Chapter 128 The archives
Chapter 128 The archives
“Elias?” Isabella’s shaky voice sounded from the entrance of the library.
Elias’s head whipped up at having been found. He could see the entrance and could see Lucien and Isabella, but they couldn't see him.
“He's not here.” Isabella glanced at Lucien with worry.
“He is,” Lucien whispered back confidently. They had both followed Elias secretly into the ancient library, holding back their surprise that he knew the location of the Ancient library.
“Mom?” Elias came into view, clutching the archive with all his strength, not letting go. “Why are you crying?”
His free arm held the knife he'd brought out in defence.
“Oh my God.” Isabella breathed in relief, leaving Lucien's embrace and rushing into Elias's arms. “I'm glad you're safe.”
Elias nodded, allowing her to hug him. “I was coming to get you.” He breathed tiredly, as he tried to break away from the hug.
Isabella sniffed, cupping his cheeks in her palms. “You had us worried. Walking away without a word.” She complained, wiping her tears.
“I didn't know you would be worried,” Elias said with remorse, looking away. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”
Isabella frowned softly. “The reason you've been so secretive?” As much as she hated to admit, Elias was not acting like a seven-year-old.
“Have I?” Elias asked innocently. “I have.” He corrected as he noticed the frown on Isabella's face.
Lucien held his smile as he watched the interaction between mother and son. Isabella was everything you could think of in the courts and even in the field, but when it came to Elias, all her toughness seemed to disappear.
“What was it you wanted to show me?” Isabella asked, deciding to let it go. She was at least grateful, she had found him.
“Oh that,” Elias glanced at the archive he'd dropped on the floor beside him. “Someone said to get this.”
Isabella narrowed her eyes confused. “Who?” She glanced at the archive before looking at Lucien.
Elias shrugged. “I can't explain it. He was here and said it would really be important if I found it before someone else did.
She frowned as she studied the little boy in front of her. “Can you recognise the man?”
Elias shook his head, slightly impatient. He'd done the huge task of finding the archive and now, he really needed to rest.
“He wasn't here. But I should be able to recognise him if I see him.” He curled his fingers, looking downwards. “Can I go now, Mommy? I'm really hungry.”
Isabella nodded, her eyes watching him as he disappeared from the library. “What the hell is going on?” She said to Lucien as she looked around the library for the first time, taking in its appearance.
Lucien shrugged, finally moving from where he stood as he walked to her. “The Ancient Library. Hidden by and destroyed centuries ago.”
Isabella frowned. “Apparently, we were sold a lie. It wasn't destroyed.”
Lucien grunted in agreement, suddenly noting something. “We have to go.” His tone was urgent.
“We only just got here. Let's check it out.” Isabella protested as she picked up the archive Elias had left at her feet.
“The walls,” Lucien whispered, dragging her out. “It's been infiltrated,” he pointed out
Isabella followed his fingers, her eyes widening. “It's going to collapse.” They'd barely flown out of the doors when the walls collapsed, blocking the entrance.
She heaved, her heart beating fast. “It…it was meant to trap us.” She muttered. “Look at the lights.”
A beam had appeared, mirroring the walls. It was meant to zap anyone it came in contact with.
“Just what did he find?” She whispered, glancing at the book in her hands.
“We're about to find out,” Lucien murmured, his voice tightening as some of the guards rushed at them. “Come on, let's go.” He held her hand, stopping as the guards reached where they stood.
“Your Majesties.” They bowed. “We heard a loud rumbling.” Lucien looked over his shoulder. The stairs leading to the ancient library had also caved.
“Seal the place.” He muttered. “No one is allowed to get within 50 feet of this place.” He turned to Hampton who had joined them.
“Assign extra guards for the young prince.” He said, as they walked away.
“What the hell was that?” Isabella looked at Lucien fearfully the moment they had walked into a safe distance.
“We should go to the study, it's safe there, and close.” He said with a small smile, noting that her gaze couldn't stop travelling to the book in her hands.
