by A. H. Lee
They arrived at last in front of a pair of huge, open doors—ornately carved, with stone dragons standing guard. Beyond lay the most amazing library Jessica had ever seen. It began in a circular room with dozens of cozy reading chairs clustered beneath a high, airy ceiling. Chandeliers in the shapes of birds and beasts dripped rainbow crystal light from above. The books towered over everything, covering every wall, going up, up, up… Inviting corridors led off the main reading room, winding into the stacks.
Tod blocked Jessica’s way as she started forward. “Miss Jessica, I know you’re new and you haven’t attended lessons yet, so here’s what you need to know: The library is the most enchanted part of the palace into which we’re allowed. The main room is safe, but you should not venture into the stacks without a guide.”
Jessica stared past him. “Alright.”
“Jessica, did you hear me?”
“Yes, can I go in now?”
Tod sighed and let her pass. Jessica walked slowly, reverently, past the stone dragons. The air in the room did not smell like indoor air at all. She could certainly smell paper and ink and glue, but underneath it lay an odor she could only describe as “green.” It reminded her of wet woods, murmuring streams, crisp apples, fall…
At least two dozen people were reading or browsing, but the huge space seemed to swallow them and any noises they made. As she moved around the room, she felt breezes that did not appear to have a source. She thought, once, that she caught the sound of a child laughing. Another time, she heard music.
Tod looked a little nervous as he trailed behind her. “Sometimes there’s an enchanted harp playing. Don’t be startled by it. In any case, I’m sure it won’t take long to find something for you, and then we can leave.”
Jessica did not want to leave. She did not ever want to leave. But she could tell that Tod was nervous and she didn’t want to get him into trouble. It didn’t take long to find a book of faery tales and one about pirates and mermaids. Jessica noticed quite a few books of an erotic nature as well. The pictures were…stimulating. On an impulse, Jessica snatched one and tucked it under the other two. “Alright, I’m ready.”
Chapter 8. The Duke
Jessica spent the afternoon reading, sipping tea, and writing letters to her mother and friends back home. The letters did not include anything about getting fucked on Azrael’s diningroom table by a werebeast. She did, however, describe the chocolates in great detail.
Servants brought her a light, but tasty, lunch and dinner. Everyone treated her like an invalid. Jessica wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Shortly after dinner, Tod poked his head in to tell her that he was leaving to take his own meal and did she need anything first? Jessica told him no and sent him on his way. Poor fellow, he must be tired of waiting on me.
Daylight was fading on the beautiful scene outside. Jessica chewed thoughtfully on her pen. She’d finished the storybooks, and she’d examined the many drawings in the other book until she felt a little dizzy. She couldn’t stop thinking about that library. I would love to hear an enchanted harp!
On an impulse, she got up, put on a pair of slippers, and stepped out into the hall. No one actually ordered me to stay in my room. They say they want me to feel better, and I think a walk would feel nice. I remember the way to the library. I’ll just go return these books and get some more.
The corridors were emptier now—more servants, fewer guests. No one looked at her twice. It must be very common here for young women to wander around in their nighties.
The library was emptier than last time, the chandelier lights dimmer, as though it were evening here, too. Only a handful of other people were reading. To Jessica’s pleasure, a harp in the middle of the room was playing all by itself. She heard another noise, too, underneath the harp—a soft rush like water. To her further wonder, she noticed glowing points of light in the air. Like fireflies! She couldn’t see any actual insects, though.
As she wandered, Jessica found the source of the water sound. An illusory stream wound its way out of the stacks. Jessica could see the floor through the ripples if she looked at the right angle, but everything else—the sound, even the smell of water—was incredibly real. Fireflies danced over its surface.
Jessica peered into the stacks where the stream gurgled and tinkled. What sort of books are in there? The titles she could see looked enchanting—full of colorful swirls and words like “epic” and “adventure” and “danger.” She took a step forward.
Tod said not to go in, but how far is really “in”?
