Chapter 18 #2
“This servant of yours doesn’t sound all that dependable.” I rub my chin. Now that we know he’s a Forbidden, it changes everything. “That was risky what you did.”
“Risky indeed, but a valuable gift to discover a person’s true intentions.
Claude has always been there, should things go wrong.
It’s my test, you see. If the girl loves me despite my condition and isn’t scheming to take over my throne, then I’ll know it’s a good match.
After my last wife, I refuse to make the same mistake again. ”
Nothing is ever simple with these creatures we’re hunting.
“Why didn’t you explain the situation to the princess?” Wilhelm asks.
“I can’t very well reveal my secret to the entire kingdom, can I?
Imagine the uprisings that would follow if my subjects realized I was a shapeshifter!
Besides, once I turn into a frog, I have trouble unturning myself, you see.
But a kiss or a command works perfectly.
I can’t wait to tell my father Princess Maria wouldn’t have me for the life of her.
The look on his face will be priceless.”
“I’m sure he will be thrilled.” I massage my temples. This complicates everything.
“You act as if you’ve done this before,” Wilhelm says, and I realize he’s already cataloging notes in his head for this frog prince’s story. My brother might be too kind, but there’s no denying his brilliance.
“Indeed.” Prince William grins deviously. “It’s how I avoided marriage with Archduchess Maria Amalia, the Grand Duchesses Alexandra, and Maria Pavlovna. Quite clever, isn’t it?”
“Ingenious.” I resist groaning. “We should look for your servant before we leave. Any idea where he might be?”
“We agreed to meet at the stables if anything went wrong.”
“Before we head there, I want to check out the library.” I give a pointed look at Wilhelm. After seeing that mark on the princess, I wonder if we might find something of interest there.
“Excellent idea,” Wilhelm agrees.
“Library?” Prince William scoffs. “Forget that. We need to get out of here before anyone sees me.”
“We’ll only be a moment,” I say.
Back in the hallway, we discover our escort, who looks a bit dazed, along with Rumpelstiltskin.
“Ah, the frog sheds its skin.” Rumpelstiltskin clucks his tongue. “Tell me, darling, how many kisses did it take to grow legs.”
The prince scowls while I ask our escort to take us to the library. The man merely stares off ahead. Rumpelstiltskin snaps his fingers and says, “You heard the tyrant. Take us to the library.”
Our escort starts walking while I give Rumpelstiltskin a pointed look. “What did you do to him?” I ask.
“Why are you questioning me when you should be thanking me?” He huffs.
“I can’t argue with that,” I mutter.
As we stride into the library, my mind whirls, processing the fact that the king’s son is a shapeshifting Forbidden.
Does that mean the king is, too? Not to mention, Princess Maria.
How did these Forbidden infiltrate our lands?
How many are hiding in plain sight? I clench my fists as I realize the magnitude of what we are dealing with.
The library’s opulence yanks me away from my worries.
It's oval-shaped with built-in bookshelves tucked into white walls.
Pedestals holding porcelain busts are placed with precision between each of the bookcases.
Gilded bookshelves and gold fluted designs adorn the walls, with the far wall boasting a massive painting of Prince Hermann himself standing on a mountain top, gazing off into the distance.
A second story circles above with more shelving and teal divans set strategically about for readers to sit and relax on.
The arched ceiling is painted with cherubs holding gold harps flying around in a blue sky.
I couldn't care less about the gold or opulence. My eyes drink in the hundreds of books, and my hands tremble as I lightly caress the spines as I stroll along the bookshelves.
“Not a bad library,” Prince William says after taking it all in. “But mine is far superior.”
“You’ll have to allow us a visit then,” Wilhelm says.
“Ooohh, looky. Aren’t these fine seats?” Rumpelstiltskin cackles as he flings himself onto a velvet couch. “Fit for a king, and perhaps a fine trickster, too.”
I push out their voices and focus on scanning the book titles with speed I can only attribute to the Enchantress.
Within minutes, I scan nearly the entire bottom floor, coming up with nothing about witches, enchantments, or shapeshifters.
Wilhelm is working on the second story, but considering he hasn’t said a word, I take it he’s coming up empty-handed as well.
Discouraged, I sag onto a couch in the corner when I notice a shift in the temperature.
This section is cooler, almost as if chilled air is rising from the floor.
I crouch to the ground, pressing my palms to the cold tiles. Mist is creeping through the cracks.
“Wilhelm,” I call out. “I think there’s a secret room beneath this floor.”
This gets both Rumpelstiltskin’s and the prince’s attention as well.
I search for a doorway or lever to open it, but find nothing.
It’s when Rumpelstiltskin leans against one of the bust’s heads that the floor rumbles.
A large slab of tile draws back to reveal a spiral staircase sinking into darkness, a foul scent cutting through the library’s smell of parchment and wax.
“Seems as if Prince Hermann has a few secrets of his own,” I murmur.