"She's gone." Maddox's voice is loud and clear even through the thick wood of the wardrobe.
Is this some kind of trick? Am I going to walk out to a coven of witches, ready to pounce on me or torture me with their nasty spells? I rub the ten-year-old scar on my arm—the small patch of melted skin marks a defining moment of my life. I know what they're capable of.
Before I can figure out my options, the door flies open, and I stand face-to-face with Maddox. When I confirm we're alone in the room, I stare up at him, unsure how to thank him for helping me, and completely confused why he chose to do so in the first place. We're standing so close together that his scent invades my nostrils. A unique, and no doubt expensive, spicy, woodsy fragrance as fresh as a brand-new morning. I also detect a hint of the licorice flowers that only grow in Fable Forest—they’re Granger's favorites.
"Afraid I'll bite, little Dot?" He lowers his gaze, raking it over my curves in a slow perusal.
As a teenager, I might have wilted into myself under such scrutiny, anxious about his eyes on my full hips and round stomach. But I’ve grown up, and the unmistakable flicker of lust that flashes across his face has me standing up straighter.
Eat your heart out, wizard.
As if he can hear the challenge in my thoughts, his upper lip curls into a rare smile. It quickly disappears, but I startle, stunned by the sight of joy on his face. My mouth drops open, and I'm pretty sure a little drool comes out of the corner. If I thought he was handsome when he was arrogant and growly, I’m blown away by the beauty of his face with even the barest hint of a smile.
Scowling like he realizes he did something he shouldn't have, Maddox quickly crosses to the desk and rests against it as if he doesn't have a care in the world.
"Why didn't you tell her I was here?" I ask, as suspicious of his act of goodwill as I am grateful for it.
"What were you doing here this morning? And what the hell are you doing in here tonight?"
The abruptness of his tone fuels my irritation. He straightens and stalks toward me until he's close enough that I can smell his intoxicating scent again.
"Why did you hide me?" I demand, hands on my hips, my eyes on his perfect mouth.
"Tit," he says, dropping his gaze to my chest. "Tat," he whispers.
I swallow hard.
After a charged moment of silence, I clench my jaw. "I wanted to talk to your father. He wasn't home."
His eyes flicker slightly at the mention of his dad.
Noted.
"What could you possibly need from the great and powerful Oz?" His voice is steady, but his eyes bore into me like he's trying to read my mind. His tone skates a razor's edge of mockery and condescension, so I'm not sure what he actually thinks of the situation.
I have nothing to hide, so I cross my arms over my chest and level him with a glare. "He's trying to rezone the Ogre Swamp, which includes my brothers' land."
"Ah, yes. Yourbrothers." His lip sneers on the last word.
What is up with these wizards and my brothers? Anger spreads so quickly throughout my body that I briefly consider if it's possible to spontaneously combust.
"Yes,brothers," I grit out. "And your asshole father is fucking with their lives."
He raises his eyebrows in mock surprise. "And your plan to deal with my father was to what? Storm the castle and demand he stop being a meanie? Sweetheart, he wouldn't stop his plans for anybody, let alone you or yourfamily." He uses air quotes on the last word, and I want to punch him in his perfect fucking teeth.
"What is wrong with you?" I yell, not caring if he put a silencing spell on the room. "You really think money makes you better than everyone else? What do you have against my brothers?"
"I don't know, Dottie. What could I possibly have against three grown men taking advantage of a young woman still in high school?" Maddox growls back at me.
"What?" I choke out in bewilderment. "What are you talking about?"
"We all know the rumors." Maddox shrugs as if he couldn't care less, but his jaw clenches, and the little vein by his eye reveals his anger. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was furious. But why would he care?
"Yes. Rumors started by your evil witch fiancée," I snap, getting in his face. Life is truly unfair. Why should gorgeous, sexy bone structure like his be wasted on someone with such a dark heart?
"Exfiancée," he grits out.
"Doesn't sound like she's fully on board with theexpart, does it?" I raise my eyebrow, pleased as punch to have heard something I shouldn't have.
