Page 51 of The Awakening of Essensia

Eli nodded and her heart lifted. She tried to hide her excitement, but a smile crept across her lips. “Why would a librarian know anything about magic?”

“You mean despite the thousands of books at his disposal?”

She threw him a bored look.

He shrugged. “He’s old. He knows many things.”

She exhaled, tamping down the irritation at his nonchalance. “You said that Jon was targeted because the demon was drawn to me.”

Eli shook his head slightly. “I should never have said that. I don’t know enough to be making presumptions.”

Something tight in Vaelira’s chest loosened.

A knock at the door startled her.

Axel stepped in, eyes flicking over the candlelight and the two of them seated knee to knee. “Willem says the dessert will be ruined if it’s not eaten quickly. Are you finished?”

“For now,” Eli said, not taking his eyes from her.

Axel led them into a large kitchen. A boy of around fifteen sat at the dining table in the centre of the room. He wore a grey apron over his simple shirt. He looked up, a broad grin stretching a brutal scar that cut a jagged line from his eyebrow down to his jaw.

The sight of such a horrific injury on someone so young was painful. Vaelira smiled, turning her focus to his eyes.

He took Vaelira’s hand, brushing her fingers with a quick kiss, a mop of straight, black hair falling over his face. He straightened, his smile all teeth. He was the epitome of swaggering youth not yet worn thin by rejection. Not that many girls would reject such a handsome face.

“You must be Vaelira,” he said, looking down at her. “Elijah never brings such beautiful ladies over. A pleasure.”

Vaelira withdrew her hand, laughing softly. “You must be Willem.”

Willem gave a low, theatrical bow. “At your service.”

“I didn’t know Eli kept such charming company.”

Axel laughed, but Eli stiffened beside her. “Call me Elijah.”

She paused then nodded. “Sure.”

Axel and Willem exchanged a glance. Axel cleared his throat and gestured to the table. “Let’s sit. You’re lucky Willem made extra. We weren’t expecting company.”

“I’m always expecting company,” Willem said, moving to the counter. “You never know when royalty might drop in.”

Elijah let out an exasperated breath and took the seat beside her. Willem returned with a tray and set it down. Four bowls sat atop it, each filled with small, perfect scoops of iced cream. A small jug of glossy amber syrup was on the side.

“Honey-vanilla with roasted almonds,” Willem announced. “Axel tried to make the syrup, but—”

“I burnt the first batch,” Axel muttered.

Vaelira smiled as she accepted a bowl. “You two live like kings.”

“Please,” Willem said, sliding into a chair across from her. “We’re just humble servants of the realm.”

“Very well-fed ones,” Elijah muttered.

Axel nodded his agreement, his mouth already full.

Vaelira dipped her spoon into the bowl and gestured between the two of them. “What’s the story here?”

Axel set his spoon down. “I suppose you could say we’re like father and son.”