Something dark and shadowed crossed his face for a moment as his grin faded into something more pensive.
The look remained only a moment before it vanished back into his normal smirk, gone so completely she had probably imagined the whole thing. She certainly had never seen such an emotionally intelligent expression on his face before. Benedict, after all, had the emotional depth of a puddle in the Court of Sand.
“You’re right, of course. I wouldn’t miss the Revel for anything.” Benedict spun her again, barely missing another couple that twirled past. When she was back in his arms, he leaned close, so close that his mouth was only inches from her ear and his warm breath stirred her hair. “Perhaps I’ll see you there.”
“Not likely.” Beatrice lurched away from him, putting as much distance between them as she could while still in his arms. She had to resist the urge to stick her tongue out at him the way she’d done when she’d been a child.
For some reason, she also had to resist the temptation to give in to the pleasant chills that had gone down her back at having him so close.
Thankfully, this particular song was reaching its final crescendo. She couldn’t get away from Benedict fast enough.
Chapter Four
Beatrice bounced on her toes, eager to join the group of young, unmarried fae gathering before the doors to the Great Library. She stood with her family in the middle of the bustling Hall of Anywhere Doors while, beyond the double doors on the opposite end leading to the castle, the strains of the ongoing party continued as the merriment became more and more raucous. Anyone with any sense had left long before, including the king and queen.
Meg hugged her before she took a step back, her gaze searching Beatrice’s face. “Are you sure you want to do this? Revels can get…wild. I’m sure this one won’t be as bad as the Revel in the Tanglewood, but it’s still bound to get out of hand. Things involving the fae generally do.”
“I’d feel better if you could take iron along.” Brigid rested a hand on her baby bulge and grimaced.
Taking along iron would mess with the magic of the Revel. Not that Beatrice planned to actually find a mate at this Revel. But she didn’t want to risk that her taking iron would hurt the Revel overall and undo King Theseus’s hard work. If this Revelwas going to replace the Tanglewood Revel, then the inaugural one needed to go off without a problem.
“I’ll be fine. It’s the Library. It won’t hurt me.” Beatrice trusted that truth down to her bones. She wouldn’t have joined the Revel in the Tanglewood. While that enchanted forest was generally benevolent, especially to those with pure motives and possessing a good heart, it was still a far more capricious host than the Great Library.
“That doesn’t guarantee that you won’t be hurt.” Meg shared another look with Basil. “There’s always a chance of a rift opening or that the Court of Revels will take this chance to attack us and break the truce.”
Beatrice resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Meg had a valid point, and it wouldn’t do to sass her, much as Beatrice wanted to.
Basil wrapped an arm around Meg’s shoulders. “King Theseus and Queen Hippolyta have the Great Library well-guarded tonight. If you want to return to the House to rescue Buddy from the children, I’ll stay here until the Revel ends to see that Beatrice gets back safely.”
Beatrice couldn’t help the warmth that filled her chest, even as she crossed her arms in an outward show of annoyance. Basil had been the first person to take her scared, broken family and make them feel safe again. First, he’d gained Meg’s trust, then he’d opened his House to all of them. He’d become the big brother Beatrice hadn’t known she’d needed, back when she’d been a frightened child who had lost both of her parents and the place where she’d grown up.
Still, she couldn’t let him know that his protectiveness was appreciated. She was eighteen years old. It was time she stopped being the baby of the family and asserted herself as an adult.
Besides, he was correct that the Library was well-guarded. Even now, King Theseus and Queen Hippolyta had taken up station near the doors to the Library, both of them armed.Swordmaidens from Queen Hippolyta’s Court strolled around the Hall, and Beatrice had heard that more swordmaidens also patrolled the Library itself.
Munch shifted, glancing from Brigid to the others. “Normally I’d stay, but…”
“Guarding Brigid is more important.” Basil waved from Munch to Brigid.
Now Brigid was the one rolling her eyes. “I’m pregnant, not fragile.”
“But still more vulnerable.” Munch glanced around before he lowered his voice. “It would be just like Claudius to strike at the Wild Fae Primrose tonight with everyone distracted by the Revel.”
“Claudius doesn’t even know who the Wild Fae Primrose is.” Brigid, too, kept her voice down.
“Except that Lord Chauvlyn was just returned to the Court of Revels.” Munch eased a little closer to Brigid. “While he’s kept your secret for his own reasons all these years, he might decide to use that knowledge as a bargaining chip to get back in his king’s good graces. We can’t take any chances.”
“You’re right.” Brigid sighed. “I don’t like it, but you’re right.”
“I am, occasionally.” Munch rested a hand on her lower back with a gentle smile as he, Brigid, and Meg headed for an Anywhere Door.
Beatrice glanced around the emptying Hall. If she didn’t hurry up, she’d miss the Revel. “I need to go if I’m going to join. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Basil nodded, his black hair matching his black Master Librarian coat. “Just be careful. I’ll be waiting for you here once it’s over.”
A part of her was tempted to hug Basil. But she squashed the childish instinct. She was just participating in a Revel. It wasn’tlike she was moving to a whole new island like Sebastian and Viola had a year ago.
Beatrice didn’t bother replying. Instead she merely waved and hurried the last few yards down the Hall to join the cluster of others waiting for the beginning of the Revel. She wormed her way into a spot next to Rosaline, which also conveniently put her on the far side of the group from Tybalt, Borachio, and, most importantly, Benedict.
