Page 60 of Jilted By Jack Frost

God, I sound like such a nerd right now.

Alana grabs another tart before following us. “Is everything in here made of ice?”

“Not everything.” I trail my fingers along the smooth white walls as we walk. “Though Jack does have a flair for the dramatic when it comes to interior design.”

Jack’s shoulder brushes mine. “I prefer to think of it as maintaining aesthetic consistency.”

“See what I have to deal with?” I roll my eyes at Alana. “He talks like he swallowed a thesaurus.”

The massive library doors swing open at Jack’s gesture, revealing towering shelves that stretch up into shadows. Sunlight streams through stained glass windows, casting rainbow patterns across ancient tomes and scrolls.

Alana’s mouth falls open. “Holy shit. This makes the Library of Congress look like a magazine rack.”

“Many of these texts are the only surviving copies in any realm.” Jack’s voice carries that note of pride I’ve come to recognize.

I catch him watching me as I show my favorite reading nook to Alana—a window seat lined with furs and cushions. His expression softens when our eyes meet, and warmth blooms in my chest despite the perpetual winter chill.

“Violet practically lives in here.” Jack’s formal posture relaxes slightly. “I often find her asleep surrounded by medical texts and histories.”

“That tracks.” Alana examines a shelf of glowing manuscripts. “She used to fall asleep in the hospital library during breaks.”

“I did not!”

“You drooled on three different medical journals.”

My cheeks heat. “Those books were boring. These are actually interesting.”

These books feel different under my fingers, almost alive with their own energy.

I trace the spine of an ancient healing tome, watching the silver script shimmer at my touch. “At least these books respond when I read them. Sometimes they even glow.”

Alana leans closer to examine the text. “Wait, are those words actually moving?”

“Living knowledge.” Jack’s voice carries that teacher-tone he gets when sharing his realm’s mysteries. “The texts adapt to show what the reader needs to learn.”

“That would have made nursing school so much easier.” Alana reaches for the book, then hesitates. “Can I...?”

I nod. “It’s safe. They only bite if you try to steal them.”

“She’s joking.” Jack’s cool fingers brush my shoulder. “Mostly.”

Alana carefully opens the book, gasping as the pages illuminate with diagrams of human anatomy overlaid with flowing lines of magical energy.

“This is incredible! Is this how you see patients now?”

“Something like that.” I peer over her shoulder at the familiar patterns. “It’s helped me understand how mortal and magical healing can work together. See those golden threads? That’s life force - what we’d call vital signs in medical terms.”

“Your understanding of both worlds has already improved our healing practices considerably.” Jack’s praise warms me more than I’d like to admit.

“I just wish I’d known about this sooner. Think of all the patients we could have helped.”

Alana’s expression grows serious. “Speaking of patients...” She closes the book gently. “The hospital’s been asking when you’re coming back.”

My stomach twists.I knew this conversation was coming.“I can’t exactly commute between realms for my shifts.”

“You could, though, right?” Alana’s eyes dart to Jack.

“It’s not that simple.”How do I explain that I’m needed here? That I’m finally where I belong?

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