From The Ashes

Part 12

We opened the door to the library and Eian rushed past me, practically running me over. It was massive. The ceiling must've been thirty feet high. Two flights of stairs led up on either side to a second floor. Every wall was lined with shelves of books, all the way up to the high ceiling. There was a huge fireplace and cushy looking sitting area between the staircases. All the windows were tall and were made of beautiful stained glass. Eian was in awe, staring up at the seemingly endless walls of books.
  "You like it buddy?" Cass asked. Eian turned to us and looked so happy I thought he might cry.
  "It's amazing!" He said brightly.
  "Well, go on, the king said we're welcome here so have at it!" I told him. He immediately took off, sprinting up the stairs. I leaned onto Cass a little with crossed arms, watching Eian run around excitedly. "He loves it here."
  "That's putting it lightly" He said with a light chuckle. "Wanna go look around?"
  "Sure." I said, shrugging. We made our way up the stairs to the right. The second level was just as impressive. Rows and rows of books made their way across the entire floor. I wandered down an aisle. "There's some adventure novels over here. I know you like those."
  "Yeah I do. You know me so well." He said, joining me in between the rows. I pulled a book from the shelf.
  "Hey this one is cool, it's about pirates." I said. I decided against it and placed it back on the shelf.
  "I think I'm gonna take this one. 'The Adventures of Sir Mikeal Callaway'. Sounds pretty interesting." Cass said. A book with a golden spine caught my eye but the shelf it was on was just inches out of my reach. "Need some help?"
  "No, I can get it." I said stubbornly. My fingertips just grazed the top before slipping off. Cass reached over my head and effortlessly pulled the book off the shelf.
  "Here, shorty." He said with a smirk.
  "I am not short! I'm 5'7" thank you!" I said, slugging him in the arm.
  "Ouch!" He complained, rubbing his bicep.
  "Don't be a baby." I teased. "I took a right hook from a guy way bigger than you, you'll live. I think I'll read this one."
  "Um, I'm 6'4" thank you." He said, mocking me. I just rolled my eyes.
  "You're an idiot, and freakishly tall. Come on and read downstairs with me. That couch is calling my name." I said. We headed down the stairs to find Eian already with a pile of books and a big smile.
   A few hours later Cass, Eian, and I were still in the library. Eian was laying on the carpet in front of the fire with books sprawled out around him. Cass and I sat on either end of a comfy couch, reading our new books.
  "So, I'm freaking out about the ball." I said to Cass, pulling myself away from my novel.
  "Why?" He asked.
  "Uh well, there will be fancy noble people to judge me, I have no idea what I'm supposed to wear, and what if I'm supposed to dance? I can't dance!" I rambled. Cass raised an eyebrow.
  "If any noble jackass wants to be rude to you they can talk to me, although you'd probably be able to handle them on your own. As for what to wear, between Mira and the seamstress here I'm sure you'll be fine. When it comes to dancing I don't think any of us know how, maybe Mira but I'm sure someone in the castle can teach us." He said calmly.
  "How are you always so relaxed? Does anything get to you?" I asked.
  "Sure, lots of things." He said, shrugging.
  "Like what?" I said, genuinely curious what worries Cass.
  "Well, I worry about my siblings and mom. I worry about the forge staying in business in such a small town. And of course I worry about you and Eian. I just try to focus on what I can control. I work hard for my family. I'm working on my fighting skills so I can become a knight or a bounty hunter just in case something happens to the forge. I'm here now, with you and the others, to protect you guys and to be here for whatever happens. So, yeah. That's how I stay calm. I just take things one step at a time." He said, crossing one leg over the other. He was being so casual for someone who just said one of the most mature things I'd ever heard. 
  "Wow. You are kind of incredible." I said genuinely.
  "Oh, incredible am I?" Cass said with a grin. I had fed his ego, oh boy.
  "Well. When you want to be. Sometimes you're just an ass." I teased, kicking his leg lightly. I replied. We heard the doors to the library open.
  "There you guys are! We've been looking for you. You missed lunch." Mira came striding in with Gwen and Oliver following behind.
  "Oh, did we? I guess we lost track of time." I said.
  "Wow, this place is cool." Oliver said, taking in the massive room. "I can see why you've spent all day here. It's cozy."
  "Well, it's time for dinner. You guys are probably hungry." Mira said. Eian jumped up.
  "Yeah, I'm starving!" He said.
  "Me too honestly, let's go eat." I said. As we walked down the hall I could already smell dinner cooking and I was getting excited for another royal meal.