“What do we do now?”
“We keep going, baby. We'll find the real killer, then we'll get you out of here.”
“All this time, and we still don't know what this is really about.”
“We've got a pretty good idea. We'll figure the rest out soon enough. Don't worry, Misha. I've got you.”
Konstantin grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. It started tender, then rolled up into passion until he lifted me from my feet and set me on the window seat. I knelt on the cushion before him, at level with him for once, and wrapped my arms around his shoulders to pull him closer.
The cold seeped through the glass behind me, but Kon's heat battled it back, making me nestle even closer. I couldn't seem to get close enough. I wanted to make a home there—his bones and muscles the walls, his hair the ceiling, and his heart the fireplace that warmed me. I'd be safe and happy there forever. But Konstantin eased away and ended the kiss.
His next words made up for that, “I love you, swanling.”
“I love you too.”
Konstantin's smile looked a bit sad for a moment, then it shifted into a smirk. “Now, show me what you took off the body.”
“How did you know?” I gaped at him.
“Those knights may be fools, but I am not. Show me.”
I pulled the scrap of paper out, and we peered at it together.
“Is that a book's call number?” Konstantin asked.
“Yes, I think so,” I whispered. “And it's a 700.”
“Is that relevant?”
“There's something I didn't mention earlier. Andrei asked me to meet him in the Art Archives. The 700 classification means that this is an art book. Whatever Andrei's secret was, it must have something to do with this book.”
“We can't go looking now,” Kon tucked me in against him again as he spoke. “I'll have to wait until tonight.”
“You meanwe'llhave to wait, right?”
“I'm going alone.”
“Kon, you just threw a tantrum because I went to the library alone.”
“You went to meet a suspected murderer. I'm going to secretly take a book, and I am both armed and trained. Once I have it, I'll meet you in our garden.”
“Our nest is still there?”
“Yep.” He grinned. “And after we look over the book together, I'll take you up on your offer.”
“My offer . . . oh!” I smiled back. “Then I'll look forward to tonight. How's midnight sound?”
“Perfect. For now,”—he peered through the drapes before opening them—“let's get some lunch.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Nikolay didn't summon me that night and there was nothing to report, so I was pacing my room when midnight finally arrived. I dressed in my white cloak this time. It wasn't fur, but the wool was warm enough, and I believed it would camouflage me better, despite what Kon said about shadows. Although the storm had passed, snow still blanketed the castle grounds; white had to be the better option. Of course, until I got outside, I'd stand out like a star in the sky.
I crept through the quiet corridors, listening at every corner before rounding it. Most of the court was abed or at least behind closed doors. The Garin's arrival had been a relief to them, as if his mere presence would stop the murders. But now, they knew better, and the court had been catapulted back into fear.
This worked out well for me.
I made it to the garden unseen and crossed it without issue. Even the moon was hiding, tucked away behind thick cloud cover, so the garden was especially dark. Once I was within the trees, I pulled out a light sphere and tapped it three times to activate it. As the globe brightened, I used my air magic to lift it and send it ahead of me, lighting my way to our love nest.
