Page 82 of The Robin on the Oak Throne

When the doors opened, it was to an immaculate, open-air office that blended together the historic charm of the old brick building and a functional workspace. The hardwood flooring looked original, as did the large, arched windows along one wall with fluttering cream curtains. A light oak desk sat heavy at the center of the space, polished to gleam against the crimson rug. Behind the desk were shelves laden with books. A robin fluttered in a cage next to the desk.

And sitting behind the desk, his dark hair hanging loose in his eyes as he typed away at a computer, was the head Druid himself.

Lorcan glanced up at their entrance. His blue eyes were the cerulean of a clear spring afternoon. They flicked to Niamh and dismissed her as soon as they landed on Kierse. It was like feeling the sun peek out from behind a cloud to alight on her face.

“Little songbird,” he purred.

She’d forgotten his magnetism. Even when she had been playing him in a web of her own creation, she hadn’t been able to completely pull away from the vortex he’d swirled her into. He’d been charming and genuine. A smile that lit up his eyes like he hadn’t known torment. A hero hiding in the cloaks of a villain. Especially dangerous because he didn’t care who got in the crossfire and believed the ends justified the means.

She’d seen him for who and what he was, not what he wanted others to believe, but she’d had to work at it. Even when he’d sent people to kill her, kidnapped her, and held her friends at gunpoint, the edges were blurry. And with Colette’s words ringing in her ears about using herwilesto get information from him…the lines were twice as blurry.

“Lorcan,” Kierse said, keeping her voice steady and her head high.

“What a pleasant surprise,” he said in his soft Irish accent.

Niamh snorted as she sauntered into the office and went to feed the bird, her namesake. “You knew she was coming a mile off.”

Lorcan grinned, a bright blinding thing. “I’m still glad to see you regardless.”

“I bet,” Kierse said.

“I see you still haven’t forgiven me for what happened last year.” He swept a hand through his dark hair, brushing it back off of his face. His high cheekbones were accented by the quick movement. His eyes raking over her. “That’s understandable.”

“So glad to have your approval.”

He laughed, leaning back in his chair and resting his arms on the brown leather. His white button-up was crisp, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, muscular forearms on display with just a hint of biceps. He wasn’t bulky by any means, but fit. Like he could take down a grown man without even reaching for his magic.

Kierse averted her gaze, taking a few controlled steps into his office. She ran her hand along a hardened oak bookshelf, across a small stack of books. Her fingers closed around a gold letter opener before continuing her perusal.

“And all I want is your approval,” he countered.

“Do you think it will be that easy to achieve?” she asked, skimming the titles and avoiding his predatory gaze.

“I’m afraid that I’ll have to earn it,” he said with a softness to his voice.

“Just tell her you’re not going to try to kill her or her friends,” Niamh said with a sigh.

“I did tell her that last time.”

“And then held them at gunpoint,” Niamh reminded him. She swatted at the back of his head, and he shot her a quick glare. “Maybe try to be nice.”

Lorcan pushed his chair back against the plush rug and stood. “Thank you for that insight, Niamh,” he all but growled. “I will beverynice.” She finally lifted her eyes to meet his and stilled under his heated gaze.

Niamh cleared her throat. “Declan doesn’t like that I’m back.”

Lorcan severed the look to draw his attention back to his second. “I’m sure he doesn’t.”

“He almost offered a challenge, and this is only mysecondday.”

The muscles in his jaw twitched. He was clearly annoyed Niamh was still here. “Don’t be so infuriating, then.”

“Can’t help it,” she said, swinging up onto his desk and letting her long legs dangle.

“She really can’t,” Kierse added. “It’s why she’s so wonderful.”

Niamh beamed under the praise. “So glad you sent me to check in on her.”

Lorcan’s gaze swept between the women in his office. For a second, Kierse almost saw that anger swimming in those bright blue irises, but then it was gone. “How good it is that my girls are friendly.”

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