A short while later, Skye spotted Dray returning from the latrine somewhere beyond the villa. Calling softly, he lured him into a secluded patch of shrubbery where no one could see.

  “Hi, my name’s Skye. I’m a friend of Lyonel’s. He said you can help me find something,” he spoke fast, giving Dray no chance to interrupt.

  Dray stared him up and down. A few minutes ago, he’d raided Galec Neashure’s closet and stolen a blue shirt to replace his wet and burned doublet. Smiling, he brushed damp hair from his forehead.

  “How did you get here?” Dray asked.

  “I snuck in,” Skye said with a shrug. “I’m really good at going unnoticed. It’s because I’m a prospector; I get lots of exercise climbing and escaping predators.”

  Dray crossed his arms. “What exactly do you need from me, prospector Skye?”

  “Lyonel told me of the secret library in the Deeps where you get all your special books from. I need you to tell me its exact location.”

  Dray eyes widened. “Lyonel told you of a library…”

  “Look, I know this is surprising for you, but-“

  “I’d say it’s shocking!”

  “I only need one book. You see, I found this gemcache-“

  “Absolutely not!”

  “It’s unlike anything I’ve seen in Troqua, and I want to know-“

  “Forget it! I’m not speaking with you.”

  “Any information related to it so that I can present it to duchess Cleora at her wedding!”

  “There is no secret library…” Dray blinked. “What did you just say?”

  “Duchess Cleora’s wedding! Haven’t you heard? She’s getting married soon.”

  Dray’s face fell. His shoulders slumped and he stared down at his feet. It was like his soul had fled to the Void.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “They’re gorgeous stones, I’m sure she’ll love them,” Skye said. “But I want to make sure they’re safe before I hand them to her.”

  Dray didn’t respond, gazing open-mouthed at the grass.

  “You alright?” Skye asked.

  Dray snapped up, glaring. “You’re lying.”

  “Why would I lie about something like that?”

  Dray lunged, grabbing him by the collar. “Who put you up to this? Ficar? Sether? Emery?”

  “No one did,” Skye said, struggling to break free. “Look, I can prove my intentions.” From his pocket, he retrieved the small black box. “I haven’t named it yet, but I made it into a ring. Have you seen its like before?”

  Light from the colorful gem bathed Dray’s face. When he let go of Skye and reached for it, Skye closed the lid and backed away.

  “This belongs to the duchess,” Skye reminded.

  “Who’s she marrying?” Dray asked urgently.

  “Tell me where the library is, and I’ll tell you her fiancée’s name.”

  “Necro!” Dray shouted, stomping the ground. He turned around, walking away, then spun sharply and returned, pointing a trembling finger. “Duchess Cleora is not engaged.”

  “She will be soon,” Skye said. “What do you think all of those foreign shipments to the duke’s mansion were for? They’re for the engagement party.”

  “Coals of the Void!” Dray cried, pulling at his hair. He resumed pacing, muttering to himself.

  “Are you alright?” Skye asked once more. He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and hoped he hadn’t blown his chances.

  Dray knelt before Skye, placing both hands on his shoulders. “Look, I can’t tell you where the library is because it is heavily guarded and is in a dangerous section in the Deeps. A hundred different things can kill you on your way there, and if you somehow make it, the guards would do you in. I’m keeping this secret for your safety because you’re my brother’s friend. However, you have to tell me who she’s marrying and when. Please.”

  “You look unwell. Maybe I should keep this secret to protect you.” Skye backed away, watching a muscle work at Dray’s jaw. “No place is more heavily guarded than this villa. Let me worry about the dangers. In fact, once I leave, tell your friends that I’m coming so they can triple the security, I don’t care.”

  Dray missed up his hair. “Fine, fine, fine!” he snapped. “Necro, Lyonel. Where did you find this guy?”

  Skye held his breath.

  Dray sighed, defeated. “Don’t hold it against me, kid. But if you head there, chances are you won’t return. You have to go through the Devil’s Forks past the Obtundril gemfarm. Stick to the leftmost path, across the Triangular Pit, then through the stonebear’s den, keeping left all the way to the end. It’ll take you approximately two hours of hiking the first time. Now give me the Void-spawned name.”

  Of course, the library was in the most dangerous cave in the Deeps. Skye wanted to ring his bell and speed toward it this instant as there was no use in breaking Dray’s heart any further since he’d forget this conversation. But Skye felt he owed him the truth.

  “Akunai Kasi,” he said.

  Dray slumped to his knees. “No, no! Not him!” He held his head, burying it in the grass, shoulders shaking. “Not him…”

  Silently, Skye left and cast his bell. He didn’t want to know what’d happen had he told Dray that the duchess was against the marriage.

  ?????Days until Green Eve: 40?????