Page 33 of Kissed By Songs of Lilies

"On that table over there," I said, gesturing ten or more shelves away.

With a lazy wave of his hand, a gust of wind rose in the library, whipping my hair around my neck and hovering my stack of books just beside him.

My eyes widened at his casual show of power, but I didn’t say anything. I led the way, and he followed, floating my once-teetering stack of books.

"Are you a visiting academic?" he asked, cocking his head to one side.

I smiled. I wished. What freedom to spend one’s life among the stacks, ensconced in fantastic adventures, whirlwind romances, and, of course, knowledge? "No," I said sadly. "I am Princess Georgia. I-"

"Am betrothed to the king," he finished for me.

I hesitated. I wasn’t sure if it was wise to divulge that to a stranger, but we were inside the castle. Also, Harry had walked me here with no complaints, so I had to assume it was safe, or as safe as anywhere in the fae realm could be.

After a short pause, I confirmed it. "I am."

He bowed formally at the waist. "It’s a pleasure to meet you at last."

"At last?" I asked.

"My apologies. That was a poor introduction." He laughed. "I am called Hawthorne, and I am seated on your betrothed’s council of advisors. My specialty is in court politics, specifically the unseelie."

Hair rose on the back of my neck, and I took a quick step backward. My memory of the Unseelie Queen was all too recent. "The unseelie?" I echoed. "I heard they cannot be governed, that they prefer chaos."

He chuckled again. "You could say that. Though, even the unseelie share common aims."

I crossed my arms over my chest and snapped, "Yes, their aim seems to be to kill me and destroy my kingdom."

He frowned. "I apologize if I’ve offended you, princess. While I am the king’s expert on the unseelie, it does not mean I agree with all of their actions. I am, in fact, part-human myself."

Some of the tension in my shoulders loosened. I was so wound up just being on this island that I was suspicious of everyone and everything on it, even this man who had been nothing but kind to me. "Of course not. I was too quick to judge."

He shook his head. "A natural reaction, especially from someone who has just been dragged into a dangerous new world."

Dragged? Hmm. That was an interesting choice of words for someone on the king’s council. He said he was part-human. I wondered how much time he had spent on the mainland.

He continued to beam that same unrelentingly friendly smile at me. It was a nice juxtaposition from the Fae King’s alternating sour and seductive moods.

"What I do enjoy is a nice sit in the library and a good book," he added, gesturing around.

I met his smile with one of my own. It had been too long since I had an opportunity to discuss something I enjoyed as much as reading. I wondered if he had read any human books. “I do, as well."

"May I?" he asked, picking up the book on the top of my stack.

I nodded. "Please." Maybe, if I was lucky, he’d accidentally drop some critical piece of information in my lap that would help me find my sister. A girl could dream.

"Ah, Runes of Power. An interesting choice."

"Have you read it?" I asked.

"Not in over a decade, but the chapters on summoning were intriguing." He lifted each book in my stack, perusing their titles one by one.

Finally, he looked down at me and cocked his head to one side. "Is there someone you’re seeking, princess?"

I bit my lip, uncertain whether I should confide in this stranger.

Before I could make up my mind, he added, "You may find me particularly helpful as I hear whispers from not just this court but many others, too."

He had hit on my worst fear. What if Briar wasn’t on the island? What if she had been spirited away to some far-flung court? Ones I had only heard the faintest of whispers about. Ones I wasn’t even sure existed. She could be somewhere I would never find her.

---