“Lord Jonlius and his son Borachio openly conspired with Claudius, both in the capture of members of our Court duringthe war and in the swapping of the imposters for those same members at the end of the war.” King Theseus’s words rang with a hard finality. “Lady Jonlius knew of their treason and condoned it, even if she did not as actively participate.”
A shiver of magic trembled through the Library, sending prickles over Beatrice’s skin. The Library and the Court were preparing to sever all ties to the traitors at the word of their king.
King Theseus drew in a deep breath, and all the building power of the Court coalesced around him. “Hugo Jonlius, you and all of your descendants are hereby stripped of your title and all rights and privileges of nobility that accompany it. You and your family are banished from the Court of Knowledge on pain of death should you return and banned from all use of the Anywhere Doors for the rest of your lives. You will be escorted from here directly to the border with the Court of Revels. May you find mercy there since you will find no more mercy here.”
As the swordmaidens hauled the three prisoners back to their feet, Lord Jonlius resisted for a moment, a curl twisting his mouth. “What about Benedict? He, too, is a member of my family. He should be banished with the rest of us.”
Beatrice clenched her fist. Even now, Benedict’s father tried to get revenge on him by dragging him into banishment with them.
King Theseus met Lord Jonlius’s sneer with a steady look of his own. “I myself heard you declare that Benedict is no longer your son. Thus, he is not a member of your family and will not join you in banishment.” Raising his voice, King Theseus lifted his gaze, as if dismissing Lord Jonlius entirely. “Apprentice Librarian Benedict was instrumental in revealing the traitors, allowing himself to be thought a traitor in order to lull them into giving themselves away. All of you present bear witness to my declaration that Benedict is a loyal and heroic member of theCourt of Knowledge and bears no guilt or blame for the actions of his former family.”
When Beatrice’s gaze found Benedict in the crowd once again, he was standing straighter, his shoulders no longer slumped, and his head held high. At least everyone would know that he hadn’t truly been arrested for treason.
The former lord and lady continued to make vain protests as they were led away, though Borachio just went along in a sullen silence. Something like a sigh of relief swept the room when the double doors shut behind them.
King Theseus’s gaze gentled. “Benedict. Unfortunately, I cannot grant you the title recently held by your father. Doing so would honor one of his descendants, and despite his anger, he would still find satisfaction in that.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.” Benedict bowed toward the king. “I have no wish to hold that title or any title. All I wish to do is serve the Great Library.”
“As you shall, my boy. As you shall.” Head Librarian Marco stepped forward, exchanged a nod with King Theseus, and smiled at the crowd. “Now that the unpleasantness is over, it’s time for my announcements.”
Beatrice caught her breath, a twisting filling her chest. This was it. Not that she would get the soon-to-be-opening assistant librarian position. While a part of her couldn’t help but hope, she would be all right without it. She had her family, and this past month had taught her just how precious family was.
Near her, Basil rocked back on his heels. Meg held his hand in both of hers, looking up at him and murmuring something too low for Beatrice to hear.
“The recent surge in patrons has proved that the Fae Realm is hungry for what the Court of Knowledge provides.” Head Librarian Marco swept a beaming smile over the crowd. “More, having an Assistant Head Librarian working alongside meduring the training period will provide additional opportunities for the Library to expand our offerings. We will need more librarians than ever to work in the Library, search out more knowledge both here in the Fae Realm and even in the Human Realm, and establish additional outpost libraries.”
More librarians than ever sounded promising. Beatrice bounced on her toes. They’d certainly needed far more hands in the past month. All of them had been working at a pace that wasn’t sustainable, and she remembered all too well what it was like to work until she dropped back on their dying farm in the Human Realm.
Head Librarian Marco drew a pair of spectacles from his pocket, perched them on his nose, and produced a piece of paper. “Due to this, the following applicants have been approved as apprentice librarians.” He then proceeded to read off a bunch of names.
Beatrice only half-listened, as she didn’t know anyone who had been hoping to become an apprentice librarian.
Finally, Head Librarian Marco finished with the apprentices. After a pause, as if to let that settle in, he continued, “The following have been promoted to the position of assistant librarian: Benedict, Rosaline, Beatrice…”
He spoke a few more names, but Beatrice couldn’t hear past the buzzing in her ears.
He’d said her name. Hers and Benedict’s. And Rosaline’s, who was also long overdue for the promotion.
Viola squealed and gave Beatrice a hug. Sebastian nodded to her, grinning. Basil and Meg shot her smiles, but Basil still seemed in too much agony of waiting to do more than that.
Even as her family embraced her, Beatrice’s gaze found Benedict’s through the crowd. He mouthed something at her, though she couldn’t understand what he was trying to tell her. But his smile and nod seemed congratulatory.
She gave him a smile and nod in return, though those gestures didn’t seem nearly enough. Not when she really wanted to rush over there to give him a hug.
Or better yet, a kiss.
Would he even want to kiss her again? He’d kissed her that morning, but there had been extenuating circumstances. He’d pushed her away only a few days ago.
Her stomach dropped. It was Midsummer Night. They had no more time for kissing. They had to break the fated mate bond that night.
Did she still want that? But if they didn’t break it, then any choice they had would be taken away.
Beatrice didn’t even hear the names of those who were promoted to master librarian, lost in her family’s celebrations and her whirling thoughts.
“And now, the moment we have all been waiting for.” Head Librarian Marco rested his hand on the bark of the Great Tree behind him. “The Great Library will choose the next head librarian.”
All around them, the Library darkened, the shadows growing deeper and the last rays of the setting sun blocked by the spreading leaves overhead.
