I stood in front of Piscean's largest library, that adorned the grounds of the Winter Gala, my mind buzzing with questions. Determination hardened overnight with consistent turning and tossing in bed, I now knocked on the only door I knew that was capable of giving me a clue. My father used to say, that the door of a library is always open, even when all the other doors are closed.

The inside of the library had a quaint ambiance. There were huge high-ceilinged shelves all painted in various shades of blue, with books of all kind, old and new, dusty and shiny, thick and thin, good and... Well, all books are good and wonderful. It was, undoubtedly, the most majestic library that I had ever seen, however, it had one thing in common with all the other libraries - the hypnotic musky smell of books.

I had to submit an identification proof to be able to explore this level. After the Head Librarian was convinced that I was of age, as stated on my Corresponders badge, he had branded my arm with a stamp of approval. I looked at the blue glittery mark at the back of my left hand's wrist, which was shaped like an open book with a picture of a cute ice-dragon on its pages. I knew it would vanish as soon as I'd leave the library, but for a fleeting moment, I wished it wouldn't.

The luxurious library was five-storied, each floor exhibiting a different category of books. I climbed one of the small spiral staircases and was exhausted by the time I reached the topmost landing. I looked down, but vertigo got the better of me. I read the huge banner off a wall - 'Ancient Sorcery' - and shushed the rising sense of fear in me.

I needed answers, answers about my unholy powers. No matter how horrible they'd be, I was going to get to the bottom of this conundrum. And the answers resided amongst the pages tinted with black magic.

I meandered a little to the farthest end, pondering over which books would be my best bait. I was aware of the ideology that most of the old historians carried - those who were Born of Two Realms, were nothing but evil - Abomination. And the books here, looked as ancient as the Throne itself.

A high shelf with voluminous archaic books, faced me. Inhaling their scent deeply, I started rummaging through the organized stack of leatherbound books. I put my fingers between each of them, slowly, glancing through the covers, reading the titles.

After searching through a few more rows of shelves, I skipped a beat as my eyes fell on a heavy glit-edged, crimson-black book. History of Marks.

I pulled it out with trembling hands. Walking on light feet, I reached the center of the place, where a huge circular table lay, with ornate chairs around it. I took a seat on one of the chairs, and flipped open the book.

My hands trembled as rampant thoughts ran in my head - what after I get the answers? What after I find out what my Mark was?

Was I ready to accept this? Ready to accept whichever secret power I harbored in my veins?

Gulping, I looked for the word 'Luesha'. I turned page after page, as the normal Marks of all the Houses passed by. A dreadful knot in my stomach screamed - I would never get one like that.

No, mine would be an amalgamation of two Marks.

I stopped suddenly as a crisp old page with verses written in a horrifying font, slipped between my fingers. Marks of Abomination. I felt a chill spread over me as I read it -

I placed a hand on my beating heart. It's an old book, I reminded myself desperately. Since High King Maris had come to rule, the laws were lenient. Lueshas weren't executed. waiting for my thundering heartbeats to return to normal.

I turned to the next page and found an odd Mark looking at me. I tried to decipher which two Houses' symbols it was made up of. But it was twisted weirdly, unrecognizable. I read the inscription below the diagram - Pisces and Aquarius. The combined powers of Water and Air elements.

There was an article, dating five hundred years back, about a seven-year-old girl, whose father had been from Pisces, House of the Winter Realm and mother from Aquarius, House of the Spring Realm. The girl had accidentally summoned a huge tidal wave, when her mother had merely asked her for a pail of water. The tidal wave had been floating around the entire village of Aqros, where they were hiding, for two days straight, creating massive destruction to human life and nature.

I could not read the entire paragraph, as I knew what was about to come. I knew what they did to Lueshas, no matter the age or heritage. The innocent girl, and her parents, were beheaded. Nipped in the bud.

I was unable to lift up my hands, blood draining from them, the fear was creeping in faster. But I needed to know what my own Mark was. The book was supposed to contain all the known Luesha Marks.

I kept turning the old, dusty pages, that now smelled of trepidation. Whenever my eyes fell on the word Earth or Autumn, I stopped. But none of those odd symbols resembled to what I had developed on my right ankle.

I reached the last page and as though my heart had stopped with the realization - My Mark wasn't in there.

I flipped the heavy book open again, searching frantically this time. Maybe I had missed it. Or maybe my symbol wasn't developed fully. Or maybe I needed to find another updated book.

What was I? How can my Mark not be in here? I knew even the Conqueror of the Throne cannot amalgamate their four powers, only Lueshas could. That did make Lueshas dangerous and unnatural.

Before I knew it, I was getting up from my chair, snatching the book of horrible tales. I held it a little far from my body, cringing and walked to the shelf from where I had retrieved it. Again, I commenced my search. A few moments passed in silence. But then I heard sharp frantic footsteps.

