Oleks didn’t appear convinced, but after a beat, he accepted it. “Don’t drink any tea that is offered to you.” And then he was disappearing further into the maze of hedges.
Enzo stared down at me. “Insufferable asshole? What if I just dump you into the snow to die? Then my problem would besolved and I could leave this place.” His hand moved to my neck, his longer fingers wrapping around it, offering the slightest pressure.
I can feel that.
It was clear he didn’t expect me to moan.
“Fuck!” He released my neck, squeezing me tightly to him, and wrapping his large coat around me as best he could. He marched us through the hedges and back towards the castle without another word. I turned in his embrace, looking behind him.
I opened my mouth to speak, the shadowed man placed a finger to his lips and, for some reason, that was enough to keep my voice contained.
Enzo’s warmth, his scent, his heartbeat all worked together to soothe me, and I fell deep into unconsciousness before we made it back to Griffin’s quarters.
Chapter 21
Dirty Tricks
Griffin
Present Day - Grypheem
Griffin paced his room as Julian bounced on the couch. Both men were locked in their anxiety, silent as they waited.
They were being watched, and neither could easily leave and go search for Raven.
“Oleks was with her,” Griffin said for the thousandth time. “He would take her somewhere safe.”
“Then why aren’t they back here? Surely—” Julian’s response was cut off by three raps on the door.
Griffin was swinging it open within ten seconds. He sensed Julian’s presence at his back.
And they both offered sighs of relief at the sight of Raven in the doorway, the tension spilling out of the space.
“Enzo?” Griffin asked. His brows furrowed as Enzo moved into the room and he ripped Raven from his arms.
For a single instant, he thought Enzo might not release her. “She was outside with Oleks. He couldn’t get her up here alone. She was drugged, but seems to be sleeping it off now.”
Griffin’s vision flashed red.
The Prince was using dirty tricks.
“Ah” was all Griffin managed to say. Oleks wouldn’t be able to carry Raven upstairs, he had been permanently weakened by his poison consumption in an uncontrolled environment.
Griffin felt the chill coming from Raven’s skin through her dress and concern thickened his tongue, making it difficult to swallow.
Griffin marched Raven to the bed, pulling the sheets back to put her in it, but realized she was soaking wet.
“Julian. I need you to change her.”
Julian inclined his head, taking Raven from his arms and heading to the closet.
“There’s a warm sleep gown for her on the dresser,” Griffin advised.
“Why him?” Enzo barked, reminding Griffin that he was still there.
Griffin turned to face him. “Because he’s seen her naked,” he muttered in annoyance, hating the truth of it, but recognizing that he didn’t want to cause her to hate him any more than she already did.
“So have I.”
