Soul Stone Mage Complete Collection Boxed Set

by Sarah Noffke

  Ahead, voices and the clatter of glasses could be heard. The air was filled with savory smells, including hints of cinnamon and cardamom.

  “What is that?” Laurel asked, her voice hungry.

  “That’s homemade gnome cooking,” Gillian answered. He paused in an archway that bordered a large dining room. Candlelit chandeliers gave off a warm glow that illuminated the jolly faces of various gnomes drinking from tankards or shoveling steaming food into their mouths. The happy chatter ceased when the group materialized at the entrance, ducking their heads to avoid colliding with the ceiling.

  “Hi,” Azure said weakly when every face turned to stare in their direction.

  “Don’t worry, we’ve been allowed in. Just try and be polite, and keep to yourself,” Gillian said, waving them to a large table that two gnomes were setting with drinks and steaming dishes.

  “I guess that means we need to shoot Monet,” Azure said, taking a seat at the table.

  “Pretty much,” Gillian said with a wink. He was different in this place, like a new version of himself.

  Azure wished that the Book of Branches didn’t have to be out of her hands for the night. She longed to read through the pages and find out how to locate the rogue dryads. They’d help her apprehend and punish the humans of Terran, and more specifically, the Duke.

  “Pass whatever is in that jug,” Monet called from the other side of the table.

  “It’s strong,” Gillian warned.

  “Then get your own jug. That one is mine,” Monet said, splashing the golden liquid into a goblet.

  “Try and behave,” Azure said in a whisper across the table.

  “Hey, while you were out making kitty friends, I was suffering in silence with that one.” Monet thrust a finger in Gillian’s direction. “You realize this is the second time you’ve left me in his company, and by ‘company’ I mean painful silence. He literally can sit for hours and not say a damn thing.”

  “I’m not a kitty,” Laurel said, sounding offended. She took a slice of duck breast from a platter and passed it to Ever, who was on her right.

  “No, you’re more than a kitty.” Monet turned to Azure. “Hey, it would be hilarious if you brought her back to Virgo and told Finswick you upgraded your familiar.”

  “Why do you always try to create trouble?” Azure asked, ladling potato soup into a bowl. The aroma was warm and reeked of comfort.

  “Where will you go first?” Ever asked Laurel, diverting the conversation.

  Laurel sniffed the meat at the end of her fork and took a bite. “I’ve always wanted to see the ocean, so maybe I’ll start with that. From there, I’m not sure. Unfortunately I don’t know what’s out there. I’ve read every book in the Lancothy library, but still I don’t know what I don’t know.”

  “Oh yes, a common conundrum,” Gillian said, lifting his goblet as if toasting and then taking a long drink. His cheeks warmed immediately, and he swayed from the strong liquor.

  “Well, you’re welcome in Virgo if you need a place to get your bearings. We are located close to the coast, and many of the witches and wizards there have traveled far and wide and might be a good resource for you.” Azure broke off a piece of baguette and dipped it into her soup.

  “Thank you, Queen Azure. I was hoping to set off right away, but maybe it would be a good idea for me to do a bit of planning first. Review maps and such,” Laurel said.

  “Yes, and then we could equip you for a long journey. That would be the least I could offer you for all your assistance,” Azure said. She turned to Ever. “I forgot to reprimand you for pushing me down that flight of stairs.”

  Monet laughed loudly, but Ever’s face turned pink as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

  “Oh, that. Yeah, sorry. I was trying to protect you from the werebear,” Ever said.

  “Protection by death,” Monet said, laughing still. “How did I miss all this fun?”

  “If by ‘fun’ you mean ‘escaping a weretiger in an open-air market and fighting giant werewolves,’ then yes, you totally missed out,” Azure said, her tone dull.

  “That’s what I thought. Meanwhile, I had to listen to Gillian snore like a banshee. Oh, that reminds me—remember when that banshee foretold our deaths? That was a fun time.” Monet drained his goblet.

