Page 38 of Must Love Libraries and Libations
“Nothing,” I said, then turned back to Erasmus, who was grinning at me, his mouth pulled to one side.
“The song is too new,” he said. “The witch would not have known it.”
“And you let me sing it anyway?”
“Yes.”
“Why? For a laugh?”
“Not exactly,” he said, then set down his goblet. “Let me try,” he said, then stepped toward the door. He began to speak in languages I didn’t know. But with his last attempt, I caught several Elvish words.
“Is that?—”
“Bright Sidhe.”
“Have you ever been to Golden Spires?”
He shook his head. “No, but I know the Bright Sidhe language. Gargoyles serve in the libraries there. I always dreamed that, one day, I would be asked to serve in the golden city.”
“So, you can be reassigned? They do that? Call you to go elsewhere? Even after all this time?”
“They can. In fact, my work with the witch’s grimoire is nearly done. After I am finished…” he said, then shrugged, indicating he didn’t know what would come next. But I also noticed that he picked up his wine goblet and hid the expression that had passed briefly across his features. Worry? Uncertainty? I wasn’t sure.
“By now, surely you think of Moonshine Hollow as your home.”
“It will be hard to leave the bookwyrms.”
I nodded, suddenly feeling sorry for how conflicted he must have felt.
Turning our attention back to the door, we attempted every escape method we could think of. I tried complimenting the wine cellar’s décor, thinking flattery might work. Nothing. Erasmus recited old poetry and even tried a few charms known to work only on buildings, but nothing. Spell after spell, we tried everything we could think of, but nothing worked.
“What about the library itself? Can’t it help us?” I asked.
“I think you may have been right before, when you called this place a pocket world. This is her space, not part of the library.”
“Maybe we need to drink more,” I suggested after the latest failed attempt. I refilled both of our cups, the wine making me feel more relaxed, bolder. It also had me noticing Erasmus’s form much more. He was undeniably handsome and so unlike anyone else I’d ever met. Why had I never noticed him before?
Probably, because he never left the library.
“More wine seems unwise,” Erasmus said, picking up his goblet and drinking anyway.
“We’re already trapped. Might as well enjoy ourselves.” I settled onto the stone floor, leaning against the wall. “Come on, sit. My neck hurts from looking up at you.”
Reluctantly, he sat across from me, his long legs folding awkwardly as he swished his tail into his lap. Even sitting, he was imposing, all muscle and dark intensity.
“So,” I said, taking another sip. “You have been in this library with only the bookwyrms for a very long time. Don’t you long for other company?”
“No.”
“When was the last time you had a real conversation with someone? About something other than ancient spells and proper book binding?”
“I speak with the librarians.”
“About work.” I rolled my eyes. “I mean, really talked. About dreams, fears, what makes you laugh, what you want from life.”
He was quiet for so long I thought he wouldn’t answer. Finally, he said, “What would be the point? I am here. My work is here. The world moves on, and I remain the same.”
My heart clenched at the loneliness in his voice. “That’s not true.”
