Page 42 of Royally Yours

“Wait.” I took a couple steps forward, so I didn’t have to raise my voice. “Are you assigned to me in order to keep me safe, or are you here to keep the kingdom safe from me?”

Mischief twitched at the corner of his mouth, as if to signify that I was smarter than I looked.

“Depends on who you ask.”

I didn’t waste any time. “If I asked the prince?”

“He told me to protect you with my life.” My guard straightened and squared his shoulders. “And I shall.” In one sweeping motion, he brought his arm across his chest and beat his fist against his shoulder.

I wasn’t sure how to respond.

Number one, no one had ever pledged to so much as save my seat on a bus or hold the elevator door for me, let alone give their life for mine.

And two, what on earth was Fitz scared of that would make that sort of promise necessary?

Without words, I started walking again, albeit a little dazed. He fell in step as well, though our pace adjusted to my speed instead of his. “Since we are going to spend some time together, what should I call you?”

“Kabir, milady.”

“And you’re good at all this?” I didn’t mean to doubt him, but I hadn’t been in this position before. “The prince trusts you?”

A faint smile flashed before he nodded. “I’ve been his personal guard since he was born.”

I had so many questions, but at this point, only Fitz could answer them.

“It’s great to meet you, Kabir.” I drew in a deep breath and let it whistle through my teeth. “So, where are we headed?”

My guard warmed a bit. “His Highness told me you have a fondness for literature. I thought you might enjoy a break in the library.” He took the final turn, set his hands to double doors, and pushed them open.

My jaw dropped as I took in the room. Even Belle would have passed out at the sight of it. The Beast had nothing on this. Hand-carved wooden statues, mostly goats, of course, framed in the stacks, only outdone by the accent work of the upper balcony railing, chiseled with intricate filigree work. A roaring fire waited as if someone had known I was coming. Like most other hearths in the palace, the opening stretched at least five feet in both directions, but this one had been built with a bench of stone, ideal for a reader to sit and warm herself for a spell.

I doubted I could spend an entire day in the library and manage to take in even half the beauty. The ceiling alone boasted multiple fresco paintings with the most delicate attention to detail. Michelangelo himself would have cried at the perfection. Rolling hills with maidens, knights fighting for honor, and goats… My gosh, the goats had infiltrated the art. But the most breathtaking sight was the books. The spines, the shelves, the two stories of floor-to-ceiling literature that called for me. And the smell. Was there anything better in the world than the musty, dusty, almost sweet, heady scent of books that had been alive for hundreds of years?

Kabir watched me with knowing pride. “I’ll be outside when you need me, milady. Enjoy.” He gave a slight bow and then exited, pulling the doors closed with a soft click. Even those were carved to perfection and highlighted with gold leaf for good measure. Would there ever be a day that the palace didn’t steal my breath with its absolute splendor?

I made my way toward the books, taking in the layout of the room for the first time. Two couches framed in the center, with an overstuffed chair near the only other door in the room. Through the massive window on the far side, I watched snowflakes drift to the ground as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the sheet of untouched snow. Days were short in Nolcovia. The others would leave soon to return to Winter-Sparra. But I wasn’t in the competition, so there was no reason I couldn’t take the evening off and enjoy a good book by the fire.

I ran my fingers along the spines, greeting them like old friends.

Little Women.

Jane Eyre.

Wuthering Heights.

They had to be first editions.

I pulled a copy of Persuasion from the shelf. The cover cracked as I opened it, strangely satisfying as if it was stretching after a long nap. I took the space in front of the fireplace. The warm stones bled their heat through my jeans. I was like one of the lizards back home, stretched on a rock, soaking in the warmth.

Time slipped by as I read the familiar words. Exhaustion caught up with my jetlagged mind. I stretched across the stones and rested my head against my arm. The book flopped to the side as my muscles relaxed. I would only sleep for a minute. I needed it if I was planning to keep up with the competition later.

I heard a rumor that Fitz had called for a ceremony tonight, and I wouldn’t stay awake unless I got a quick nap. My eyes drooped and my muscles relaxed fully as the heat of the fire comforted me.

Just a minute… then I would get up.

A minute was a lie I told myself. Because, as my mind came to again, the sun had fully set.

“Ahem.” Someone cleared their throat.