Demon Lord's Point of View

  I stepped out of my book to the familiar sight of rows and rows of bookshelves on the second floor of the library, except, what used to be an unused area was now bustling with people all staring at me as the golden light from my book slowly faded. Guess there was no hiding that I was a book spirit now. I stuffed my book into my robes and escaped down the stairs to the first floor before anyone realized who I was. I did not have time to deal with so-called fans right now. Not when Willow was waiting for me.

  The stairs seemed wider than I remembered and branched off into what looked like a basement. I thought I'd explored every inch of this library, but I'd never seen a basement before...

  A book flew past my head with a tiny knight riding on it like it was a horse. His whooping and hollering would have felt very out of place, but the library was noisier than usual too, as if the buzz of people talking couldn't be drowned out. The purple dragon who so loved perching on my horns chased after the knight, flipping tail over head when he saw me so he could fly back. The dragon cried out, spreading his arms wide to latch onto my shoulder with tiny little claws. His nose bumped against my cheek as he crooned.

  "You again." I patted the flying lizard's head reluctantly, knowing they never left unless I showed a little affection first. "Now go back to chasing that knight of yours."

  The dragon nuzzled against me for a moment before taking off, flying after the knight to continue their game. The dragons and knights were always up to something from tag to wrestling. Maybe it was a flying race and my distraction would make the purple one lose. Hmm...I didn't love that idea. I followed his flight long enough to see him pounce on the book carrying the knight. They all went down, landing on a soft couch that I also didn't remember being there.

  Something strange must have happened while I was gone. There was only one person who could tell me what it was and give me an update on Willow's situation: Nyssa.

  I scanned the area for the overly cheerful librarian, spotting her over by the great book tree. She and Oren were surrounded by books, all flipped open in a circle around them as they sat cross-legged on the ground. Ink stained Nyssa's hands and smeared her face as she wrote notes on various pieces of parchment scattered around. Her hair was tied up with a string, but wisps of it were falling out like she'd been tugging at it. Roan sat outside the circle, leaning against the tree's trunk with his eyes closed as he calmly pet the three-headed beast everyone loved so much.

  Cerbie's tail started wagging when I stepped closer. I gave him my best stern look for him to stay put, but he hopped up and wandered over by me anyway, licking my hands and jumping up so his paws were on my chest. His mouths were open in big goofy puppy grins and he'd start drooling on me soon if I wasn't careful. I scratched behind his ears before pushing him back down. I'd forgotten what a handful these story spirits were! But it was nice that they'd missed me...

  Roan opened his eyes, inclining his head when he noticed me. "Demon Lord."

  "Adventurer," I answered back. We hadn't bonded like him and the other story spirits had, but I respected his desire to protect them and the library. Plus, he had been useful at times. "I'm looking for an update on the Willow situation."

  He motioned at Nyssa and Oren with a shrug before closing his eyes and apparently going back to sleep. Okay, maybe he wouldn't be so useful this time. I turned to the others who were bent over books, so lost in whatever they were reading that neither moved to answer me either. I absently pet the three-headed beast while I waited for one of them to snap out of it, but after a few minutes, I'd had enough. Each minute we wasted was another Willow had to spend away from her family.

  "Can you rescue Willow or not?" My shadows crossed the little book circle of theirs, sweeping over the text they were trying to read. "That is what you're working on, right?"

  Nyssa finally glanced up at me, her forehead scrunched up. She rubbed her eyes and tilted her head like she was coming out of some kind of trance. "Demon Lord? Is Willow okay?"

  "She's stuck in a book!" I sighed, fully exasperated with all of them now. "Can you get her out or not?"

  Oren took his glasses off to clean them as they shared some kind of silent conversation, staring at each other and shaking their heads.

  "Well, about that..." Nyssa stood up, brushing the wrinkles out of her clothes. "The library's been doing more than just trapping Willow in a book. It started, well, it started growing."

  The steps leading to what had looked like a basement came to mind and it all started making sense now. "But don't all libraries grow once they have enough magic? That's how a sapling library becomes big enough for patrons."

  "True." Oren nodded, putting his glasses back on. "But this one is growing far too quickly so new shelves and rooms are kind of popping up all over the place."

  "And that has to do with Willow how?" I crossed my arms, staring at Nyssa. "She is still your priority, right? She's literally stuck in a book. If word got out about that–"

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Don't even think about it," Nyssa said, shaking her head. "I am still trying to get Willow out, yes, but the growth needs to be looked into as well. I'm guessing it's all connected. Misty has never had this many patrons before and the tree is literally overflowing with magic."

  She gestured behind her at the great book tree. Golden orbs floated through the leaves like fireflies while hundreds of new book buds weighed the branches down, drooping as golden light pulsed beneath the bark. It was the brightest I'd ever seen the tree. I stepped closer, resting my palm against its bark. Joy surged through me, but also confusion and a distinct sense of being overwhelmed. The library wasn't used to all this magic, especially not since wild magic was still in the mix.

