I exchanged the stack of books in front of Corvin for a few titles I thought might contain relevant information. Maybe he would see something I had previously overlooked. Grabbing a few options for myself, I settled back into my spot and cracked open the first book. We sat like that for quite some time, reading in companionable silence.
A quiet tapping eventually drew my attention from my book.
Corvin was tapping his foot against the wooden floorboards, otherwise lost inside the book in front of him. He fidgeted in his seat, his feet beating a soft percussion. “Are you uncomfortable?” I asked, concerned.
“Hmm? Oh, no, it’s not that. I just hate to be confined. I get on edge when I can’t see the sky. There really should be a few more windows in here.” His displeasure upset me. I loved the study; it was my place of comfort, and for some reason, I wantedhim to like it too. “I’m glad to be here though,” he continued, studying my face.
I gave him a soft smile, appeased, and we lapsed back into our books, continuing to read. I found myself sneaking occasional glimpses at his profile. I liked the intelligent expression on his face as he read; it made him look even more handsome. He ran a large hand through his hair and each mussed strand fell back into place.
He looked up and met my gaze.
Caught in a stare, I hurriedly directed a question at him, hoping to cover my indiscretion. “I’ve been meaning to ask—how is it you were able to hear me talking to the mirror?”
He looked a bit sheepish. “Ahh, yes, well…I have its matching pair at my home.”
“You do?” That seemed improbable. “And where did you say you’re from again?”
“Have you considered phoenix flame?” he suddenly asked, setting his book down in front of himself and shamelessly changing the subject. “I’ve heard their flame is quite powerful. I mean, not nearly as powerful as a phoenix feather. I would love to see what I could do with one of those. It’s a real pity phoenixes don’t ever shed or molt their feathers; even when they regenerate, they just turn to cinders…” He mimed a phoenix bursting into flames with his hands.
I pondered his suggestion despite the deflection. “Thank you for the idea. I’ll definitely consider it further.” Would he refuse to answer another question about the mirror? Unable to resist finding out, I questioned him again. “You just happen to have the same mirror as me?”
“I believe they’ve always shared a connection. I’m not certain why they were separated.”
Another vague response. Did he really not know, or was he withholding information? I scrutinized his face, but it seemedearnest. I had such little experience determining whether people were trustworthy or not, had lived such a sheltered life…
At that moment, the island bell tolled midnight, causing us both to jump in surprise.
“I suppose it’s getting late,” Corvin remarked, stretching his arms, the motion causing his muscles to flex appealingly, before standing up and regarding me. “Anything else I can do for you this evening?” His voice dropped a note lower, a subtle shift, which caused my stomach to do strange things. For some reason, this question seemed to sit in the air between us, in a way all of our earlier conversation had not. I stalled, uncertain how to respond, feeling strangely reluctant to ask him to leave. “Yes. Would you mind moving that chest out of the way? I keep bumping into it accidentally.”
He picked up the chest with a loud grunt, setting it out of the way. “What’s in that thing? It’s heavy.”
I shrugged. “I’m not really sure. It’s always been locked. Thanks for moving it for me.”
“Anything else?” He grinned at me, flourishing an arm in an elaborate bow. “My debt remains.”
His debt.Foolishly, I’d let myself forget the reason he was here in the first place.Right—best not forget why he really came here tonight.He was here out of a sense of obligation, nothing more. I returned his smile, but shook my head. If he was disappointed by my response, he gave no indication.
Corvin trailed a hand over one of the bookshelves. “Can I borrow a book?”
“You have nothing of your own to read?” I asked.
“On the contrary, it feels like all I ever do these days is read. Trapped indoors, preparing… I already have an enormous stack of books Kygraw expects me to get through. Politics, history, decorum. I would love to read something practical for a change.”He slipped a small brown tome from its spot on the shelf. “How about this one?”
I squinted, straining to read its title. “You want to learn how to tie a thousand different sailor’s knots?”
He brandished the book. “Truthfully, not really. I just want you to lend me a book. That way, when I return it to you, you can be reassured of my good character.”
A small surprised laugh tore from my throat. “Alright, but be warned, if you fail to return my book, I will chase you to the ends of this realm to retrieve it.”
A playful, wicked grin curved his lips. “Perhaps I’ll never bring it back then, just to see if you can catch me.”
“And here I thought you were trying to convince me of your good character.”
This time, he was the one who laughed. Tucking the book under his arm, he headed toward the study door. “I’ll be heading out then.” He pointed toward the mirror. “We should be able to converse using the mirror whenever we want. Let me know if you have need of me.”
“Alright, I will,” I replied with a polite nod, looking back down so that I could resume my reading.
“Oh, and Elvira?”
