My knees nearly gave out. The edges of my vision tunneled, and my breaths sharpened. I wanted to run far away from Onyx. Away from a truth I’d suspected but had been too stubborn to believe.
“You’re trembling.” He skated his fingertips down the side of my throat, which only intensified my trembles. “Does it come from fear of what I may learn about you… or desire?”
“I…” I wet my lips, shaking like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze.
Heavy steps came from the hall.
“My lord!” Seraphina rushed into the kitchen and quickly bowed her head in a show of respect, even in her haste. “Scouts have reported an attempted barrier breach.”
Onyx drew back from me. “Knights?”
“No, milord. Dark mages. Three of them.” Her yellow eyes flickered to me. “They’re here for you.”
Ice filled my veins.
“Seraphina, escort Evan back to his room,” Onyx said, calm and collected but with an underlying note of danger in his tone. That danger being to anyone who dared defy him. “Then join me outside.”
“Yes, milord.” She bowed to him before approaching me.
As she took hold of my arm and began leading me from the kitchen, I turned to Onyx. “What are you going to do?”
“That’s no concern of yours.” A veil draped over his face. It reminded me of how Rowan had been in the beginning, always hiding behind his dark fortress. Keeping everyone at arm’s length. “But I suggest you stay in your room like a good little human and don’t go wandering the halls again.”
***
Rain steadily tapped against the windowpane. Waking that morning to an overcast sky felt like a bad omen.
After Seraphina brought me to my room, I had tossed and turned in bed for hours, thinking of the mercenaries and what would happen once Onyx learned the truth. Would he use me as a bargaining chip like Cedric had and hand me over to Stryder for a price?
It was also possible he’d just kill me once realizing I was part of the royal family. One he swore vengeance against. Reason still unknown.
Anxiety swirling, I gathered the blanket more around me and stayed on the bed like an Evan potato. “Any signs of life out there?”
“Ghost is outside.” Lake stood in front of the window, observing the world below. Once waking, I’d told him everything that’d happened last night—about my time with Onyx and the mercenaries. “He seems to be enjoying the rain.”
I smiled, albeit weakly. “You know, once I got past the shock, I found him and the other horses really beautiful.”
Lake glanced over at me. Softness shone in his purple eyes. “I admit I was shocked by their appearance at first as well. But they’re gentle creatures. Sensitive. When you called Ghost handsome and gave him a name, it made him happy.”
“I love how you can sense those things.” My heart swelled. “You’re so attuned to plants and animals. Able to tell when they’re happy, sad, or hurt. You’re kind of amazing.”
“As are you.” He stepped away from the window and came over to sit beside me on the bed. His shirt was unbuttoned, falling open and revealing his toned abdomen and the dusting of silver hair on his chest. “I sense something in Lord Onyx when he’s near you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, taken aback.
Lake studied me with a reverent gleam in his eyes. “His soul purrs.”
“Um. Come again? Did you just say his soul… purrs? Like a cat?”
“More of a lion, I’d say.” He adjusted the blanket around my shoulders, pulling it closer to block the slight chill in the room. Logs crackled in the hearth, but the rainy day had brought a small cold front with it. “He’s drawn to you.”
“You’re unlike anyone else I’ve ever met.”
Remembering Onyx’s words from last night awoke a string of butterflies that filled my chest. I rubbed at it, terrified of what those traitorous flutters could mean.
“Have you considered that he might actually be harem member number six?” Lake asked.
“Oh my god.” I slapped my hands over my face with a groan. “Don’t just say it so casually. If he is, it would be a big deal. Like epically big. Dangerous too.”
