I knew that fire. I felt it too.
“I meant what I said on that castle balcony months ago,” he continued. “You’re a treasure unlike any other. And though I’m sure your knight will send a force of men to escort you, I don’t trust them to protect you.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“Your trip to Exalos isn’t all I’ve overheard while here in Bremloc. There have been whisperings of other things as well.”
“What kind of things?”
“Ones I’m sure your captain will be interested in hearing.” He focused on a book with a vine of roses along the spine. “If I’m so inclined to tell him, that is.”
Steps sounded from the hall.
Rowan turned toward the archway. “Looks like we’re out of time, little treasure.”
Three forms were cast in shadow before they entered the room, Maddox in front and Lake close on his heels. Both had a murderous gleam in their eyes as they aimed for Rowan.
“Wait!” I jumped in front of them. “He hasn’t done anything wrong. He was just—”
“Stand aside!” Maddox snapped at me.
“So you can hurt him? I don’t think so. Calm down and hear him out first. He offered to travel with me—”
“Why are you protecting him?” Maddox roared. “Have you forgotten what he did to you? You met with him, and you’re not even wearing your damned protection stone. By the gods, Evan, I wonder sometimes if you have any sense of self-preservation at all.”
I shrunk back from his anger. “I’m sorry.”
Instantly, that anger died down, and his expression turned pained. “Sweetheart, I—”
“You scared him,” Rowan said. He hadn’t moved from his spot in front of the bookcase. “Nicely done,Captain.”
In a mere second, Lake was shoving Rowan against the shelf and baring his teeth. The purple of his eyes flared bright, a sign of his intense emotion. “Move even a hair and I’ll rip out your throat.”
Briar appeared at my side and kissed my temple. “Are you hurt at all, love?”
I shook my head. A familiar weight then came around my neck as he fastened the protection stone. Warmth pooled in my veins, and little sparks shot through my chest. Wearing the necklace made me feel safe. Treasured.
Maddox’s big hand found mine, and he bent down to rest our foreheads together. “Forgive me for shouting. I let my fear get the better of me.”
“Your fear?”
“Of losing you,” he said. “You’re too trusting, Evan. Too kindhearted. It worries me, now more than ever, when you’re so close to leaving my side.”
“I have no intention of harming him,” Rowan huffed. “You, on the other hand, aren’t as fortunate. I wouldn’t mind reenacting the cookie man’s fate.”
Lake snarled and gripped him tighter.
“Do you mind calling off your guard dog?” Rowan asked me. “I could’ve easily followed you in secret when you left Bremloc, yet I came here first, knowing full well your possessive lovers would do… well,this. Ask yourself why.”
He had a point. Asking for permission wasn’t exactly his thing. He did what he wanted, when he wanted to do it.
“Okay, then why?” I pressed.
“Because I wanted to speak with them.” His gaze landed on Maddox. “You in particular.”
“Explain.” Maddox brought me closer in that familiar protective way. Then to Lake, “Allow him room to speak.”
Lake nodded and eased his hold on Rowan but stayed close.
