Page 24 of Myths and Manuscripts
I swallowed hard. The intensity of his words washed over me, but his reassurance wasn’t quite enough to stop my growing concern. Gran needed me at the apothecary shop. I couldn’t just waste my time here while Misty figured out its magic. I needed to go home!
“Look, I’ve already been here for so long. Can’t you just try and leave with me again? Maybe we need to be holding hands orsomething. The connection could help?”
He frowned. “What do you mean you’ve been here for so long? It’s probably only been a half hour.”
“Half an hour?” I tilted my head. “No, it feels more like half a day. I mean, I explored the castle, got attacked by that soldier, got lost in the Wandering Woods–”
“You went into the Wandering Woods?” His grip on my shoulder tightened. “Are you okay?”
“Cinder made sure I got out safely.”
The little bunny poked her nose out of my bag, reaching up like she wanted to nibble on some of the food the villagers had given us. If more time really was passing here than outside, then maybe it was okay to wait a little bit. Nyssa was very good at her job, so there was no way she’d leave me stuck inside a book for too long.
Even so, I was supposed to be helping Gran prepare for winter, gathering what herbs we could and making fresh batches of cold and fever medicines. Sure, I’d agreed to work on this book, but I hadn’t intended to abandon her entirely like this. Not during our busiest season of the year.
“Did Nyssa seem confident about getting me out of here?” I asked softly.
“Yes.” The word escaped his lips like a promise, a vow that I wouldn’t get trapped here forever. “You’re safe for now. And maybe we can use this time difference to our benefit. If we have more time, we can plan the last book even better.” He winced, pulling away. “If you still want to write it, I mean. I know I’m the one who did this to you. I never meant to put you in danger like this. I just...”
As his voice trailed off, it felt like the temperature in the castle dropped a few degrees. I shivered, hating that this fun adventure suddenly felt more like a nightmare. If I really was stuck here, then I shouldn’t spend my time moping. Granwouldn’t want that. She’d want me to use this opportunity to write the best story I could.
“Let’s make something for dinner and figure out a plan.” I shoved the food I was carrying into his arms, holding Cinder closer for warmth. “And maybe find a fireplace? What’s with this cold air all of the sudden?”
“The castle’s always been drafty.” He started walking again, leading me to what I hoped was a kitchen with a big blazing fireplace. “So you’re really okay with this? You’re not upset with me?”
I shook my head. “What’s to be upset about? It’s not like you or the library did this on purpose. Plus, what other author can say they got to literally go inside their favorite book for ideas? I feel lucky, not angry.” Lucky. I had to believe that. This was a great opportunity for me. I blinked back what felt like tears and scratched behind Cinder’s ears. The bunny cooed, leaning into my hand. “Nobody’s at fault here. I just wish I’d been able to let Gran know. Maybe you can hop out of the book and tell her?”
“I actually did that already.” He stopped to open a door that led into what looked like a kitchen. “Well, I wrote her a note and had Nyssa deliver it.”
“Really?” My chest warmed. He really was a lot nicer than the books portrayed him. “What did you say?”
“That we were working hard on the book and you’d be back in a few days. Not to worry.”
I laughed. “Oh man, she already thinks you’re a shadow daddy, now she’s going to think you’ve seduced me too.”
Which he definitely hadn’t, but he was sure getting close. Sending a message to Gran so she didn’t worry was beyond sweet, but falling in love only opened yourself up to loss and I’d had enough of that already. There was no way I’d fall head over heels for him, no matter how charming his whole grumpy demon thing was.
He was about to set the food on the counter but pulled out a towel and set everything on that instead. “It’s a bit dusty in here. Let me clean up.”
I nodded and carefully placed my bag on the floor so Cinder could hop out. Her little nose twitched as she explored the kitchen, hopping from corner to corner. The Demon Lord moved quickly as he cleaned, shadows whipping all over, removing every speck of dust with the intensity of a general off to war. Soon the kitchen was shining.
Man, I could get used to that, if only he wasn’t staring at Cinder like she was vermin he wanted to toss out with the trash.
“Do you not like bunnies?” I asked while I washed the vegetables in the sink. “I’ve seen you with the dragons in the library and you adore them. So what’s with the look?”
He froze, a faint blush sweeping his ashen cheeks. “I do not adore those flying lizards. They use my horns as a perch. What’s to like about that?”
“Oh, nothing.” I grinned, watching Cinder hop right onto his shoe. “But I think that bunny might like you.”
“Animals always seem to. It’s a demon thing. At least this one led you out of the Wandering Woods, so I guess it can stay here.” He bent down to pat Cinder on the head stiffly, as if he wasn’t used to showing such affection. “As long as it behaves.”
Cinder bowed her head low, then hopped off his shoe and went back to my bag as if she was looking for snacks. Food sounded good, even after trying so many different things in the village. A hot meal and good company could shoo away any chill, sending the nightmare vibe away for good. The tension in the Demon Lord’s shoulders made me think he could use that even more than me.
“So what kind of dinner are you thinking? I could probably make soup with this, or maybe you’d prefer grilled meat?” I frowned. “Actually, I don’t know that much about you. Whatfoods do you like?”
“I’m...not sure.” That pause told me everything as he fumbled trying to peel a carrot with a dagger more suited to throwing than peeling vegetables. “Maybe sweets? Mochi always has good food.”
“Sweets, huh?” That’s the one thing the villagers hadn’t given me anything for, of course. “Well, I’ll see what we can do tomorrow. Maybe we can try lots of food and see what you think of it. Gotta learn more about you somehow.”
