Page 25 of The Lost Empress

“What is this place?” Gen marveled at the Great Library, turning in a full circle, taking it all in.

The king stifled another yawn. “It’s where all the books that have ever been written are kept. When a book is created, a copy of it is magically placed into the Great Library. When it is edited or altered, then more copies are added to the collection.”

“Wow, this is incredible.” Gen took a sip of the wine, her mouth puckering from the sweetness.

“Yeah, I guess,” King Rudolf muttered, taking the wine bottle from her. “I guess I was just sentenced to too many years working here or protecting the location to really appreciate it anymore.”

“Protecting it?” Gen asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

He nodded. “Only a select few can gain entry to the Great Library. You have to be invited, know someone who has access, like me, or find a Fierce, the protectors of the place. It’s complicated and has become even more restricted over the centuries due to numerous break-ins.”

“Why all the security?” Gen questioned. “Shouldn’t the Great Library belong to everyone?”

King Rudolf guzzled for a long moment from the wine bottle, drinking an impressive amount in seconds before handing it back to Gen. “Oh, no. Knowledge is power, making this incredibly dangerous. There are books on how to conjure demons or time travel or brew the strongest potions in the world. Unfortunately, those who would like to abuse this knowledge are the ones who would seek it out. Therefore, this isn’t a place that welcomes visitors as much as it protects its prisoners, the many, many books you see around you. They are meant to be protected from the world by not being allowed out or for just anyone to access.”

“That actually, strangely makes sense,” Gen said, trying to take a drink as impressive as King Rudolf had. Based on the look he gave her, she’d managed to do that. “Sorry if I drank all your wine.” Gen handed him back an empty wine bottle, glad that it tasted a whole lot better in this time period than in the medieval one.

He chuckled, sliding the empty bottle onto a neighboring shelf, like he’d done at Spellbound Pages Bookshop. “Don’t be silly. That’s why I have an endless supply.” King Rudolf snapped his fingers, making another bottle appear in his hand. “I’m just glad to find someone who will actually drink with me. Sherlock says it fogs his ability to think, but it does the opposite for me. The other Beaufonts, well, they are afraid I’ll get them in trouble if I get them drunk.”

Gen laughed too. “I’m from the 15th century. My blood doesn’t get diluted so easily.”

“I’m from that century too,” he said with a wink. “We’re made of the same stuff then.”

Gen caught sight of a figure that strode out from between a set of shelves down the main aisle, roughly twenty yards away. He was wearing a long, blue silk robe and sporting a dark beard. “Oh, who is that? Someone invited to visit the Great Library?”

King Rudolf shoved the full wine bottle into Gen’s hands and backed away at once. “No, that’s the Great Librarian, Paul. Tell him I said hi.”

“Where are you going?” Gen asked, watching as the king turned and ran in the opposite direction.

“I’ve got to go,” he called over his shoulder. “But if Paul asks, tell him that I didn’t know I could make it rain in the adventure section of the library. I was just hot from spending the day on a boat filled with pirates.”

“You were reading a book…” Gen guessed.

“Yes, but reading feels real,” King Rudolf said, hurrying in the other direction. “It’s like a strange magic that tricks the mind. Anyway, tell the Great Librarian I’m sorry and I just paid him back.”

“How?” Gen asked, blinking at the retreating fae.

He turned. Pointed at her. And smiled. “I brought him you. He’s going to be thrilled.”

Then the king of the fae waved. “See you on the next adventure, Gen. Call me anytime you need me. No murder necessary, but that always makes it more interesting.”

“Bye, King Sweetwater,” she said, through a laugh, watching as he opened a portal and slipped through just before Paul, the Great Librarian, caught up with her.

“Hey, King Rudolf!” the man called, brandishing a fist in the air as the portal closed. He halted, giving Gen an exasperated expression. “That man! He causes me so many headaches. And who are you?”

Gen gave the Great Librarian a sly grin as she took a drink from the wine bottle. “Apparently, your payment…”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

THE GREAT LIBRARY’S GRACEFUL GUARDIAN

The Great Library, Timbuktu, Mali, Africa

“Y-Y-You’re Genevieve Beaufont?” Paul, the Great Librarian stuttered, his eyes wide and his face suddenly pale, like he was seeing a ghost. He probably thought that he was.

Gen sighed, realizing it was never going to get easier, explaining the truth to those who deserved to know who she truly was. “I am. I’m the real Genevieve Beaufont, but not the one you probably know from the history books. You should call me Gen.”

“I know my history books better than anyone.” He blinked at her in obvious confusion. “So you’re not William Beaufont’s daughter, the first warrior for the House of Fourteen and a Founder?”

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