No prickles.
A wide grin stretches across my lips, warmth blooming in my chest. I rise from the table, tugging Mayah up alongside me. “Excuse us. I have plans today with my wife.”
We’ve nearly escaped when Faramir calls, “What about the council meeting?”
“Fill me in later.”
“…and this is the library.” I swing the door open, guiding Mayah inside. We’ve already visited the solarium, stables, and councilchambers, but I think her sharp mind will especially appreciate our collection of books.
When Mayah’s lips part as she surveys the massive space, the towering bookshelves and rolling ladders, I know I’m right.
“Like it?” I ask, pitching my voice low. I haven’t missed the furious blush that paints her cheeks at the sound of my sleep-roughened voice.
“It’s just—I mean, we have books in Tundrayn, but nothing likethis. Can I bring some back to our room?”
Our room.
Something warm and fierce wells in my chest. I’m caught in the trance of her eyes. I think I nod, but I can’t be entirely certain. With her arm tucked in the crook of mine, we walk through the aisles.
“Of Love and Ruin, hmmm?” My lips curve into a sly grin when she pulls the romantic tale from a shelf. “Let me know if you want to discuss. Or reenact.” I wink at her, and she huffs, cheeks flushing prettily, before punching my arm.
One aisle over, she selects a thick tome about Arbinj’s history. I frown, casting her an inquisitive glance. It’s a far cry from the other books she’s selected.
“I like to learn,” she explains with a shrug.
My sharp girl. Of course she’ll want to learn about her new home—at least, I hope she’ll come to think of it as home. With me.
And it’ll be good for her to read the history from our side—who knows what false, embellished tales or downright lies they teach in Tundrayn.
“I think that’s enough for now,” Mayah says, eyeing the stack of books in my arms. We head toward the door, dust motes drifting in our wake. My steps falter as we pass a familiar aisle.
“What?” Mayah asks, following my gaze.
Hands clamped over my mouth, I swallow down a giggle.
“Vayru?” Mother calls. “Where have you gone?”
She’ll never find me under the bed. I even piled pillows in front, so she won’t see me.
“Where could my darling Vayru be?” she says, her voice closer. “Come out now! I’ll read you a passage from Faerahzar.”
I swallow hard. “Nothing. I, uh, just remembered a book. My mother used to read it to me.”
The pillows tumble to the side. I gasp when Mother’s face comes into view. “Vayru,” she chides, but she can’t hide the smile on her face. “Going to make me come after you? All right then, little one.” She reaches for me, fingers tickling my ribs until I’m gasping for air.
When I finally crawl out, she brushes a kiss to my forehead. “Blergh.” She sticks out her tongue at me. “You’re all covered in dust! Go wash up, and then we’ll read. Quickly, now!”
“Show me,” Mayah murmurs, tugging me down the aisle.
My shoulders are stiff as I set down the stack of books and retrieveFaerahzarfrom a high shelf—Mother needed a ladder. The hem of her gown would brush my shoulders as I held it steady for her, not realizing it was attached to the shelf. She never told me otherwise, content to let me believe I was protecting her from harm.
Not that I protected her when she needed it.
A vise constricts my lungs as I run a reverent finger over the title.Faerahzar the Great and Other Children’s Tales.
How many times had Mother done exactly this? My finger comes back with a thick coating of dust.
I swallow past the tightness in my throat, but it doesn’t ease.
