Page 76 of Legends and Librarians
“I was hoping you’d think that,” he said. “Nobody elseseemed to think it was a good idea.”
I had a feeling his colleagues had told him he was crazy, but now wasn’t the time. Not with how happy Nyssa looked. Would people really enjoy riding inside giant bubbles though? I pictured the apothecary staring disapprovingly at them, but if she didn’t have to get sore walking up the mountain, maybe she really would use them.
“Want to try it out?” Nyssa asked, a teasing note in her voice.
“It can’t possibly be safe.”
Not that I was trying to avoid them or anything. I was just being cautious, that was all.
Oren frowned. “If you’re worried about it popping, there’s no need. These bubbles are so strong I doubt even a sword could pop them. The only thing that worked was applying magic like the device I’m using.”
“Not even a sword, huh?” I asked, resting my hand on the hilt of my magic-absorbing sword as I stared at Nyssa. “Wonder what gave you that idea.”
Her eyes widened. “I swear I didn’t tell him about the bath. I mean, about anything. Just the crystals!”
Right. Just the crystals. I sighed, pulling her close. “If I’m doing this, you’re coming with me.”
“What?” she yelped as Oren surrounded us in a bubble. “Can this even hold two people?”
“Of course, it’s perfectly safe,” he called out as we drifted into the sky about ten feet.
“If you were too scared to go alone,” she said as she leaned into my side, “you could have said so.”
“Maybe I just wanted you all to myself.”
I grinned, wrapping my arms around her as we gazed out at the library’s courtyard through a shimmering bubble film. Nothing in the world compared to the magic and wonder of this library, except for the woman who’d brought it back to life ofcourse.
She kept nudging me to look at things, pointing out the golem’s gardens or the little lending libraries hopping around. It was honestly adorable. I pulled her closer, kissing her temple.
“Let’s go on a date when we have a chance.”
“I’d, um, I’d like that…” Her cheeks grew rosy. “Very much.”
I cupped her face in my hand, staring into those beautiful brown eyes of hers as she held my gaze. I leaned down to kiss her cheek, hearing a tiny gasp escape her lips, before focusing on the scenery again.
“The bubble’s growing on me,” I mumbled.
She snuggled closer, molding into my side like she belonged there. “Me too.”
Chapter 27
Roan
I led Nyssa toward an ancient cave hidden away at the edge of a forest that I’d found on one of my adventures. It had a wonderful hot spring inside and beautiful crystals that I couldn’t wait for her to see. We’d finished all of the library repairs, decorated it beautifully, and were as ready as we could be for the festival.
This trip was a surprise to help her relax, because she had more than earned a day off. Whatever happened tomorrow was going to happen no matter what we did today, so she might as well feel amazing instead of worn out like she was now.
“What if the dragons cause their usual chaos,” she asked, glancing behind us as if the library was somewhere back there, “and destroy all the decorations or something?”
“Jade and Oren won’t let that happen,” I said. “Working hard is a good thing, but so is taking care of yourself. You seem to miss that step sometimes, so please, let me take care of you.”
She worried her lip, glancing between me and the cave. “I appreciate that, but Jade and Oren don’t exactly, well, get along. What if they’re the ones who destroy the library?”
“That’s a good point...,” I said, but stopped when panic filled her eyes. “I’m kidding! They’re both adults. They can handle babysitting the story spirits for a day.” I paused, waiting to see if she’d change her mind, but then sighed. “Okay, if you reallydon’t want to do this, we can go back.”
Her eyes softened. “But you have a whole surprise planned, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but it’ll be just as good another day.” I smiled, taking her hand as a warm breeze drifted out of the cave carrying the scent of minerals and magic.
