“I wasna lying, you ken.”
I heave a deep breath. “About what?” A divot forms between my brows.
“Ye are the love of my life. Mating bond or no.”
His words ease some of my lingering anxiety, and I nod, cupping his face.
“You are mine.” I raise my head, struggling to pull him closer.
He doesn’t lean forward, even with my persistent tugs. “Why do I feel like those words aren’t enough?”
I shake my head, a frown pulls down my lips. “They are. Now kiss me.”
He gives me a knowing look as he leans down, pressing his lips to my neck and then up my cheek. “I’ll prove it to ye.”
Iwake alone. A note on the bedside table informs me that Lachlan has gone out to join the rebuilding efforts. Needing to fulfill my own desire to help, I head towards the library, a small smile on my face thanks to the events of last night.
Gran’s death hangs like fog in the morning, but Lachlan became the sun last night and burned it all away. I cling to that light now as I push the door open and waltz inside before jerking to a stop.
Books as far as the eyes can see.
The library is full again. My eyes widen at the fully stocked shelves. Spines of every color, from vibrant reds and greens to pastel purples and blues, all lined up neatly. Large glittering spines tucked beside ancient leather tomes.
So much history, so much knowledge.
My heart thumps erratically in my chest and the grief that has clouded around me lightens like fog burning up as the sun rises.
I smile to myself as I walk through the stacks, trailing my hands across their spines.
“We’re running out of time,” Odr grumbles. His voice drifts to me from far away.
I pause, straining my ears to hear.
“They’re not ready yet. If we force them into action now, we’ll be destroyed,” Freya responds.
Force who into action?Us?
“But we know the Fomorians have them. The mists are evidence of that.” Odr’s voice becomes sharper. “You saw the prophecy on the table.It has to be her.”
“Enough,” Freya hisses. “If we launch into battle now, it will be for naught. She needs to become stronger. You’ve seen her. She’s barely hanging on right now.”
She? Are they talking about me?
I pad silently to the end of the row to get a better vantage point. But the train of my lilac gown finds the spine of a book and rips it from the stacks. I lunge, catching it before it slams to the ground.
Thank the gods.
“We don’t even know the full prophecy,” she continues speaking to Odr.
My brows raise.Am I successfully eavesdropping right now?
“I’m sure the sorceress will figure it out eventually, but we know enough.”
They fall silent. The sounds of books thudding onto the table and pages ruffling reach my ears.
So Odr, Freya, and Luna believe this prophecy is about me?Interesting. I’ll have to ask Luna more about this later.
I grab the end of my dress in my hand and trill a greeting, like I totally haven’t been here the whole time.
