Page 39 of The Demon King's Destiny

“Where did you get that?” he snapped, watching the medallion swing hypnotically, back and forth.

“It was in the stream. I found it when I was awake, minutes after I fell.”

“Impossible.”

“Obviously not. Is it yours?”

“It was … I had it around my neck that night with Brennen.”

Evelyn nodded. “I thought so. When I saw the ‘M’ engraved, your face immediately came to mind.”

They stood still, the necklace between them. Evelyn stretched closer so he could take it. Marrok didn’t reachout. He just stared, as if in a trance.

“Take it,” she insisted.

Marrok blinked, watching his dead wife’s necklace sway in the hand of his mate. After he’d awoken those years ago, he’d been preoccupied with the implications of Brennen’s death. He hadn’t thought of the missing medallion until he rode on the palace, days later.

He should tell Evelyn the ‘M’ stood for Melena, not Marrok. He didn’t.

Too many feelings were working their way through his system. Melena wasn’t something he was ready to discuss tonight, so he held up his palm and allowed Evelyn to drop it into his hand. Marrok put the necklace in his pocket, the one opposite the place where he’d stowed Evelyn’s underwear.

“Are you not going to wear it?”

“No.”

“Is everything okay, Marrok?”

“It’s fine.”

His eyes met hers and he felt like he’d somehow let her down. “I have a lot on my mind. Do not be concerned.”

Evelyn’s mouth twisted back and forth, making her appear more childlike than she was. “If you say so,” she grumbled.

Despite his ill mood, his mouth lifted. “Come here,moj draga.”

Evelyn stepped into his embrace, allowing his sturdy form to support hers. The tension drained away and she rested her cheek upon his chest, inhaling his masculine scent.

“What does that mean?Moj draga?” she asked, mimicking his Sundari accent.

“It’s an endearment. Something along the lines of ‘my darling’ or ‘my sweet.’ Why? Do you not like it?”

“On the contrary, I think I like it very much.”

His chest shook under her face. “Don’t laugh at me,” she chastised.

“I’m not.”

She tilted her head back. “You are.”

“Maybe just a little. I can’t help it. You’re very entertaining. You tell me exactly what’s on your mind. No one does that. Not once have I felt compelled to search your thoughts.”

“I see no reason to not be honest with you.”

Marrok’s grin slipped. He would have to tell her about Melena. Eventually.

Wanting a distraction, he leaned down and kissed her pliant lips. He kept the pace slow and his pressure light. Ever eager, his little mate tried to ravage his mouth but he didn’t allow it. He did not intend to play with her in this dream.

When they broke apart, she sighed dreamily and he nestled his head against hers. Suddenly, she jerked backwards.

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