Nyssa's Point of View

Chapter 1

Standing at the top of a rolling ladder gave me the perfect view of the magical library below. Dozens of books hung from the great book tree's branches like apples waiting to be plucked. One of them disconnected and flew off, flapping its cover like wings until it nestled onto a bookshelf. The stacks groaned, growing larger to accommodate the new book.

Magical libraries were constantly changing and it was a joy watching them grow. I shelved the last romance novel in my arms, running my hand lovingly over the bookshelf. The wood was warm beneath my fingers, alive with the library's magic. I loved working here, but another library needed me more than this one. Much more.

The very first library I ever visited, the one where I fell in love with reading, was in dire need of repair. It hadn't gotten the story gods' blessing in years and would lose its magic entirely if it missed a few more. The Tales and Tomes Festival was already underway, so I wouldn't have time to renovate the library for this year. But next year? That blessing would be all ours.

I made my way downstairs to help the other librarians with the book sale that would be the start of my library renovation plan. I'd finally been approved for a grant to revitalize my favorite library, but to reopen it, I needed books. Lots of them.

Unfortunately, the grant didn't provide that much money, so my book budget was slim to none. I'd have to get creative with restocking, taking advantage of the closeout sale we'd inevitably do at the end of the day.

I trailed my fingers over an old leatherbound book with gold engravings, casually placing it underneath an end table where nobody would ever look. Books were meant to be read by the public, not gathering dust in a private owner's home.

I kept my eye on the other librarians as I moved around the room, sliding books underneath chairs, benches, tables, or whatever I could find. I'd collect them all later and buy them for the Misty Mountain Library. Nobody could be upset by that.

As I made my way around the sale, I noticed a man watching me with scarlet eyes almost hidden beneath wispy red hair. A faint smile curled his lips, as if I amused him. Guilt coursed through me as I dropped the book in my hands on the table in front of me, talking to a patron as if nothing happened. I wasn't hiding books. Nope. Nothing to see here.

I started actually doing my job and helping people find what they were looking for, but my gaze kept drifting back to the man watching me. Everything about him screamed danger, from the sword strapped to his back to the way his muscled body moved. He was a fighter, trained in battle I assumed from the scars.

So what was he doing at a library book sale? And why was he staring at me with that amused smile on his face? My curiosity drew me closer.

"Hello, can I help you with anything?" I asked, peeking at the book he held. It was old, too faded for me to read the title from this angle.

"I'd like to buy this," he said.

"Let me see." I smiled, reaching for it. It was a book of roughly drawn maps of the minotaur's labyrinth. They all ended abruptly, as if the creators hadn't survived long enough to finish them. Based on the different paper textures and stains, these looked like the originals, not copies. Definitely too rare to let go of. "Are you sure you want this book? The maps aren't even finished." I glanced at his sword again, wondering if he was an adventurer or a bounty hunter maybe. "We have plenty of other dungeon maps."

"This one is fine. Unless there's a problem?"

His eyes sparked, challenging me. Had he seen me hiding books? Or was I imagining things?

"I just think you'd prefer these," I said as I led him to the dungeon map wing. "They're not for sale though, so you'd have to check them out."

"Trying to get me to come back, huh?" His low suggestive tone sent a shiver down my spine.

"Just doing my job." I cleared my throat as I slipped the labyrinth map book back on the shelf, making a note to come back and find it later.

"Do you always do that?" he asked as he moved in front of me, smiling like a wolf smiles at a sheep with that wicked glint in his eye.

"Do what?"

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Deceive people," he whispered as he leaned closer, amusement coloring his voice.

The scent of leather and steel washed over me as he stared me down, his eyes shimmering beautifully.

He took another step closer. "I've been watching you, hiding books under furniture like they don't matter. It made me curious. You're either a terrible librarian or..."

That snapped me out of the moment like a bucket of cold water.

"I am a great librarian," I said, taking a step back. "Tell me what you're looking for and I'll prove it."

"Okay." His grin widened, like he wanted to gobble me up. "I'm part of an adventurer's guild. I'm looking for obscure maps I couldn't find elsewhere."

"Could you be more specific?" I asked.

"Surprise me." He shrugged, drawing my attention to the snug black and red leather jacket he wore. "If you're as good a librarian as you say, I'm sure I'll be impressed."

His jacket was well-worn, but also well-maintained so the scratches and scrapes enhanced the look instead of detracting from it. He seemed practical, like he got the job done. Which meant he probably wouldn't want artistic maps. He'd be using these to actually explore, not just learn about the regions.

