“Look, Maddox.” I grinned at my captain. “He’s grumpy just like you.”
He rewarded me with another sneer.
“The pup truly does adore you,” came a smooth voice from the hall. It elicited a flurry of tingles deep in my belly.
Oreowoofed and excitedly flipped around to the open doorway, his tail wagging again.
Lord Onyx stepped into view, looking as he had earlier, wearing an ornamental type robe and black hair falling down his chest and back. Several sections were braided now, both regal and warrior-like in appearance.
In a swift movement, Maddox stepped forward and placed me behind him. The room was so quiet you could hear Quincy’s heavy mouth breathing. He didn’t know the meaning of breathing through your nose. Such a goofball.
“Lord Onyx.” Lake rose from his squatting position and tipped his head. “Good morning.”
“To you as well.” The demon lord nodded to him, tone polite.
Oreo rushed over and scurried around his feet.
“Greetings, little one.” Lord Onyx reached down to pet him. “I wondered when you’d finally come see your human. You’ve been so excited since his arrival.”
Woof!
“Morning,” I said, trying to step around Maddox but being held in place.Sigh.He was such an overprotective grump. I managed to peek around his bicep though.
“Hello again, little bird.” Onyx softly smiled at me before glancing at Maddox, his expression clouding. “He’s a grown man, knight. You don’t need to shield him nor treat him like a child.”
“I’ll do what’s necessary to protect him from you,” came Maddox’s sharp response.
“From me?” A dangerous gleam surfaced in the demon lord’s eyes. “Have I harmed him?”
“He’s your prisoner,” Maddox snarled. “That’s harm enough.”
“My decision to keep him in this realm is for his own protection. Unless youwantEvanto be captured by Nocturne and whisked away to the kingdom of Haran for King Silas to do with him whatever he wishes.”
“You’re doing this for his protection?” Maddox gritted his teeth. “I find that difficult to believe.”
“No? Enlighten me then.” The red in Onyx’s eyes flashed brighter. “Who came to his aid when he needed it most? When he and Lake were collapsed on the forest floor covered in blood?”
Maddox recoiled at the words.
Oreowoofed and sharply wagged his fluffy tail.
“Yes, I know,” Onyx told the puppy in a lighter tone. “You’re the one who found them, but I helped too.”
I laughed. Then snapped my mouth shut. It had just been really cute.
When Maddox held me tighter, the tension in his body became evident. He might’ve been stubborn and overly protective, but it came from a good place. A dull ache wrapped around my sternum.
Oreo came over and nudged my leg, releasing a small whine.
“He senses when you’re upset.” Lake’s eyes widened. “Just like I do.”
“I see,” Onyx said with a knowing gaze. “That must be the reason you can understand him. It’s a shared imprint.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“An unbreakable bond,” Onyx answered. “One stronger than any other.”
“This imprint…” Lake’s ears perked up. “It’s like the one I share with Evan? That’s why I’m able to understand the pup?”