I peered from the tiny gap between two books and saw the back of a man. His silken white tunic, radiating with golden embossing on the shoulder. His brown hair awry and movements hurried. He bent down, looking at a lower shelf.

As his face turned to the left, my eyes opened wide. Prince Nova? Why would he be here? I blinked my eyes again out of disbelief. It was definitely him.

He stood up and I ducked down just in time, as he turned to face around. I couldn't understand why I had this sudden impulse to hide but maybe it was for the best. Prince Nova might not want to be found lurking amongst the shelves of dark magic.

From my squatted position, I could see him putting weight on one leg at a time, as though he was nervous. I heard him sigh multiple times as he hunted in the shelf. What kind of book does a Defensor read? But his actions clearly indicated that he wasn't here for leisure reading. He was searching desperately, for something. Maybe like me, he needed some answers too.

He picked out a book from a shelf directly above my head, I stayed still with bated breath. And he walked away from the shelf, out of my sight. I heaved an audible sigh of relief.

There was no need to hide probably. I mused excitedly, should I go say hello? I pressed my hair together, and adjusted my scarf. But just before taking a step forward -

Thumping footsteps echoed suddenly in the silence of the library. Suddenly frozen, I crouched down and walked on my knees to a take a peek at the source of the noise. It was just the prince's guards.

"Your Highness, that's enough." A soldier spoke sharply, rather commanded.

"No." I heard Prince Nova's voice distinctly, "No."

"I said, that's enough. Let's go," the guard spoke again, this time even more haughtily.

A guard speaking to a Prince in that tone! Was I dreaming?

"No," the prince croaked pleadingly this time.

I was suddenly glad that I had decided to stay hidden. Why in the name of Holy Heaven, did I find myself in these situations every other day?

"There will be consequences," another guard said with a snort.

This was too much. No one dared speak with a royal in that manner. What was going on? I peeked through the tiny gap again, were they really Gemyre soldiers or were they in a disguise?

I spotted the flutes and daggers, stuck to their white armors. They did indeed look like Air Guards.

"I don't care," Prince Nova's screech boomed loudly this time and I flinched. Why were the guards ordering him?

"Now, now, prince," placated a guard sarcastically, "Silence in the library, remember?"

I watched a guard take two steps ahead.

"Leave me alone," he screamed. The air in the library suddenly turned chilly and flew violently. A few books collapsed down from the shelves all around me. I put my head in my hands, suddenly scared.

"Orders are orders," said a guard.

"Fine," the prince said defeatedly as he came into picture. He looked tired, all his face vacant of the usual bravado and charm. I felt my stomach churning at the visual.

The guards made way for the prince as he came to stand amidst them. I watched closely as they took their positions around him, his customary entourage. Clarity seeped over me as I kept observing them shifting gears, and putting on their regular act. Prince Nova, rather unwillingly, squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest. He swept a hand over his wayward hair, and adjusted them. A soldier poked his back and they started walking down the stairs, following the now, perfectly groomed Prince Nova.

I was about to get up when I saw a soldier looking around the floor with narrowed eyes. I froze mid-movement. What if he decides to survey the entire area? For a moment, I was worried that he might hear the loud booming of my heart. But I sagged with relief when I saw him walking off.

I collapsed on the floor, not believing my stupid luck. I had unearthed a huge secret of sorts, hadn't I? Prince Nova was not who he seemed.

Why did he fear the guards? Why would the strongest Defensor of all, need to take orders from some mere guards? Who gave the guards the authority to boss a Prince like that? What kind of leverage can anyone hold over Prince Nova?

I pinched the bridge of my nose as I stood up cautiously. Making sure I was alone, I walked to the table back, where apparently Prince Nova had been standing. Wondering whether to go back or stay put for a few moments more, I retreated on the same chair.

Why did this keep happening to me? I had my own problems to look after and didn't need more. At this rate my mind would explode with the ever-increasing pile of questions and mysteries.

I thought about the woman who was taken hostage, about a weird smell that I had gotten from a carriage with black-attired soldiers, about the - my eyes opened wide - about the man on the staircase, King Orlon.

Was this all his doing?

It definitely seemed so. I had heard him clearly, talking about Prince Nova at the royal ball.

I shook my head. No, I don't have time for this. These royals were all crazy. I could just walk away from all these secrets that I had discovered and none would be the wiser. I took a shuddering breath, determined to let go and not be curious. It was easier said than done.

I couldn't help but feel bad for Prince Nova, in the moment. Was this all for the Conquest? For the Throne? But he was straight up winning all his duels.

No, I shouted at myself again. No, more thinking. I needed to focus on my own damned situation.

But my eyes fell on a book lying on the floor.

Did Prince Nova drop this?

I picked it up and was baffled as I read the title - All About Alchemy!