Once Upon His December

Chapter 11- Unexpected Company

Luckily the door to the library was never locked.  Anyone was welcome at any time. Except the staff which is why I was sneaking when everyone was otherwise occupied.  I stoked the fire, soon getting it roaring then turned to survey around the vast room.

A wide grin of bliss spread across my face.  I loved this room.  Unlike most of the palace, decorated or rebuilt to have a heavy french architectural influence, this library felt more medieval to me.

Divided into two stories, dark wood paneling lined the walls.  Eight shelves were packed with books on every subject you could ever want to read about.  The twisting wood staircase led to the second tier that had eight more shelves filled wall to wall with books.  The white stone fireplace was a bright feature for all the wood.  Especially with all the elaborate carved details on the mantle.  A deep inhale filled my nostrils with the unique aroma of bound leather and paper.

I strolled along the walls and rows of books, letting my fingers lightly glide over the smooth wood on the shelf at my hips height.  I curved around the four stepped stool available to help reach the books on the very top shelves if you weren't tall enough.  Which I would not be.  I couldn't possibly reach the top shelf even on my tiptoes.

Finally I reached the section that held the books of study for the subjects I had been working on with Lada and Theo.  Taking just one book at a time, I started with the book on Odessian history.

A couch positioned in front of the fire was the most inviting spot for me. That's where I carried my book.  To top off my solo study session, I poured a glass of wine from a decanter on a table near the fireplace. I made a mental note to refill it early tomorrow morning so no one would get suspicious of why it was lower than expected.

With drink in hand, legs outstretched across the couch, I opened the book and took a deep breath over the pages.  My smile returned.  I enjoyed the smell of an old book.  It was one of my favorite scents.  I sipped and read peacefully.  The crackle of the fire was the only sound and music to my ears.

Not long after I began reading, the creaking of the door that led to the library startled me.  I sat frozen reclined on the couch.  Wait, I didn't close the door so why was the door creaking? I hadn't lit any lamps either.  The entryway to the library was dark yet I saw a shadow moving.  It stopped just before I could see who it was.

"Wh-wh-who's there?" I asked meekly, calling out to the darkness. When there was no answer, I cleared my throat, sat up with shoulders back and tried again, attempting to be more brave. "Who is there? Show yourself!"

"Now that is no way to address the Tsesarevich," Nikolai's baritone voice scolded. He finally emerged from the darkness and made his way toward me.

My eyes widened.  I closed my book with a loud clap to stand but Nikolai stood in front of me by then.  I had moved my legs off the couch making the spot next to me available.  Nikolai gestured to the seat as if silently asking if he could sit.  All I could do was give a small nod.  That seemed to be good enough because Nikolai sat.

He wasn't dressed in his formal caftan from the ball anymore.  Just a loose fitting white V-neck tunic shirt, black trousers and shoes.  Before I could object, Nikolai stretched his arm across the back of the couch behind where I was sitting.

"You've made a cozy nook here," Nikolai commented, gray eyes staring into the fire.

"I-I couldn't sleep," I replied.  Absently I took a long sip from my glass and tucked a fallen strand of hair behind my ear.

"So you came here?" Nikolai asked softly.  He reached up, pulling the strand I tucked away back in front of my ear.  He rubbed the strand between his thumb and forefinger, admiring the silkiness.  The color shined a deep gold with the reflection of the fire.