Page 62

I wondered if the machine was ever used. It was empty of paper.

I typed my name, the click of each key causing a smile to grow on my face.

My parents would’ve loved to see something like this. They’d both been fond of antiques; our farmhouse decor all heirlooms and broken-down tractor parts that hadn’t been used in decades.

Treasure trinkets are what my mom would call new pieces she’d bring home. I’d called it junk.

As my finger pushed the last letter of my name, the framed painting before me clicked open an inch on the right, startling me, my drink spilling over the rim and onto the floor.

“Shit!” I cursed, swiping my boot across the liquid, praying it would dry quickly, while opening the frame wide to find small shelves filled with more books.

Checking the doorway, I strained my ears for the sound of any movement outside, but I was alone.

Setting down my drink, I grabbed a book at random, my fingers wrapping around a thinly leather-bound cover, with a strap of leather tying it shut.

Opening it quickly, I discovered its contents were handwritten, with dates at the top corner of each entry.

It was a journal, not a book.

I flipped through the pages, unsure of what I was looking for, before carefully tying the leather back up and placing the journal back on its shelf.

I hurriedly flipped through a few more journals, skimming the entries, until one caught my eye:

7117

Induction

The world we once knew has begun the transformative process of dissolution, creating the new continent of Esmerelda alongside The Nine with the hope of unity among the sister Earths. This marks the beginning of alliances across the universe.

T. Malesa

“Find anything interesting?”

I slammed the journal shut, spinning around to find Leo near the fireplace, holding a book in his hand.

“Please, continue.” He smiled mischievously, waving the book. “I just came to swap this out for a new one.” He walked over to a shelf, slowly sliding the book between two others. “You know, you’re the first person to get into my family’s personal journals.”

I laughed feverishly, my body vibrating like a live wire. I’d been caught snooping. “Maybe you shouldn’t have the secret password set as my name, then the journals would be better protected.”

He nodded, considering. “My mistake. I would’ve thought making my password my betrothed’s name a romantic gesture.”

I huffed, trying not to blush. “I prefer flowers.”

He touched his finger to his temple. “Noted.”

I set the journal back and closed the frame. “Am I in trouble, King?” I challenged, my earlier anger back with his presence.

He grabbed a new book, delicately flipping through its pages. “Anything in this castle, even hidden, is at your disposal. No more lies, remember?”

I walked to the door. “I’ll remember that.” But before I could exit, night wind slammed the door shut, barricading me inside the room with him.

“Open the door. Now,” I ordered.

He stalked toward me, his eyes dark and gleaming with stars along the edge of his irises, while black tendrils snaked their way across the floor, pooling at my feet, before wrapping around my legs like ribbons. His shadows hovered just above the material of my pants, cooling the skin beneath.

“Have you thought about my offer?” he whispered, standing before me, so close I could bring my knee into his groin like I’d imagined doing back inside my room.

I searched for the strength to harm him, but my grip on the anger I felt was slipping. Instead, I stood frozen with lust, somehow skipping the remaining stages of grief and landing right at acceptance.