Page 32 of A Tale of Treachery

“Strange,” he remarked.

“I think it used to be a dungeon. When Redmond took charge of the sanctum, he moved some of the more illicit books down here so they wouldn’t be burned. We’re trusting you by allowing you entrance. Nobody comes down here or is even aware of its existence besides us,” I explained. “Please don’t betray our trust.”

“I won’t,” he promised, shouldering his way around me, his fingertips reverently tracing the spine of each book he passed.

“What are you looking for, exactly? I could probably help.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m searching for an object, and I’m hoping these books will provide some sort of clue.”

He tipped a few books over and read their spines. I shuffled my feet. “What kind of object?”

He continued digging through the shelves, not even glancing my way. “Nothing that should concern you. Giving you information wasn’t a part of the deal.”

I’d nearly forgotten the deal, and at the reminder, lifted the sleeve of my cloak, noting that the tally mark had vanished.

What a relief.

I watched him for a bit, curious as to what he was searching for, but he moved through each book too quickly for me to read the titles. He looked so handsome in the light of the torches, the firelight flickering along his silver hair and golden skin, the blacks of his leathers swallowing the light whole. I could see a bit of silver scrawl peeking out above the collar of his cloak. The tips of his pointed ears were sharp and elongated, and a part of me felt tempted to lick them. He was a mystical thing, moving gracefully between the shelves. I couldn’t help but watch in awe.

What is someone like him doing in a place like this?

I wanted to ask and poke and prod, but my mind was on other things, like the alleged scent seeping from my pores. My skin crawled with discomfort, and I felt the sudden urge to cleanse myself of what had happened the night before.

My joining with Aiden had been a natural progression of my feelings for him, but here and now, it felt wrong. Dirty.

I didn’t know why.

I cleared my throat and backed toward the door. “I’ll be back for you in the morning before the sun rises.”

Ryken’s head whipped around, his gaze narrowing on me and pinning me to the spot. “You’re leaving?”

“I—uh—have something I need to do,” I stuttered, unable to reconcile the sudden urge to take a bath. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

He grunted in acknowledgment, his attention shifting back to the shelves of books as he completely disregarded me.

And I fled, closing the door behind me and locking him inside.

CHAPTER12

Aweek had passed since I’d last seen Aiden, and I was dying to speak with him. Even though I’d always wanted him and dreamed of being with him, some gut feeling kept tugging at me and telling me something was off.

I desperately needed to clear the air and put a name to that feeling.

The night between the two of us had been amazing and everything dreams were made of. He was sweet and kind and caring, but something still bothered me, despite how much I told myself to let go and enjoy what had happened.

The fall season had grown increasingly desolate the past few days, the trees around the palace becoming bare and dull. Dead leaves littered the rolling hills outside the gates and covered the earth. The wind beat against the windows of the workshop, a chill seeping into the space as Redmond and I sat on opposite chairs reading medical texts. We’d settled back into our routine despite the events of the previous week. The only difference in our regimen was the nearly constant string of visits from Ryken. He and Redmond had grown close over the last few days, and it seemed that every time I looked over my shoulder, Ryken was there.

But he was occupied today, fulfilling an assignment from the king, and I had Redmond all to myself.

“Would you care for a cup of tea?” I asked, rising to retrieve the kettle.

I’d already had six cups and didn’t need anymore, but my hands were chilly, and I wanted something warm to hold.

“That would be great,” he answered, not taking his eyes off the page he was reading.

I poured us both a cup and collapsed into my lounger, sipping on the warm liquid. Sweet tranquility shrouded the silence of the room, the taste of the tea earthy on my tongue. I asked Redmond, “What are you reading about?”

“It’s fascinating, really. I’m reading about the moonflower you procured. It’s not deathly toxic in all cases. It can be boiled down into a tea for the user to experience hallucinogenic side effects. It is known to be quite enjoyable recreationally,” he marveled, still deeply absorbed in his reading.

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