In the Shadow of a Dream by Maci Aurora

Author:Maci Aurora
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798989154319
Publisher: Mixed Plate Press

16

“You look pale,” Luc observed, tilting his head to look closer at his twin. It was clear that the separation between his brother and Auri was already taxing him. “Do you think the spell is making your separation more intense?”

“I’m fine,” he said, swiping a hand over his chest as if to check. “I’m fine.”

“No. Brother. I can see you’re feeling–”

Sol faded around them as Nix conveyed them away, the rose-gold of Elcadia proper appearing in Sol’s place. The tall spires and steep rooftops dripped into the alabaster marble and limestone of the buildings around them. Cobblestone streets paved the way into the old heart of god city.

“Don’t.” Nix cut him off and waved a hand and started walking. “If we want to change the current circumstances—and we both know I need to in order to save Auri—we need to solve the larger problem. Lexa thinks the Library of Oracles is probably the best place to go.”

Luc nodded. “Okay. Didn’t you already visit? When you were searching for the god-yoke cure.”

“I don’t need to be cured, Luc.” Nix scoffed. “I’m quite content being yoked to Auri.”

“As your current pallor suggests. You look like you might fall on your face.” He reached out to grab hold of Nix’s arm to keep him from it and ignored the weight he felt inside his body.

His brother shrugged out from under his touch. “I’m fine. Yes. I visited the Oracles, but it was a dead end.”

Luc could tell Nix wasn’t telling him the whole of it, but he also decided he would step back from the discussion for the time being. Nix was stubborn and nagging him wouldn’t help.

They walked in silence for some time, the quiet hum of the city moving around them.

“Does father know?” Luc eventually asked. He figured Ur would have tabs on him.

“Know what?” Nix asked.

“That you’ve removed me from Sol?”

“Why should he? He isn’t your keeper, or mine.”

“That sounds reminiscent of the god of the Vasmost.” Luc smiled. “You should reconsider your position, brother.”

“Absolutely not. Besides, he discounted me for falling in love with a mortal.”

“Prick.”

“Right?” Nixus looked over at him with a dimpled smile. “Besides, he’d discount me for anything. He wants you. You know I don’t want that job. You’re the right god for it.”

Luc scoffed and looked down to watch his steps, shaking his head. “Not a god anymore.”

“Easily rectified.”

When they reached the library, Luc followed Nix up the wide steps and through the wide, ornate, dark wooden doors into the gloom of the interior. The decorative lamps buzzed with Oracle magic rather than solar energy in order to protect the contents of the Elcadian treasure trove. Luc’s eyes adjusted to the dim light as their footfalls echoed against the marble entry echoed in the expansive foyer. Several doorways branched off the vestibule, and at its center stood an oracle wrapped in blue robes offsetting his dark complexion, waiting as if he’d expected them. He probably had. This one was in training, denoted by the empty chain around his hips lacking the keys of knowledge.

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