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I finish reading the last of my notes before acknowledging him. Setting the book and pencil down on my bed, I stride over to the bars. Hiram takes a step back, out of my reach. He obviously hasn’t forgotten me breaking his nose after I arrived.
“You can call me Theo, Hiram,” I say, stretching my hand through the bars. Hiram stares at it as if trying to assess if it’s some sort of trick.
“Well, Theo, the queen has sent me to ask if you’d like to join everyone in the library for story time,” he remains at a distance and doesn’t shake my hand, so I pull it back.
“You have a library?” I ask.
Will this place ever cease to amaze me?
“One of the best in all of Omnia,” he answers, and my heart flutters at the prospect of new information to devour.
“Yes, I’d like to go, then,” I say, unable to conceal the eagerness in my voice.
Hiram waves a hand, instructing me to step back, and I do. It seems I’m not the only one slow to trust around here.
Hiram opens the cell and motions for me to join him in the hallway. I follow him through the onyx stone halls of The Keep until we reach a large archway.
I step through the threshold and freeze at the sight. Rows and rows of bookcases span the massive space. Books as far as my eyes can see. This is easily the largest library in all of Omnia. Like so many of the things I’ve seen here, it puts Lux’s to shame.
Walking over to the shelves, I run a finger along the spines. There’s a mix of old and new books with varying shades of leather. A worn brown leather book sits next to a vibrant-purple one.
The scent of old parchment warms my soul, bringing me back to my roots. I smile as sweet memories of days spent with Lily flipping through the pages of our favorite fairy tales flood my mind.She would have loved this.
“Finding anything you like?” the sultry voice of the queen asks from the other side of the bookcase. I bend slightly to see her watching me through small spaces between the books. The moment her green eyes meet mine, I grasp the wooden shelf to keep myself from stumbling backward. It always feels like she’s looking directly at my soul.
Her stare leaves mine as she walks along the bookcase to step before my row. I track her movement, and my breath catches when she’s in view. My gaze slowly travels up her body.
Her fitted, black trousers show off her expertly toned legs. I notice that she’s not wearing her dagger tonight. A long-sleeved, emerald shirt makes her look like a forest on a fresh spring day. The sight is far too appealing.
“You don’t seem to have many choices. Glad I brought something with me,” I joke as I scan the expansive library.
“We have books to satisfy any taste. Everything from your dry battle strategy books,” she replies, taking a step toward me, “to the filthiest novels in all of Omnia.” She stops an inch away.
Her sweet rose scent causes my heart to momentarily forget its rhythm.
“Which would you like, Captain? Choose wisely,” she says, and her voice sounds like seduction.
Gods, this woman is going to be the death of me.
Our eyes lock, and we’re focused on one another for a long moment. The air between us is charged. Heat coils through my body as I battle to keep my emotions in check. Today, I feel like I’m going to lose the battle.
“We’re ready for you, my queen,” Hiram calls from behind her.
She breaks our eye contact but pauses on my lips for a heartbeat before turning on her heels. A chill rolls down my spine and everything in me screams to reach out and grab her.
I step out from the bookcases and, seeming to sense my movement, the queen glances over her shoulder. She points to a high-back, crimson chair near the center of the library. It sits next to a small table with a matching chair on the opposite side.
Walking over, I stare down at the queen, who stares right back. Even after I’ve passed, I can feel her eyes trailing down my body. I take a seat in the assigned chair, and she gives me an approving nod, as if pleased I’ve done what I was told.
The little girl from the dining hall, Grace, hands the queen a book bound in deep-red leather. The queen takes it with a beaming smile that seems to brighten the library.
Grace walks to the table beside me and sets down a worn yellow book. With a soft grin, she scurries back to her spot on the floor among the other children. It looks like everyone from The Keep is at the library tonight. The room is overflowing, and all eyes are on the queen.
I listen intently as the queen dramatically tells the first story about the lore of the end bringer. It’s a realm-old tale about a mortal created and favored by the gods. The one gifted with powers strong enough to bring an end to all we know and love.
Rarely looking at the book in her hand, she acts out the story with such ferocity it truly brings it to life. I vaguely remember it from my childhood, only bits and pieces sound familiar. There’s something about hearing the legend here in this kingdom, being told by a hidden queen, that gives the story a new life.
After the queen finishes, the children ask curious questions, wanting to know more about the end bringer. The adults do their best to answer, but some things only make sense to the gods.
