“This realm is far from what I imagined.” Briar stared out across a valley we passed. “As is the lord who rules over it.”
As the tallest tower of the dark castle showed through the trees, that place in my core that seemed to reach out for Onyx vibrated. Like it knew he was close. The sensation deepened as we reached the front courtyard and hopped out of the carriage.
“Good afternoon,” a gruff voice called out right before I spotted Varys. The demi-wolf’s dark shaggy hair had faint streaks of gray and pointed black wolf ears jutted from the top. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Varys Grey, advisor to Lord Onyx. Though I admit he advises me much more than I do him.”
I detected warmth in his tone as he spoke of Onyx, further proof that the demon lord couldn’t be all bad. Not if he’d earned the love and devotion of the people in his realm, demons and demi-humans alike.
Briar introduced himself before the others did the same. Unlike when around demons, the knights didn’t glare. They seemed curious, if anything.
“A pleasure to meet you all,” Varys said once the introductions were made. “I hear there will be a dinner this evening to properly welcome you to our realm.”
“I’ll never say no to a meal.” Quincy patted his stomach. “Even if cooked by a demon.”
Varys eyed him. “You’ll find few greater chefs than Fane. He takes great pride in his cooking.”
“Your name is familiar,” Briar said, brow scrunched.
“Aye, I suppose you may have heard of me.” Varys seemed uncomfortable. “Perhaps we can speak more of it later this evening. For now, allow me to escort you back inside for afternoon tea and sandwiches.”
“I’d rather have muffins,” Maddox mumbled. “Everyone ate mine.”
With a smile and amused shake of my head, I looped my arm around his and led him toward the front entrance.
Chapter Eight
Rise of Harem Member Number Six
Moonlight streamed into the dining chamber through a tall window near the hearth. The curtains had been pulled back, revealing a forest of trees and a backdrop of night sky. Nearly every chair around the dining table was filled, but silence hung heavily in the air as we ate, with only the scrape of silverware against plates.
A silence my sweet wolf broke as the excitement for his favorite meal took over.
“This lamb is delicious.” Lake’s tail wagged through the gap in the back of his chair. “So tender.”
Lord Onyx softly smiled at him. “Fane will be pleased to know it’s to your liking. He remembered how much you enjoyed it last time.”
The demon lord sat at the head of the table, with Varys to his right and Lake to his left. The knights filled the seats across from me on the other side of Varys, with Callum at the far end. It put him in direct sight of the door, which he kept glancing toward—an intentional placement so he could keep watch.
“I saw Fane in the market today,” I said, sitting between Lake and Maddox. “He bought coffee beans.”
“He told me.” Onyx lifted his goblet to his lips, eyes on me as he took a drink. “How fortunate that your coffee withdrawal can come to an end. And behold. You neither died nor started a riot either.”
Warmth swirled in my belly at the reference to our conversation in the kitchen earlier that day. “I’m still cheeky though.”
“Oh, I have no doubts.” His gaze lingered on me, paired with a subtle curve to his lips.
I cleared my throat and looked away, pulse spiking. Even with the space between us, I felt the electric current in the air, the loose tether that begged for connection. Only once we succumbed to our fated mate bond would that restlessness finally ease.
Problem was, I wasn’t sure if Ishouldbe tethered to Lord Onyx.
If I could barely hold eye contact with the guy without getting flustered, how in the hell would I do anything more intimate? There was also the possibility of him being the fated mate who might kill me someday. That, in and of itself, should’ve been enough to make me throw up yellow caution tape and avoid him like the plague.
With a sigh, I stuffed more veggies into my mouth. Brussel sprouts and carrots. My hand inched toward the basket of rolls. When stressed, only carbs would suffice. I was a total bread slut.
And I wasn’t the only one. Rowan grabbed his fourth bread roll and slathered it in butter before devouring it in three bites.
“The clothes look to be a perfect fit,” Varys said, his gaze roaming between all of us. “Good. Mae will be pleased.”
Mae had left new tunics in our room for each of us. We’d found them once returning from afternoon tea. I recalled the female demon. Mae had been soft-spoken and shy. Dainty too. I hoped she hadn’t overexerted herself on our behalf.
