“Gratitude.” Lake nodded to him.
“I don’t say it to be kind.” Fane’s nostrils flared as he sharply exhaled and turned away. “I couldn’t care less whether it’s in his bed or the one down the hall, just as long as you rest. We worked hard closing those wounds of yours. Don’t make it be for naught.”
Fane stormed out of the room, closing the door on his way out. Unlike earlier, he didn’t lock it behind him.
“This is weird, right?” I plopped down on the bed. “Being in the Shadow Realm.”
“In the demon lord’s castle,” Lake added, sitting beside me. “Weird indeed. I keep wondering why he allowed us here.”
“Me too.” I curled against his side. “He could’ve turned us away instead of helping us. Why didn’t he?”
Lake’s palm slid across mine before he linked our fingers. “Perhaps he isn’t as cruel as the stories claim.”
“Maybe.” I chewed my bottom lip, thinking. “When I talked to him last night, he seemed… kind of nice, actually.”
“He spoke to you last night?” Lake asked.
I nodded. “He told me you were safe and resting. He also said the others are safe too. They found your father’s cottage and holed up there for the night.”
Lake shakily exhaled. “Thank the gods. I… I’ve been worried, not knowing what became of them after we left.”
“I hope they found something to eat.” The mention of food had me glancing toward the table. My appetite had returned, but eating could wait for another minute. Cuddling with Lake felt too nice. “According to Onyx, I have a bounty on my head. A different one, unrelated to Nocturne. Which means our men might have to lay low for a while.”
“Aye. If they return to the castle, their loyalty may be questioned.” A pained sound left Lake’s throat.
Pressure filled my chest. “We’ll figure this out, okay?” I lightly squeezed his fingers. “You’ll be playing chess with Duke again in no time, while Callum, Baden, and Quincy fight over the last sweet bun. Rowan will be perched somewhere drinking rum and stealing spicy truffles when he thinks we aren’t looking.”
A tear rolled down his cheek. “Maddox and Briar will be there too, one eating every muffin in sight while the other sips tea.”
“Just as long as it isn’t wine,” I said. “You know how Briar gets when he drinks too much.”
Lake tried for a smile, but it shook. “The cottage will take care of them until we can find our way home. A garden to keep them fed and plenty of blankets. There are plenty of deer and rabbits they can hunt as well.”
“Cal loves rabbit stew. It’s his favorite.”
“Aye.” He smoothed his thumb along the edge of my eye. “As you said, we’ll figure this out and find our way back to them. I know we will.”
I released an unsteady breath. “I’m glad you’re here with me, Lake. If you weren’t, I’d be out of my mind right now.”
“I’d be out of my mind as well.” He lightly bumped his head to mine. “As my fated mate, I need to know where you are and that you’re safe. Otherwise, I start to lose myself. You keep my inner wolf at bay.”
I recalled how he’d yanked the mercenary from the tree and ripped out her throat with his teeth. Remembered that wild look in his eyes as blood dripped from his mouth. I got the feeling it was a glimpse at what he’d become in one of those dark futures Lupin had warned me about.
Like hell I’d let that future come to pass.
“Did Lord Onyx say anything else to you?” Lake asked, pulling me from those dark thoughts.
“Not really. Only that knights are searching for me. Cedric’s evil plan worked. I’m officially a fugitive on the run.” Tightness formed at the base of my sternum.
He kissed my brow. “All that matters now is you’re safe.”
“Safe unless a demon wants me for an afternoon snack,” I mumbled. “Lord Onyx ever so kindly warned me about things hiding in shadows, waiting to sink their teeth into my soft flesh.”
Lake made a rough sound. His unique laugh. “The only one here who’ll be gobbling you up is me.”
Then, he tackled me on the mattress and attacked me with kisses. I giggled and squirmed beneath him, careful not to move too roughly and reopen his wounds. The skin of nearly his entire back had been hanging in bloody slivers last night.
“Keep moving around like this and you’ll incite the wrath of Fane,” I said between giggles. “He’ll come barging into the room and yell at us again. At me for not eating and you for not resting like a good boy.”
