“Watch your tone, rabbit,” Rowan interjected, voice lower and more threatening than usual. “That’s my mate you’re talking to.”
I didn’t take Callum’s behavior to heart though. To him and the rest of the knights, demons were the enemy. Hearing me defend them must’ve cut him deep. A realization that came too late. I’d already hurt him.
“Look, I’m not picking sides, and I’m sorry if it seemed that way.” I slid from the bed and padded across the floor toward Callum, taking his hands in mine. “I’m trying to show you another viewpoint. You see demons as these violent, bloodthirsty killers. But that’s exactly how they see humans.”
He scoffed. “They have only themselves to blame. They started the war.”
“Fane and the other demons in this castle didn’t start anything,” I gently said, moving my thumb across the scar he’d gotten chopping potatoes. “It began centuries ago. They’ve done nothing wrong.”
Some of Callum’s irritation faltered, and his gaze dropped to our joined hands. “You have such a kind heart, Ev, and you always try to see the best in people. Yet, as I said before, I fear it will one day be your undoing.”
“What’s so wrong about seeing the best in people? About believing in them?” My throat squeezed. “If I hadn’t fought against you so hard, you would’ve killed Oreo that day in the forest. All because you assumed he was a monster. But he’s not. Why is violence always the answer and never peace?”
Hurt flared in his eyes. “The situation with Oreo was different. I admit my wrongdoing. But in this instance, Ev—”
“Enough of this.” Maddox stepped from the window and approached. “We’re together again. That’s what matters.” He gave methatlook: lids heavy and lips parted. “I’ve missed you deeply.”
“Don’t think you can distract me with your good looks, Captain Smolder,” I said, already falling under his spell. Damn irritating man. “This is a serious discussion and we—”
He cupped my face with both hands and kissed me hard.
The taste ignited sparks in my core. My blood hummed as he went back in for another kiss and dipped his tongue into my mouth. I was a man starved, needing more of his warmth. More of his… everything. Heat sizzled through my veins as I rose up on my tiptoes and gripped his hair, kissing him deeper.
Maddox made a low sound in his throat that failed to discourage my heightening arousal. It did the opposite, throwing gasoline on that arousal and striking a match. Those flames fanned higher as I felt the scrape of the stubble along his jaw.
“What have I told you about sharing, Captain?” Briar asked, stepping closer to us. A playful smile curved his lips. “We’ve been away from our muffin for days. You can’t keep him all to yourself.”
“Watch me, physician.” Maddox ghosted his lips over mine and glanced at Briar. “I dare you to try to take him from me.”
A hard rapping of knuckles came at the door.
“Captain?” came a harsh whisper a beat later. “It’s me. Quincy. Your favorite knight.”
“Favorite pain in his rear is more like it,” came Duke’s deeper voice. Then, louder, he added, “Let us in, will ya? That black-horned demon may return at any moment.”
“That demon’s name is Fane,” I said in a voice loud enough for them to hear. “And he’s nice, so behave.”
Less than twenty minutes had passed since Fane had shown everyone to their rooms. The knight trio were given separate rooms in the same wing as ours but chose to stay together and share one instead. Strength in numbers and all that. Untrusting, just like Callum and Maddox. They’d probably take shifts keeping watch through the night too.
The door handle jiggled.
“Come on, Captain,” Quincy whined. “This corridor is dark and scary.”
I snorted.
Maddox growled under his breath. “I very well may kill them for interrupting.”
“You behave too.” I lightly poked his chest.
“I always behave. Unlike you.” He snatched me by the wrist and brought my hand to his mouth, nibbling the tip of the finger that’d poked him.
Heat shot to my groin and caused my dick to twitch. I swallowed hard, willing the excited appendage to calm the fuck down. The things this freaking man did to me should’ve beencriminal. Punishable by a night tied to a bed where I could kiss and ride him until my heart’s content. Or until he broke free of those restraints and turned the tables on me, fucking me to within an inch of my life.
I’d die happy.
Briar opened the door, and the three knights entered the room, Quincy leading the charge, followed by Duke. A slightly exasperated Baden trailed in last.
“About time,” Quincy said, snapping his attention to the door as Baden shut it. “I feared another second out there and we’d be the main course for tonight’s feast.”
