Page 59 of The Demon King's Destiny

“I thought you could determine truth from lie,” she teased.

His mouth relaxed, a slow grin replacing the flat line. “You amaze me,moj draga.”

“And why is that?” she replied with a grin of her own.

“You’re stronger than I. Wiser.”

Evelyn sniffed. “Hardly.”

He clasped both of her hands in his. “You are. Do you not remember my reaction to the young male during our last visit? He wasn’t even your lover and I was sorely tempted to dreamwalk to him so I could tear his limbs off his body.”

“Really?” Her response came out husky. Something about his visceral reaction turned her on. She should probably be concerned for Jasper’s life, though she couldn’t remember why while looking into the heated eyes across the table.

“Most definitely. In fact, I—damnit!” he cursed, jerking his hands away.

“What is it?”

She saw the answer before he responded. A long line of blood seeped into the fabric on the sleeve of his white shirt.

“Someone’s trying to wake me. I have to go. My men were instructed not to bother me tonight unless it was a matter of life or death.”

He stood, hastily returning the necklace to his pocket.

“If you want to wear it, I understand,” she insisted.

Marrok’s chest tightened. Evelyn really was a wonder to him, far more selfless than he could ever have been if the situation was reversed. He leaned down to plant a firm kiss on his mate’s full lips. Reluctantly, he straightened.

“Another month?” she asked.

“Yes. At least. If I am delayed, I’ll try to leave word, if I can.”

“Here? In the dreamworld?”

“Yes. If you can conjure a table and wine, I’m sure I can manage a pen and paper. I’ll contact you as soon as I’m able.”

“Be careful.”

He was gone before the words left her lips.

* * *

“Stop cutting me. I’m awake,” he groused, compelling himself into consciousness.

“Apologies, Sire.”

Favin’s worried face came into view. Then Danil’s.

“Where is Lazlo?” Marrok inquired. He was usually never far, especially now that Petr was dispatched elsewhere.

“He’s gathering the guards,” Favin responded.

“No, what he’s doing is running around like a nutter,” Danil quipped.

Marrok sat up, recalling the last time Favin had to cut him to get him to awaken. “What’s happened?”

This was their first night in the fortress in a month. No one should have known they’d secretly returned this morning. Rogues weren’t likely to attack what they believed to be an empty fortress.

“We’ve received word the holding stations are under attack,” Favin told him.

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