Maddox couldn’t be swayed, however. “I can’t help but wonder what debt is now owed for that kindness.”
“A debt?” Onyx asked, goblet mid-way to his mouth. “Can the reason not simply be because I wished to help?”
“No,” Maddox said without hesitation. “You wouldn’t have bothered unless there was something to be gained. Neither then or now.”
Onyx set his goblet aside and straightened his posture. A veil fell over his face. “You are not in my debt any more than I am in yours.”
Maddox’s gaze hardened. “Then you’ll have no objections if we pack up and leave at first light.”
“If you wish to leave, be my guest. My end of the bargain has been fulfilled. What you choose to do now is no concern of mine. However…” Onyx shifted forward in his chair. Firelight danced across one side of his face, leaving the other half cast in shadow. “Evan must remain here.”
“Pardon?” Briar asked.
I froze on Callum’s lap. Definitely the first I was hearing of that little condition.
“Are you saying he’s your prisoner?” Maddox snarled.
“I wouldn’t say he’s a prisoner.” Lord Onyx stood from his chair, causing every person in the room apart from me and Lake to tense. “He’s more of an honored guest who is simply… forbidden to leave.”
I laughed. It happened sometimes when I was nervous. Easier to deal with stressful situations with humor rather than running for the hills screaming at the top of my lungs.
“You do know the definition for prisoner, right?” I asked. “The ‘forbidden to leave’ part kinda gives it away.”
“Ah. I suppose it’s a matter of perceptive.” Onyx neared a shelf and glided his hand across the book spines. “You’re safe in my realm. Much safer than what awaits you beyond the barrier.”
“Why do you care what happens to Evan?” Rowan asked, pocketing his flask. “You might’ve known his father, but he’s a stranger to you.”
“I have my reasons.” Onyx stepped over to the cherrywood desk and sat on the edge of it. His yukata-style robe fell open even further, revealing more of the red markings on his chest. They looked like flames. “None of which I’ll be divulging this evening.”
A light knock came at the door before it opened.
“Pardon the interruption,” Fane said, head bowed. “Dinner is ready to be served.”
Onyx nodded to him before regarding Maddox. “You must be weary from your travels and quite famished. Allow Fane to escort you to the dining hall.”
“Have it brought to our room.” Maddox rose from his chair with the fires of hell burning in his eyes. He strode over and gently took me from Callum, holding me against his chest in the way I loved. That gentle hold on me contradicted his body shaking rage.
Without another word or glance in Onyx’s direction, he carried me from the parlor.
Ididglance back though.
Onyx offered me a smile. But his eyes? They radiated something far more dangerous.
***
“I know not what I fear more,” Quincy said in a harsh whisper. “That black-horned demon with the surly attitude or the captain.”
“The captain,” Duke and Baden said in unison, then frowned and elbowed each other like they were children.
Maddox stormed back and forth in the room, glaring out the window. He reminded me of a caged bear. A bear who was counting down the seconds until he could break free and hunt down the one who wronged him. I could practically see him tearing apart Onyx in his mind.
“That vein in his temple really will burst someday,” Rowan said from his perch on the windowsill. One leg was up near the glass, and the other hung down, resting against the cushioned bench. He picked at the chicken wing leftover from the dinner Fane brought earlier. “I call dibs on his sword collection if he keels over.”
“Ro.” I gave him a look.
He put his hands up. “Be nice, I know.”
“Watch yourself, thief,” Maddox grumbled. “I am in no mood for your insolent tongue.”
