“How’swhatpossible?” Rowan released a frustrated breath. “Specs here might’ve figured it out, but the rest of us haven’t.”
“Why would King Silas send assassins after your father?” Maddox asked.
The drumming of my heartbeats quickened, marching ever closer to war. To that point of no return. “Because he ended his engagement to the princess of Haran and chose my mother instead. That decision broke the treaty that would’ve guaranteed peace and sent the kingdoms back into war.”
Maddox’s eyes widened a fraction. “Your father was…”
“Prince Elias, King Eidolon’s younger brother.”
Silence.
Nervous, I pushed from the couch and returned to my earlier spot in the middle of the parlor, staring down at the same floorboard as if it held the key to holding myself together. Because I felt like I was about to break.
“So you see? We’re already on the brink of war with Haran. If they learn I’m alive, they might come for me. But what worries me most is something happening to any of you if they do.”
The floor creaked, and I looked up just as Maddox reached me. He was a master at hiding his emotions. He kept themlocked away and only showed me what he wanted me to see. But there was no hiding right then. A rawness tore through his blue eyes.
“M-Maddox?”
He dropped to one knee in front of me and lowered his head. “My prince.”
“Don’t do that,” I said, eyes stinging.
He kept his head bowed.
“Maddox? Please look at me.”
Slowly, his gaze lifted.
“I’m still me.” I cupped his cheek. “I’m still your clumsy little muffin who rambles, drinks way too much coffee, and loves when you tease him. Please don’t treat me differently now.”
Trembling, he brought my hand to his lips and kissed my fingertips, one by one. “When I took my knight’s oath, I swore fidelity to my king and those of his blood. Loyalty that came from a sense of duty. My vow to you, however, comes from the heart. I swear to protect you with my own life. I will be your sword and your shield until my dying breath. You hold my entire world in these small hands of yours.”
“They’re not small.” My voice cracked. “Yours are just abnormally large. Another part of you is too.”
Maddox breathed out a laugh and rose to his feet, hooking an arm around me. “I love you, sweetheart.”
I rested my cheek against his chest. “I love you too, big guy.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Rowan pushed from the wall and toyed with the golden cuff holding his hair to the side. “I captured a prince after all.”
“You did.” I smiled. “And it explains why you mistook me for Prince Sawyer. I guess King Eidolon and my father resembled each other a lot too.”
Maddox glared at Rowan. “Cast aside any thoughts of betraying him, thief. I know you still wish to find yourself in Lord Onyx’s good graces, and if you think of using Evan to—”
“I would never betray him,” Rowan snapped. Shadows swirled at his feet in his anger. “Evan is the one thing I treasure above all else. Above riches and power. Even above myself. Him being of royal blood changes nothing.”
“Says the man who’d screw over anyone for a shilling,” Maddox countered.
“On the contrary, oh mighty captain.” Rowan gave him a honeyed smile. “I’d screw you over free of charge. No shilling required.”
“Enough arguing. It’s the last thing our Evan needs.” Briar exhaled and stood from the couch. “I do believe I could use another drink.”
“One step ahead of you, Specs.” Rowan withdrew his flask and took a swig before offering it to him. “Want some?”
Briar eyed the flask for a beat or two and then accepted it. He took a drink and cringed.
Rowan smirked. “Too strong for your delicate constitution?”
