Chapter 6 The Unwanted Mate

• Elara sat in the mansion's vast library, the old wooden chair creaking beneath her as she leafed through a dusty book. The smell of old paper and leather was strong in the air, and the quiet made her feel both trapped and yet safe. There were shelves full of books on the walls around her. Some were old and some were new, but they all appeared to hold secrets. She ran her fingers over the pages of an old book, the words almost gone.
• Every word made her feel like she was getting deeper into a puzzle she wasn't ready to solve. Her heart raced not only because she was scared at the mansion, but also because she was thinking about her own past. Maeve had been vague in their prior talks, but Elara needed answers now.
• A little, yellowed piece of parchment came out from between the leaves as she turned another page. It fell to the ground with a faint rustle. When Elara lifted it up, her hands shook because the paper was so delicate. She opened it up, and her breath caught as her eyes swept the lettering.