“Auriena,” Kane called out sternly.
But I kept walking toward the two Voirechoes that seemed frozen in place, more people around us stopped and watched as I closed the distance between us.
Reaching them, I held my hand out to the woman. When she took it, I shook her hand and smiled. “Hello. I am…”
“Auriena Raulson. Soon to be King Kanedraven Rathmore’s bride and mother to his child.” She gasped, looking shocked.
“Oberlea! Do not interrupt her!” The man next to her scolded her. He stood, pulling his shoulders back, placing his hands on her shoulders and pulling her back a step. “My apologies for my sister. She does not always show restraint.”
“It is alright.” I held my hand out to him as well. “And you are?”
He looked at my extended gesture for a moment before taking it. “Dohlmas.”
“Auri?” Kane came up behind us, resting his hands on my shoulders. “Is everything alright?”
“Yes.” I beamed up at him. “Kane. This is Oberlea and Dohlmas.”
Kane tilted his head as both Voirechoes bowed low at the waist to him. Oberlea spoke first, “King Kanedraven Rathmore…” Her words came out breathy.
“Oberlea!” Dohlmas shouted.
Kane chuckled. “It is alright.” He turned to the sister. “Your reaction is a pleasant one compared to the fearful looks I typically get.”
She giggled and gripped her brother’s jacket. “See? I told you he was good!”
Dohlmas’s eyes shot open wide. “I never said…”
Kane put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “You would have shared the opinion of many if you did, which is my fault since I have lived in secrecy.”
The wide eyes of Dohlmas didn’t shrink. But instead of fear, they shifted with a sense of awe.
I slipped my hand up over his that was still on my shoulder, pulling it down and entwining my fingers between his. “You are Voirechoes, are you not?”
“Yes.” Oberlea looked confused by my question.
Kane squeezed my hand. “You will have to excuse her. She has never spoken to many other races. Especially not Voirechoes.”
“That’s fine. I’ve never spoken to royalty before,” Oberlea admitted with a laugh.
“Oh, I’m not…” I started.
But Kane stepped in, moving up next to me and wrapping his free arm around my shoulders. “Yet. She is not yet.”
I looked up at him and blushed. Turning my gaze back to the siblings, I smiled. “Do you live here?”
“Yes.” Dohlmas replied before his sister could. “Our family died of an illness many years ago. We were on our own. To make ends meet, we came here and took over keeping the library up, taking on customers that are looking for information.”
“You sell knowledge?” The concept blew my mind since on Earth, everyone had the internet.
“We do,” Dohlmas confirmed.
“There’s usually information keepers and dealers in depot towns and large cities,” Oberlea added.
I thought back to the bookstore in Everwinter. “Kane? Is that what Alret does?”
He smiled. “It is one of the services he provides. But his service of such is limited. The Voirechoes are far better suited for the employment because of their intellect.”
“Thank you, my liege.” Both siblings bowed.
I pulled in closer to Kane’s side and whispered, “I have so much to learn!”
He chuckled and bobbed his head yes. “That you do.”
“We can help!” Oberlea interjected.
Dohlmas looked shocked. “What she means is…”
“You can?” I bypassed her brother’s attempt to save her mis-step again.
“It is what we do… teach.” Oberlea was practically fidgeting with excitement.
“Kane?” I turned to him.
He looked amused as he pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. Without responding directly to me, he asked, “Do you have your own horses? Are you contracted to stay here?”
“We do, and we are not.” Oberlea sounded like a kid being handed a puppy.
“Where is the best place in the depot to get a meal?” Kane was still watching me.
“Paragon Inn’s dining area,” Dohlmas replied. “It is downstairs where you will be staying.”
“Convenient.” Kane chuckled. “We have to get her some rest. Dinner this evening. My man, Wulfgar, will be there if we are late. But if you do not have plans, I invite you to eat with us and discuss what you could do to help Auriena learn about Naelyra from its residents rather than just reading.”
“Absolutely!” Oberlea clapped, practically bouncing.
Dohlmas gripped her arm to try to calm her as he bowed his head. “Yes, my liege. It would be an honor.”
“See you then.” Kane tugged on my arm to follow as he retreated the way we came.
I looked back. The brother stared after us, stunned. Oberlea, on the other hand, was full on bouncing and waving. I waved back, smiling.
Once back with our entourage, Wulfgar eyed the brother and sister across the courtyard. “Fans of yours?”
“They’re going to have dinner with us and possibly help me with some of Naelyrian knowledge I have been sheltered from,” I explained excitedly.
Indrell pursed her lips as if pondering the situation. “Interesting. Our little group seems to be growing in numbers.”
Kane chuckled. “Yes. It is. She certainly seems to be attracting quite an array of people that support her.”
Kane moved on ahead as we entered the establishment, holding the door open for me. I went through and followed as we were escorted to our room. The others scattered to their own, leaving us some much needed privacy after our things were deposited inside our room.
I looked around, taking in the simplicity of the room. It was fancy, probably the best one they had. However, it wasn’t the ornate carvings of Kane’s castle room décor or the winding natural elements from Thillatheas. Yet, the straight lines and polished wood grains