I went to the catalog and started searching for a new map somebody had donated a few weeks ago for the floating islands of Aeolia. I'd tried to look up more information about them, but there wasn't much to be found beyond the basics. Floating island, impossible to get to, ruled by the wind god, etc.

There. I snatched the book up, grinning at the beautiful fold-out maps inside. This would impress that cocky adventurer.

"What about this?" I asked, handing the book to him casually as if this wasn't the coolest thing I'd seen in years. "Impressed?"

His eyebrows rose as his eyes fluttered back and forth, examining the map. "More than impressed, nobody's ever been able to map this." He glanced around the library, as if in awe, before his gaze landed back on me. "You really are a good librarian, sorry about earlier. I'll take them all."

"Damn right I'm a good--" I frowned. "You'll take what?"

"All the books you're selling." His grin was dangerous, daring me to say no. "If they're even half as good as this one, I'll be the hero of the guild."

I swallowed hard. I'd been so focused on impressing him, on proving that I was a good librarian, that I'd forgotten my mission of hiding the books. I was supposed to be saving them for the Misty Mountain Library, but now he wanted to buy the entire book sale!

"Are you sure?" I asked. "I don't think you realize how many books that is. It's at least a hundred, maybe two, and they're pricey."

He pulled out a large bag of coins. "I'll take them all."

My eyes drifted from the money to his smug expression, wondering which annoyed me more. To think he'd just come in here and try to buy a whole wing of the library! Who did he think he was?

"You can't just buy the library."

"Isn't that the point of a book sale?" His eyebrow rose as he tilted his head. "Or is there a reason you're deceiving everyone here?"

"I'm not--" I took a deep breath.

The other librarians would be overjoyed if I accepted this adventurer's request. The kind of money he was offering was rare. He was exactly the type of wealthy new donor I could use at the Misty Mountain Library actually...

"Do you even have room for all these?" I asked. "You could donate that money to revive a wonderful library instead. I'd even help you out with any research you needed."

He picked up a book, casually flipping through the pages. "So you'd be like my...personal assistant?"

"Librarian," I snapped. "Do we have a deal or not?"

Right at that moment, a librarian walked over, her eyes wide at the size of that adventurer's money bag. "Did I hear right? That you want to buy everything in the book sale?"

"Absolutely." The man's eyes didn't leave me as he nodded. "This kind librarian was telling me how grateful she was too."

Grateful my ass. What was with this guy? I ground my teeth, holding firm to my librarian training to never yell at a patron. No matter how infuriating they were being.

"That's amazing!" the librarian said. "We'll get everything gathered up for you as soon as we can."

"No problem," he said, "but please make sure you find every book. Even the ones tucked away in hard to reach places."

He winked at me. Actually winked at me. He'd practically told her I'd been hiding things and now he was what? Rubbing it in? I'd be damned if I let him take those books. He whispered something to the librarian, but he kept glancing at me, as if daring me to tell the librarian that I didn't want to sell those books.

I clamped my lips shut, unwilling to give him the satisfaction. He'd toyed with me, watching me to use everything I did against me. His money would help the library though, so I couldn't exactly hate him. Even if it meant it would take longer to reopen my library.

"Today was fun," he said, smiling as he walked away. "We should do it again sometime."

"Wait!" I called out as the librarians started bringing all his books over, stacking them in my arms for some reason. "What about your books?"

He turned back with a soft smile. "They seemed to mean a lot to you, so why don't you hold onto them for me? They're ours now."

"Ours?" I almost dropped the books in shock. "What does that even mean?"

Had he actually bought all these books...for me? Warmth spread through my chest as our eyes met. I couldn't just let him leave now, not without even getting his name.

"At least tell me your name," I said as another book was piled into my arms, "and maybe help me bring these books home?"

Home as in the Misty Mountain Library, but he didn't need to know that yet. A trick for a trick. Plus, maybe he was worth getting to know a bit better.

His grin widened. "My name's Roan and I'd love to help you."

"Are you sure? It's going to be a bit of an adventure getting there," I said, barely containing my own grin. "Unless that's a problem?"

His laugh filled the room, warm and comforting. "I've got all the time in the world, but we should probably borrow a cart."

I nodded, making preparations with the other librarians. My last day here had turned out differently than I'd expected, but was definitely memorable.

Roan sure knew how to win a woman's heart: with piles and piles of books.