His excitement faltered, and he carefully closed the book before stepping toward me. “Truthfully? I don’t know. With Cedric on the throne, the chances of us returning without incident aren’t in our favor. He struck a bargain with Stryder under the belief you’d be killed.”
“Then told everyone I escaped as a cover-up.” I traced the curve of the small vial. Sunlight came through the storefront window and hit the glass, bringing out an array of colors, like a rainbow. “To drive the narrative that I’m this horrible, deranged person.”
Sadness weighed heavy on my heart. As long as Cedric ruled in Bremloc, we could never go back home. That fact was now clearer than ever before.
“Anyone who knows you will see the truth,” he gently said. “When we spoke to Prince Sawyer before visiting you in your cell the night of the ball, he believed you to be innocent.”
“And what will happen to him because of it? What about everyone else?” My voice shook. Emotion balled up inside me like a volcano about to erupt. “Not only Prince Sawyer but what about Thane and Miles? Kuya and Sir Noah?” Something hot and sharp sliced across my sternum. “Ban?”
Why was I thinking of the castle guard in that moment? And why did the thought of him cause such a deep, painful ache?
Ban was built like a mountain, standing at six foot five with hard muscle and the skill to take down anyone who came at him. But a gentle soul lay beneath all that muscle. One who’d given me a flower once because he thought it pretty and wanted me to have it.
What if Cedric hurt him?
“I hate that sadness in your eyes, love.” Briar wrapped his arms around me and kissed his favorite spot—my temple. “Let’s not dwell on the things we have no control over. All we can do is focus on where we are now.”
“Yeah,” I rasped and hid my face in the crease of his neck. A hint of magnolia blossoms came off his skin, and I breathed him in, letting his unique scent ease the ache in my heart.
There was a light pressure against my ankle, followed by a cold nose against my pants leg and the tickle of sniffs.
“Someone demands your attention,” Briar said with a smile in his voice, then drew back from me and peered at Oreo. He knelt down and slowly reached forward to pet him. The puppy allowed it, though sat much too still. Briar, as though sensing Oreo’s discomfort at having a new human so close, rose back to his feet and grabbed my hand. “We should be going. Our captain will become anxious if we’re out of his sight for too long.”
We left the apothecary and stepped back onto the main path of the market. As expected, Maddox, Callum, and the trio of knights were waiting for us.
“Have fun looking at weapons?” I asked them.
Callum nodded. “Would have been even better if we’d been allowed to handle them.”
“Patience, human,” Seraphina said. “Prove that you pose no threat to our kind and you’ll be allowed your sword again.”
Silver hair showed in my peripheral right before a breeze tickled my cheeks, bringing with it the scent of peaches. Lake and Rowan approached, each holding a small bag of what looked like salted almonds. A snack they both loved.
“You didn’t steal that, did you?” I asked, aiming the question at Rowan.
He touched his chest, exaggerating his shock. “How you wound me, little treasure. Thinking I’d steal something.”
My eyes narrowed.
Rowan flashed my favorite tooth as his mouth spread into a side grin. “The pup traded for them. Got us some rum too.” He patted the flask attached to his belt.
“What did you trade?” I asked Lake.
“A wooden charm,” he answered somewhat bashfully. A blush darkened his pale cheeks. “I’ve been whittling them to pass the time.”
I smiled. A lot like how being in the kitchen brought me a sense of comfort, whittling did that for Lake. Working with his hands prevented his thoughts from spiraling.
“We should return for now,” Borus said, glancing at the people around us. “You lot are drawing quite the crowd.”
Some stared with curiosity, while others protectively held their children. The demons especially.
After reaching the stable where we’d stashed the carriages, we got back on the road. The rattle of carriage wheels and thudsof hooves against dirt filled the air, along with the murmur of voices as my men and knights talked. The market had surprised them, much like it’d done to me the first time I’d visited.
“They looked happy,” Briar said, arms around my waist. He’d insisted I sit on his lap on the trip back to the castle. “The demi-humans.”
“Because they are,” I responded, head resting on his. “Lord Onyx has given them a home here.”
Part of me wondered if he’d do the same for us. Our home had been taken from us. Maybe we’d find another among demons—with him.
