Her Name Was Aelin Ashryver Galathynius (A ToG High School Au)

the finely made bookshelves of the library

Dorian POV

I was sat in the library waiting for Chaol when Manon Blackbeak walked in. She was on her own for once, she wasn't flicked by her friends - or as they call themselves - the thirteen.  It was weird seeing her on her own, she is almost always with Asterin, her cousin. She scanned the room, her golden eyes skipping straight past me. She really was beautiful, there was no denying it. She could have easily been a model, with that long silver hair and those high cheekbones.

She lifted a hand to one of the book shelves, those sharp grey nails protruding out of it. No matter what, she always had them. Her friends did as well, but they varied in colours. Hers were always dark grey, they looked almost like iron. She looked around again, and our eyes met. She glared at me, but I didn't back down. Then, slowly, without breaking eye contact, she walked towards me.

"What do you want?" She hissed. She was at my table now, towering over where I sat.

"Why do you think I want something?" I asked her, acting innocent. Like I wasn't just staring at her.

"I know you were staring at me. Why." She didn't ask, really, she demanded it.

"Who says I was staring at you? Maybe I was looking at that finely made bookshelf you were stood at." She glared at me again, yet she didn't seem angry. There was a flicker of something else in her eyes. Was it... amusement?

"And why would you be staring at that finely made shelf in particular? Why not the ones currently to your left?"

"If we are having a conversation, I would prefer it if you sat down." I dodged her question and pointed at the seat in front of me, the one I was saving for Chaol. Manon Balckbeak is far more interesting company anyway.

She arched an eyebrow at me, but slowly sank into the seat. Her eyes didn't leave mine.

"Answer the question."

"Ask politely, and I'll consider it."

"Answer the question, your oh so royal highness."

"Since you speak so highly of me, I would hate to disappoint. I was staring at that shelf in particular because it simply has the nicest view." The edges of her red painted lips curved up a fraction. Like she was suppressing a smile.

"Oh really?" She started menacingly tapping her nails on the table. The small tapping sound echoing through the near silent library. "And why would that be?"

"Simply because my favourite book is on there."

"You favourite book?" Her eyes light up then.

"Yes, my favourite book."

"So your favourite book happens to be a book about intergalactic war fare?" I cringed inside.

"Of course. But how on earth would you know what those books are about, Manon?" I swear she blushed a little. But then her face turned cold. Icy cold.

"A girl can have her interests."

"I'm not denying that. But I wouldn't think you to be a girl interested in sci-fi books."

"Maybe I like the blood thirsty villains." She was losing her cool a bit, I could tell. I couldn't believe that I had made Manon Blackbeak lose her cool. I simply raised my eyebrows at her. It was kind of cute she had an inner geek. I bet she's a Star Wars fan.

"Now then. What might your little secret be, Dorian?" She leaned forward in her chair, "soppy romance stories? Books full of smut? Or how about-"

"Dorian, there you are. I've been looking for you." I looked away from Manon to see Chaol stood behind her, looking at us weirdly.

"I guess I'll have to find out your secret some other time." Manon stood from the chair, "I'll see you around, princeling." She walked off, and I watched her. Chaol sat down where she was sat seconds ago. Princeling? Why would she call me that. I guess she did jokingly call me your royal highness...

"Princeling? Secret? What was that all about?"

"I..." I sighed, "I have no idea. Come on, there's a book I need to take out."

-

A/n

So this is a bit shorter, but I wanted the focus of this chapter to be Manorian and I couldn't think of something else to add to it. Sorry for not updating for ages, writer's block is a bitch.