  A laugh, clear and high, cut across the table. It was Laurel. She had covered her whiskered mouth with her paws. When she realized she’d attracted the attention of everyone at the table, she lowered her head nervously. “Sorry, it’s just that you all are so light, and in Lancothy… Well, everything is so solemn. It’s probably a result of the curse, but still, it’s nice to be around people who don’t take themselves so seriously.”

  “Curse?” Gillian asked, leaning forward, interest written in his eyes.

  “Oh, would you look at this? We have a bit of knowledge that he doesn’t,” Azure said, elbowing Ever in the ribs. He didn’t return the light smile she gave him. He looked quite unlike himself with a grumpy expression on his face. He hadn’t touched his food, and kept eyeing the gnomes at the bar.

  “There’s a curse on Lancothy?” Gillian asked Laurel, scooting his chair in her direction.

  “Yes, but I’m not sure if I’m up for going through it tonight. Can it wait until tomorrow?” Laurel said, taking a sip from her water goblet.

  “Of course. I’m not aware of anyone—besides Queen Azure and Ever—who has been inside Lancothy in many centuries. I would be grateful to learn about your homeland,” Gillian said, his cheeks flushing red from the heat of the firelight and the drinks.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt,” a voice said at Azure’s shoulder. She turned to find a gnome staring at her.

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Did I hear Gillian correctly? Are you Queen Azure of Virgo?” the gnome asked. His face wore a forced smile.

  “Yes, you heard correctly,” Azure said, laying her spoon down.

  “It’s quite an honor to have you here. When you’re ready, I’ll be happy to take you up to your room,” the gnome said.

  “Actually, although the food is delicious, I’m quite tired from the day’s adventures. I’d love to go to my room now.” Azure stood, smiling at the table around her. “You all stay and relax. I’ll see everyone tomorrow at first light. I’m anxious to head back to Virgo with the Book of Branches.”

  The table bid her farewell and Azure turned to the gnome, who led her down a hallway with more low ceilings.

  “I’m sorry to tell you that our rooms are built for gnomes. It’s been many a year since we’ve housed someone of your stature. I hope you still find your room comfortable,” the gnome said, unlocking the first door they came to.

  Azure ducked into the room to find a bed half the size of the one she was used to. Still, a warm fire burned in the hearth and fresh flowers and a wash basin sat on the dresser on the far wall.

  “It’s perfect,” Azure said, bowing slightly to the gnome. “Thank you.”

  “And don’t you worry about the Book of Branches tonight, Queen Azure. We promise to keep it safe while it is in our hands. However, once you take back possession of it, you’ll need to put your own guards on the ancient book,” the gnome said.

  Azure didn’t have a chance to ask him what he meant because he closed the door a moment later, leaving Azure alone with her thoughts.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Azure awoke to the smell of bacon. She nuzzled into her pillow, not even caring that her legs were tucked up to her chest due to the short length of the bed. Even though she had slept in a ball, it had still been a peaceful rest. After she sat up, she found a warm donut and a glass of milk on the bedside table. There was no one in her room, although a gnome could be hiding under the bed.

  She took a bite out of the donut, the sugar making her teeth ache immediately. The milk was perfect for washing down the chocolate cream of the donut. Azure dressed, but her actions were mostly involuntary as she reviewed the last few days. They had the Book of Branches, but
visiting Mage Lenore hadn’t proven especially useful. The old witch had said that humans had the answer to the virus. Or maybe she’d said that humans could cure the virus. Azure had a hard time remembering exactly what the nutty witch had said. She couldn’t wait to get back and tell her gran and Mum about the woman who transitioned through the different stages of her life throughout the day. They’d be fascinated.

  Azure picked up her bag after making her bed and set off for the pub, where the sounds of jubilant voices could be heard. Outside her room she found Ever leaning against the wall, his head back like he was bored.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Waiting for you,” he said, his eyes red.

  “Oh,” she chirped, studying him. “Are you okay? You haven’t seemed quite like yourself since we left Lancothy.”

