Page 61 of Myths and Manuscripts
Leo and I glanced at each other, not sure how to take that deadpan statement, before we broke out laughing. This was exactly what I wanted for the end of the book, to have these two being ridiculous together and saving the world one mattress at a time. If the humor was good enough, the readers would hopefully overlook any issues they might have with them teaming up and by the time they were done reading it, they’d be too in love with their vibes to care that my plot twist sounded insane.
Or at least, that’s what I was banking on.
I frowned as they picked up the overly large mattress and started carrying it awkwardly through the halls again. “So, why didn’t you just get delivery? I’m sure somebody would have helped the Demon Lord set this up.”
“Oh, they tried.” Leo chuckled. “But it seems likesomebodyis a little self-conscious about his castle. Something about notwanting his people to see how run-down it was, but it looks pretty nice to me.”
The castle really did look nicer than when I’d first come here. I had a feeling that had something to do with Thorne, like his journey was connected to the castle itself somehow. Or maybe his emotions were? That would make sense since Misty was linked to him and not the rest of us. The longer I stayed here, the more questions I had, but now was not the time to think on them.
I rushed forward to tilt the mattress before it took down one of the new sconces on the walls. “Be careful! You almost lit this thing on fire.”
“And that would be such a shame,” Thorne said in a dry voice. “It’s a good thing I purchased two of them.”
“Two? Why would you do that?” I asked.
He paused, shifting around the mattress so he could look me in the eyes. “One’s for you, of course. Did you really think I’d let you keep sleeping on the couch when I had a nice new bed? I want you to feel at home here.”
My breath caught as he suddenly dropped the mattress, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. He was so close, close enough to feel the warmth radiating off him, as his fingers grazed against my cheek.
“Flirt on your own time,” Leo shouted. “I can’t carry this alone!”
The mattress wobbled and started tipping over. I rushed forward to catch it, my face hot again. Thorne had spoken so casually about something that felt huge. He’d bought abedjust forme, and my heart wouldn’t stop racing. He hadn’t assumed I’d be sharing his bed like some other men might think, but he also hadn’t wanted me to be uncomfortable on the couch. He’d given me a place in his home, somewhere I could call mine.
What kind of guy did that?? Just gave the woman he liked aroom in his house like it was nothing.
“Thank you.” I hefted the mattress up to hide my embarrassment.
“Thank the gods,” Leo said. “I bet she’ll be a lot more reliable than you.” He peeked around the mattress at Thorne. “Since I’m helping, do I get a bed too? I’d love a big fluffy one that you can get lost in.”
“Of course you would.” Thorne sighed as he took the mattress from me, our hands brushing against each other. “Fine, if you help me carry hers in too, I’ll get you a bed.”
“Awesome!” Leo picked up the pace, hurrying to Thorne’s bedroom humming a little tune about cozy beds.
I shook my head, laughing as I followed them. Every day here was so ridiculous and wonderful and I owed it all to the Misty Mountain Library.
Chapter 26
Willow
My hands were practically shaking as I rushed to write the big climax of the story. Leo and Thorne had revealed the King’s dark secrets to the world by freeing every demon prisoner in the dungeons, letting them rush into the town so everyone could see their fear. These weren’t monsters to be killed, but people just like them.
When the King saw his subjects turning on him, he used all the magic he’d collected to cast Thorne down, blaming it all on him and his demonic ways. But Thorne wasn’t alone, the hero was by his side wielding Dawnbreaker, fighting magic with magic. The two of them took down the King, showing everyone the power of both sides joined together. In a last ditch move, the King almost killed Leo, so Thorne cut him down with no remorse.
Thorne, blood-soaked and terrifying, declared peace from this moment on and every person in the city cheered, demon and human alike. The Demon Lord had saved the hero by taking out the true villain: the evil King.
A shiver ran through me as I flopped onto my bed, sinking into its cozy mattress with a grin. Everyone loved a good hidden villain revenge story, so I knew the readers would enjoy this ending.
I’d finally gotten past the hardest part of the book!
I hugged the pages to my chest as relief washed over me. This ending was all Thorne had ever wanted since I’d met him. He’d wanted an impressive ending, one where he wasn’t just a foil to the hero, but a real character. I’d managed to give him that and made him a savior to boot! Nobody would ever overlook him again or act like he was just some cookie-cutter bad guy.
He had depth, so much more than I could even show in the book. I turned to my side, glancing at the vase of sunflowers and daisies he’d picked from Gran’s garden for me. The more sucked into my writing I got, the more he’d visited her, and he’d always bring me back something so I wasn’t homesick.
It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for me and this ending was my way of saying thank you. Maybe I should let him read the book now.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes which felt far heavier than they should. The book wasn’t completely done, but he’d been so patient with me the past few weeks, and we hadn’t really gotten to talk much lately. I missed that.
If I brought him the booknow, it would give us a reason to have a conversation. Maybe dinner too...
