39 Head (2/2)
”A magical library.” The dryness in his voice made her blush. ”If I remember right, you take one of these and…” He slid a card under the box, pushing it into a tiny slot she hadn't noticed before. The box shook in his hand, lights swirling around it, the dragon clasp glowing and spinning in place. With a pop the lights coalesced into a leather-bound book, the scent of ancient vellum reminding Elya of her time spent in the Suzdal libraries. Nikolai grinned at her stunned expression, passing the book to her and snapping the box shut.
”Fallani's Reflections?” Flipping through the book only confused her further. ”I thought no full copies remained.”
”There are a few pages missing that I couldn't find. I've filled in as much as I could.”
”This is your work?”
”I had a lot of time while following my Master. Collected all sorts on volumes of history, magic, politics, basically anything I could get my hands on.”
”It's incredible.” Reluctantly she returned the book to his hands, staring as it dissolved into the box and spit the card out.
”You can have it. It's been sitting here for who knows how long.”
”It's too precious.” She breathed. This was far beyond an incomplete magical sword.
Nikolai snorted at her refusal. ”It's lying in a storehouse, gathering dust. I made it so I can give it to anyone I like and most importantly, in five months it would be yours anyway.”
She giggled at his reminder of the wedding. In a way, he was right, but she still felt guilty taking something so precious.
”Fine but I owe you.” She took the box, squeezing Nikolai's hand to show her appreciation.
”I'll be sure to remind you.” His eyes lit up at the promise and she sensed his mind churning, considering what to ask of her. Shaking his head, Nikolai took her arm and continued deeper into the room. ”Come, let's not get distracted.”
Resting in the corner farthest from the entrance was a cloth covered object barely able to fit, almost as high as the vaulted ceiling of the storage room. With a grunt of effort, Nikolai wrestled the cover off and Elya nearly dropped the rosewood box. The gloomy black snake head stared at her, dull eyes flickering against the lantern light.
”You kept it?”
”You're the one who said it's necessary for the wedding.”
”I didn't think you'd agree.”
”It's sort of amazing, having something like this around, but I don't really know what you expected to do with it.”
”I wanted to use it as a centrepiece, or statue which everyone would see when they walked in.”
Nikolai's laughter echoed across the chamber. ”I don't think I've ever heard of a wedding like that.”
”Which would be the point.” Elya wiped a nearby crate and sat down. Tossing the cloth aside, Nikolai sat down next to her.
Placing his arms around her shoulders, he whispered. ”You know Elya. I like spending time with you.”
”Me too.” She smiled. For the first time in a long while she felt content.
In the shade of a Demonic creature they cuddled, relaxing in each other's company and planning pranks for the wedding, the only observer of their conversation a broken snake head.