“You…”
Jessica turned with a guilty jerk to see a man standing behind her. She recognized him at once as the jowly person from dinner, dressed in a dark suit and expensive gold lace cravat. She swallowed with a sense of humiliation. However, the man did not look like a person remembering a sexual experience. He looked puzzled. “You…” he repeated. “I…I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Can he really have forgotten yesterday evening? Or does he just not recognize me with clothes on? “Yes, sir,” she stammered. “I…I attended your dinner party.” She didn’t know what else to say. She looked at the ground and hoped he would leave.
“Dinner…” The man was studying her with an air she did not like. He stood up a little straighter. “I am the Duke of Carnobo, girl; don’t gibber at me.”
Jessica had no idea how one was supposed to speak to a duke, but she curtsied in her housedress and slippers. “Yes, my lord, of course—”
“Are you available for this evening?” he interrupted.
Jessica’s eyes shot up. He’d taken several steps closer, and she backed away awkwardly against the edge of a stack. “Available for what, my lord?”
“I’ll have to think about that, won’t I?”
Jessica’s eyes darted around the room. It was growing dimmer by the minute—the chandeliers evidently mirroring the sun. Lamps beside the chairs glowed with soft white light, but they seemed a world away. No one was anywhere near this corner, and the gurgle of the stream seemed suddenly very loud. Loud enough to cover a scream?
The duke stood in front of her, his eyes dark and hungry. “I remember…I wanted to do something to you…”
“No, my lord,” babbled Jessica. “I am not available…as you put it. I’m sick; I’ve been confined to my room—”
His hands shot up, closed around her throat, and pinned her against the bookcase. His greater bulk leaned against her. His eyes looked glassy and wild, one strand of hair falling into his face. He grinned—a horrible, jack o’lantern expression. Jessica could feel his erection pressing against her leg. “Choke you…” he breathed.
She wanted to scream. She couldn’t.
A sound cut through her panic—a sound like a cauldron coming to a boil. A shadow rose up behind her attacker and seemed to swallow all the light. The duke dropped Jessica with a surprised yelp. He turned, and the panther roared directly into his face. Bone-white teeth flashed in the twilight, peeling back from pink gums. His snarl seemed to make the floor vibrate.
The duke let out a whimper.
The panther spoke in a voice like gravel and spice. “If you ever touch her again, I’ll rip your head off. Now go change your underwear, you pathetic toad of a man.”
The duke tried to say something, but the panther snarled again, and the duke ran—huffing and puffing and stumbling—through the enchanted stream and away towards the doors of the library. His departure left Jessica staring at the panther a pace in front of her. His green eyes flicked from her attacker to her face, and his snarl dropped away. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I know,” whispered Jessica. “I’m sorry. I just wanted more books, and the library is so beautiful, and I just…just…”
“No,” snapped the panther. “I mean, you shouldn’t be able to be here. How are you even upright?”
Jessica stared at him. She wiped her nose on her sleeve. A trace of irritation returned. “Well, I’m not made of glass, you know.”
The panther licked his lips, eyes skittering away. “I actually thought I might have hurt you. I…I am sorry. That was not my intent.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “You didn’t hurt me, and I was told I could leave, so I suppose I’ve got no one but myself to blame, and anyway it wasn’t that bad. It was…” Now she blushed. It was amazing. Let’s do it again. “What’s your name?”
The panther blinked at her. Then he spoke in a rush, “We shouldn’t be having this conversation. Go to bed. Feel better.” He turned and darted into the stacks along the banks of the illusory stream.
“Wait!” shouted Jessica. “I have to know your name! Please?”
But he was gone.
Jessica took several steps into the stacks, but it was very dark in there. She had a strange sensation that she was in a forest—not a library at all. A deep, dark forest. Something growled in the shadows. “I’m not afraid of you,” snapped Jessica. You have the softest tongue in the world. But she was still shaking from her ordeal with the duke, and at last she turned and started the walk back to her room.
