Chapter Seven #3
Soon, Briar spotted the apothecary and asked to take a look. I went with him as the knights checked out the blacksmith’s shop. Seraphina and Borus accompanied them inside. Probably because they weren’t allowed to carry or handle weapons.
In the apothecary, I kept a casual pace beside Briar as he moved along the shelves gushing over everything, from potion vials to potted plants hanging in the storefront window. I loved his excitement.
“Oh! Look at this.” Briar tapped the cover of a large book. “It’s a grimoire on transfiguration and alchemy. Many of these spells are too advanced for me, but from a research perspective, it can be quite informative.”
I felt my smile turn sad as I watched him flip through the grimoire. Callum missed training as a knight. And Briar missed his clinic. He missed crafting tonics and brewing elixirs. Missed helping people.
That familiar weight of guilt stirred in my chest again, like an old foe who couldn’t be defeated for long. Earlier in the courtyard, he’d said being with me was what he wanted, and I believed him, but it didn’t make it any easier. For any of us.
“Briar?” I focused on a decorative glass vial on the nearest shelf. “Do you think we can ever go home?”
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 thuds of 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.
“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.