilise Queen ever? This was her library?

  As he faltered, Anastasia reached out to steady him. But instead of taking her proffered arm, he shied away from her.