Chapter Ten #4
“Roth is also the one who encouraged the rumors that all of you were traitors,” Reign added, glancing between my men.
“He claimed that Evan orchestrated the assassination and seduced you into helping him. Specifically, Maddox. He said the captain hasn’t been in his right mind since the day Evan arrived in Bremloc. ”
A spike of anger ignited in my veins. Sudden and intense.
“Roth has hated me from the very beginning. Which is fine. He doesn’t have to like me.” I stopped in place and moved my hands as I talked, that anger inside me building. “But to accuse Maddox of betraying not only the royal family, but his knights? I have half a mind to track Roth down and—”
“Easy, love.” Briar appeared in front of me and took both of my hands in his. That’s when I saw the faint blue hue sparking in my fingertips. “Take a breath.”
I did. The sparks lessened with the exhale.
“One more,” he softly said. “In for three beats, hold, then slowly release.”
I followed his instruction and took one deep breath after another. Gradually, the hot electricity blazing through my bloodstream calmed.
“That’s it, love.” Briar brought our joined hands to his lips and placed the softest of kisses on my knuckles. “Phantasia said strong emotion will shatter the barrier keeping your powers at bay if you aren’t careful. And it needs to be lifted slowly if you wish to have any control over them.”
Worry twisted inside me. Felt like I was a ticking time bomb.
“That, darlin’, is why you need to stay here.” Reign strode over and stopped beside Briar. “Power hums in your veins, desperate to be set free. You need to harness it before you leave the safety of this realm.”
I took another steadying breath. As someone who wore their emotions on their sleeve, it was hard not to let them overtake me sometimes. But if I wanted any hope of controlling my powers, I needed to calm the hell down.
The scent of vanilla bean strengthened before arms came around me from behind. “Don’t worry, Ev. You’ll have us with you each step of the way.”
I tipped my head back to nuzzle Callum’s cheek. He really was like a ray of sun bleeding through a dreary sky. Keeping hope alive inside my chest when everything felt so dark and uncertain.
Much too soon, we reached the woods where Titus and three scouts were waiting. Two perched in a tree, while Titus and a male with azure skin and bright yellow eyes leaned against the trunk.
Tears burned in my eyes.
“No crying allowed,” Callum whispered in my ear, tightening his arms around my waist. There was a pink welt on his cheek from his acorn battle with Rowan and a twig in his hair that reminded me of Pumpkin.
“I can’t help it.” The sad pang in my heart reflected in my voice. “I don’t want them to leave.”
“This is only goodbye for now.” Reign stepped closer and gave a light pinch to my cheek. “We’ll meet again someday.”
I sniffled and threw my arms around him.
“Ah, don’t cry for me too much, darlin’,” Reign said, cupping the back of my head with one hand and sliding the other down my spine.
He behaved himself though and stopped at my lower back, going no farther.
A good thing. Maddox would’ve broken his wrist otherwise.
“You’re too pretty for all these tears.”
My chin wobbled.
“Your heart is too soft, boy,” Draven said, appearing on the other side of Reign. Ever so slowly, he held out his arms. “Now, come.”
“Are you…” I glanced at his arms, then back up to his masked face. Blue eyes that seemed softer than usual. “Wanting me to hug you?”
“Want plays no part in it,” he responded, voice gruff. “You tend to attack me without my consent, so I thought I’d offer this time.”
“I have never once attacked you with anything other than my love and affection.” Before the last word left my lips, I was already lunging forward and throwing my arms around him.
My cheek rested against his pecs. They were like pillows of happiness, firm but also squishy. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“You have my word.” Draven’s arms circled me, holding me tighter than the half-hearted hugs he’d returned in the past—if he even returned them. He normally just stood there and endured the ones I gave him.
After exchanging goodbyes with the rest of our group, the two spies left and rejoined Titus and the scouts in the woods. Rowan went with them. I knew he wanted to stay with them as long as possible.
As I watched them retreat into the shroud of trees, more tears prickled at my eyes.
“Come here, sweetheart.” Maddox picked me up and cradled me to his chest, pressing a kiss against my brow. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“I’m not tired,” I croaked and turned my face into his chest.
“I said nothing of sleep.” I felt him smile against my ear as he bent to nuzzle me. “The demon lord left his stench all over you, and I need to replace it with mine. All night if necessary.”
Heat ignited in my core. “Oh.”
A low chuckle vibrated in his chest as he continued toward the castle. Callum and Briar walked on either side of him, with Lake beside Briar. The sad knot in my chest remained, but being around my men helped make it tolerable. They made everything better.
Even the one too stubborn to join us outside.
The castle was a short distance away but close enough for me to see the rustle of a curtain in an upstairs window as it fell back into place.