Chapter 10 - Willow #3
“You think I’m evil so I can protect them?” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “That’s an interesting idea and it would give me something to fight the hero over...”
“Yeah, great, now what’s with the heat in this castle?” I stood up, holding my hands over the stove that only had a little warmth remaining. “Isn’t there a single room that’s warm?”
He chuckled and his shadows dissipated like they were never there. “Come, let’s find you a blanket.”
“Do you actually have one of those?” I picked up Cinder along with my bag. “Feels a bit too cozy for a big bad Demon Lord, don’t you think?”
A small smile tugged at his lips. “Even big bad Demon Lords need to warm up sometimes.”
“Careful, you’re starting to sound like me.” I laughed, following him into the hallway. “I should probably find somewhere to sleep too since I’m going to be here for a while.”
“You can use my room. It’s the best in the castle.”
“Your room, huh?” I looped my arm through his, leaning into him a bit. “Well my, my. I didn’t think we’d be moving that quickly.”
“I will sleep elsewhere, of course.” He tried to glare at me, but the little half smile ruined the vibe. “Just take the room or sleep outside.”
“The grass outside might be softer.” I gave him a sideways glance and laughed. “I’m kidding. I’ll be fine anywhere as long as you’ve got blankets. Thank you.”
He stopped so fast I bumped into him. Cinder whimpered, sticking her head out of my bag with a glare.
“Sorry.” I pet the bunny until her gaze softened. Then I walked around to look at the Demon Lord. “What’s up with the sudden freezing? You could warn me, you know.”
His gaze was locked on a soft golden glow coming out of one of the rooms. I’d searched the castle top to bottom before I went outside and there hadn’t been a room with lights on before.
“Is somebody else here?” I whispered.
He put his finger to his lips, moving slowly towards the room.
The light brightened as the crackle of a fire filled the air, which was deliciously warm and inviting.
It felt almost magical, like something was giving me exactly what I wanted.
The Demon Lord held his arm in front of me before I walked inside.
The room was full of floor to ceiling shelves heaped with books.
Hundreds of them, just waiting to be read.
There were thick tomes, what looked like journals, and even some old leatherbound rarities.
It reminded me of Misty.
“Since when does your castle have a library?” I asked.
“Since never,” he growled, storming into the room. “This isn’t possible. I’ve been in every single room, and all of them were cold and empty. If this was here, I’d have known it.”
“But it is here.”
I walked inside, taking the large room in from the warm fireplace to the cozy-looking couch positioned between two massive bookshelves.
A table sat in the middle of the room, covered in books as if somebody had been reading here just a moment ago.
The Demon Lord searched every nook and cranny, but there was nobody else here.
Eventually, he just stared into the fire like he was lost in thought.
I sank onto the plush couch, relaxing into the cushions with a sigh of contentment.
“Now this is a couch I could fall asleep on.” I snuggled deeper, easing into the comfort of the warm fire and the cozy cushions. “Maybe I’ll just–”
“Nope, not a chance.” The Demon Lord yanked me up so fast I thought my arm might fall off. “There’s no way I’d let you fall asleep here. What if it’s a trap?”
I raised an eyebrow. “And what kind of trap would it be?”
“You could get stuck here and never leave. I mean, you kind of already are, but that’s not my point.”
“At least I’d be in a warm room with enough books to keep me occupied for years.” I walked back into the hallway, hopping over the threshold back and forth a few times. “See? No trap.”
He crossed his arms, glowering at the books. “Then what is it?”
“A gift.” I trailed my fingers along their spines, reading each title as I went by, but none of them sounded familiar. “Maybe it’s Misty’s magic?”
“If Misty was going to change something, it probably would be to add a library.” He browsed through a few of the books, flipping their pages open. “But these all seem to be empty.”
I snagged a few books off the shelf, opening them for myself.
He was right. Every book had a pretty cover, but the pages inside were as blank as newly purchased paper.
It felt just like the castle: pretty on the outside, and empty on the inside.
I sighed, setting the books back on their shelf.
What was the point of a book you couldn’t read?
I covered up a yawn, feeling the excitement of the day taking its toll on me.
“Well, whatever it is, I’m grateful.” I sprawled out on the couch, closing my eyes before the Demon Lord could haul me out of here with more warnings of danger. “Goodnight, Lord Shadowbuns.”
He snorted. “Goodnight, Willow. I’ll be right over here if you need me.”
He sank onto the floor, lying with his back to me so he could watch the doorway. I couldn’t imagine the floor was any more comfortable than that stone bed of his.
“We could share the couch, if you wanted,” I said softly. “All jokes aside. You deserve a good night’s rest.”
“I’m perfectly fine here.” His long black hair trailed over his shoulders as he settled in. “Sleep well. I will guard you while you dream.”
He would guard me while I dream? My stomach fluttered as I laid back on the couch again, all thoughts of sleep forgotten. How could I when that adorable demon was just a few feet away?