  “I’m fine. Just ready to get out of here,” Ever said, his eyes moving to the right.

  “Okay, well, we’ll set off after breakfast. We should be back in Virgo by evening,” Azure said, and to her surprise Ever sighed loudly.

  When they entered the pub, they found Laurel talking intently with Gillian.

  “Do you know where the shaman came from?” he asked, scribbling on his notepad.

  The werecat thought for a moment. “I’m not sure, but I know there were two of them. One supposedly represented the day and the other the night. One was for order and the other chaos. They were sent to warn us not to barricade ourselves away—and to punish us when we did.”

  “That’s fascinating,” Gillian said, writing fast.

  The table where the pair sat had covered dishes running down the center and a flute of mimosa by each plate. Azure picked up a plate and loaded it with scrambled eggs and the bacon that had been begging for her attention.

  “Man, I’m never leaving this place,” Monet said, reaching out and grabbing one of the flutes and draining it. He wiped his hand across the back of his mouth and let out a satisfied sigh.

  “I see you’re starting early.” Azure set her plate on the table and sat down, relishing the comfort of the chair she had plopped into.

  “Starting early? I never stopped.” Monet laughed and filled his flute again, this time with just champagne.

  “Your liver must hate you,” Azure said through a mouthful of bacon.

  “My liver can shut the fuck up and deal with it,” Monet said, grabbing a fistful of bacon and dumping it on his plate.

  “There are serving utensils, you know,” Azure joked.

  “I do know.” Monet seized a croissant and tore off a piece savagely with his teeth.

  “If you were up all night drinking with the gnomes, why do you look so refreshed?” Ever asked, taking the seat next to Azure but not eating.

  “Because I am a fucking genius potion maker. I concocted my own brand of rejuvenation potion using some ingredients I borrowed from the pub kitchen,” Monet said.

  “Just so you could stay up all night to drink.” Azure shook her head disapprovingly at him. “You ever consider using your powers for good?”

  Monet made a sour face. “That would be boring. It sounds like something you’d do.”

  “Queen Azure,” a voice said at her back.

  She turned and didn’t see anyone. Then she looked down and found the gnome who had shown her to her room last night. “Hello.”

  “Hello. I wanted to give you this.” The gnome held out the Book of Branches, which was just about as big as he was.

  “Thank you.” Azure wiped her greasy hands on her napkin before taking the book and setting it on the safety of the seat next to her.

  “No, thank you. We made a rough copy of the book, and hope to have a polished version of it for the Light Elf Library soon. It will be an honor to add such an important volume to the collection, so please know you have the gratitude of the gnomes for loaning us this book. It has not been seen in centuries, since before the wereanimals took to hiding in the mountain of Lancothy,” the gnome said, bowing low to Azure.

  The witch blushed. She wanted to reach over and yank him to a standing position, but sooner or later she’d have to get used to being treated as royalty.

  “Well, I’m honored that I could share the book with you so that more will have access to the information it holds,” Azure said, petting the book beside her. It had a strange heat to it.

  “Actually, that’s the other thing I wanted to tell you.” The gnome leaned in close, his voice a whisper. “There is information in that book that must be guarded. If it got into the wrong hands… Well, it could be deadly for the dryads. They do have many enemies, and there are those who would like to exploit their powers. That book details all the tribes, but more importantly, it shares their weaknesses. There’s a reason it has been hidden away for so long.”

  Azure nodded—that made perfect sense. There were things about witches and wizards, and specifically about those in Virgo, that were only written in secret books, volumes that weren’t shared outside the species. And a grimoire, for instance, was protected with the witch’s life.

  “I promise to keep the book safe. It will remain in my private collection,” Azure said.

  “Thank you. And the version in the Light Elf Library will be held in the restricted section. The gnomes believe that is for the very best.” The gnome smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He slid his gaze to Ever and Monet and grimaced slightly.

  Monet had abandoned all pretense and was now eating the bacon straight from the serving dish.

  “You’re an animal,” Azure told him.

