I stretched as I yawned, slowly making my way back to the library. I had gotten lost on my way to my room from the library, but another human servant had saved me from having to ask the vampires. His instructions were easy enough to follow and my first impulse had been to find a place to hide the book. I almost laughed at myself as I gently set it next to my bed, excited to get to read it once I was done with my work in the library. I didn’t have to hide anything here.

“Except the truth,” I pouted as I stepped back into the west wing, keeping my head down as a group of vampires walked past me. I considered it a blessing from the Goddess that I hadn’t seen Virgil since he gave me to the girls but I didn’t doubt he was watching me. If he truly intended me to be his next “hunt”, I was sure he was merely biding his time, waiting until he could start his game.

I scoffed as I found the library again, pushing the doors open as I walked back inside. I almost expected to see Viktor sitting at the table again, but instead it was empty. I noticed the two stacks of books and the sheet of paper lying across them. I walked over to it as I glanced around to make sure the vampire was gone, picking up the note as I read it out loud.

“Here’s the list my mother wants you to start on. Please stack the new version on top of the old when you’re done.” I lifted the cover of one of the books on the left stack and realized the pages were blank. A quick check of the right stack proved to be the old books, and I recognized the yellowing paper. I wasn’t sure how long it took for paper to age, but I knew it had something to do with the amount of light. Considering the library seemed to have no windows and was completely artificially lit, these books were likely generations old.

I carefully lifted one book from each stack, sitting down with them side by side as I examined the old book. It seemed to be a record of the building of the mansion, complete with dates and written anecdotes concerning its construction. It promised to be a dry read, but at least it would be easy to copy the information over. It didn’t seem to hold any illustrations, and I wondered what I was supposed to do if a book did.

“I’ll ask Viktor when he comes back,” I muttered, looking for the pen as I leaned over the table. I swore I had left it right in front of my chair; had Viktor moved it when he brought the books? “Where the hell is it?”

‘There,’ I turned to look where my wolf was suggesting, and I saw the pen sitting on top of another book. It looked more like a journal, covered in an emerald paper cover with a beautiful gold frame. I carefully picked up the pen and the book, opening the page to determine why Viktor had left it for me. The first line, written neatly in plain handwriting, was enough to make my heart stop.

I saw you in the window.

I glanced around as I looked for the prince, wondering if this was some sort of joke. I felt my wolf urging me to look back at the journal and I watched as the first line faded from the page, replaced with new writing as I watched in a mix of wonder and horror.

You… are my mate.

I sat down in my chair heavily, staring at the page as my heart pounded. Was this some sort of magic book? Who had left this here? I watched as the words faded again, still unsure how to react to this revelation.

Are you… upset?

I finally picked up the pen, writing down my response underneath the words.

Who are you? How did you know it was me? 

I demanded, unable to help my heavy breathing as I scribbled the words. I noticed this time that the words didn’t disappear, and instead, new words appeared under my own handwriting.

There aren’t many new people and I know everyone who works here. For me to feel the connection now… I knew it had to be you. 

I felt my heart settle slightly with their response, pouting as I considered what to say. I carefully touched the pen to the paper, not wanting their words to disappear.

Are you a wolf?

Yes, but I won’t force this on you. It’s why I left the book.

What do you mean? 

My hand shook as I asked my question, although part of me already knew why. My wolf had instantly changed his mind when I had seen him through a distorted window, and I had no doubt his wolf had probably reacted in a similar way. If he came anywhere near me, it was likely we wouldn’t be able to help ourselves.

Once our eyes meet, it will lock the bond in place. The window distorted you, and I couldn’t see your eyes. 

The words flowed across the page and I frowned. So I had to avoid eye contact with every servant to avoid seeing my mate? I watched as the words disappeared before I could respond, replaced with his next statement. 

Like I said, I won’t force this on you.

Why did you leave me the book? 

I finally asked, my heart pounding as I waited for his answer. My wolf also paced inside my mind, and I could feel his joy that I was talking to my mate. Even though we couldn’t see him or smell him, he seemed to be satisfied with this simple interaction and it made me frown.

I… want to know you. Let you know me so you can decide.

I won’t be here past the full moon. 

I revealed, not wanting to lead him on. He was being nice enough to not force the connection on me, and I didn’t want another Damien. I wasn’t going to give him some false hope that I would stay for him, fated connection or not. 

I want to go to the human kingdom.

No words answered my statement, and my wolf whined in my mind, his grief and frustration threatening to override my logic. I did my best to squash down his influence, getting ready to close the book as I noticed new words appearing.

I still would like to know you, if that’s alright. Not to change your mind, but just… to know my mate, whether you stay or not. 

I frowned as I considered his words, trying to decide what to do. I couldn’t do much to make him not care about me; the mate connection had already taken that choice away from both of us, and he was at least considerate enough to not try to force it on me. Was it cruel to never let him know the kind of person his mate was or would it be kinder to stay strangers so he would never mourn the loss?

‘We will always mourn it,’ my wolf lamented, and I sighed with his answer. Damned if I do, damned if I don’t, so there was really no reason to tell him no.

I guess that’s okay, but I’m making you no promises. I’m going to do what’s best for me.

I respect that.

Well, I need to get to work, otherwise Viktor will wonder why I’m not working. 

I glanced at the stack of books the prince had left for me, curious how long he expected it to take me. Was it another test to see how quickly I could work? 

I don’t want them to change their mind about keeping me.

Alright.

The words remained on the page and I waited to see if they would disappear. It seemed our words only disappeared if we wrote back to back, and I glanced over the rest of our conversation. He… seemed decent at least. He easily could have cornered me and forced me to look into his eyes, but instead, he chose to use this magical book to speak to me, to give me a choice. From his tone it was obvious the bond meant a lot to him, and I groaned as my wolf whined.

“I said no promises,” I repeated, turning back to the original set of books. I reopened the book about the mansion, doing my best to copy over the information as I tried to forget the emerald journal.