“Now?” Fernando asked.
I nodded.
“Wait…what’s going on?” Kurnbottom furrowed his brows and looked around. His eyes returned to their normal color. His shoulders sank. “This isn’t right. I had everything I needed. Now…my body’s so weak.”
Silas punched him straight in the face.
Kurnbottom’s nose crunched. He cried out and tried to lift his hands to his face. Fernando held tight to his cuffs, stopping him.
Kurnbottom sniffled and glared at me, a trickle of blood running down his lips. “What did you do?It’s not fair!”
Fernando shoved Kurnbottom through the portal and stepped in after him. The portal closed.
“You don’t want to be senior librarian anymore?” Silas asked.
None of my visions of the future involved the library. Without it, I could actually spend time with the people I cared about. After that, I’d figure the rest out.
“Someone once told me I could do good without being senior librarian,” I said.
“That someone must be pretty smart,” Silas said. “Not at all a witless waffle.”
“That’s fair,” I said. “But still a pompous potato.”
“Arrogant yam,” he said.
“Dastardly donut.”
Silas laughed, deep and hearty. The sound made me feel light and strangely joyful. I wanted to hear it again, and I wanted to see those tempting lips of his curve up in a smile. I could spend all of my moments, all of my days, doing just that.
“You two are so cute,” Imogen said.
I gave her a small smile, then turned my attention back to Silas. “What was your true mission here in Roldaria? The mission you sought out senior librarian for?”
“Kurnbottom ensnared several unicorn shifters, brainwashed them, and forced them into his service, to protect this crumbling castle.”
“He tried to do the same to you,” I said.
“He almost succeeded,” Silas said. “And he would have if not for you.”
“You could have told me everything sooner,” I said. “I would have helped.”
“I should have,” Silas said.
“And the other unicorn? The evil one?” Imogen asked. “He’s the one you’re here for, right?”
“He’s not evil,” Silas said. “With the orb broken, he should be free.”
“Oh, I did that,” Imogen. “It was an accident, but yay for me.”
The naked man who had been the red unicorn stumbled into the room and leaned on the doorway.
Silas squeezed my hand, then took off his coat, rushed over, and offered it to the man. The man put on the coat, and the two hugged.
“You saved me,” the man said. “I don’t know how, but you broke the curse.”
“I had help from my friends,” Silas said. “I’m so glad you’re all right, Dad.”
EPILOGUE