“No, I was. There’s an enormous difference. Ask the All Knowing. He was a bit cagey, but I think he knows more than he’s letting on, you know?”
Someone snatches the head off the ground with a snarl. “That’s mine.” My eyes widen at the furious bald woman who slams the wig back on her head. Oh, thank the Idols. The murderous maiden has yet to claim her first kill.
“Our chambers, now,” Hart growls.
“The king’s chambers?” Merlin asks as he hovers with that damn crown.
“No,” Hart snarls with a look that would terrify me if I didn’t know it shielded a squishy interior.
Malachi and Nash jump down from the stage, grab an arm each, and haul me backward out of the great hall with Gwyneth and Hart stalking our every step. Charming appears out of the crowd. Ugh, is he still after my sister’s floof? I hate this guy.
Nash leans down to whisper in my ear. “You better start praying to whatever Idol you worship.”
I twist my head to meet his gaze. “I just convinced you I’m Daphne.”
He grins. “I know.”
I swallow at the darkness shifting beneath the surface. “Threefold,” I whisper.
He winks.
Holy Idol babies.
Chapter Six
Daphne
Igive up trying to keep pace with the two knights intent on dragging me backward. Walking forward is hard enough. Whatever this is, is asking for trouble. My feet bump on the stone for a few beats before Nash grumbles something under his breath and swings me up into his arms like a bride. His jaw feathers when I skim my fingers over his cheek and marvel at how he looks like he’s aged many annuses in only a few weeks.
He refuses to meet my gaze, but his hands tighten around my waist and thighs as if he’s checking I’m still here. Doesn’t he realize I’m never going anywhere again without him or his brothers?
“I still find it hard to accept that it’s her,” Charming snaps from behind us.
I peer over Nash’s shoulder and raise a brow. “Nobody invited you to my ‘welcome back to the living party,’ Prince Poopfloof.”
Gwyneth shakes her head in warning, and he snaps his mouth closed. I gaze between them, noting how she doesn’t flinch when his fingers skim the back of her hand. I will unpick that mess apart later. Maybe Prince Poopfloof will be murderous maiden Daphne’s first victim?
We duck into a familiar room in the knights’ wing of the castle, and the door slams closed, sealing us inside. Good. I have many, many questions, as I’m sure they do.
Nash’s chest rises and falls in a quick rhythm as he clutches me tighter, making my bones creak in protest. If I don’t calm him down, he might barricade us inside his chambers until threefold has been met, and while I’m more than ready for whatever this beautiful man has in store for me, I need to check on everyone first and make sure they know I’m here to stay.
I cup his jaw and guide his face to mine. Darkness shifts behind those stunning green eyes. His beast that he keeps on lockdown, the one he believes I’m unaware of, prowls close to the surface tonight. You learn a lot in the stars.You don’t scare me, Nash Stirling. Not when it’s because of your words that I fought my way back to you.
“Are you real?” he whispers.
I grin. “As much as you are.”
“Brother,” Hart says. “We all need to see her and figure this out.”
Figure what out? I’m here, alive, and ready to throw down against any Idols who dare to come between me and mine again.
“Put me down,” I urge. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
He lets loose a long sigh and, with a nod, drops my feet to the floor. I take a step around him, ready to greet the rest of the gang—minus my dragon—when I’m halted by Nash’s hand tangling in my hair. He yanks my head back and crashes his lips to mine. Oh, okay. Our reunion can wait. Everyone can see I’m alive, so we’ll catch up the following diurnal.
My pulse thunders, and all thoughts dissipate in a dizzying cloud of need. As suddenly as it started, Nash releases me, and I stumble back, my trembling fingers brushing over my swollen lips. He steps to the side, and I meet my sister’s eyes first.
“I don’t trust it,” Hart growls, folding his arms and narrowing his gaze.
