I think of returning to bed, but my nightmares still haunt me, so I leave my room and wander the halls, searching for something to distract. After passing many closed doors, I come upon an open library, with shelves higher than I can reach, and ladders taller than I dare climb. Lanterns hang on the walls and sit on tables, illuminating the room with warm orange glows. I hear shuffling of paper and realize I’m not alone.
A Fae looks up from his book, a monocle covering one of his eyes.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you," I say, crossing my arms, hoping to find more modesty in my dress.
"Disturb me?" says the Fae, and I realize it is Baldar, Dean’s Keeper. "You bring an old man company. Come, come sit."
I take his invitation and find a plush chair across from him. I glance at the book he was reading. Something about herbs and their proper uses.
"Can’t sleep?" asks Baldar, raising a giant grey eyebrow behind his monocle.
"Just wanted to look around. I…"
Before I can even finish speaking, he pulls out a bag from under the table and begins rummaging through the contents, mumbling to himself. "Not this one, no. This one? No. No. Definitely not that. Oh, yes. Here is it." He pulls out a small vial filled with a white liquid and holds it between us. "Two drops before bed, and it’ll keep the bad dreams away. Make you sleep like a babe full of milk."
I take the vial from his hands. "Thank you."
"Ah, it’s no trouble, my lady. No trouble at all. But… when you run out, come visit my show by the lion fountain. I have all manner of potions. To cure the cold, treat the aching head. Even something to entice the man of your dreams."
I chuckle. "A love potion?"
"Like I said, I have all manner of brews. Perhaps you require something for Prince Fenris…"
"Thank you, but we’re fine. Wait." A shocking thought comes to mind. "You know who I am?"
"Apologies, Princess, but I can see through the illusion. I am a Keeper, after all. But I promise, I won’t tell anyone who you are." He reminds me of Kal, and that puts me at ease.
"Thank you."
"Is he here right now?" asks Baldar, looking around thin air.
"He? Oh, Yami. Yes. He’s on my shoulder."
Baldar’s jaw drops so low it almost hits the table. "It is truly an honor to be in his presence. And yours, Princess. I’ve just… please, forgive my excitement. I’ve just never met a Midnight Star before."
"It’s fine. But I’m just a normal girl. Well, mostly."
"Of course. Of course." He doesn’t look like he believes me.
I try to recall what we were speaking of, and a dark thought crosses my mind. "How effective are these love potions?"
He leans back, casually relaxing in his wooden chair. "Depends on the herbs and the craftsman, but in the right hands, very."
"So someone can slip me one of these, and I’ll just, I’ll just—"
"Calm yourself, princess. These potions have limited effect on one already in love, and I suspect you are."
I let out a long breath, grateful I won’t have to pick Levi as my husband just because he poured some magic herbs in my drink. "Are Fen and I that obvious?"
He chuckles. "Yes. But, even if it were not so, the rumors of your… partnership… have spread far and wide."
"What do people say?"
"That the princess has already chosen her king. That Fenris Vane will soon rule all seven realms."
Man. No wonder most of the princes seem to hate me. They haven’t even had a turn, and already they hear of their failure. But the people are wrong. Even if I wanted to pick Fen, he would not forgive me for placing the crown upon his head. "I don’t know what I’m doing."
Baldar laughs. "And who does? Please, do let me know. I must study them. Create a potion to replicate the effects."
His humor brings a smile to my lips. "I just… I feel like the seven realms are in the palm of my hand, so delicate and fragile, and if I squeeze too hard, if I move too fast or stumble, I will crush them. Nothing I do feels right, and every choice feels on the brink of bringing ruin to everything."
Baldar nods sagely. "Wait a moment. I know just the potion." He pulls out a goblet from his bag and places it on the table. He fills it with golden liquid.
"What is it?"
"Eighty percent alcohol. Twenty percent something nearly as strong."
I laugh so hard I snort, and then laugh some more at my ridiculousness. Once I’ve settled down, I grab the goblet and try a small sip, fearing the concoction will burn my throat. Instead it fills it with sweetness and warmth, like honey coating my tongue. "Wow. This is amazing."