So, this is love.
It didn't take long at all for Kon to bring me over. Less than a minute, but I enjoyed every second of my lover's reward, and when I came, I did so with his name on my lips.
Chapter Thirty
I didn't want to leave Konstantin, but as much as I belonged to him now, I wasn't completely his. Nothing had changed in that respect. So I kissed him, and we left the room with its ruined chaise for some poor housekeeper to wonder over. With one more exchange of loving words, we went in different directions.
It was late by the time I reached my chambers and after all I'd been through that day, I wanted nothing more than to fall into my bed. But as I stepped through the doorway, my boot landed on something that crinkled. I looked down to find a folded note on the floor.
With reluctance, I opened the paper, expecting to find a summons to return to the King's chambers. Then I gasped and looked at the bedside clock. Ten minutes. I had ten minutes before the time that Master Andrei proposed we meet.
I turned and rushed back into the hall. Running on my toes, my boots made barely any sound. Only my breath broke the silence of the late-night corridors. By the time I reached the library, those breaths had gained in volume and urgency.
“Master Andrei?” I panted as I entered the library.
Only a few small lights were on, left to guide any late-working librarians out of the stacks. I headed toward the Art Archives at the back of the room, an area beyond the low lights. It was where Andrei had told me to meet him. Where he'd share some great secret with me.
As I stepped past the main section of the library and into absolute darkness, it occurred to me that this could be a trap. The motion-activated light above me clicked on, the sound making me flinch. I considered turning around and running back to my room, but there was too much at stake. Konstantin's face filled my mind and my freshly formed love for him compelled me forward.
Clack, more lights turned on. Ten more feet. Clack. Then came the click-click of the lights behind me turning off. I turned to see darkness kissing the circle of light that haloed me. My heart sped up but I kept going until I found the brass plaque marked “Art Archives.” A light flicked on as I turned into the aisle.
No one was there.
“Master Andrei?” I called out, this time louder.
The shadows swallowed my words.
I went to the end of the aisle and peered down the corridor that intersected it. No one.
Then, off toward the main area, a light came on.
Clack.
I hurried back toward the other end of the aisle.
Clack. The soft sound of footsteps approached.
Clack. Light shone over the top of the bookshelves.
Clack.
I made it to the end of the aisle and turned the corner, expecting to find Andrei.
There was no one, only an empty circle of light. As I watched, it clicked off. A shiver ran down my spine.
“Master Andrei?”
I squinted into the dark that condensed between me and the low lights of the main area, unable to make out any movement. At the other end of my aisle, the lights started to click off, one after another until the fixture above me went dark. I lifted a hand, waving wildly as my heart raced. The light clicked on just as the one in the corridor went off.
I peered into the darkness once more. What was that line about staring too long into the abyss? A soft sound whispered to me.
Was that a gasp?
“Andrei?” I ventured forward.
Clack, another circle of light appeared. This time, as I passed the aisles, I peered into the shadows. I wanted to call out for Andrei again but my throat had closed up. I just kept moving forward.
Clack, a light came on to my far right, above the corridor at the other end of the aisles and several yards down from me.
