Page 92 of Not Another Happily Ever After

Myrrdin blows out a long exhale. “Hard is certainly a word one could use to describe it.”

“Explain.” I lean forward, rapt with interest.

“Don’t.” Frog fixes Myrrdin with a warning look.

Myrrdin meets it head-on. “I suppose you’d like to tell her then?”

“Tell me what?” I ask, turning to Frog expectantly.

The Dark Knight freezes.

“I,” he stutters, his eyes widening for the briefest moment before dropping to the floor. “There’s somewhere else I need to be.” He pushes to his feet.

“Wait…you’re leaving?” I ask, my brows knitting as I watch him retreat. “Where?”

His eyes soften. “Wolfe never returned from his hunting trip. I’m going to speak with his family,” he says. “I’ll be back soon.”

“At least eat your—” I turn to grab the Dark Knight’s broth, only to find Myrrdin already tipping the bowl back, half-way through his first gulp. “Food.”

Myrrdin shrugs, and by the time I turn back around, Frog is gone, disappearing into the sea of dancers outside.

Does that man ever eat?I wonder, sinking back into my chair as I absently twirl the long tail of my ribbon around my finger.

“Well then…” I sigh, worrying at the ribbon’s frayed edges as I lean forward. “How about that lesson in pounding?”

Hot broth spews from Myrrdin’s nose, sending him into a coughing fit.

“Oh god!” I jerk back, narrowly avoiding the spray. “What is it with you men and baking?”

Myrrdin fixes me with a weary look, broth still dripping from his nose. With a long-suffering sigh, he stands.

“Would you mind holding onto that extra pack? Looks like it got left behind in everyone’s rush to get out of here,” he huffs, grabbing the other two packs and tossing a few coins onto the table before heading for the door.

“Oh, sure,” I hurry after him. “Where are we going?”

“To the one place that’ll have the answers you’re looking for.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “The library.”

Chapter

30

He believes I chose the crown over brotherhood.

If only he knew…

I chose her.

I will always choose her.

The library is a massive house that, by all accounts, shouldn’t be standing. My head tilts from side to side as my eyes struggle to make sense of the gravity defying, off-center levels.

“It almost looks like…a pile of books,” I breathe in wonder.

“If you think that’s neat, wait until you get inside.” Myrrdin beams as he jogs up the colorful steps toward the keyhole-shaped door.

“How peculiar,” I mutter, smiling for what feels like the first time in days.

“You have no idea,” he laughs, stepping aside to let me enter.