I fell fast asleep.
The following day, Thea took me to the library. It was two stories tall with a vaulted ceiling painted a deep midnight blue and dotted with silver stars. Tall windows lined one wall with tinted glass in soft shades of amber and rose that filtered the dying sunlight into warm pools across the stone floor. The view showcased the snow-covered mountains beyond the castle, and as Thea had promised, the sunset would be stunning. I could already imagine the peaks looking as if they’d caught fire in the golden glow.
This place was gorgeous. I could live here and die happy. Who needed King Grouchy Butt? Not me. That was for sure.
The walls were filled with bookshelves holding heavy leatherbound and cloth-covered books throughout. Rollingladders on brass tracks provided access to the higher shelves, and scattered throughout the space were reading nooks. There were two alcoves tucked between shelves, each with a large window seat, and six deep armchairs were positioned in the center of the room around a glass-enclosed firepit.
For all my best intentions, though, I couldn’t stop thinking of Kai. He made everything more difficult just by existing. Maybe I was capable of murder after all.
Each day, Thea checked in on me regularly to make sure I ate, and she took me around to meet the other occupants of the castle. I enjoyed my conversations with her and Ashren, and she always seemed to know just how long to stay before I needed time alone. She had an uncanny knack for pulling out books of interest and sharing stories that made it feel as if we’d known each other for ages. And, every day, she gave me at least one update on Kai and what he was doing, even though I pretended I didn’t care. Because, you know, I didn’t.
After four days, she informed me he was returning from Silver City. “He’ll probably be here after the third bell past midnight,” she said from the doorway. “I think he’s eager to return. Perhaps he wishes to talk with a certain someone.”
“Well, good for him. I’m sure they won’t be available.” I forced a neutral expression as I sat in the window seat with a large book about portals and their magic, trying not to buy into her shenanigans. I knew what she was up to. She couldn’t fool me.
I debated telling her what I’d done with the panties but decided against it. That truth would come out soon enough, and Kai couldn’t blame anyone but me.
“Of course. I’m sure you’ll find something in the next eight hours to occupy yourself with.” Thea grinned and stepped away, pulling the door shut behind her.
A moment later, the door clicked open again. Damn, she was persistent. I’d give her that.
I kept my gaze fastened on the page, studying a diagram that looked like something out of a biochemistry class I’d failed. I didn’t understand it, but I wasn’t even going to act semi-interested in Kai's return. “Still not going to be available, Thea.”
“Not even for a little chat? I heard you were asking about me,” a friendly, familiar voice said.
My head snapped up. “Olen!” I shoved the book aside and climbed to my feet.
He stood in the doorway, his red-brown curls tousled and his brow furrowed, though he was smiling. He wore a heavy black cloak and simple black garb underneath, but his smile was as warm as it had been when he’d told me about his brother and his perspective on following the law.
“Hannah.” He crossed the library in four long strides and held out his hands. There was a dark bottle in one and two cups in the other. He set them on the small table near the window seat. “It seems you’re not a prisoner anymore.”
“Well, at least for now. There’s always tomorrow.” I hugged him. His cloak was damp, as if he’d just been outside, even though there was no snow on him. I rolled my eyes. “We came to anarrangement.”
“I’m glad. I’ve been worried for you.” He hugged me tight, then stepped back with his hands gripping my shoulders. “I didn’t know you’d been asking after me, or I’d have stopped in sooner. But repairs on the wall and managing other damage have occupied most of my time. We had to rebuild some of the towers to the south, as well as one of the outposts.”
“They said you were busy, and you did lose your house.” I wouldn’t have been surprised if he blamed me for that since Kai had followed me to him and the berserker wyvern had followed Kai. “Do you have somewhere to stay?”
“Yeah. That’s all sorted… more or less.” His lips trembled slightly, and the lines in his brow deepened. He stepped back to the table. “It’s all working out as well as it can, though with the war and all…times are hard.” He uncorked the bottle and poured the dark liquid into the wooden cups. “But we didn’t get to finish our drink last time, and I thought we should at least do that.”
“You came all this way to share a drink?” I laughed and pushed the book to the center of the window seat. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I was just…it meant something that you asked after me. And I wanted to make sure you were all right.” He set the bottle down and handed me the cup. “Between all that and dealing with the royals, let’s say I haven’t had much rest. In times like these, we do what we must.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I know all about those royals.” I glanced at the drink, and an odd sort of twinge passed through me. My thumb brushed the rim of the dark wood. Something was off. “Are you all right? I mean…I know you lost your home, but…other than that?”
He shook his head, then raked a hand through his hair. A wry laugh escaped his lips. “Well, the house situation hasn’t helped. A lot of memories were lost in the destruction, but it wasn’t your fault. And…I’m aware that the king is not pleased with my actions, just as I’m aware I have you and his half-brother to thank for not being imprisoned or worse. But, all things considered, I’m well. Though I doubt you’ll see me much after this.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s a dickwad.”
His mouth twisted, and he shook his head. “Can’t say I know what that means, but you’re probably right.” He lifted the cup. “To the end of the war.”
I would at least enjoy this moment with my friend while I had time left. I lifted mine as well. “To the end of the war.” I downed the drink, and a burn settled deep in my chest.
“Well, sometimes we need a little kick.” I swallowed hard, the burn settling into a deep haze. Clearing my throat, I set the cup down on the table, my hand heavier and clumsier than it should have been. The warmth from the brandy spread through my chest and into my limbs, but it wasn't the pleasant buzz I expected. Maybe drinking an unknown liquid in a fae land wasn’t the best idea. "That's... that's strong stuff."
“Blackthorn brandy.” He filled both our glasses again, chuckling. His expression looked pained, though. “Aged twelve years.” His thumb pressed harder against the rim. “Kicks like a caribou.”
My legs wobbled, and I grabbed the window seat to steady myself. The burn seemed to be spreading throughout my body.
