Lilian’s POV
I woke up to the smell of burning wood and the sound of hushed, urgent voices.
For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. My body felt heavy, sinking into the depths of a leather armchair that was far too comfortable to be legal. I was warm, cocooned in something incredibly soft, and the air around me smelled of old paper, ink, and the faint, lingering scent of pine.
Blackwood Manor. The Library.
I blinked, my eyes feeling gritty. The room had darkened while I slept. The winter sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the library bathed in the orange glow of the fireplace and the shadows of the encroaching night.
I started to sit up, but the voices stopped me.
They were coming from the desk. One was deep, rumbling, and unmistakably Alexander. The other was lighter, faster
