Page 39 of Legends and Librarians
A fluffy stack of pancakes was waiting for us, warm and melty with chocolate chips. Nyssa plated a few for both of us.
“I hope you like pancakes,” she said.
The smell of maple syrup and melted butter washed over me as I sat down. “You made these? I didn’t know you could cook.”
Or that there was a kitchen here. Mochi had been providingmost of our meals since we got to the library, so it hadn’t really come up.
She smiled softly. “Yes, I can cook. But this is the only breakfast food I’m good at.”
And she made them for me. I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face as I took my first bite. Hold on...
“Are there apples inside?”
She nodded. “Little pieces of apple give pancakes a nice texture, don’t they? It’s how my mom taught me to make them.”
I took another bite, practically groaning over how delicious the apples were. What a thoughtful addition. It felt like she was sharing part of her past with me too. Working out, playing with Cerbie, and then having a wonderful meal with Nyssa was how I wanted to spend every morning.
Wait.
Every morning? Had I really gotten that comfortable here?
I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth, watching the syrup drip down. This was supposed to be a short visit where I helped repair the library and had some fun, but now I had routines and...feelings.
Sleeping in the same bed as Nyssa definitely wasn’t helping. I’d only been doing it to keep her safe, but each night we moved a litttttle bit closer and I’d wake up feeling like I must still be dreaming. There was no other explanation for me suddenly playing house with a beautiful woman like her.
It was all a bitunsettling. I was used to being on my own. It made me happy to travel, to see the world, finding new people and completing missions.
Staying in one place for too long just didn’t work for me. So what was I still doing here?
“Everything okay?” Nyssa asked. “Don’t tell me I burned them or something?”
I shoved the pancakes in my mouth, shaking my head. Whatcould I even say to her to begin to explain what I was feeling?
I’d used our bet as an excuse to stay here for a while, but that was wearing thin. The story spirits obviously weren’t dangerous creatures and the guild would see that if I talked to Master Carmine about it. Jade would probably argue, but I’d find a way to deal with her somehow.
Because even if Nyssa did appreciate me being here, it was probably just because she needed help repairing the library, which anyone could have helped with really. I’d just been here at the right time. She needed me, but that didn’t mean shewantedme.
I had to end this, for both our sakes. Once we fixed up the library, it was time to move on. “Nyssa—”
“Hey!” Oren shouted, hurrying over with a big goofy grin on his face. “The book tree has new buds.”
“New buds?” Nyssa jumped up, racing after him to inspect the tree. “Roan, come look at this!”
My jaw clenched with words left unsaid, but I finished my last bite of pancakes before following her. The book tree looked greener than before with half a dozen buds on it, and Nyssa’s smile was so bright it was hard to look at.
“What’s up with you?” Oren asked. “Trouble sleeping?”
“Just tired, yeah,” I lied. I actually hadn’t slept this well in years. It was like Nyssa was a sleep sorceress or something, pulling me into a cozy dreamland every night. I had to escape before it was too late.
“The book tree’s really healing!” Nyssa let out a breath and rested her forehead against the tree’s bark. “The library’s going to be okay.”
Which meant there was really no reason left for me to stay. The roof was solid, the new windows were all in, and the golem was even slowly straightening the floorboards. If I could just convince the guild that the missions I’d taken weren’t necessary,then this library would be all set.
I gently touched the tree’s bark, only inches from Nyssa’s cheek. My gut twisted as I felt the magic thrumming through it, weak but definitely growing stronger. There was nothing left for me to do here.
Leaving would be best for both of us, sowhy was I having such a hard time telling her that? I never hesitated when it was time to go back out on the road. I loved new adventures and all the new places I’d get to see. People needed my help, so I couldn’t just stay in one place and let my skills go to waste.
But something about this just felt wrong.
