I can’t decide which is more unbearable: the pain from the shackles digging into my wrists or the sound of those two getting along. I’m no closer to an answer when the door opens. I could cry at the sight of the room’s new occupant.

“Teddy,” I say with a shaky voice.

She plants her hands on her hips and squints, taking in every inch of me. “So,” she muses with a devilish grin. “The Princess of Verdana has finally come to see my library.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

Braizen

Theodore is an absolute sight to behold. I haven’t seen her in years, and how she’s changed. I try my best not to gawk at her swaying form as she strides down the hall ahead of us and yells at the guards who cuffed and threw Idalia and me together in an enclosed space. I even try to dismiss the odd feeling that dares to consume me when I notice features on her that look shockingly akin to her brother’s. They have always been an insanely beautiful pair.

Finally, we stop before a set of double doors. She looks over her shoulder at me.

“Still good at picking locks, Prince?” The thick lashes lining her round eyes flutter a bit, and I stutter.

“I, I think so. I do locks all the time. So, I could. I can. Pick it. The lock.”

Idalia glances at me; her expression leaking embarrassment and scorn.

I clear my throat and continue. “What I mean to say is that if you want a lock picked, I’ll do it for you.” Theodore smiles. “If you want me to…” I finish with a tight grin.

Ranstig elbows me. “Smooth,” he whispers from the corner of his mouth.

My face twitches, and I stand straighter.

“Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind,” Theodore says and reaches for one of the gold knobs. The open door reveals towers of bookshelves, climbing to the glass-paned ceiling. Sunlight splatters the spines of thousands of volumes. Idalia slowly twirls, taking in every inch of the room.

“I didn’t know you had such a passion for books,” I say, breaking the silence.

Her eyes don’t leave the shelves as she answers. “There are many things you don’t know about me, Prince Braizen.” She saunters to a table and picks up a thick volume, thumbing through it with an untamed urgency.

Theodore joins her and seems elated with Idalia’s pleasure.

“Didn’t I tell you this place was impressive?”

Idalia chokes on a laugh. “I’m afraid you didn’t do it justice. It’s huge!”

Another elbow digs into my ribs, and Stig’s brows bounce. “If I had a gold coin for each time I’ve heard that,” he snickers.

I smile, but only because I can hear Torrent’s howl fill the room. Of course, Lin and Lorna would groan at the joke. Gods, I miss them.