Everquiet

Scene Two: Between Books and Roses

After breakfast, I decided to spend some time in the library.

I pushed the heavy doors open and stepped inside, the familiar scent of old paper and polished wood immediately surrounding me.

I didn't think I would ever get used to how massive this library was.

Three stories of books stretched above me, disappearing into the shadows beneath the high, vaulted ceiling. Tall windows filtered the pale morning light through stained glass, scattering muted colors across the dark wooden floor.

I slowly wandered between the shelves, running my fingers along the spines of books as I passed.

Leather.

Cloth.

Some so old the titles had faded away entirely.

Where did I even begin?

I stopped at one particular shelf and tilted my head, scanning the rows.

History.

Poetry.

Philosophy.

Romance.

My fingers paused.

I pulled out a book with a deep burgundy cover. The gold lettering on the spine had nearly worn away, but I could still make out the title.

The Crimson Vow.

I turned it over in my hands.

The description on the back immediately caught my attention.

A woman.

A mysterious man.

A secluded estate surrounded by forest.

And a love that was never supposed to happen.

I smiled faintly.

It sounded familiar enough to make me curious.

I carried the book toward one of the large windows overlooking the gardens and settled into a worn armchair. The cushions practically swallowed me as I opened the first page.

Before long, the manor around me seemed to disappear.

I became lost in the story.

The mysterious stranger.

The forbidden attraction.

The secrets he refused to reveal.

There was something strangely comforting about reading about someone who carried darkness around with them, someone who seemed almost dangerous despite the tenderness hidden beneath the surface.

I was so absorbed that I didn't notice the sound of the library doors opening.

"There's where you've disappeared to."

I startled slightly and looked up.

Sebastian stood several feet away, one hand resting against the door.

His dark eyes found mine, and the faintest smile touched his lips.

"I was beginning to wonder where you had gone."

"I wanted to explore the library."

His gaze traveled around the room before settling on the book in my hands.

"What have you found?"

I held it up slightly.

"A love story."

One of his eyebrows lifted.

"Have you?"

I nodded.

"Although I'm beginning to question whether it's actually a love story or a cautionary tale."

That earned a quiet laugh from him.

He walked toward me and took the chair beside mine.

"And what makes you say that?"

"The man is mysterious, secretive, and apparently has a rather unhealthy fascination with the woman."

Sebastian glanced at the cover again.

"Sounds familiar."

I looked at him.

"Does it?"

He gave me an innocent expression.

"I said the book sounded familiar."

I narrowed my eyes.

He smiled.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Sebastian looked around the enormous room.

"It's been a long time since this library has been used."

I glanced around.

"Really?"

He shook his head.

"Not properly. The books have always been here, of course. But people stopped coming."

There was something almost wistful in his voice.

"Why?"

His gaze settled on the shelves.

"My mother used to spend hours in here."

I turned toward him.

"She did?"

"Constantly."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"She would sit by the window for hours with a book in her lap. Sometimes she would read the same page several times because she became distracted by whatever was happening outside."

I smiled.

"She sounds lovely."

"She was."

His answer came without hesitation.

I watched him for a moment.

There was a softness in his expression I hadn't seen before.

"I think she would have liked you," he added quietly.

Something warm settled in my chest.

"I would have liked her."

"I think you would have."

He looked at the book in my hands again.

"And apparently you've already discovered one of her favorite pastimes."

"Reading?"

"Getting lost in stories."

I smiled.

"Maybe that's why I like this place."

Sebastian looked around the room once more.

"Perhaps."

He rose from his chair and extended his hand toward me.

"Come with me."

I looked at his hand.

"Where?"

"The gardens."

I hesitated.

I have already explored some of them."

"Some."

His mouth curved into a small smile.

"You haven't seen the best parts."

I placed my bookmark between the pages and closed the book.

Sebastian waited patiently as I stood.

"I know every tree in those gardens," he said as we walked toward the doors. "Every flower. Every hidden path."

"Every one?"

"Every one."

I smiled.

"That's a lot of flowers."

"I've had a great deal of time to learn them."

There was something almost playful in the way he said it.

I followed him out of the library and into the corridor.

As we walked, he began telling me about the gardens.

Not simply what they looked like, but why certain roses grew against particular walls. Which trees had been planted by his mother. Which flowers only bloomed for a few weeks each year. Where a narrow path disappeared beneath the trees and eventually opened into a secluded clearing.

He spoke with an ease I hadn't heard from him before.

His usual reserve seemed to disappear when he talked about the things he loved.

I found myself listening more than speaking.

And slowly, I realized something.

Sebastian actually enjoyed talking.

He simply didn't like talking about himself.

When the subject was the manor, the gardens, books, music, or his mother, he could talk for hours.

There was an entirely different side of him hidden beneath that quiet, guarded exterior.

A side that was warm.

Passionate.

Almost boyish at times.

I glanced at him as we stepped outside.

Perhaps Ravenscroft Manor wasn't the only thing filled with secrets.

Perhaps Sebastian was too.

And for the first time, I found myself wanting to uncover them.