Chapter 389
Chapter 389:
Inside the Bugatti, Asher glanced over at Kristine and the snack in her hand. “Is it not to your taste p>
The treat was from a small shop run by people from their home country, Rymonst. Asher had worried it might not be authentic and had nearly called Tripp to have the real thing flown in, but Kristine had told him not to go to the trouble.
Kristine surfaced from her thoughts and shook her head slightly. “No, it’s nothing. I just thought I caught a glimpse of Devin p>
“Devin?” Asher’s brows drew together.
After a brief pause, he offered her a reassuring smile. “You probably saw someone who resembled him. Devin is supposed to be back in Gridron — there’s no reason he’d be out here p>
“You’re probably right,” Kristine said, the tension leaving her shoulders. She held up her snack and added, “This is actually really good p>
“I’m glad,” Asher replied, looking at her with quiet warmth. “So, where would you like to go next p>
Kristine hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Could we go to the local library p>
The library in this city was world-renowned, its collection filled with rare volumes and handwritten documents spanning centuries. She had wanted to visit it for years but had always been too uncertain to ask, half expecting to be turned down.
Back when she was with Colton, he had dismissed the idea with a sneer and called it a dull place for people with nothing better to do.
“Of course,” Asher said. His voice was easy and warm, perfectly matched to the bright afternoon outside.
𝖶𝖾𝘦𝘬𝘭𝘆 𝗋𝖾l𝘦a𝗌еѕ о𝗇
Kristine’s face broke into a sudden, unguarded smile. “Then — shall we go now p>
“Let’s do it.” Asher raised his fist.
Without a second thought, Kristine lifted her own fist and bumped it lightly against his.
Their knuckles met with a soft tap. Neither of them commented on it, because the quiet feeling passing between them was far louder than any words would have been.
An hour later, their car pulled up to the library entrance.
The building was breathtaking — rich walnut wood paneling the shelves and floors, every surface deep and lustrous. The hallways curved in long, graceful arcs that made the whole space feel less like a building and more like something sculpted by hand.
Stepping inside, Kristine felt as though she had walked out of the present and into the seventeenth century. She stood still for several minutes, simply taking it in, before she remembered herself and moved toward the front desk.
“Hi,” she said to the librarian. “I was wondering if you have a copy of The Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria p>
The librarian looked up, typed briefly, and nodded. “Yes, we have it in the collection p>
“Is it available to borrow?” Kristine asked, her eyes brightening.
“I’m afraid not,” the librarian replied. “We only have the one copy. It’s an incunabulum — one of the earliest printed books — so it can’t leave the building p>
“Of course. I understand.” Kristine’s expression fell slightly. She turned to Asher. “Let’s go look around instead p>