Page 7

SILIA

“G ood morning, Your Highness.”

I groan as Hila’s voice echoes through my room. I uncover my eyes to look up at her. She gives me that glance like she knows what I’m up to but would rather not find out the details.

“Good morning, Hila. How was your evening?” I rise from the floor, make my way to the vanity, and start pinning my hair up into a high bun, not waiting for Hila to do it.

She stands behind me in the mirror and puts her hands on my shoulders, then gives me a light pat. “Not as eventful as yours, surely.”

I conjure up a glare as she continues, “But I have drawn you a bath so you can wake up, and I left a new tonic for you to try. It should help you…” She eyes me up and down in the mirror, “recover.”

I roll my eyes, finish securing my hair, and thank her for starting my bath. I most definitely need one after last night, although a part of me feels like I would be washing away a memory I never want to forget.

I wait for Hila to leave my room, and then I go to the bathroom to undress and check to see if Lars left any marks behind. He was gentle enough last night, but I bruise extremely easily, and I want to make sure I can hide any suspicious marks. I slide the tunic off and toss it on the floor. My hand glides over my brand as I turn to look at it in the mirror.

“Shit,” I breathe out a curse. The journal! I totally forgot about the journal.

I glance over to the bath, debating on whether I have time for this little luxury before I start my day.

I face the mirror again to look at myself. I shrug my shoulders and smile at my reflection. “Fuck it. Journals don’t just walk away.”

As I simmer in the bath, I take a look at the tonic bottle Hila left behind. Turmeric , Cinnamon , and Ginger are written in bold letters on the label, and in smaller print underneath, it says anti-inflammatory. I set the bottle back down on the stool next to the bath, reveling in the warmth. I sink further and further into the heated water until my chin is just below the surface.

The moment I close my eyes, I hear a loud thud on the wall to my right.

“ Silia .”

My eyes open at the recognition of that voice. Lars’s bathroom shares a wall with my own. His voice is so loud, it sounds like he is speaking directly into my head.

“ Fuck, Silia .”

I sink further into the bath at the realization of what Lars could be doing. The thought of him touching himself has my body aching, and I ponder the consequences of sneaking back into his room.

Concluding I may start something I don’t know if I can finish if I go over there, I let myself relax once again in the warm water. I smile to myself as I close my eyes and continue my bath. Maybe that’s why he’d kicked me out of his room.

I creak open the door to the library, hoping Vex is still here to answer my questions. I look over to the front desk and notice it’s unoccupied. I sigh in frustration as I enter the room and quietly close the door behind me.

I stride to the back corner of the library where Lars and I had been last night and pull off the pillow I left the book under. To my surprise, it’s not there. Before I panic, I rip off the rest of the pillows in hopes it had gotten misplaced. Still, I come up empty-handed.

I continue tearing apart the couch, throwing all the cushions behind me, until it’s left bare and without any hiding spots left. Anxiety settles rock-hard in my gut.

The journal is gone.

Oh, Gods, did Vex take it back? Did I lose it?

I draw in a few deep breaths as I try to center my mind. If I were a mysterious journal that looks a thousand years old and is banned from the library, where would I be?

An image of Lars’s bed pops into my mind.

“Ugh, really? Focus!” I scold my brain for going directly back to the events of this morning. My subconscious isn’t even trying to keep itself hidden anymore.

“ Here .” A ghostly voice enters my mind, and the hairs on the back of my neck stick straight up.

“Silia?”

I open my eyes to find Lars standing just a few feet in front of me.

I bring a hand to my chest as my heart rate doubles its speed. “Gods, Lars. Don’t you know not to sneak up on someone when they’re deep in thought?”

He shrugs his shoulders as he awkwardly averts my gaze. “Sorry, I was just making sure you were ready for breakfast.” His eyes pan down to the mess of cushions and pillows on the floor, and he raises his eyebrows. “Redecorating?”

“Did you see a journal here last night?” I ignore his sarcastic question and scan his face for any hint of recognition.

“A journal? I don’t believe I did. I was a little…preoccupied.” His eyes glide up my body and meet my gaze again.

I clear my throat and scratch the back of my neck. “Right, of course. Well, if you see one, let me know.”

Lars takes a step closer to me, and my palms begin to sweat. “Is there a title to this journal?”

“No.”

Another step towards me. “What does it look like?”

Everything in my body is yelling at me not to trust him with this information.

“I—I don’t remember.”

Step.

“How can I help you if you don’t let me?” His face is mere inches from mine, and I get an overwhelming feeling to run.

“Hello?” A voice sounds from the entrance of the library, and my shoulders sag in relief at the interruption.

“Over here!” I shout back, and I take three long strides away from Lars. His eyes soften in what looks to be like hurt, but he quickly masks it with indifference.

Rein comes sauntering over from behind the maze of bookshelves. “There you are— Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His expression dims a shade as his eyes land on Lars.

“Not at all. I was just making sure Silia was ready for training today.” Lars looks my way for a split second, then to the ground as he speeds for the library exit.

Rein keeps his eyes on Lars until he is out of sight, then walks over to me.

“Do I even want to know?” Rein grimaces, throwing a cushion back on the couch so he can sit.

I roll my eyes and pick up a pillow, raising my arm to throw it directly at his face. Rein ducks just before it connects, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Okay, I won’t ask!”

We laugh as he gets up off the couch and holds his arm out for me. “Breakfast? I believe you owe me a new apple.”

He sends me a smirk, and I lightly smack his arm. I wish I didn’t feel too embarrassed to tell Rein what happened last night. We tell each other almost everything, but admitting this to him feels like a line I don’t want to cross just yet.

Despite my feelings, I link my arm with Rein’s and smile up to him. “Lead the way, captain!”

As we weave in and out of the bookshelves, a sudden feeling of anger overtakes me, and I feel ten degrees hotter. Luckily, Rein doesn’t notice my change in demeanor or body temperature, so I try and busy my mind until the feeling passes. Why do I feel like chucking Rein across the library all of a sudden?

As we approach the exit door, I spot Lars leaning against the frame, arms crossed and staring daggers at where Rein and I’s arms are touching. I swear I see flames dance in his eyes, and my skin starts to feel scorching hot. I quickly pull away from Rein and rub the sore spot in the crook of my arm. What the Hel was that?

Lars moves his gaze to Rein and then quickly to me as a small smirk appears on his face. Rein opens his mouth to say something, but as soon as he does, Lars pushes off the door frame and exits the library, letting the large door swing shut with an echoing bang.

Rein and I exchange quizzical glances as we re-connect arms and trail after Lars.

As I exit the library, I swear I can smell burning flesh.