Page 22 of Of Rime and Ruin (Sirens of Adria #2)

Chapter twenty

Beast

Sunfish wants kissing books.

I will find them for her.

How hard could it be?

I know a cave full of books.

Scattered, shattered, broken, some of them. But still many books in there.

I squeeze through the opening.

My body is large, and the ice creaks, but I fit.

Inside, pillars of ice. From floor to ceiling high above. Each pillar carved with shelves.

Most empty. Most books have been taken by now.

But not all.

I pick up the first tablet I find.

Tap the stone.

Gently, with my knuckle.

Wait.

The image plays.

No kissing.

I toss it.

The king remembers a book-keeper, from before.

A helpful siren who sat near the entrance. He could find anything, if you asked nicely.

I could use that book-keeper now.

But he is gone, like the rest of them.

He prefers the king, too.

Frustration.

Doubt.

Annoyance.

I tap another tablet.

The image plays.

Still no kissing.

I toss it.

Will Sunfish be angry with me?

The shelves tower high. So many books to sort.

I groan.

But I promised. Sunfish needs these kissing books.

I can’t return with empty claws.

I must bring her many books. My claws will overflow with them.

Then Sunfish will be happy.

Then she will smile.

And then, if I’m lucky, she will show this kissing.

Pucker her lips so I can taste them, like she did for that male in her memory.

I bet she tastes like the sun.

I pick up a book.

Tap.

No kissing.

This could take a while.