My nose crinkled. “He knew I’d be worried?”
“Of course he knew. You always put others before yourself.” Maddox glided the backs of his knuckles across my jaw, his blue eyes swimming with various emotions. Worry and love being the strongest. “It’s a quality in you I both admire and fear.”
I leaned into his touch. “Look who’s talking. You do the same thing, throwing yourself into dangerous situations in order to protect those you care about.”
“The difference is I have training.” He lightly bopped my chin. “You don’t.”
Awoofdrew everyone’s attention. Oreo sat several feet away, his ears angled backward as he eyed the group of men. He hadn’t run away, though, like I’d expected.
“Well, if it isn’t our wee guard pup,” Quincy said. “I wondered where he ran off to. He ate the bits of ham I set out for him this morning, then vanished.”
“Guard pup?” I asked.
Maddox caressed my jaw. “The night we fought the mercenaries and then found the cottage, the demon pup came to us. He’s stayed near the tree line and watched us for the past several days.”
“Watchedoverus, I’d say.” Briar adjusted his glasses. “Last night, he rushed the back door and howled to get our attention.”
“Not long after, Reign detected one of the mercenaries moving toward the cottage,” Rowan added. “The warning gave him time to strengthen the protective warding around the property. If not for that…” He shook his head, letting his words trail off.
Was that why Oreo hadn’t come to visit me sooner? Because he’d been with them, keeping them safe.
My throat tightened.
“Uh oh. There he goes again.” Rowan flashed my favorite tooth. It jutted lower than the others and reminded me of a vampire fang. “Crying like a sad little toad.”
“We haven’t seen each other in days and you’re picking on me,” I said with a whine. “I feel the love, Ro.”
His grin widened. “Only for you.”
“I’m honored.” Despite my sarcastic tone, being loved by him made me feel special. Rowan had come so far since the day I met him, no longer hiding behind a dark fortress. Some light shone there now. Warmth.
“However, you, thief, must share him with us.” Maddox drew me in closer, away from Rowan.
“Gross.” Rowan hooked an arm around me and brought me right back to his chest. “Stop getting your stench on him, Captain Glutton.”
Maddox scowled.
I snorted a laugh.
“Welcome to the Shadow Realm.”
All gazes shifted to the newcomer.
Fane stood with his hands behind his back and his head held high. I caught the tension in his body though. Humans made him nervous. It certainly didn’t help matters when the knights mirrored his tension, their expressions revealing the same distrust he felt for them.
Briar, however, appeared delighted. “Good evening.” His eyes were locked on Fane’s horns.
“My name is Fane.” The demon tipped his head to Briar, then to the others. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you to your rooms.”
***
“We’re gonna need a bigger bed.” I stood at the foot of it, hands on my hips. The thing was roughly the size of a king, but definitely not big enough for all of us. “Looks like it will fit three comfortably. Four max.”
“I can sleep on your lap,” Lake suggested, his fluffy ears perking up. “Just as we do at home.”
Home. The word caused a longing in my chest. Had it really only been less than a week since we’d been at the cottage, snuggling in front of the fire? Crazy how fast life could change.
“Hear that, rabbit?” Rowan smirked at Callum. “You’re the odd man out. Sounds like you’ll be sleeping on the rug.”
