“Explain to me then.” Maddox rested his hand on my thigh. “Why did you betray the kingyouswore your devotion to?”
“Because he killed the man I loved,” Varys answered, setting his goblet on the table with an unsteady grip. “Not with his own two hands, mind you, but the damage was done all the same.”
“Who did he kill?” Callum asked.
“Prince Elias.” Varys looked at me. His eyes reminded me of sun-warmed sand. “Evan’s father.”
“What?” Briar nearly spilled his wine. “Are you implying that King Eidolon aided the kingdom of Haran? That he betrayed his own people? His own brother?”
“I imply nothing,” Varys said. “I speak only the truth. He helped Nocturne find Prince Elias. I overheard him confess to it.”
“Why would he help them?” Briar asked.
“The reason mattered not to me.” Varys shook his head. “Nothing justifies his actions. As soon as I learned the truth, I rebelled. I only wish my blade would’ve pierced his heart. Thenperhaps he’d understand the pain he’d caused in mine when he helped take Elias from this world.”
An ache spread through me, fanning between my ribs.
Maddox gently squeezed my thigh. “If you loved Prince Elias, does that mean you care what happens to Evan?”
“Aye,” Varys said. “He’s the son of the man I loved. I have no wish to see the lad hurt and will do all I can to ensure it stays that way. I give you my word.”
For the first time in what felt like ages, Maddox relaxed. He was still too rigid for my liking, but the tension around his eyes smoothed. Trusting the demon lord would take more time, but he seemed to believe in Varys.
Briar looked at Onyx. “You were fond of Prince Elias as well, were you not?”
“Yes,” Onyx answered. “He was a dear friend, but I didn’t love him as Varys did.” A short pause and a remorseful glance in the demi-wolf’s direction. “Does.”
Varys cleared his throat and reached for his goblet. “I say this calls for more wine.”
Callum’s gaze met mine from the end of the table. Others soon found me too; my loveable knights and the rest of the men who owned a piece of my heart.
Hushed voices came from the corridor before a familiar face and vibrant blue hair showed in the doorway.
“Pardon the interruption, milord,” Cyan said with a curtsey. She held a tray in one hand. “I brought more wine and nibbles.”
Nibbles? She was adorable.
Lord Onyx motioned for her to approach. “You may enter.”
The demon came rushing into the dining room, her bubbly personality adding a much-needed burst of positive energy into the air. A thin, black and blue tail swished behind her, the design at the tip of it reminding me of a spade. She set a basket on the table filled with more rolls fresh from the oven. After refillingOnyx’s goblet, she topped off mine and patted the top of my head.
Rowan smirked into his mug, no doubt remembering how she and the others had fought over who’d sit beside me earlier that day.
“Nina?” Onyx called out. “You have permission to come in as well.”
A flash of golden hair dashed across the open doorway before, slowly, bright yellow eyes appeared. Nina slunk farther into the room, fidgeting with her hands behind her back. As our gazes met, her face broke into a big, toothy grin. “Evan!”
“Hi again,” I greeted her.
“You’ve met before?” Briar asked, placing a bread roll on Rowan’s plate before taking one for himself.
Nina excitedly nodded. “Evan made us muffins! I ate three of them. Tried to eat a fourth but meanie Cyanssstole it.”
Maddox frowned at me. “You baked muffins for her?”
“This morning, when I made yours,” I answered, trying not to laugh. The mention of his favorite treat was a perfect distraction from his sour mood.
“They were delicious,” Cyan said, her bright blue eyes twinkling. “I want more.”
