The library was colder than the rest of the palace. Maybe it was because most people didn't come here. Adina looked around; there were large tall shelves lined with different kinds of books.
Adina's arms were already sore from carrying the buckets and cloths. The other girls who were supposed to be cleaning suddenly sneaked away, saying they had to rest, leaving her alone with their own tasks. She glanced around the space and sighed. Of course.
She walked to the far end of the library and got started there. She got down on her knees and began to scrub the floor with trembling fingers, careful not to knock over anything she couldn't afford to break. The silence was loud but very welcoming for her. This was the only place she'd been that didn't have people walking in and out. For a second, Adina wondered if she would be able to sneak back here for some quiet and maybe to read.
Her gaze flickered to the books lined on the shelves. If there was one thing about her, it was the fact that she loved to read. She always had her nose in books back in the Crystal Moon pack. Well, that was before she was made to marry Roman. After that, her only interest became birthing a child. After all, that was the only reason why she was chosen to mate him.
Adina shook her head, not wanting to dwell on such thoughts. She had to clean the entire library by herself thanks to those girls who abandoned their own chores to her. Adina paused, looking around again. This place was enormous. When would she be done?
With a frustrated sigh, she continued cleaning, but of course, the peace and quiet didn't last.
The library doors opened, and Adina froze.
Boots echoed against the floors, followed by voices she didn't recognize. Not until he spoke. "Speak, Elara," the king's voice rang out.
Adina's heart thudded in her chest. She quickly ducked behind one of the massive shelves, pressing her body tight against the wood, praying to be hidden enough. She recognized his voice instantly. Thorne. It sent an involuntary chill through her.
Elara's voice followed, "The eastern patrols are stretched thin. If the rebels push again, they'll break through. We need to set up something quickly before they crumble."
Thorne hummed, grabbing some books and scrolls off the shelves. "Then reinforce them. Shift resources. We won't let them gain another inch."
"We have begun moving troops silently, but I'm afraid these rebels are gaining strength too quickly. We need to do something extreme, My king," Callum's voice joined.
Their words blurred in her ears. Her only thought was: Please don't see me.
She didn't move. Didn't breathe. She stayed pressed against the shelf, clutching the rag tightly in her hands.
"I agree with Caelum. They are gaining strength too quickly. It's time we retaliate heavily and shut down this thing," Elara replied.
Thorne nodded, "Okay! To get rid of these pests. You'll have to round them up at their base. Does anyone have an idea where they've built their nest?" He asked, eyes darting between the general and the gamma.
"Not yet, My king. What we know is their nest is built between the eastern ridges and the riverbanks, but no one has dared scout too deep. Every attempt ends in death or disappearance," Caelum responded grimly.
Thorne exhaled sharply and irritated. "Then find someone who dares. I want a full map of that terrain now!"
Caelum immediately gave him the map he held and then bowed slightly, alongside Elara before walking out, leaving Thorne in the library by himself.
Adina exhaled in relief; they were finally gone. She'd been so scared they would stay longer.
She stepped out from the corner she was hiding and wiped the sweat beads on her forehead. She walked out, curious to see the king again.
Adina froze the second she stepped out of the shelves. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes landed on him.
Thorne was still there, standing right in front of her.
He hadn't left.
He was staring at her, like he had known she'd come out. Like he'd been waiting.
Adina's heart pounded in her chest, louder now than before. Her legs rooted to the floor, her fingers tightening around the rag still in her hand. She immediately lowered her gaze.
"How long have you been here? Eavesdropping on my conversations."
Adina's already widened eyes seemed to grow even wider with shock. "M-my king.." she snapped her head up, locking eyes with him. "I would never… I didn't mean to. I was just cleaning. I—"
Thorne tilted his head, gaze narrowing. "Yet you stayed hidden. Were you sent here as a spy?"
Adina shook her head, "N-no. I was scared," she admitted. Her voice cracked. "I didn't want to get punished."
He studied her for a second longer, this fragile, trembling thing. Dirty knees, smudged skin, wide eyes and yet his lycan nagged from within.
"Why are you the only one here? Where are the others?" He asked.
"They were called for…."
Thorne arched his brows. "Are you lying to me, Adina?"
Adina's eyes shut for a second, her name on his tongue suddenly made her insides weaken.
She swallowed hard. "They left," she whispered. "Said they were tired… and left their work to me."
Thorne didn't respond immediately. He was watching her again, closely, intently, as though peeling her apart with his eyes.
"I should send you to the dungeons for spying," he said, gaze still heavy on her. "Or have you punished for lying to a king."
Adina's heart lurched. The dungeon? "M-my king.."
"But I won't," he cut her off sharply.
His gaze shifted to the scroll still laid out beside him on the table.
He tapped a finger against it. "You're from Crystal Moon."
"Yes, your majesty."
Thorne hummed, "Come here."
Adina didn't move at first. But his eyes didn't let her go. And so, she stepped closer, heart pounding in her ears.
He turned the map toward her. "You know this area?"
She blinked, startled but she nodded again, this time with more confidence. "Yes, I'm familiar with this area."
"Show me."
Her fingers brushed the parchment as she leaned in, pointing to a narrow path between two inked ridges. "This trail here looks safe, but it floods during heavy rains. If they're hiding, they wouldn't risk it."
"Along these roads are caves, high and dry, easy to defend but hidden. You'd never spot them from above." The more she spoke, the more confident she seemed.
Thorne couldn't help but stare at her, watching as she spoke. It was weird. He would never ask anyone for help. He didn't need help but he… He wanted to hear her speak.
"The river here," she said softly, pointing to a faint blue line etched between two hills. "It shifts in the spring. Anyone hiding here would use the caves behind the current. There's a trail, narrow, but it leads behind the rocks and around the ridge."
"Also around here, there's an abandoned bridge, most people don't know of it because of how discreet it is.
"The hideout wouldn't be too deep," she continued, fully immersed in what she was saying. Back at Crystal Moon, Roman never let her give an opinion. She didn't dare talk. "Too far and they risk getting trapped. Here—" she pointed to a spot near the bend, "this is the safest, most concealed place."
She looked up at him then, just briefly and everything in Thorne's chest tightened.
She wasn't trembling anymore. Not here, not while explaining terrain like someone born for war. Like someone who knew what it meant to survive.
His Lycan growled softly in his mind.
Mate.
He clenched his jaw and looked away, trying to breathe through it. Fight it.
"And this place." He pointed to a random part of the map, and she instantly began to explain where that part was.
The two of them, oblivious to Elara who stood outside the door, watching them. Her brows furrowed at the sight she was seeing.
Thorne? With the slave?