Page 23 of Caged Love

I stand with her still in my arms, and her legs tighten around me. “Let’s go get you fed and catch everyone up on what’s happened.”

“They won’t mind having the ex-rebellion princess under their roof?” she asks as we go back down the stairs.

“They didn’t mind before.” I smirk.

“I was locked away before, and my father was being killed,” she blurts out, and I stop in my tracks halfway down the wooden staircase.

“Milana—”

“I’m letting you in, August, but that doesn’t mean it’s so easy to just forget what has happened.”

“I’m not asking you to forget,” I say, kissing her temple and continuing on my way.

“You know you can put me down now.”

“I know.”

She laughs as I carry her to the table, placing her on the seat next to me. I can feel everyone’s amused gazes as I grab Milana a plate and start serving up everything.

From the corner of my eye, Axe is holding out his hand to Kai with a smug expression. Kai, sighing heavily, places a gold bag of coins into his palm.

“What did you bet on now?” I ask, frowning.

“How long it would take you to bring her here,” Kai admits, rolling the coins in his hand. “I said less than three nights. I won.”

“I won’t underestimate your charm again,” Axe grumbles, making Kai laugh out loud.

Milana’s ocean-blue eyes dance with amusement.

I wish the two of them would shut up in front of Milana, and the look I send them says as much.

Placing the plate in front of her, I move to fill mine while Milana clears her throat, eyeing the huge amount of food.

She needs to eat.

“August, who knew you’d be so damn cute?” Saylor beams, bouncing in her chair. Her pregnant belly has gotten bigger since the last time I saw her. “Welcome home, Milana. I hope you two will come and visit us in the Demon Kingdom sometime. You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you.” Milana smiles as she butters the thick slice of bread I gave her. “I’ve actually never been there, so I would love to. I hope I didn’t get you in trouble, Saylor…”

“Because I let you escape after I only just got here myself?” Saylor replies, her honey-brown eyes twinkling.

“Yeah.” Milana winces, taking a delicate bite of bacon.

Saylor shrugs, batting her lashes at her mate. “Don’t you worry about any of that. We women have to stick together. And it looks like it has all worked out for you both.”

Her eyes drop to Milana’s bare wrists, but her expression doesn’t change.

“You going to tell us what happened or keep us in suspense?” King Zython asks, studying the two of us.

“I was in their dungeon, and Astrid, Rave, and Soren came to save me…” I trail off and realize that Milana doesn’t know about all of that or that I had the option to leave but decided to stay to force her to be in my proximity.

“I know they wanted to save you, and you told them to leave you there, August.” She rolls her eyes. “Rave knew I was there, too, because his shadows surrounded me.”

“You chose to stay in the dungeons?” Kai asks, putting his fork down and leaning back in his chair. “That is some dedication for some pu?—”

Axe slaps the back of his head. “There are females present.”

“Thanks, so romantic,” Saylor adds, looking at me in a new light.

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