I turned from the sink and buried my face against his neck, my throat too tight to speak.
“Evan?” Briar neared my side and rubbed the small of my back. “Are you all right, love?”
Another whine came from my wolf.
“We need to talk,” I said, drawing back from Lake.
“About what?” Maddox stood in the doorway, having just finished in the bath. The reason for the delay. I’d wanted to wait until all of them were in the room.
“I’ve been keeping something from you,” I said, barely able to get the words out. “Something big.”
“Go on.” Maddox hardened his features. He did that when trying to mask his emotions. My nervous behavior had probably sent his mind into overdrive, kicking up all sorts of theories and buried fears.
“Not in here. Can we go to the parlor? It’s comfier there.”
As I moved in that direction, my legs wobbled. The rushing of blood in my ears muted everything around me. Each beat of my heart hit my ribs like a war drum, sharp and indicating the battle to come.
Once in the parlor, I stood in the middle of the room and fidgeted. My men stepped in after me, their expressions apprehensive. Especially Lake. He no doubt felt the chaotic rhythm of my heartbeat.
“You should sit down.” I motioned to the area by the fireplace. “Maybe grab a drink first. Wine, preferably. I need the liquid courage, and y’all will need… well, something stronger than tea or coffee by the time I’m done. This is gonna be a long story.” A shaky exhale. “And once you hear it, nothing will be the same.”
Chapter Three
A Toad Becomes a Prince
Wine?Check.Warm, cozy fire?Check.
Courage? Well, a few more gulps from my glass should do the trick.
“You’re pacing again.” Rowan knelt by the fire and added another log, causing the flames to burn brighter. “Keep it up and you’ll wear out the floorboards.”
I stopped on the rug and eyed my glass. “I’m gonna refill my wine.”
“No, you’ll sit down and start talking,” Maddox growled from his place on the couch. “Before I lose my temper.”
“Oh, we wouldn’t want that.” Rowan took his preferred position against the wall, crossing his arms. “You’re already such a ray of sunshine.”
“Silence that mouth of yours, thief, before I throw you out into the snow. I’m not in the mood.”
“I’d just use the shadows to come right back.” Rowan’s gaze settled on me. “Come on, little treasure. Spit it out.”
The only thing I was about to spit out was my dinner. Nerves rolled around in my belly. They all stared at me. Waiting.
“I know it’s a cliché line, but Ireallydon’t know where to start. From the beginning, sure, but where is that exactly? There’s a lot to unpack here and I’m kinda at a loss. The tiny Evan’s operating my body are in panic mode, slinging coffee and muffins everywhere.”
Lake cocked his head.
“Forget that. Um.” I shifted my weight between my feet, choosing to remain standing. Sitting would make me too antsy. “I guess this started when Lupin visited me a few months ago.”
“Lupin?” Rowan asked. “Who’s that? A former member of your harem?”
I sighed.
“He’s a mage,” Briar explained. “A very powerful one.” His attention shifted to me. “What did he want with you?”
“To send you back?” Maddox’s hand balled into a fist.
“No,” I answered. My captain was still worried I’d leave him someday. Which explained his bad mood. He could be a total grump, but he had a sensitive heart.
