The copper-domed library sat on the hill high above them, covered in a film of silver dust. An aged, white marble house was built into the hillside below. Originally designated for the librarians who maintained the collections, the dwelling as well as the Silver Sands library both now appeared abandoned. The brown witches who curated the tomes were probably all called away during the many years after the Siege of Yexshire. Once the red witches’ numbers dwindled, the witch hunters started looking for any witch that wasn’t attached to a rich fae family. They were easily sold to the North for a few coins. No free witch was safe back then and this library would have been the perfect spot for kidnapping witches.

Bri surveyed the stone patio, adjusting her pack on her shoulders. Smooth gray tables and benches seemed hewn from the earth themselves. Wisps of sheer curtains still clung to the columns that led into the house—little more than tattered scraps now.

A perpetual fountain sat to the right, its water browning over the years but still spraying in crisscross patterns. It must have been a remnant of red witch magic. Eventually the fountain would sputter out, though Bri didn’t know if that would happen years or decades into the future. The fountain reminded her that there was a time before the Siege of Yexshire, when red witches used their magic to make beautiful things. It seemed so strange to her. Most could barely remember the world before.

“You made it,” a voice called from the shadows of the house. The dogs thumped their tails in a chorus at the sound, but they didn’t get up.

Out stepped a tall fae whose silver hair belied his young features. A scar snaked from the bottom of his jaw into his tunic. He flashed the travelers a warm, cavalier grin as he strode over to greet them.

“Bern!” Carys wrapped him in a warm hug and he chuckled. “What are you doing here?”

“You can’t come to Silver Sands and expect me not to greet you.” His warm laugh boomed across the marble. “I heard you were visiting, and I decided to join you.”

Lina stood and gave him a swift hug. “I thought you resided in Yexshire now as the head councilor of the Queen.”

“I do,” he said, looking out to a white and silver manor carved into the far hillside. It peered over the water from beyond the Southern Court border. “But my family’s home is still here. Your being here gave me an excuse to visit. Now that the southern road through the High Mountain Court is cleared, it wasn’t that long of a journey.”

“Neelo wasn’t supposed to tell anyone,” Bri said, pulling his pale gaze to her.

“They didn’t,” Bern said with a shrug. “But I happen to know more than a few witches with the gift of Sight and they Saw you here.”