Page 36 of A Bond So Deadly

“Impressive?”

“I was going to say creepy, but sure, let’s go with that.”

Smiling, I lead on and Shade follows behind me. When we’re beyond the opening, my illusion moves back into place, sealing us in.

Shade yelps as it grows darker again. “So are you going to tell me where you’re taking me yet? This had better not be another dungeon.”

My lips quirk up. “If it were a prison, I would gladly be confined here.”

My mate runs her hand along the wall as we make our way down. “Not me. Have I mentioned that I’m not the best with small spaces?” She shudders, her eyes becoming haunted, and I take her free hand, guiding her down the stone steps.

“Don’t worry. It opens up soon,” I reassure her, my shadows moving around her protectively.

We descend for a little while longer before moving onto a dark landing. At our presence, more torches flare to life, and Shade’s appreciative gasp sounds in my ears as a cavernous room is revealed. As though they’re appearing from the shadows, rows and rows of bookshelves come into view. They line the walls from floor to ceiling, with extra shelves branching off further into the space.

“Holy crap,” Shade squeaks, her brows practically hitting her hairline. “I think I just came a little.”

I laugh and press my hand into the small of her back as I guide her forward. “I thought you might appreciate this.”

“Appreciate it? It’s like I’ve just stepped into a book lover’s fantasy.” She walks further into the room, moving past one of the many seating areas that has a selection of plush couches and armchairs. “There must be thousands of books in here.”

“Tens of thousands,” I correct her.

She makes her way to the closest shelf and reads the sticker on the spine. “State Library of…Landercast,” she mutters, then whips her head toward me. “Galen! Are these stolen library books?”

The look of horror on her face makes me smile. Strolling to the closest shelf, I run my fingers along a few of the spines. “I’ve only collected books that were about to be thrown away from overuse, or in some cases, burned. I guess you could say I gave them a new chance at life.”

That seems to appease her, and she moves forward inspecting more of the titles. She pauses with her finger on a book that has golden foiling on the spine. “But they all look like they’re in such great condition.”

“Yes. The ones in need of extra care have been restored.”

She blinks at me. “Wait. So you’re saying you’ve been collecting used books and… restoring them?” She’s gone from staring at me like I was the devil to regarding me as though I’m an angel instead.

“That’s correct.” Smiling, I turn and lead her toward my work area set up further in the room. She hurries to catch up to me, and her jaw goes slack when we come to my long wooden workbench. A thick hardcover is still held in the clamps, the edges half painted and showing an emerging dragon flying above snow-capped mountains. “I hadn’t wanted to spoil the surprise, but the paint was wet, and I didn’t dare move it.”

“What surprise?”

“This is your latest gift, treasure.” I motion toward the hardcover. “In progress.”

She moves closer, staring at the book like it’s an ancient artifact and she’s afraid to touch it.

“It will be lovely when it’s finished. I promise.”

She shakes her head. “It’s already gorgeous. You’re so talented.”

I dip my head humbly, enjoying the way she appreciates the painting of the dragon, its tail curling down the edges. The dragon’s violet scales are dull in comparison to the glittering mountains, but I’ll be finishing them when I get the time. “In this case, I’d say it’s mostly practice rather than talent. We all had to find our hobbies over time at the academy. I suppose this is mine. Though, I will admit there’s been a lot more…color since you came along.”

A smile lights up her eyes. “Galen, I love it.” She grows contemplative then. “You know, none of you have told me who you were before coming here.”

I shrug my shoulders. “That’s because our human lives were such a small existence in comparison to what we have experienced since then.”

“But who you were as a human would have completely shaped who you are now?” she counters.

I think on that. “It has been a long time since I’ve bothered thinking about my life before coming to this place. Memories of my life in the human realm have become hazy, but I suppose you’re right.”

“If you were chosen by Lady Fate to become one of the originals, you must have been someone important in the human realm. Let me guess, you were a king or something?”

I laugh, letting my shadows skitter along her skin. “That depends on who you ask.”