135 Thank God

~ ZARA ~

Finally, we turned to find the wide, double-doors of the formal library ahead of us. The guards there opened the massive doors before we reached them so we could dart straight inside, then closed them with a thud behind us. Only then did Ash stop running.

We stood in the sitting area of the larger, formal library where I'd had to meet David for that first official one-on-one. A massive fireplace to my right, the long couch in front of me, and the several alcoves, chairs, and corners scattered around.

There were passages out of this room, I knew—I even remembered how to open that first one he'd shown me. But I didn't say anything. I didn't think anyone else knew.

But then I realized the room was empty. There'd been so many men and so much movement since we walked into the royal wing, but here… only the flames crackled and danced.