The first thing one did upon entering a library was to take in the sight of rows and rows upon books arranged neatly on the shelves. That was of course after one had taken in a deep breath to enjoy the distinct fragrance of so many books stored in one place.
The next thing was to take a walk around the vast library while simultaneously keeping an eye on something that might be an interesting read. After I had walked the full length of the library, the next thing on my mind was to find the perfect book.
Book covers were not enough to make this decision. One had to read the blurb and skim the first few pages to be sure it was worth dedicating hours to.
Thirty minutes later I found the perfect book to read. From the very first page, I was enthralled in this magical world. It was a story of a powerful lord from the underworld and an ordinary vampire Maid.
“My lady, my lady,” Diane tapped me right at the climax of the novel.
“What is it?” I asked, irritated that my attention had been drawn away from my fantasy world.
“It is past your lunch hour, we must return to the palace,” she said.
“My lunch hour? It doesn’t…” I was going to end the sentence with it doesn’t matter but I realized that she would be hungry too so I closed the book and approached the librarian with it. My jaw dropped when I saw Tyler seated there; I was certain there was someone else earlier.
“My lady, what a pleasant coincidence!” he smiled brightly at me. I had a quizzical look on my face. What could be so pleasant about running into me when Dagen had clearly warned him not to approach me anymore? Did the man have an appointment with death?
“You are very kind with your words, my Lord. I would like to borrow this book,” I said, steering the conversation to why I was here.
“I take it then that you like to read, the rumors are very wicked then,” the smile never left his face. It was a wonder to me how anyone could keep a smile on always without looking like a fool. But Tyler did it so effortlessly.
“What rumors?” I inquired.
“That you are not literate, some say you can not tell apart the simplest of words,” he said to me.
“I see. Well, I do not care for such things,” I informed him and it was true. So long as I had a good book I could get lost in, nothing mattered in the real world.
“You should, there are plenty of malicious things being said about you, why do you not care?” he asked.
“What would caring do for me? It cannot change anything,” I responded with a smile as memories of my sisters making me the subject of their gossip flooded my memory.
“You are Alpha Dagen’s Luna irrespective of his relationship with Lady Nydia. You need to put yourself out there,” he told me.
“It does not matter, I would be…”
“Among the malicious comments flooding the pack about you is your feat with Thunder. I have a feeling you will be great with horses. In fact, it is more than just a feeling. If you can stay in the same place with Thunder you can ride any horse,” he said.
“So?” I did not understand where all this was leading to.
“There’s a ranch just a mile away from here; the owner allows people to practice horse riding for a fee and once a week you get to race along with other learners. I want you to come tomorrow,” it was more than an invitation. I had a feeling he was not going to allow me to turn it down.
“I don’t know Tyler, Alpha Dagen…”
“Is away with his mistress. You need to allow people to see you or they will think of you as some pitiful creature rotting away with envy in the palace,” I knew he was right but I did not want it to appear to Nydia that I was trying to usurp her place in the pack. Personally, I did not care about being known or seen.
“I do not think it is right for me to…” I started to say but Tyler placed a finger on his lips to quieten me from giving an excuse.
“I will see you at dawn at the ranch. Ask your maid, she will know the place,” he said.
“I still want to borrow this book,” I reminded him of the reason I was here in the first place.
“I am afraid I cannot lend it to you and the librarian will not be back until an hour but when I see you at dawn, I will have the book with me. You can borrow it then,” he said and in spite of myself, I chuckled.
“Lord Tyler is trouble, my lady. He is charming but he is trouble,” said Diane when we had left the library.
“Trouble? I don’t see trouble written on him,” I said. For all Dagen’s raving about Tyler, he seemed like a kind soul.
“Alpha Dagen will not be pleased with his company,” said Diane.
“So what should I do? Should I stand him up?” I asked her.
“Getting some sun on your face will be good for you, you do look rather pale,” said Diane and I smiled.
“Don’t worry about me, Diane. I have gone through hell, what I am going through now doesn’t even compare,” I said to her with a smile.
“You should be careful, my lady. That is all I’m trying to say,” she replied.
“I will be; I am still scared of horses but I believe Tyler shall start me off easy. I will learn to ride a pony before a grown horse.”
“I meant that you should be careful with Tyler. Alpha Dagen…”
“I know, I know.”