“I’d love that.” Audryn’s eyes beamed.
25
AUDRYN
“How was breakfast?” Draven stopped chopping an onion and looked up. “Did you like the sage I added?”
“It was delicious.” I made my way to the basin and dumped the remaining orange juice from my cup. I used every opportunity to take my tray or dishes to the kitchen to get to know the man better.
“Making anything in particular today?” The aroma of fresh vegetables consumed the air and made my mouth water, though I couldn’t possibly eat another bite.
“Soup,” he said, returning his eyes to the task in front of him. “Would you like to help? It’s King Sutton’s favorite.”
On any other day, I would have dropped everything to gain access to the King’s food, but Ryder promised we’d see my father that afternoon, and I couldn’t possibly pass up the offer.
“I’m going into town today to see my father.” My voice dripped with regret as I walked through the door and waved goodbye. “Next time though, I promise.”
The halls were empty aside from the single guard standing atthe end of each corridor. I stopped at the library door, causing Fisher to almost run into my back.
“Daydreaming?” I hummed. “Or just trying to get close to me?”
“Not funny,” he responded plainly.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, gesturing with a hand and pulling open the door with my other. “I’m going to speak with Vera for a moment. You can stay out here.”
He shook his head.
I groaned and walked inside the enormous, book-filled cavern. Shadows crept at every aisle and corner, reminding me not to be as careless with my words as I had been in the past.
“Good morning, Guard Fisher.” The woman’s voice beckoned from the small desk. “Nice to see you again, Audryn. I hope you’re enjoying the books?”
“Yes, thank you so much.” My eyes wandered around the room. The library was just as impressive as the first time I’d seen it.
“How’s your daughter, Fisher?” The woman asked as she thumbed through a book.
“Good, she’s living with a friend near the western coast. She’s nearly forty now, if you can believe it.” The guard’s voice carried.
I started walking toward the center of the room in hopes I’d find some sort of signage to direct me.
“Wait!” Fisher boomed behind me.
I turned just in time to see the librarian scold the guard. “You’re in a library, lower your voice!” the woman hissed. “And let her roam if she wishes. There’s only one way in and out, no need to follow her about like a watchful beast.”
I raised a brow at my shadow; he bristled but gestured me away with a jerk of his head. The two continued their quiet conversation as I strode away. Finding the closest spiral staircase, I ascended to the second floor.
Bookcases formed the aisles as well as constructed a perimeter around the outer walls. My fingers drifted along the spines as I breathed in the scent of old books, earth and leather entwined in a beautiful dance. I continued forward, turned the corner, and smacked directly into the wide chest of a tanned man.
“King Grave,” I blurted, and dipped into a bow, averting my eyes. The etiquette classes had come in handy. They might’ve been awful, but properly greeting a royal had been hammered into me. Ryder’s scolding at the workshop only solidified them.
“That’s unnecessary,” he grumbled.
I stood and found a book in his hand. “You read?”
His shoulders bounced as he laughed. “Yeah, Audryn. I do, in fact, know how to read. Though your prince might try to convince you otherwise.”
I grabbed the book and flipped through the pages. “You’re reading about … rocks? Stones? Surely, there’s more exciting material out there, especially with at least a million books here.”
“What do you read?” His brow lifted, and he snatched the book back. “What makes your mind sing?”
