“Are you ever?”
Maddox whipped around to him. “You must be delighted.”
“I often am. Mostly at other people’s misfortunes.” Rowan dropped the plucked-clean wing back on his plate. “But do tell us, Captain, what I’m so delighted about now.”
“Being here.” Maddox’s low tone matched the lethal blaze in his eyes. “When you captured Evan last year, it was to bring him to the Shadow Realm. To get in the demon lord’s good graces. And now here you are, right where you wish to be.”
Rowan recoiled at his words. “The only place I wish to be is by Evan’s side. Do you still doubt my love for him after all we’ve faced together?”
The hurt in his voice yanked on my heartstrings.
Maddox must’ve heard it too. He exhaled, losing some of his ire. “I… I don’t doubt you, Rowan. Forgive me.”
“I’ll consider forgiving you,” Rowan said, back to his cocky self. I could see that the apology was accepted, though, by thewarmth in his topaz eyes. “Giving me one of your swords might help sway me.”
“As soon as we’re able to return home, you can take your pick.” Maddox mirrored some of that warmth. “Though most are too big for you. You’re small like our muffin.”
“Hey,” I said, hands going to my hips. “Leave me out of this.”
Rowan smirked. “He’syourmuffin. He’s my little treasure.”
“And Lord Onyx’s prisoner,” Callum cut in.
That set Maddox off again, bringing back his earlier irritation. A snarl left his lips before he started pacing again.
“Nice going, rabbit,” Rowan mumbled.
Callum pressed his lips together.
“Hey, big guy?” I padded over to Maddox and grabbed his hand. “You’re wearing out the floorboards. Let’s sit down for a minute, okay? You haven’t touched your dinner. Come relax and eat something.”
“We haven’t the time to relax. That goddamned demon lord is…” He gathered me in his arms. His muscles coiled tight. “Now that he knows who you are, sweetheart, you’re but a pawn to him. To be used and discarded however he sees fit. I won’t allow it.”
Duke scratched at his jaw. “We could always take the little prince and flee the castle in the dead of night.”
“And go where?” Rowan asked him. “Outside the protective barrier and straight into Nocturne’s hands? They can track his life force, remember?”
“As much as it pains me to admit it, the snake’s right,” Callum said. “Ulterior motives or not, Lord Onyx has given Ev shelter in this realm. Staying is our best course of action.”
“Agreed.” Maddox kissed my brow and drew back, still tense but no longer murderous at least. “Staying vigilant is all we can do for now.”
“Drinking works too.” Rowan took a swig from his flask.
“You drunkard,” I said.
“Come over here and take it from me then.” He crooked a finger at me and beckoned me over.
My feet moved on impulse, bringing me to him in seconds. The scent of black cardamom wafted from his tanned skin as I leaned in and snatched the flask. He watched me with a sly grin, letting me take his precious rum without a fight.
“All I wanna know is why does the demon want to protect him?” Quincy asked. “Don’t tell me another has joined the harem.”
I almost choked on my spit.
Lake knelt in front of the hearth, stoking the logs, and glanced back at me. He was the only one who knew the truth.
“I suspect it has something to do with Evan being of royal blood,” Maddox said.
“As do I.” Briar nodded. “I hesitate considering the notion, but it may involve King Silas. With Bremloc and Haran in conflict, perhaps Onyx wishes to use it to his advantage to finally have his vengeance on Bremloc. The enemy of thy enemy is thy friend.”