Isabella blushed, realising that he'd caught her red-handed. “Have any idea what's here?” She motioned at the book.
Lucien shook his head. “Curious, but more curious as to why the ancient library is still alive.”
“Was.” Isabella corrected almost immediately. “It's gone down in pieces right now, it no longer exists.”
Lucien snorted. “Fine. That and the fact that he went there all alone.”
“Thank you,” Isabella muttered at the guard who opened the door. “You're right, he could have died.”
Lucien sighed. “Want me to open it, or you wanna do the honours?” His lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Isabella glanced down at the book in her hands. “I'll do the honours.” Her smile was unsure as she placed the big book on the table before her. “Ready?” She matched Lucien's gaze, returning to the book almost immediately.
“I am. Are you?” Lucien asked with raised brows, noting her anxiety.
She exhaled, nodding. “I am.” Her mouth moved simultaneously with her hands, opening the first page before she could hesitate further.
Her brows squeezed as she glanced at the blank page in front of her. “Err…” she stammered, looking at Lucien for help.
“It's probably the first page. You should check the next.” Lucien's words filtered into her ears from the side, but Isabella was not convinced.
She turned slowly to the next, then to the next, glancing accusatorily at Lucien. “Still empty.”
Lucien frowned, picking the book from the table as he walked to the window, studying it closely. “This is weird.” He turned back at her. “And feels different.”
Isabella glanced at him, unsure of what to say. “What do you think? Think it was a ploy to get Elias in and kill him?”
Lucien shook his head. “As much as I would love to believe that, it's too much trouble. They wouldn't have had to wait for us to appear.”
He walked back to the table, picking up an ink. “Let's hope this works.” He muttered as he poured a bit on the first page, taking it to the window.
“It worked.” He smiled gently as the words appeared.
Vaelthorne.
Isabella frowned at the page. The word was confusing, but what was more confusing was seeing her picture and that of an older woman who looked exactly like her, save for the age.
“Are you sure about this?” Lucien asked, frowning. He knew without a doubt that this was the archive that had been supposedly destroyed hundreds of years ago.
Isabella nodded, her voice tightening. “Pour more.” She turned to the next page, urging Lucien's ink to land.
“Izzy,” Lucien hesitated. “You don't have to do this. We could set this on fire and no one would have to know.”
Isabella shook her head. “You think?” She blinked, her hands running over the fine print of the first page, her eyes studying every feature of the older woman's face. “I finally get to meet her and…” she choked, looking away.
Lucien sighed in frustration. There was nothing more he could do or say. From her demeanour, he could tell she had set her sights on the archive and wouldn't let it go.
Without a word, he dropped the ink as the words appeared.
Isabella turned to the next, not reading the words. “Let's reveal them first.”
Lucien shrugged, dropping the ink as they turned from page to page.
“Yeah,” Isabella sighed satisfactorily, when they'd gone halfway. “We could take a pause.”
He nodded almost immediately. “I agree.” He whispered, studying her gently as her fingers found the second page. It held only a name.
Sameen.
“A rare name.” Isabella croaked, going back to study the woman on the first page. “Her eyes are just like mine.”
“You're prettier and I could get lost in your eyes every day,” Lucien interjected.
Isabella blushed, taking her gaze momentarily from the book and glancing at him. “You're so Kind.”
Lucien swallowed. He could see the struggle in her eyes. “Elias and I could go watch the horses if you want to be alone.”
As he spoke, his hands had dropped the ink and his feet had begun moving toward the door.
Isabella shook her head hurriedly. “Please don't go.” She whispered, her voice cracking. “You're not being a bother.”
Lucien studied her silently. “You look like you would really love to use the room, alone.” He added the last bit as an afterthought.”
Isabella shook her head. “Not without you in it. Besides,” she curled her lips in annoyance. “Who's gonna console me if I lose my cool?”
Lucien couldn't help the chuckle that escaped from his lips. “Yeah, right.”