Groaning, I shut the history book on the desk in frustration, wondering who’s god-awful idea it was to have me learn the history of wolves – the entire history of wolves might I add. Deep inside the library in the Temple of the Goddess surrounded by shelves full of books, Ira watches over me, her sharp knowing gaze showing her amusement at my frustration.
“You need to know everything Crystalline. A knowing ruler is the best ruler.” She states, turning back to the paper work spread out on her own desk.
“I get that. Its just, considering I grew up in the palace, I am pretty sure I know all that needs to be known.” Laying my head on the desk, I close my eyes for a moment to take a break. The smell of the old books and stone shelves bringing a sort of peace to me even if I find reading constantly torturing to my mind.
“Do you know how Coro managed to life for all these years? Or how he amassed his powers?” Ira asks, her voice light yet holding a tone of inquiry. Taking a moment to think, I realize that the Priestess has me. She knows I do not know but still asked.
“No. Would the answers be in these books?” Opening my eyes, I see her smiling as she stands, motioning me to follow her. With a sigh, I sit up, push my chair back and stand. After a week of being here and getting to know the Priestess, I have learned she would rather show and not tell. Leading me down rows of shelves to the far right side of the library, I notice the books slowly becoming older and older the farther we walk until I notice the books turning from leather bound journals to baskets full of scrolls. One catches my eye, a basket labeled “The Tale of the Lost Princess” and I reach out to take it, wanting to know what was said about me when I went missing.
“Leave it, you can look at it on our way back out.” Jumping, I turn to see Ira staring at me with a smirk. Of course, I listen to the wolf knowing she is doing everything in my best interest. Pulling my hand away, I take one last look at the scroll before continuing with Ira and watch as the shelves slowly become emptier with less books and scrolls as we pass until finally, we reach our destination and stand in front of a set of wooden doors.
“This door is the entrance to the restricted area.” Ira begins, running her hand over the intricate pattern of leaves and vines intertwining with the phases of the moon.
“Only the Priestess of this temple, Witch Cassandra and a wolf with royal blood can enter.” She continues, stepping back and motioning me to open the door. Tentatively, I place my hands against the handles, magic flowing through me the moment my skin contacted the metal. With out warning, the doors fly open forcing me to release the handles and jump back in surprise. Just how powerful is the witch who created the magic seal to this room.
“Inside is information that only a few have privilege to look through. You’ll understand why. Just know you only get an hour a day inside the room. If you don’t leave within the hour, you’ll be trapped here.” With that warning, Ira turns and walks away, leaving me alone to face to restricted area. Deciding that this is an opportunity I cannot let go, I take a deep breath and walk inside. The first thing I feel when entering the room is the pulsating magic that surrounds me, magic I did not think could be this strong. The second is the feeling of being watched.
“Hello?” I call out, my voice echoing around the stone walls of the small room. The silence that follows is eerie, causing goosebumps to form on my skin and my once confident footsteps to slow with caution. No shelfs line the walls and no books are in sight. The only thing I can see is a softly glowing moonstone that sits in the middle of the room reminding me of the full moon on a cloudless night. Curious, I continue walking towards the large moonstone, realizing that the sphere is larger than a bowling ball and smile. Something inside me tells me this crystal has all the answer I need, but how to I get them. With a sigh, I turn to leave, deciding that knowing where I can get answers is good enough for today and to ask Ira about it later. For now, I need to learn more from Ira about what I missed the last few centuries and make a list of what I truly want to know afterwards. With a smile, I look back at the moonstone, feeling a warm glow from it, before walking out and hearing the doors closed behind me.
I have other lessons I need to learn today, one being a good fight with Ariven in a few hours. So right now, I plan to read some of the older scrolls in the area outside the restricted area and start learning from the beginning of the werewolf creation.
…
I groan, landing hard on my back for the umpteenth time on the hard ground, wincing when I try to move. Ariven and I have been sparing for the last hour, the former Temple resident using every trick he has learned against me and making me realize just how weak the training at the Royal Pack is. One thing is for sure, I will have to re-establish a better training routine when I claim the throne back.
“I think you might have broken something.” His deep voice calls out as Ariven walks over to where I lay, helping me gently to stand.
“No, I think I just fractured a rib.” I wince out, leaning against him for support. It felt nice having someone support me after a fair spar, someone like Ariven who - since the time I woke up finding out my true - identity has treated me like a little sister. Geminie never once showed the jealousy that other she-wolves would show, instead she praised him for being a good big brother to me, making me smile and laugh along with her. It felt nice having a loving family.
“So I heard you went to the restricted area today.” He states, helping me walk, well limp, to a bench and I nod, wincing slightly when I move to fast and jostle the fractured rib.
“Ira took me there to learn about Coro, but I decided not to since one – I have no idea how to and two – I decided I needed to figure out what I want to know in order to find out.” I answer, cursing as I am helped to sit down, wrapping my arm around my right side and holding onto the area where pain radiates.
“That’s a good idea. When ever Gem goes into that room, she comes out pale and exhausted with a haunted look in her eyes. Sometimes I worry she won’t ever come out again.” Sitting down beside me, I watch as Ariven looks down at his clasped hands, a worried look etched on his face.
“I guess you never been inside there?” I ask, turning to look outside the window and watching the forest outside.
“No, and I fear the day Destiny has to enter that room.” He states, his words filled with the care and love for his daughter causing my heart to ache and leaving me feeling jealous. A silence settles beside us, leaving the two of us to our thoughts while my healing kicks in on my fractured rib. To hear from an outsider’s perspective about the restricted area confirms that I made the right decision to wait until I am ready to use the moonstone. For now I just need to focus on becoming stronger and smarter if I want to claim what is rightfully mine.