Page 89 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

Bingo growls, and Kitty hisses.

I laugh, silenced only when Aries takes the opportunity to lean in and kiss me too. There’s joy reflected in his gaze, but there’s also relief. I know exactly how he feels.

Walking away from the library, leaving it in such capable hands, feels right.

But I pull away just as Mag does the same.

“Is that a yes?” he asks Blossom.

“I’m the one that asked you,” she fires back.

“In that case, hell yeah,” Mag says. “I’ll run the library with you. Mate.”

Blossom softens, her eyes shining bright. She looks over at me and says, “I guess you’re out of a job.”

I laugh. “I’m only transferring to another kind of public service.”

Aries winks, and I quickly scrawl Blossom and Mag’s names into the book as Head Librarians—together. Magic ripples, and then fresh words appear on the page. “It says to place your palms on the page,” I tell them.

Blossom and Mag step forward, each of them pressing their palms to where I scrawled their names as head librarians. The moment their skin touches the parchment, light flares, and a surge of magic sweeps through the room, swirling around them like a gust of wind.

Like water being emptied from a cup, I feel my bond with the library drain away. Blossom and Mag both gasp, and I know that bond has transferred to them, the magic forming a connection that’s as strong as the one I once had. As the light fades, Blossom and Mag pull their hands back, their eyes wide with awe.

New markings line their arms.

“I can feel it,” Blossom breathes, her voice filled with wonder. “It’s like the library is a part of me now.”

“Same here,” Mag adds, flexing his fingers as if testing the new power coursing through him. “Incredible.”

I glance down at my arm, noticing that the familiar tattoo—the mark of my bond with the library—has vanished, leaving my skin clear. The Athenaeum has chosen its new guardians, and it’s time for me to let go.

My heart pangs as I think of Hoc, but I also know he would want this for me—and for them. Before I can dwell on that thought, the gnomes shuffle forward, looking nervous.

“Uh, Paige?” Ned begins, his voice hesitant. “Do we have to stay here? Or…can we choose where we want to go?”

I smile down at them, affection swelling in my chest. “You can choose, of course. You’ve all earned that right.”

The gnomes exchange glances, and then Zed steps forward, clearing his throat. “We choose Astronia. We like it there. The queen fusses over us, and we get lots of treats except?—”

“Except,” I prompt.

They exchange another glance, and I swear they have a silent conversation with one another. Then, Ned turns back to me and says, “Well, maybe we could visit here once in a while for candy… and, you know, to visit Blossom and Mag.”

I grin. “Of course.”

“Don’t forget pizza,” Blossom adds.

Kitty meows in agreement, swiping a paw playfully at Mag’s leg. The gnomes cheer, their excitement palpable.

Everyone laughs at that.

Then Leo speaks up. He’s been quiet, taking it all in, but now he looks at Bingo, who’s been quietly watching the exchange. “What about you, Bingo? Where do you want to go?” he asks.

Bingo opens his mouth, but the only sound that comes out is a whine. I frown, noting that the hellhound looks even more grumpy and out of sorts than usual.

“Bingo, are you okay?” I ask.

Bingo snarls, but the sound is abruptly cut off as a sudden swirl of magic envelops the hound. The light grows brighter, spinning faster until it’s almost blinding. When it finally fades, we all gasp in shock.

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