12
Molly
I got lost in the books. Hours passed. It could have been days. I didn’t stop to
find anything to eat or drink. I was mesmerized by Damon’s family collection. I had questions. Who put it together? Were there records on where each book was acquired? How did they catalog it? Was there a palace librarian?
I thumbed through a tattered copy of Le Petit Prince. I guessed it was worth more than my apartment. My neck and shoulders were sore. I had my own research to complete. And I hadn’t checked in on Brooklyn.
There was no way to know when Damon would finish with the prime minister. I had no idea which prime minister was here. It was surreal to think I was in the same building as world leaders. I returned the book to the shelf and ventured out of the library. The halls were quiet. I remembered which direction we had walked this morning.
The elevator was at the end of this corridor.
I arrived, smiling at the guards.
“Hi.”
The one on the right broke his staring contest with the wall and cut a glance at me.
“I’d like to go upstairs.” I knew my voice wasn’t confident. I didn’t know the protocol or what to say. If he would scoot, I could hop on the elevator.
“His Royal Highness has not given instructions, mademoiselle.”
“Well, I—I’m visiting.” I tried to think of how to put our arrangement in suitable terms. I had already been warned once about my word choice. “His Royal Highness asked me to stay.” It sounded funny referring to him that way. I knew he was the king, but I don’t think the weight of his position had hit me yet. After last night I felt things were as personal as they could be between us.
The men didn’t budge. “There are no instructions,” he repeated.
I crossed my arms. What in the hell was I going to do? I couldn’t wander aimlessly around the palace. They weren’t going to let me upstairs. I was starving. And I needed to get home to check on my best friend.
I was going to make one more attempt to plead for their compassion when an older gentleman appeared from a side room. He was thin with a silvery mustache.
“What is this? Are you lost, madam?”
“Oh no.” I shook my head. “I’m visiting the king and wanted to return to the royal residence,” I explained.
“Master Sutcliffe, we don’t have her on the royal roster and there are no instructions from the king,” the guard informed him.
“I see.” He glanced at me. I could tell from the way he looked at me, he wasn’t going to take pity on me. “You’re sure you didn’t get separated from a tour group?”
“I’m not on a tour of the palace. I’ve been with Damon.”
His eyes widened at the use of the king’s first name.
“I was in the royal library, studying texts. And now I’d like to go upstairs.”
He folded his hands behind his back. “I’m afraid that is impossible. Do you have some form of identification?”
I had nothing on me. It was against all the rules of The Titan.
“No.”
“Then, I’m going to ask you to leave.” He turned to the security officer. “If this becomes a problem, please call me.”
“Yes, sir.”
He stormed off down the corridor toward the library.
I sighed. “Is Georgan here?” I asked. “The driver?”