Lust and Libraries (Dani’s POV)
I stuck my head out of the room to look around. Oliver tugged on my arm, drawing me back in and pushing the door closed. “The best thing you can do right now is stay out of sight. The castle is blaming you and I really don’t think I should be forced to solve this issue by removing heads in order to keep you safe.”
“You make is sound like you would have to kill them all,” I told him.
Wrapping both arms around me he pulled me close, kissing my forehead before resting his chin atop the crown of my head. “Witnesses,” he said plainly. “They would all have to die to avoid witnesses.” He paused for a moment. “I guess I could let Kat live. She would probably even help.” I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Glad to know that after all the time I invested in finding her you would let her live.”
With a firm grip and gentle handling Oliver turned me in his grasp. He looked down at me with his dark eyes and his jaw set with a determined edge. “I would move mountains and slay all the monsters of the underworld for you Danielle. I love you more than I have anyone or thing I have found in my lifetime.”
My heart skipped a beat and I felt my cheeks glow at the declaration he had just made. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could get the words out he pressed his lips to my own. I melted against him, wanting nothing more than to join with him once more. With increasing need he lifted me from the floor so I could wrap my legs about his waist as he returned me to the bed we had occupied an hour earlier.
We spent the day in bed unaware of the world outside. I felt one pang of guilt for a moment, just before a certain Vampire caught me off guard again and whisked me back to a world of not caring. Not long after dawn there was a rap on the door. The chamber was in complete darkness for Oliver, who was sleeping. I pulled on the first garment I could find and struggled to the door, cursing each time my shin connected with a different piece of furniture. I cracked the door open and looked out.
Vallen stood quietly. His eyes wandered over me and for a brief second a look of pain filled his eyes. He pressed his lids shut and reopened them, regaining his normal composure. “Kat has returned and she needs to speak with you as soon as possible.” I started to turn back to find my clothes, but as I did Vallen cleared his throat, pulling off his coat and holding it up so that I could step into it. “She said as soon as possible. I’m not sure we have time for you to hunt down your clothes right now.”
I slid my arms into his coat, pulling it around me and belting it. On him it hung just below the knee but on me it hovered only an inch above the floor. I looked down, taking in a deep breath. It smelled of masculinity, cloves, and campfire. Taking me by the elbow he rushed me through a series of corridors to a room that sat low in the belly of the castle. For a moment I worried he was taking me to the dungeon, but I relaxed as soon as I saw Kat in what appeared to be a war room.
The door behind us latched with a menacing click that made my stomach turn. She was in deep discussion, pointing to locations on a map. She leaned forward over the table, her arms flexing under the weight of her and her armor. Tallyn and Aiden stood on either side of her also pointing out locations. When she looked up her eyes were intense and almost seemed to glow. “Dani, do you remembered where you entered this realm?”
Her words were to the point. No hello or pleasantries. Each day she sounded more like an Elf. I came to stand beside her and looked at the large map spread across the table. I glanced at the different landmarks, but quickly pointed out a forest just to the west of the castle maybe two days’ ride. Kat took a deep breath. “That’s roughly where I came in as well. The tear in the realm must be there.”
Tallyn clapped and rushed for the door. “I’ll make ready the horses.”
Aiden reached for his belt securing it at his waist but it was Kat who turned to me and finally spoke. “Dani, I know you want to see more action, but can you stay here and work on researching with Justin, Hue, and Young on how to reverse the Pixie spell, should the Pixie be unwilling to help?”
I nodded but stopped for a moment. “Wait, why isn’t Hue going with you?”
“He reads Old Fae and Elven script. He’s more use in the books then on the field at the moment.” She gave my arm an affectionate squeeze and stepped past me. I turned to watch her leave. It was in that moment I saw her and Vallen standing side by side. Their Armor was almost identical. The only difference was the color. I tucked away the piece of knowledge to discuss or research later and made my way towards the library on the second floor of the castle.
When I arrived the men were all pouring over books. Only Young looked up. He waved me over and pointed to a pile of books he had already pulled. “Those specifically have to go with Pixie lore and magic. Think you can start weeding through?” I gave him a quick nod and set to work.
