Page 70 of This Is Not True Love’s Kiss

“Maybe Morton can be sick?” Niamh suggested. “And Lor can show up just in time to tutor Aoife instead.”

Ceri leaned forward, nodding. “Oh, that’s good.”

Niamh smiled. “You know, Wolfe and I have had many of our own . . . sessions . . . in this library. So maybe while they’re in here, we can disappear for a little while. It’ll be quiet, cozy, private.”

Morton popped up at that. “I absolutely do not approve!”

“Oh, hush,” Niamh said.

“I like where this is going.” Ceri tapped her chin. “But how are we going to get Lor to come to the library?”

Castle could help with that, and now it knew exactly what it needed to do.

CHAPTER 37

Lor

Iwas long overdue for a border inspection. I’d missed the last one thanks to Aoife deciding not to come, but I couldn’t delay any longer. Especially now that I knew the brotherhood wanted to re-enslave the Fair Folk—and they had a weapon to do it.

Wolfe and Ambrose should’ve already been there, no doubt waiting for me, which meant I was late. I strode through the foyer and toward the front doors of the castle right when the ground lifted me into the air.

“Castle,” I said, looking around as the walls fell away and the floor kept lifting me higher. “I don’t have time for your schemes. I have somewhere I need to be, and you know that.”

As usual, Castle didn’t listen, continuing to lift me on a pedestal as the walls dropped, the floor lengthening and a maroon runner falling across it. I stood there, tapping my foot and waiting for everything to reform so I knew exactly where I was.

Paintings dropped over the walls, and two doors appeared at the end of the hallway, opening to reveal the familiar pink and purple stained glass windows of the library.

“The library,” I murmured. “Why did you bring me here? I have no business in the library.”

Wind pushed me forward. I strained against it, digging my boots into the rug, but it won out, like it always did, nudging me until I stood before the open doors of the library. My irritation had become a thin thread that was very close to snapping. The border had to be inspected, and Castle should understand that. I was tired of its games and schemes and how my plans were constantly being interrupted by its whims.

I shook my head and turned to go. I’d fight the damn wind until Castle gave up and realized I would not be entering this library. It was stubborn, but I could be stubborn as well.

Right as I moved, a voice floated through the air. “What are you going on about?” Aoife asked, irritation filling her voice. “What do you mean you have to cancel our lesson? What could you possibly have to do?”

“I do have a life outside of tutoring you, you know,” came Morton’s dry response.

“No, you don’t,” Aoife said. “All you do is eat books.”

“Well, I’m . . . not feeling well.”

“Alright then,” Aoife said, a hint of disappointment mixing with the irritation.

Just like that, my border inspection was forgotten. I strode into the library and toward the back where a few tables sat.

There she was: sunlight streaming through the windows and lighting her black hair just right so that it glowed. Her brown skin glittered, and she leaned forward, giving me the perfect view of her cleavage.

“Ah, Your Majesty,” Morton said, and Aoife’s gaze snapped up to meet mine. “Perfect timing. I was just telling Her Majesty that unfortunately I’m not feeling well today and have to cancel our tutoring session. Perhaps you could step in for me?” He lifted his shaggy pink brows.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said right as Aoife said, “No.”

“What’s going on here?” Niamh waddled toward us, holding her belly like she so often did.

I walked to grab her arm and help her into a chair at the table.

“I told them I’m not feeling well,” Morton said. “But they don’t like my plan.” His voice had an edge to it, and Niamh cleared her throat.

“Oh? What’s this plan?”