Page 53 of Dance of Nothing

“I was just thinking about that.” She smiled up at him. “I so desperately wanted to stomp on your foot because I was annoyed with how handsome you were.”

“Were? Don’t you think me handsome now?” He spun her outward before spinning her back into his arms, tucking her against his chest.

“Yes.” There was no point denying it when her blush gave her away so thoroughly. “But it’s different now. I also know you’re heroic. You’re loyal. You’re kind. You’re so much more than the empty handsome face I thought you were then.”

His smile lit his face, the expression softer rather than teasing. “And you are everything I knew you were even back then. Beautiful, yes. But smart. Determined. Protective of your family.”

She felt her cheeks heat with a blush as the two of them swept across the dance floor.

A month ago, she never would have imagined how much she’d love to be held by this man. He’d once been her nemesis, yet along the way, he’d come to know her deeper than anyone else did.

And this was only the beginning.

Epilogue

Beatrice hurried through her morning routine—petting her glass dog, eating breakfast, dodging the dirt the grumpy House showered on her head when she shut a door too briskly.

She had the House nearly all to herself now. After becoming the Assistant Head Librarian, Basil had been given a tower in the Library itself to live in with his family.

It was strange how empty and lonely the House felt, considering acquiring her own House had been a big motivation to becoming an assistant librarian. But at least it wouldn’t be this empty forever.

Benedict had been granted a House a few doors down. It was a perfectly acceptable, placid House, but they had both agreed that when the time came and they tied the knot, he would move to her House. It was cantankerous, but it was home and should stay in the family.

As Beatrice crammed in bites of breakfast, Buddy stuck his head over the lower half of the stable door, blinking sleepily at her. “What’s the rush this morning?”

“I’m just eager to get to the Library.” Beatrice spoke around her bite of egg.

“Eager to see a certain fellow assistant librarian, more like.” Buddy snorted and shook his mane.

She couldn’t exactly deny it. “And where are you off to today?”

“I’m going to visit Viola and Sebastian.” Buddy gave a slight shake, as if in preparation for soaking up the sun. “I’m due for a good trot in the surf.”

“When you come back all salt-crusted and sandy, don’t complain to me.” Grabbing a piece of pink toast, Beatrice chomped large bites as she crossed the room to give Buddy a few scratches on his favorite itchy spot on his neck.

While Buddy still stayed in the stable attached to the House, he meandered between spending time with Basil, Meg, and their children, checking on Munch, Brigid, and their daughter, and visiting Viola and Sebastian on their island. He was a rather busy talking pony companion, but he seemed quite happy.

Stuffing the last bite of her breakfast toast in her mouth, Beatrice flung the outer door open.

Benedict stood on the stoop, his hand raised for a knock. At the sight of her, he grinned. “In a rush, I see.”

She swallowed the bite before smiling back. “Who, me? Never.”

“Are you sure?” He gave her that teasing grin, his eyebrows lifted. “You aren’t rushing to see me?”

“If I am in a rush, then it’s because I’m eager to spend another day helping patrons in the best, most wonderful Library in all the realms.” Beatrice’s smile widened.

“Of course. That’s it.” Benedict held out his arm. “Shall we?”

Taking his arm, she smiled at their matching green librarian coats. They did, after all, look very good in green. Together, thetwo of them strolled toward the Library, a shining white beacon on the hill.