  “I take great offense to that,” Laurel said, picking up her spoon and stirring her tea, the perfect picture of poise.

  “As you should. I say you scratch Queen Jerkface’s eyes out,” Monet suggested, bacon bits spewing from his mouth.

  Chapter Thirty

  At the border of Virgo, Azure’s heart lightened. She loved traveling and having these adventures outside of her homeland, but returning to the green hills covered in grass that waved in the wind and the colorful cottages that sprinkled the land was by far the best feeling. Azure didn’t mind going off on journeys because she had the comfort of a true home to return to. Virgo was worth risking her life for. Virgo was worth every single bump and bruise she had endured while trying to find Mage Lenore and the Book of Branches.

  “You’ve returned,” Drago, her favorite Orc, said as they approached the southeastern border.

  “I have, and I’ve fought bravely and made my people proud,” Monet boasted, striding in front of Azure.

  Drago narrowed his beady eyes and grunted. “I was talking to the Queen.”

  “Of course you were. That fucking drama queen gets all the damned attention.” Monet walked past Drago, spreading his arms wide. “I’m back, bitches. You all can rest easy,” he called to the empty hillside.

  “Was everything okay while we were gone?” Azure asked Drago.

  He eyed Laurel, a keen interest in his stare. Finally he pulled his gaze to Azure. “Yes. We shot down many harpies, and a few of the pterosaurs.”

  “Wow, the emperor of Terran really wants us dead. Things have gotten out of control since Richard was stripped of his title.” Azure stared at the ground, thinking. “Okay, well, thank you, Drago. Please pass along to the chief that I’ve returned and will be available if he has any requests of me.”

  “I will do so,” Drago said, slamming his fist to his chest in a show of respect.

  “Thank you,” Azure said, her cheeks turning pink. She turned and marched forward, wishing she had a horse to carry her the rest of the way to the House of Enchanted. Her feet were throbbing from the hike out of the mountains. However, she sensed that Laurel might take issue to riding a horse. A sudden thought crossed Azure’s mind and she slowed down, waiting for Laurel.

  “I noticed when we were in Lancothy that there were wereanimals grazing on the outskirts. They seemed different from the other wereanimals I saw.” Azure paused, not knowing how to explain what she meant
without sounding rude.

  “You mean that they weren’t upright and wearing clothes,” Laurel said, seemingly reading Azure’s mind.

  “Yes.” She let out a breath of relief.

  “There’s a segment of our population who reject the human part of them and only identify with the animal. They don’t believe in learning to read or using their cognitive abilities. They believe they should act like the animal they are,” Laurel explained as they strolled. Her curious eyes skimmed the buildings they passed on the outskirts of the kingdom of Virgo.

  “That’s highly interesting,” Gillian said, again scribbling on his notepad as he walked.

  “It sounds like there’s a lot of division in Lancothy,” Azure noted.

  Laurel shrugged. “What else should we expect when we create borders? We isolated ourselves, and in doing so we created divisions within our society.”

  “Well, you’re very brave to have left to explore the world,” Azure said, bowing her head to witches and wizards as they passed. No one stopped her, since she was dressed in hiking clothes and was obviously returning from a journey. She’d call a meeting to make formal announcements the next day. It was important that her people knew things as she discovered them.

  “Maybe I’m brave, or maybe I’m an idiot,” Laurel said in a terse whisper. “My people might have been right. Our ancestors locked us in the mountain for a reason.” Her cat eyes were lowered, but still searched the people as they passed.

  “They are only giving you curious looks because they’ve never seen a werecat before, and that’s because your people locked themselves away. Can’t you change into your human form?” Azure asked and immediately regretted the question based on the scornful look on Laurel’s face.

  “That’s like me asking you to show only your witch side,” Laurel said. She must have read the confusion on Azure’s face. “Last night Monet told me about you, that you’re half witch and half human. Some wereanimals can transform back and forth, but it depends on their lineage and the ratio of animal versus human in their genes.”