Chapter Thirteen #2
There was an instant shift in Onyx’s expression. His fiery temper dropped to a low simmer. “Your captain started it by being so combative.”
“And I’m putting an end to it,” I responded with a snip in my tone. “Don’t make me send you both to separate corners. Because I will. Don’t think I won’t.”
Rowan lightly coughed.
“Not a word, thief,” Maddox told him.
“Is a man not allowed to cough?” Rowan countered, displaying both hands in an innocent gesture.
I closed my eyes and took a calming breath. Shouldn’t have expected anything less, though; all of my men together, with Onyx in the same room, were bound to stir up some tension. Maddox had been the same way with Lake and Rowan in the beginning.
“If you’re finished tossing insults and being belligerent, may we continue?” Onyx stared at Maddox a moment before glancing at my other men. “I didn’t ask all of you here to argue.”
“You wished to tell us of the mercenaries, yes? Well, you’ve done that.” Maddox strode around the couch and offered me his hand. “Come with me, sweetheart. We’re leaving.”
I glanced between him and Onyx: one brimming with a barely suppressed rage and the other with a somewhat defeated set to his brow.
“You said there were several reasons you asked us here,” Lake told Onyx, the soft gruff of his voice easing some of the thick tension in the air. “What more did you wish to discuss?”
Maddox turned to Onyx. Waiting. His hand remained around mine, though, more than likely seconds from pulling me off the couch and dragging me from the room, especially if he didn’t like what the demon lord had to say.
“I suppose I…” Onyx released a heavy sigh, his face scrunching up as he struggled for words.
The awkward energy I detected earlier returned, taking shape in the tap of his finger against the arm of his chair.
“Our relationship is quite unorthodox, wouldn’t you agree?
All of us sharing the same male. We’ve yet to discuss boundaries. ”
“Boundaries?” Lake asked. “Like what?”
“As in, the terms of our arrangement. The rules.” Color surfaced in Onyx’s pale cheeks before he turned his face toward the fire, hiding his expression from my view.
“The five of you have been with him far longer than I, and I wished to know your… thoughts on these matters. How to move forward in a way that we all can agree on.”
As realization seeped into my brain, I didn’t know what I felt more: the embarrassment from the discussion of our love life or the giddiness that came from Onyx’s behavior.
Both Varys and Fane had mentioned in the past that Onyx kept his distance from people, yet there he was, trying to bond with my men.
“I take it you don’t wish to share a bed with us?” Rowan asked.
“Most certainly not.” The demon lord’s gaze shifted to me. “However, I’m not opposed to a compromise if one should arise.”
“Like alternating nights?” Briar asked, brow furrowed in thought. “With us one night. With you the next.”
“I think not,” Maddox said without missing a beat, pinning Onyx with a hard stare. “There are five of us and one of you. A fair compromise would be him staying with you every four nights.”
Onyx scowled at him. “Every four? How absurd.”
I looked between them, feeling like a kid caught in the middle of a custody battle. Truth was, I didn’t know how we’d sort it out either. Would be nice if fate had factored in the fact that some of my mates might loathe each other.
“You should graciously accept the four.” Maddox glowered right back at him. “It’s more than fair considering how little I trust you. Be grateful I don’t take him far away from you, mercenaries be damned.”
“Is it?” Onyx tipped his head, eyes flashing brighter once more. Something appeared to move beneath his porcelain skin. Like the faintest lick of flames. “And what gives you the impression I’d let you take him from me?”
“Enough.” I pushed from the couch, propelled by a sudden spark of frustration in my core. “Stop fighting. In case you two have forgotten, I’m a person who can make my own goddamned decisions. I’m not a toy for you all to pass around and play with when you want.”
“Love?” Briar stood and rested a hand on my lower back. “Take a breath.”
Blue sparked from my fingertips. Sparks Onyx regarded with a heavy brow—and a hint of apprehension in his eyes.
“Sorry.” I dropped back down on the couch and took a steadying breath, then another. “Kinda lost it for a second.”
“It’s the power humming in your veins,” Onyx said, still staring at my hands despite the sparks having flickered out. “Any strong emotion causes it to surge within you. I feel it won’t be contained for much longer.”
“Fortunately, the elixir will be ready come morning.” Briar returned to his seat beside me and lightly scratched his nails up and down my spine. To the others in the room, he added, “We should let any other matters rest for now. No more talk of mercenaries or what lies beyond this realm.”
Nods were exchanged.
Oreo padded over from the rug and pawed at my leg, a little whine leaving his throat. Hard to be sad when a face that cute was peering up at me. I reached down and scratched his ears, then did the same to Lake, who had retaken his spot against my legs after my almost-blowup.
