Page 75 of Myths and Manuscripts
My eyes widened. I’d seen the heroic artwork on the cover once before when the publisher asked Willow for approval, but seeing it again now, in my hands, was an entirely new experience. I ran my fingers over the title, tracing the swoops and arcs of the letters fondly. This was the book we’d madetogether. It was the story of how Willow and I fell in love, even if our love story wasn’t on the page itself.
“It’s amazing.” I cracked the book open, and the smell of new pages washed over me. “You really did it. I know it was hard and I’m so proud of you for sticking with it.”
Willow dipped her head, still smiling. “Thanks for being with me through it all. It made a big difference.”
As we browsed through the book, appreciating all the little pieces of art the publisher added to make it really shine, Nyssa and Oren walked over to take a peek too. They ooohhed and ahhhed over it like I expected them to, but Oren was obviously distracted by a box he held in his hands. It looked like what they stored the library checkout cards in.
“What’s with the box?” I asked.
Oren grinned mischievously. “Oh, just a little something for Willow to test out.”
“If she’s willing,” Nyssa added. “Which I think she will be.”
Willow raised an eyebrow. “Willing to do what?”
Oren opened the box with such a look of delight that I half expected to see gold or jewels inside. But no, it was filled with checkout cards like I thought.
Nyssa pulled one out and wrote the name of Willow’s new book on it before handing it over to her. “We think we’ve figured out a way to stabilize your trips into the book.”
“Misty seems to keep you there until your goal’s finished,” Oren said. “So, if you check the book out and write the return date down, that should count as a finished goal. You’d basically be saying how long you want to be inside. Kind of like a book vacation plan.”
I frowned, staring at the very basic checkout card. “Can a little slip of paper really do all that?”
“Guess we’ll see, won’t we?” Nyssa grinned. “If it works, this library might have a whole new adventure for patrons.”
Willow picked up a pen and signed her name carefully on the first line, adding a return date two days later. She slipped it into her book and glanced over at the great book tree. “Hey, Misty? Mind sending me inside my new book for two days?”
“Me too. There’s no way I’m missing out on this adventure.” I laced my fingers through hers with a smile and she squeezed my hand tight.
The branches on the book tree swayed as if there was a wind blowing through the library and golden light fell from its branches. The advanced copy of Willow’s book glowed too, enveloping us in the comforting library magic I’d grown so accustomed to. I blinked, readjusting my eyes to the castle’s dimmer light. We were back in my bedroom of all places.
“Well, this feels familiar, doesn’t it?” Willow sat on the plush mattress, leaning back with a sigh. “But it’s so much better than the first time. You’re not as grumpy anymore either, so it really must have been the bed the whole time.” She winked. “Think anything’s different since we came in with a new book?”
“Only one way to find out.” I offered her my hand, pulling her up beside me again. I pressed my lips against hers in a quick kiss. “Let’s go outside and see.”
She laughed. “Look at you wanting to go exploring. I remember a time when you couldn’t even open your front door!” She laced her fingers through mine and gave my hand a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re more comfortable now.”
“Me too.”
My days of hiding away in this castle alone were gone for good. I didn’t need to impress anyone or put on a show. I was just me and that was enough.
“Demon Lord!” a far too familiar voice shouted. Leo ran out of the kitchen carrying a plate of pie, crumbs clear on his face. “And Willow too! Welcome back.”
“When did I say you could move in?” I grumbled. “You’rehere more than I am.”
He brushed crumbs off his face with a shy smile. “Uhhhh, Thorne, oh great and mighty Demon Lord, can I move in?”
Willow covered up a laugh that sounded more like a snort. “Oh, come on, let him stay. He’ll take care of the castle while you’re out.”
“I would definitely do that for you.” Leo nodded, leaning closer to whisper. “But don’t tell Dain. He might think I’m stealing his job.”
“I heard that, scoundrel,” Dain called out from the kitchen. “Nobody can take my place. I’m the bodyguard of the Demon Lord’s consort, remember? Not this castle.”
Consort. That’s a word I hadn’t heard in a while, but it settled in my chest with such a rightness that I didn’t even try to correct him. Willow glanced sideways at me, smiling like she thought the same thing. Maybe we should have a talk sometime when all these people weren’t crowding us. Discuss the finer points of the bond...
“So, is that a yes?” Leo asked, his eyes big like Cerbie’s when he wanted me to throw his ball.
I sighed. “Oh fine. You can both officially move in.”
