Page 48 of Queen of the Wicked
She tipped her head higher, gasping when shenoticed the dome ceiling. It displayed a garden of sorts, with red and black flowers blossoming between clumps of greenery. With the crimson sky filtering in through more stained-glass windows, it was as if the garden was brought to life, flourishing beneath the sunlight.
“This is…” Alessia couldn’t even formulate words that would be sufficient to describe it. She looked to Erebos for help, but he seemed just as mesmerized. Not by his surroundings, though. His eyes were trained on her.
Like a child being caught with his hand in the cookie jar, he ripped his gaze from hers to stare at the endless rows of books. “What is it you desire to read? I’ll lead you in the right direction.”
Various females walked amongst the levels, draped in black cloaks and red hoods. Alessia couldn’t make out any of their faces. Some were reading at tables, and others were filing books away, but they all had one thing in common: they noticed the newcomers, instantly rising to curtsy at the royal who had entered the room.
“They work for the archives,” Erebos explained. “The head librarian is around here somewhere. I will introduce you if we happen to run into her.”
“Is this Hell’s version of the Sacred Scripts?”
Erebos arched a brow. “How do you know of the Sacred Scripts?”
“I’m knowledgeable in all things related to Heaven, Erebos. My parents conducted my studies when I was old enough to learn. The Sacred Scripts are where the most treasured books of the history of Heaven lie, including the Book of Life for the righteous. I’m assuming youhouse the Book of Death here in your libraries? From the Book of Jubilees?”
A flicker of emotion passed across his face, but Alessia couldn’t decipher it. “Come,” he said. “I will show you around. If you happen to find something along the way, feel free to take it back to your room.”
They spent the next two hours wandering the different levels of the library, and the entire time, neither spoke. The women in cloaks never whispered a word, so Alessia took that as a silent request for her to remain quiet as well.
Finally, on the top floor, Alessia noticed none of the women in cloaks were around them, so she finally asked, “Do you have books on black magic?”
Erebos stopped abruptly, growing rigid. He turned to face her, his voice dropping incredibly low. “Do not speak those words aloud in here. We don’t carry books on the subject.”
“But how am I supposed to learn to wield it if there aren’t any books to teach me how to use it?”
Erebos gently clasped her wrist, tugging her into a hidden alcove behind one of the bookshelves. “If anyone learns you have this power, Alessia, you will be eagerly sought after by King Bastian and his army. You will be inextremedanger. Do you understand?”
Alessia nodded, breathless from the desperation in his eyes.
“I am going to find a place where it is safe for you to practice, but until then, you must not speak of this to anyone if you wish to keep yourself safe. It is imperative.”
“Okay,” she whispered. “I won’t speak of it again.”
Erebos’s hand landed on her hip, his fingers pressing into the gown. Alessia couldn’t tear her gaze away from his, her eyes dipping to his lips that were so close to hers.
Beingfriendswould be much easier said than done.
Suddenly, light from the nearby window cast a glow onto one of the rows of bookshelves. Alessia eased out of Erebos’s grasp and wandered over to the light, running her fingertips along the titles in place. Many of them carried dust. She wondered how long it had been since anyone had journeyed to the top floor.
“Well, I guess I have my answer,” Alessia mused, grabbing a black book with silver italics. Erebos seemed confused until she flipped it around, dusting it off to show him the title.
Erebos paled. “How…”
The Book of Death lay in her palms, a satisfied grin tugging at her lips. Although she hadn’t read the original Book of Life that was held within the Sacred Scripts, her parents seemed to know it by heart. It held all the rules of the realm of Heaven, telling the story of how the realm came into existence. She assumed the Book of Death had the same, so she clutched it tightly to her chest, vowing to learn everything she could about the realm she currently resided in.
“That title hasn’t been seen in centuries,” he breathed.
“Or just hasn’t beenfoundin centuries since it’s been collecting dust up here.”
Erebos shook his head. “Impossible. I have searchedfor decades trying to locate it. I’ve taken apart this library time and time again. I would have seen it.”
“Guess it’s our lucky day then, huh?”
Erebos remained rooted to the cobblestone as a woman cloaked in red rather than black entered the top level of the library. The woman pushed her hood down to reveal a wrinkled face and a silver braid cascading down her spine. “Your Majesty,” she greeted, lips pursed. “I did not realize we would be graced with your presence today.” Her eyes settled on Alessia, cocking her head to the side. “A strange companion you have brought.”
“Elithe,” Erebos acknowledged, dipping his chin. “This is Alessia Eastwood. She will be a guest of ours for the foreseeable future. Alessia, this is Elithe, the head librarian.”
“You’re missing a part of my title,” Elithe chided.