Chapter 9. A New Assignment
Jessica still didn’t feel sick the next morning, but she did feel shaken. They want me to be ill. Fine.
She took her breakfast in bed, finished a book Tod brought her, and ate her lunch meekly beside the window. She learned that her bath—a beautiful bronze tub with carved dragon’s feet—had magical plumbing. None of the lamps in the room employed electricity, either. The Provinces were the northern-most of the kingdoms, so far from the Shattered Sea that magic barely functioned. Nobody in Jessica’s hometown would have depended upon magic for anything as basic as light and water. Here, in Azrael’s nexus, however, nearly everything seemed to have a magical component. Jessica wondered whether the chandeliers in the library were even attached to the ceiling.
Around midmorning, she accepted a massage from a skilled gentleman, but nearly came off the table when he started to rub around her neck where the duke had grabbed her. She had bruises. He didn’t ask.
The days ran together, and one day she had a visit from Lord Azrael himself. The sorcerer did not knock, just opened the door and stalked into her room one afternoon. Jessica set down her teacup in surprise. Azrael wore a severe black waistcoat that hugged his slender hips. His eyes drifted over her letter and book-strewn table. “I’m told you’re recovering, Miss Jessica.”
Indeed, thought Jessica, the bruises on my neck have finally disappeared. “Yes, my lord.” She could not help craning to see behind him. You never go anywhere without your guardian…
Azrael cleared his throat, and Jessica’s eyes snapped back to his face. He looked at her narrowly, as though he thought something wasn’t quite right. At last, he said, “You had a difficult first assignment. They won’t all be like that. I’ve got a young lordling who needs entertainment this evening. He’s about your age and very polite. Do you think you’re up to it?”
Jessica felt a rush of excitement. “Yes, my lord.”
Perhaps she answered too quickly. Once again, he studied her with that frown.
Jessica’s eyes strayed from Azrael’s again and there. Just outside her door, a shadow moved. Jessica caught a flash of silver.
Azrael followed her gaze. He must have come to the wrong conclusion because he said, “There is no need to worry, Miss Jessica. I do not ask that sort of thing from a courtier very often.”
The panther skulked out of sight around the edge of the door. Jessica caught her breath. “I’m sorry, Lord Azrael, what were you saying?”
Azrael studied her for a long moment. He spoke at last without answering, “Well, I’m glad you are feeling better. The serving boy, Tod—has he been acceptable?”
Jessica cocked her head. “Completely acceptable, my lord.”
“Good. Then he can continue to wait upon you, and he will take you to Prince Dustin this evening after dinner. The magic in my palace is designed to protect you from disease or pregnancy, but if you have any special concerns, please tell me or one of the servants, and they will be immediately addressed. As always, if you wish to leave, you have only to say so.”
Jessica bowed her head. “Thank you, my lord.”
Chapter 10. Prince Dustin
Dustin was a nervous-looking young man who’d obviously hit his growth spurt late in his teens and was still gangly. Like all the guests of the Shrouded Isle, he was well-dressed and well-spoken, but Jessica had the impression that he didn’t have much experience in bed. His hands shook as he offered her a drink.
His room had a balcony, and they stood there in the balmy evening wind, looking at the stars and sipping their wine. Jessica had been given a truly lovely green velvet gown for the evening. It was blessedly long and did not look remotely like a nightie. A maid had applied her makeup and dressed her hair with jeweled pins. She could tell by the way Dustin kept shooting glances at her that she looked attractive.
The young prince had thick, blond hair, just a shade lighter than Jessica’s own, and long eyelashes. His backside did not quite equal Tod’s, but his trousers were well-cut, and they showed off what bum he possessed to perfection. Jessica found that she was enjoying herself. Dustin’s chief hobby seemed to be breeding hunting dogs. Jessica knew nothing about this, but she did like puppies. He rambled on for a while, and she watched his strong, well-manicured hands wander up and down the balcony railing.