  I sighed, patting the tree softly. "I understand. Please get her out as soon as you can."

  A branch drifted across my shoulder, leaves brushing against my skin. Misty wouldn't do this on purpose, and it probably still felt terrible about Willow being inside my book. I shouldn't have had this conversation right here in front of the tree. Sometimes taking a step back and thinking before I spoke would be wise.

  "How's she doing?" Nyssa asked softly. "I know she's stuck in a book, but is she okay?"

  "Honestly, she's at a bunny cafe right now surrounded by fluffy animals and good food. She's doing better than any of us." I gave the tree one last pat before turning back to Nyssa. "That doesn't mean something bad won't happen to her later though."

  Nyssa nodded. "I understand, but at least she's having fun right now. A bunny cafe sounds pretty nice. I didn't realize your book had things like that."

  "I'm full of surprises," I said dryly. "But speaking of books, Willow wants to check out my entire series. For research."

  I had the latest volume of my series with me, but that was a special book, one that could never get checked out. It was the book Misty had first summoned me from and the one that let me pass between the story world and this one. Now that my hiding spot was surrounded by patrons, I'd have to find a new way to keep it safe.

  "No problem, let me go grab them," Nyssa frowned, turning in a circle like she had no idea where anything was anymore. "Sorry, the shelves tend to move lately."

  Oren hopped up. "Let me get them. I just saw that shelf a few hours ago."

  As he wandered over to get my books, Cerbie rejoined Roan dropping a ball in his lap. The adventurer laughed, tossing it down an aisle with no people before glancing up at Nyssa.

  "If you like bunny cafes, I can find one for us." His eyes crinkled as he smiled. "You'll deserve to rest after figuring all this out."

  I raised an eyebrow. "She could go inside my book and try out Bunny Brews herself, but that would probably get her stuck. What a shame that would be."

  "I said I was working on it," Nyssa said. "Give me a few more days, okay? I'll figure this out and get Willow back safe and sound."

  If anyone could, it was probably her, and continuing to badger her wasn't going to get us anywhere. So once Oren brought the books in my series, I nodded at them and removed my book from my cloak. It started glowing with that beautiful golden light that meant the magic was about to suck me in, but I wasn't ready. This wasn't safe.

  I stared at Nyssa as the light started engulfing me. "Take care of my book. If I walk out into somebody's home next time instead of the library, I'm going to be furious."

  "That would never happen." Nyssa smiled a little too wide. "We're putting the book spirits' books in a special place now, so nobody can accidentally check them out. You have nothing to worry about."

  The way she said now didn't fill me with confidence, but the book had already sucked me in. I stepped out into my castle, the familiar drab gray stone welcoming me. I made my way to the castle's new library so I could leave these books for Willow to read while I was visiting her Gran and then pulled out the writing tablet I'd purchased earlier.

  I left the books in my series in the castle library. Read them whenever you want. I'm going to check on the apothecary now.

  A fire still crackled in the fireplace, warm and bright as if somebody was feeding it wood. How had this library appeared out of nowhere? Was it connected to the Misty Mountain Library's growth or something else? We hadn't encountered anything dangerous while we slept here, but it still made me a little uneasy. At least Willow had a warm place to read these books though, so that was something. The rest of my castle was far too cold and uncomfortable. I honestly hadn't realized how bad it was until she started pointing things out.

  For me, it had just been my home. I slept when I was tired and I watched the demons outside or visited Misty when I was bored. It was just how my life went. But maybe there could be more to living. Something a little cozier. I ran my hand along the plush couch, remembering Willow sleeping here with her red hair sprawled out all over the cushions. She had seemed so peaceful, as if being stuck in a book didn't worry her at all. I was lucky it was her who'd gotten stuck here and not somebody prone to panicking.

  The writing tablet vibrated.

  I'll head back now then, thank you. Tell my Gran I'm sorry for worrying her and don't forget to make sure she has help before you leave. She can't fill all those orders on her own, no matter how much she'll tell you she can.

  I was about to write back, assuring her I'd take care of it, when more messages from her appeared.

  Please don't forget my clothes either. I know it's beneath a Demon Lord and all, but I'd really appreciate it. Maybe grab some tea from Gran too. She has the best mixtures.

  A smile tugged at my lips. She was so demanding and had no problem adding to my ever-growing to-do list. I should be offended that a human had the nerve to order me around, but somehow, with her, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I shook it off like Cerbie shaking water off after getting caught in the rain. I was not a warm and fuzzy kind of person. I was a villain.

  I picked up the pencil and wrote back to her.

  I'll handle everything. Just focus on writing my book like you promised.

  There. That should get us back to the mission at hand. I straightened the books on the table so my series was easily noticeable and then summoned the golden light that would bring me back to Willow's world again. Her Gran had seemed very kind the last time I met her and picturing her overwhelmed because of my error in judgement didn't seem right. If Willow had to be stuck in my book, then I had to help her Gran. It was as simple as that.