All Lucas Tripp wants is good weather for the upcoming harvest, suitable matches for his six older sisters, a little money leftover at the end of the month, to never ever come within brushing distance of ascension to the throne, and more quality time with Alex. That’s not so much to ask for, right? Oh, and for his dog to listen to him. And for his cat to stop plotting against him. And for his mother to stop being disappointed in him. And for his sister Clara to someday forgive him for stealing Alex away from her. Not that Lucas did that!

When Clara’s new suitor suddenly disappears, Lucas is drawn into an adventure of a lifetime—kicking and screaming all the way. Magical beings traipsing through portals, missing princes, breaking and entering, suspicious magicians, and arsey cousins doesn’t really cover the rest of it, but give Lucas time; he’ll come up with more.

The Queen's Librarian is created by Carole Cummings, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.

The Queen's Librarian

      IT WAS only another ten-minute ride to the Circle. Lucas swept his gaze continually while he rode, squinting through the dark, looking for a flash of white and listening for a familiar bark. Nothing came.


      "Perhaps Parry simply quickened his pace and rode ahead, and Bramble followed," Alex said. "It's... very dark, after all."


      Too dark, Lucas couldn't help thinking, but didn't want to say out loud. So dark it was downright eerie. Under different circumstances, he would likely be busy talking Alex into turning around and legging it anywhere but here, and definitely not steadily plodding to a place he didn't necessarily relish visiting in the daytime.


      As he was dealing with *this* circumstance--the one where his sister's intended, his cousin, and now his dog had all disappeared in too-rapid succession--turning around and running was, at the moment, merely a half-fond and half-guilty wish.


Chapter 32