Kole followed, positioning himself near the wall, but before I could ask him to join me so I could learn if he was as irritated as he looked, my uncle Arnel sat down on the settee.
I smiled in delight. “Uncle Arnel! So good to see you again.”
He chuckled and smiled pleasantly. “You as well. Are you enjoying the party?”
“Quite. And you?” Like my ball, the extended family had all traveled to Whiteolf again to be present for Koraline’s celebration. It’d been wonderful to see everyone again, and like me, my youngest cousin, Valeena, was also enjoying the attention from many of the young lordlings. I eyed Darius across the room. He wore a sneer for no apparent reason as he stared at the partygoers. Well, it was nice to seemostof my cousins again.
My uncle nodded toward where Koraline and Neb danced. “They seem like a happy couple.”
“I truly think they are. I hope they have many wonderful centuries ahead of them.”
He murmured something similar and took another sip of his champagne, then hastily lowered his glass. “Say, I almost forgot. I meant to tell you that since returning home after your ball, I’ve spent some time looking through my archives, and I think I may have found something that’ll interest you.”
I perked up. “Oh? What did you find?”
He scrunched his eyebrows together. “Truth be told, I’m not entirely sure. It’s in ancient Elvish, so I’m not certain if I’ve translated it correctly, but it speaks of an infection that can turn fae into a nighttime creature.” His brow furrowed. “Your father has informed me of what you’re dealing with. Truly, I’m verysorry to hear of what you’ve experienced, but my findings sound quite similar to what he’s told me.”
My heart began to pound, and my jaw dropped. Tonight was one bit of fortune after another. I angled my body to face Arnel more. “Did it say anything more than that? What created them? Or how such an affliction can spread?”
He made a face. “Truly, I wish I knew, but my Elvish is quite bad. I was planning to call in a professional translator to take a better look at it.”
I laid a hand on his arm and squeezed. “I could look at it. I’m fluent in Elvish. Well, reading it. Not speaking it.”
His eyebrows shot up. “You are?”
I nodded. “It’s one of the reasons the Whiteolf Academic Library hired me. I studied the language at university. As you probably know, the names of many plants in our realm are derived from Elvish words. If you understand the ancient language fully, it enriches one’s study and allows cataloguing them to be much easier.”
He laughed heartily. “Well, Stars Above. I never knew that. In that case, would you like to see the text yourself?”
I nodded enthusiastically. “Indeed! Kole and I could come right away, even this weekend.” I peeked at the warrior over my shoulder. He still looked surly, but once he heard about Arnel’s discovery, I had a feeling his frown would turn upside down.
Besides, visiting Arnel this weekend would be the best way to spend our time. Since Master Fistideeous was currently looking more into the God of Night and Goddess of Light, and the information from Nathaniel’s colleague wouldn’t arrive until next week, we were idle at the moment.
My uncle glanced over his shoulder toward the warrior too, then turned back to me and asked almost as an afterthought, “Does he ever smile?”
“On occasion,” I replied good-naturedly. “But as I was saying, is there a good time for us to visit?”
My uncle shrugged. “If you’re wanting to come soon, tomorrow is fine. You’re welcome anytime past eight. I’m actually heading home now.” He glanced at the clock. “Speaking of which, I best be going. It’s a five-hour-long carriage ride, so I should be on my way, but I’m glad I found you before I left.”
I laid a hand on his forearm to stop him from getting up. “You’re traveling this late and by carriage? Why not stay the night and not leave until tomorrow?”
He laughed. “I travel often at night. My carriage is equipped for sleeping, and the rocking is actually quite pleasant. And traveling during sleeping hours allows me to continue working during the day, even if functions such as this take me away from my studies.”
It struck me that I didn’t know what either Arnel or Leopold did for employment or evenifthey were employed, but before I could ask, my uncle patted my hand and stood.
“I’ll be on my way then. I’ll have my spellcasters rework the wards in the morning so you and your warrior are able to enter. I’m assuming you’ll mistphase?” He raised his eyebrows, surprise and admiration clearly written upon his face. “Russem also told me you’ve recently learned that magical Solis feat. That’s absolutely extraordinary. I had no idea Silten fae could even learn that.”
I couldn’t help but feel a flare of pride. “I did, and yes, that sounds lovely. Kole and I will mistphase there tomorrow to see what you’ve discovered. Until then, Uncle.” I stood and kissed him on the cheek.
He chuckled. “Goodnight, Primelle. Now, I must say my goodbyes to your parents and sisters, but I shall see you on the morrow.”
I dipped my head, and as soon as he left, another male took his place, sidestepping away from a group to approach me. “Princess?”
He was from House Kimmip, and if my memory served right, he was around two hundred summers older than me. “Yes, Lordling Kimmip?”
“Would you honor me with a dance?” His smile was full of swagger, and he held his arm out.
I placed my hand around him and ignored the energy soaring off Kole as brilliant happiness soared through me. We were finally getting closer to the answers I sought. “I thought you’d never ask.”
