“Of course, not.” He couldn’t even joke about that. “But they should have brought the prisoners to you rather than sending you into this hellhole.”
“Now that you mention it, that would have made a lot more sense.” She paused, then added, “But then I wouldn’t have met you.”
“That is probably true,” he admitted with a derisive laugh. “No one would ever believe there is a chance I could be innocent.”
“But you are,” she said with conviction. “And I will figure out a way to prove it.”
Chapter Eight
The library wasvastly different from what Lana imagined it would be. She had expected it to be a musty, dark room with a few pieces of old furniture and some torn and tattered books thrown on dusty shelves. A place disregarded by those within the prison, and neglected without care.
What it actually turned out to be was far more than a forgotten archive.
The library was a hidden sanctuary, untouched by time and breathtaking in its quiet grandeur. An entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glowing lake beyond. The shimmering radiance coming from the water spilled through the glass, bathing the room in a soft blue glow that made every polished surface gleam. The play of light and shadows made the room come alive, transforming the vast chamber into an enchanted paradise.
Rows of towering bookcases stretched into the darkness. The wooden frames were carved with intricate silver vines and faded runes that protected what was on each of the shelves. The bookcases held a remarkable collection of knowledge. Delicate scrolls were piled beside massive tomes with spines bent and cracked from use. Leather-bound journals with fragile pages rested comfortably alongside glossy hardcovers and modern paperbacks, creating an unexpected blend of ancient and modern wisdom.
Several long wooden tables occupied the center of the room, each surrounded by high-backed chairs. A more intimate sitting area was furnished with leather armchairs and an oversized sofa centered around a stone fireplace that currently sat empty and devoid of flames.
High overhead was a vaulted ceiling supported by heavy timber beams. Crystal lanterns hung from silver chains, each containing a pulsing sphere of pale magical light that had sparked to life the moment they had entered the room. The captured starlight added contrast to the cool blue illumination streaming in through the wall of windows.
“This is where I usually spend most of my time,” Mordecai admitted.
“I can see why. It’s beautiful,” Lana said softly.
“You’re beautiful.” The words seemed torn from him unintentionally, and he looked decidedly uncomfortable once he realized he’d spoken out loud. “Take a seat. There are some drinks and food stored in the back if you—”
He started to let go of her hand, but she held tight, refusing to let go. She took a step closer to him, invading his personal space. His otherwise stoic expression never changed, yet she could somehow tell that he was pleased with her boldness.
Holding his hand felt like a lifeline to her, and she didn’t want to lose that connection between them. She didn’t want to let go. Not for a single second.
“Don’t let go,” she whispered.
“I won’t. Ever.”
Reaching out, he stroked a hand down her long braid. When he reached the end, he wrapped it loosely around his fist and gave the gentlest tug, slowly tilting her head back until her gaze met his. This time, there was no surprise. No stolen moment. This time, she knew the kiss was coming. He gave her every opportunity to pull away, gave her ample time to protest.
She never did.
Protesting was the last thing she wanted. Instead, she leaned into him, and her breath caught as the space between them disappeared. Anticipation fluttered through her, warm and intoxicating, making her pulse race.
A faint smile curved his lips before he closed the final inch between them. His mouth brushed against hers with exquisite tenderness, lingering just long enough to make her crave more before the kiss deepened. It was slow, unhurried, and filled with everything neither of them had found the words to say.
Lana melted against him without hesitation, returning the kiss with equal devotion. She thought she was ready, but this kiss was just as overwhelming as the first had been. In fact, it was even more devastating to her senses since she knew exactly what to expect. And yet, it still exceeded her expectations in every way.
Mordecai reluctantly broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers as he panted for breath. Each ragged inhale took extreme effort. The temptation to close the distance and claim her mouth again was almost unbearable, but he fought for the willpower to control himself.
His hands wrapped around her arms, fingers tightening and loosening in restless pulses, betraying the battle raging inside of him. He wasn’t holding her there to keep her from leaving. He was holding on because, if he let go, he wasn’t entirely sure he’d be able to stop himself from kissing her again.
His gaze searched hers, looking for some sign of discomfort or wariness. He felt like he was balanced on the edge of a precipice, one step away from surrendering completely. Every instinct urged him to take that final step, to stop fighting what he felt.
But he wouldn't.
Not without giving her the chance to decide if she wanted to follow him.
His gaze dropped down to her mouth as her tongue peeked out to stroke over her lower lip. He was barely aware of the growl of need that rumbled through his chest as he watched her. Hewasn’t sure if she was deliberately trying to kill him or if her actions were simply innately seductive.
Either way, he was completely mesmerized by her.