“So, what brings you to the Shrouded Isle, Your Highness?’ Jessica finally asked.
Dustin shrugged. “My uncle is having trouble with the separatists again. They seem to think they ought to have their own kingdom.” Dustin fidgeted. Jessica couldn’t tell whether he was bored or just uncomfortable with the topic. “Apparently there are fears that they’ve hired themselves some hedge wizard to raise a corpse army. It’s probably not true, but better safe than sorry.”
“That does sound like the sort of thing one shouldn’t mess about with,” observed Jessica. Gods, when was the last time anyone raised a corpse army in the Provinces? Nothing ever happens at home.
Jessica moved a little closer to Dustin. She had the sense that the conversation had dragged, and the evening was becoming anticlimactic. She gave a fake shiver and said, “My, it’s cold out here.”
Dustin stood up a little straighter and looked around. “Shall I get you a coat, my lady? I believe there’s an afghan inside…”
Jessica sighed. “Perhaps you could just put an arm around me, my lord.”
Dustin flushed, but he moved closer and put an arm around her. He smelled of soap and clean clothes. The hand he’d placed around her waist came to rest over her hip and belly, against the velvet of her dress. She liked the warmth of it. She looked up at him, gave a playful smile, and said, “I’m sure you’re very popular with the women of your court, Prince Dustin.”
His laugh had a nervous edge. “You are very kind, Miss Jessica.”
He’d pulled her so close now that she was standing in front of him, and she leaned back against his chest. Jessica allowed her hair to tickle his cheeks and chin. “One or two of them, at least?”
She could hear the smile in his voice. “One or two. But I’m no paramour.”
“Well, we have that in common, then.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I haven’t been on the Shrouded Isle very long.”
“Do you…like it?”
“Well, it’s more exciting than the Provinces. And Lord Azrael has a lot of good books.”
Dustin laughed again. “You are a fascinating person, Miss Jessica.” His hand slid up her belly and, when she did not pull away, over her breasts.
Jessica made a little happy sound, and Dustin tilted her head to kiss the side of her neck. His fingers began to unlace the front of her bodice. He was fumbling, but Jessica didn’t mind. She put a hand against his face, pleasantly soft with a well-trimmed beard. His lips were warm against her throat.
Dustin stopped at last and murmured into her ear, “My lady, I’m afrai
d it is becoming obvious that I have not unlaced many bodices. A little help?”
Jessica giggled. “It looks complicated, but all you need to do is untie the strings here…and here…” She demonstrated. “And the whole thing comes loose.”
“Ah…” Strong, well-manicured fingers slid beneath the thin fabric of her blouse as the tight jacket fell away. “You are a masterful teacher, Miss Jessica.”
“Mmm…” Cool night air caressed her skin. It made a pleasant contrast with his big, warm hands as they slid over her bare breasts, stopping to tease the nipples.
Jessica tilted her chin further back so that his tongue and lips could run kisses all the way to her collarbone. He was growing bolder. His hand slid lower, pressing her pelvis against his own. Jessica could feel his erection through the fabric of his trousers, pressing against her ass. She moaned as his hand settled firmly over her crotch, maddeningly separated from her skin by layers of fabric.
He was fumbling again, trying to get under her gown. Jessica started to suggest they go indoors and undress, but then his hand found the skin of her hip—startlingly intimate beneath her clothes. His fingers slid around in front, beneath her panties.
“Oh!” gasped Jessica.
He was breathing quickly, but he paused and said, “Too much?”
“Oh, no! It’s lovely. It’s…” His strong fingers were inside her now, rubbing and pressing. He drew them back a little to draw circles around her clit.
“Is this the part that feels best?”
“Yes,” gasped Jessica. “But it’s all… Gods.”
“You are so wet,” he breathed into her ear.
Jessica whimpered. He was rubbing hard inside her, his thumb still brushing her clit. The pleasure crested abruptly and then shuddered through her body. Dustin paused, his fingers still deep inside, her pussy clenching around them.
