you wanted to sleep with me,” Ashe said bitterly.
“And then I grew to care for you, Ashe,” he countered.
Her heart felt like it was being torn to pieces.
Her whole existence had been stolen away from her, and she was face-to-face with man who was responsible.
He’d taken her life, her family, even her name from her.
She was filled with rage and sorrow all at once.
She didn’t speak. Couldn’t, for fear her voice would betray her.
Her phone buzzed, breaking the spell, and she took it out of her pocket, grateful for the distraction.
A written message appeared on the screen.
Delilah Swan:
Hey girl. Just wondering if you’re up yet. I’m going to the library to pick up books for the Backpack project. Want to come? My husband will pick us up afterward and drop you at home. Can’t wait for you to meet him!
Relief flooded her chest.
She had a friend here. Maybe even two - Cressida was harder to read.
And even better, she now had something to do besides sit here in mourning for her life, hating the man she was beginning to love.
She had children to help.
“I have to go,” she said, turning on her heel.
“Ashe,” he called to her.
“I’m going to the library to help Delilah pick out books for the kids,” she told him, still unable to ignore him. “I don’t want you to come.”
She didn’t turn back, but she could feel him behind her, his sadness like a black hole. But she wasn’t going to feel sorry for him. Monsters like Varik were better off alone.
She searched for the Tarker’s Hollow Library on her phone and pulled up walking directions.
Say what you would about the mortal realm, there was a wealth of information open to anyone who had one of these devices. It was even better than magic. It worked for anyone.
She set off determinedly in the right direction.
The cold morning air felt good in her lungs, and the sun was rising behind her, glowing in the leaves of the trees ahead. Thunder rumbled in the distance, echoing her mood.
She walked on, hoping to beat the rain, and thinking about what life would have been like if she had stayed here.
Maybe she would already be friends with Cressida and Delilah.
Maybe she would have a mortal boyfriend.
The idea made her stomach twist. It felt wrong.
Could she be so set on Varik already?
Ashe had never shared her body with a man before. Perhaps she was feeling these pangs because he was her first.
But she could not imagine another man taking his place - not now, not ever.
“I don’t need a boyfriend,” she reminded herself out loud. “I have a friend. I have a job, and good things to do with my life. I have my freedom.”
Though she wondered what Cressida would do if she tried to keep Willow’s job and apartment.
Technically, they still belonged to Willow, but given where she had gone, Ashe was pretty sure Willow would never want to come back. Unlike Ashe, she had a true place in Faerie.
Ashe walked on, watching the leaves drift down in the soft light, creating abstract paintings on the street.
After a few more scenic blocks, she reached the library and saw Delilah standing outside, with baby Noah in his sling around her neck, as usual.
She was already feeling more relaxed.
“Hi, Ashe,” Delilah said, waving her down.
“Hey,” Ashe replied. “I’m glad you sent me the message. This will be fun.”
“The borough manager lent me the keys. I’ve never been at the library when it wasn’t open before,” Delilah confided. “To tell you the truth, the idea is a little spooky. I’m really glad you came.”
Noah yelled out some baby talk.
“I agree, Noah,” Ashe told him in a funny voice.
He chuckled at her.
Delilah opened the front door to the library, and they stepped into the dim lobby.
A big board was mounted next to the door into the library itself. Ashe read some of the posts while Delilah fumbled with the keys, trying to find the right one for the main door.
One post invited neighbors to volunteer to drive visually impaired residents to their appointments. Another offered free tutoring. A third sign simply said Library Fundraiser Book Donation with a down-facing arrow.
Below the board was a box filled to the brim with books.
“Amazing,” Ashe said to herself.
“What?” Delilah asked, stopping to turn to her.
“Oh, it’s just where I’m from, people don’t help each other so much,” Ashe said, indicating the board and box.
“Not where I come from either,” Delilah said, nodding. “Rich people in most places