Nova stepped into a library chamber so vast an entire fortress could be built within it. High above her, a domed ceiling curved like a crafted night sky, painted in layers of deep indigo and shadowed blue. Constellations stretched across it in sweeping arcs, each star gilded in gold leaf and enchanted just enough to shimmer, as though the ceiling breathed.
Five levels of marble balconies encircled the great hall, each tier open to the space below, each railing carved with Redmoon crests and runes polished by centuries of hands. Shelves lined every level — towering rows of vellum, leather, and ancient tomes rising toward the painted stars.
And anchoring the entire chamber was the structure opposite the entrance on the ground floor:
A massive fireplace carved from pristine white marble, rising more than two stories high.
The mantle alone was broad enough for three men to lie across.
Flames roared and the heat washed through the room, pulling shadows long across the scholars seated at the heavy wooden tables before it.
Other fireplaces lined the outer walls, each with immaculate chairs arranged around them.
Nova paused.
Heat from the marble hearth rippled across her skin—but the burning in her stomach was something else entirely.
Sharp. Insistent. Familiar.
A memory clawing at the surface, refusing to stay buried.
Rex froze beside her. "You're feeling it again, are you?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," Nova said, voice soft.
"Do you know why?" he pressed.
"No, but I was going to ask you if we could come here last time …" She paused.
"Bad timing?" Rex offered with a grin, and Nova laughed again. She did that so easily with him.
They walked along the bookcases together.
"This is beautiful," Nova said, her voice full of awe.
"I heard you remember everything you read," Rex said, voice teasing.
Nova flushed red.
"I'll take that as a yes," he added, shaking his head at how adorable she was being.
He felt the pull to her through their bond with Onyx. But even before that—just the night before—his wolf had told him they were mates. He already knew.
They were meant to be together, yet something had gone wrong along the way and for some reason she wasn't his.
Yet he couldn't stop himself from falling completely and utterly in love with her. And every time he saw her blush or let her guard down, it melted him.
A beautiful queen had walked into his life. Yet beneath it all, she was still just Nova—utterly captivating and perfect for him in every way.
"Hyran recommended I bring you to the restricted section. Usually only the very select are allowed in," Rex said, grinning. He lowered his voice with exaggerated importance. "Apparently there are scrolls in here that don't exist anywhere else."
Nova's eyes widened, a smile spreading across her face before she could stop it.
Rex grabbed her hand, pulling her through rows and rows of ancient books until they reached a gated section tucked into the back.
A robed mage seated at a desk looked up, startled. "Oh—Prince Rex!" he exclaimed, standing and bowing deeply. His eyes shifted to Nova, then flicked back to Rex in silent question.
"This is Nova Shadowclaw, Queen of the North," Rex said, answering without hesitation.
"Nova, meet Master Thalen. He's the Master Mage-Librarian and Head Keeper of Scrolls."
Nova nodded. "Pleasure to meet you," she said with a warm smile.
Master Thalen glanced at her, taken aback by her kindness. He opened his mouth to speak, then shut it.
Rex fought the urge to roll his eyes. Everyone who met her reacted this way—but even the librarian?
"Master Thalen, can you open the gate for us, please?" Rex asked.
"Of course. P‑p‑pleasure to meet you, Q‑queen S‑Shadowclaw," he stuttered, bowing deeply. He fumbled through a ring of keys and unlocked the gate with a click.
Rex grabbed Nova's hand and led her through.
"Where to first?" he asked, turning to look at her.
His smile faded. Something was off.
Nova froze and her eyes glowed silver.
She released his hand and walked forward.
"Nova?" Rex asked, voice tight as he tried to gauge if he should be alarmed.
Her eyes trailed upward to a book on the top shelf.
"Do you need something from up there?" Rex asked gently.
Nova nodded once, without speaking.
Master Thalen stammered, "L‑let me g‑get you a l‑ladder, my Queen. One m‑moment."
He hurried off and returned moments later with a sliding ladder, placing it against the shelf.
"I can retrieve it. Do you know which one?" he asked.
Nova nodded again.
Before the man could climb, Nova moved. In a blur of alpha speed she ascended the ladder, reaching the top shelf in an instant. She pulled a book from the row. Beneath it Rex heard a faint scrape of metal—something hidden behind the book. A lever perhaps or mechanism.
He watched, stunned.
Nova's eyes were still silver. She turned her head, looking at the shelf behind her.
"Do you need a b-book up there too? One moment, Queen Shadowclaw!" Master Thalen called, running off in search of another ladder.
By the time he returned, Nova had already leapt. She landed on the high shelf, drew a book, and Rex heard the clank of metal beneath where the book had been.
The floor rumbled beneath them.
Her eyes flicked to the second‐floor balcony. Rex's chest tightened—he didn't want her to jump.
"Nova, wait!"
It was too late. She jumped, catching herself on the balcony. She sprinted along the second level at Alpha speed toward another shelf. No ladder stood there. She froze—just long enough for Rex and Thalen to catch up.
"Which one?" Rex asked.
Thalen's eyes lit with quick, eager understanding. He dragged a ladder over and fixed it against the shelves. Nova was already moving. She scaled it in a blur, pulling an old tome free. Then slipped her fingers beneath it and pulled a metal latch concealed under.
The floor rumbled, with a faint sound of gears shifting. Almost as if another mechanism beneath the floor activated.
Nova's gaze locked onto a massive painting of dragons mounted high on the wall.
"Do you need to get to that?" Rex asked.
Nova gave a single nod.
Master Thalen scurried away and returned moments later, wheeling out a tall, freestanding ladder. He positioned it carefully against the wall.
Before he could say a word, Nova shot up the rungs in a blur. The painting was massive, easily taller than she was. Yet somehow, she shifted it aside with ease—like she'd moved it a hundred times before.
Behind the painting, something gleamed. Rex's eyes narrowed.
Nova pulled a golden hook and the sound of something unlatching echoed immediately after.
The great library's quiet rustle of pages was interrupted by a low rumble from beneath the library floor.
At this point a few mage-librarians had emerged from their sections, watching in curious silence.