“Forgive me, sweetheart.” Maddox came and knelt in front of me, on the other side of Lake. “I know you’re capable of making your own decisions. I… I was only…”
“Worried about me. I know.” I grabbed his hand and smoothed my thumb over his ring. One I’d bought for him that day in the market so long ago. Briar had infused it with protection magic. “I also know it can’t be easy being with me. Having to share me with other men.”
A soft smile curved his lips. “Sharing you is no trouble. As I’ve told you many times, you could love a hundred men, yet I know a part of your heart would always belong to me.”
“A big part.” I brought his hand up to place a kiss on his ring. “And don’t you ever forget it.”
“My part’s bigger though,” Rowan said from his place near the window.
“Silence that tongue, thief, before I toss you from the balcony.”
“Be nice,” I chided my grumpy captain.
“Yeah, you gluttonous bastard, be nice.” Rowan smirked. The moment I saw my favorite tooth, I knew trouble would follow. “Besides, I’m not the one who left a bite mark on your precious muffin.”
“I noticed,” Maddox said, shooting my neck a narrow-eyed glance. “The demon left his mark on you.”
Lord Onyx smiled before taking a drink of wine. Pleased with himself.
I touched my neck on impulse. Onyx had really chomped down. Not that I minded. A little biting kept things spicy.
Maddox didn’t seem to share my thoughts. His frown deepened as he aimed it at the smug demon lord at the head of the table.
“Look at his temple,” Rowan said, smirk slanting higher. “That vein’s gonna blow.”
“You’re not helping,” Briar chided him.
“I’m not trying to.” Rowan sauntered over and eyed a bowl of fruit on the side table with the wine, picking out a grape and popping it into his mouth. “Captain Glutton needs to accept facts that Lord Onyx is one of us now. He can kiss, bite, and do what he wants to our little treasure.”
“Within reason,” Callum interjected. “Amusing how you once accused me of kissing the ground Maddox walks on, yet here you are doing the same to the demon lord. More so now that you two are bonding over your shadows.”
“Careful, rabbit.” Rowan tipped his head, his topaz eyes glimmering with mischief. “Or I may just toss you into the shadows and keep you there.”
“None of that,” I said. But then couldn’t help but be curious. “Can you do that now, Ro? Take people with you when you travel in the shadows?”
“Well, no.” Rowan lost some of his snark. “Not yet.”
“But he will have the ability someday.” Onyx peered at Rowan with the kind of pride a teacher may have for his star pupil. “We’re meeting again this evening to continue his lessons.”
“Can I come?” I perked up in my chair. “I promise I’ll be quiet. Won’t even know I’m there. I’ll be like a fly on the wall.”
“More like a pest buzzing around.” Onyx’s mouth curved as he looked at me. “But one I’ve grown quite fond of.”
Being insulted had never made me happier. I was beginning to see that was how Onyx showed his affection. Through playful jabs and teasing. Through biting too. Much to Maddox’s dismay.
Realizing we hadn’t cut into the cake, yet, I hopped up and divvied out slices for everyone, then returned to the couch. The fire crackled as we ate, the only sound apart from the occasional rumble of thunder. The rain had stopped at least.
Onyx appeared to enjoy it. Not that his expression gave much away. The proof was in the pudding, as they said. Well, in the few crumbs left on his plate. He’d been the first to finish his slice on top of that.
I smiled.
A sleepy huff sounded from the floor before Oreo nudged my foot. The adorable Fenrir pup had shifted over to rest his head on my shoe and placed his paw on Maddox’s boot, holding both of us.
“Little guy is all tuckered out,” I said and stood to gather everyone’s plate. “I should put him to bed.”
“Where do you think you’re fluttering off to, little bird?” Onyx stood from his chair and regarded me. “The night is still young. Unless you’re no longer interested in being a fly on the wall?”
I grinned, excitement building. “I’ll be the quietest fly ever.”
Rowan snorted. “There’s not a quiet thing about you. Not even when you sleep.” He gently took Oreo from my arms and handed him to Lake. The puppy huffed but didn’t open his eyes. Rowan grabbed my hand. “Say goodnight to the others, little treasure. The shadows await.”
A question was on the tip of my tongue… right before he started leading us toward the window.
We were going to fly—well, sort of. He could use the shadows to make it seem like we were flying.
The rain had stopped, though the night remained overcast, providing very little moonlight. Which worked perfectly for him.
Rowan positioned me on his back and glanced at Onyx over his shoulder. “We’ll meet you on the balcony.”