Page 111 of The Umbra King

“Panther,” Caius and Lauren said in unison.

Rory pointed at Lauren. “You let me pet you.” Another thought occurred to her. “You saved me from Ronny.”

Lauren flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I did. Hedeserved it.”

Rory narrowed her eyes. “Then why did you give me the third degree about his death?”

“Why are you giving me the third degree now? I saved you. You’re welcome, by the way,” Lauren returned, popping a brow.

Rory crossed to Lauren and wrapped her arms around her neck. “Thank you. I will bring you all the big juicy steaks you want.”

Caius’ hand covered his mouth, and Lauren mouthed something over Rory’s shoulder. “Make sure they’re fatty cuts.” She gently extracted herself from Rory’s arms. “I need to bathe. Try not to die while I’m gone,” she called over her shoulder as she left.

“That’s not funny,” Caius said gruffly before addressing Rory. “You need to bathe, too.”

“That felt rude,” she muttered under her breath, suddenly tired as she followed him to her room. When they stepped into the hallway, the still suspended debris crashed to the ground, and Rory jumped at the sound. “Can I have all the healing potions this time?”

“Yes. After your fall, I had the palace doctor set up a fully stocked infirmary. I’ll send for him.”

“No,” Rory rushed. “I don’t want to be poked and prodded. I’m okay, just banged up and toothless.” She puffed out her chest. “I actually kicked his ass. If he hadn’t been triple my size, I wouldn’t have needed Lauren’s help.”

Caius beamed with pride. “That’s my girl.”

A joke about not being anyone’s girl was on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it. She was his girl, and they both knew it. “I’d still like potions tonight. Just basic bruises, cuts, and muscle aches.” She paused. “And a tooth regrowing one. Does that exist?”

“The first three I can get tonight.” He eyed her mouth as if he could see through it. “You’ll need to see the dentist tomorrow for the correct tooth potion.”

“Thanks,” she replied. “What did you mean when you said you saw him? Back in the banquet room.”

“It’s the bond. When one of us is in danger, the other has avision.” He gave her a half smile. “I’ve had them for a couple of years, but I thought they were nightmares.”

“You’ve been dreaming about me for years and said nothing?” she asked, her voice raising an octave.

He exhaled. “No. I don’t see you in danger. I see through your eyes. The same would happen for you if I were in danger, but I’m aRoyallocked in my own realm, and the odds of that happening are not high.”

“Not for long,” she reminded him as they approached his office. His hand stalled on the doorknob, and his knuckles turned ghostly. “Caius?”

Hand still on the door, he turned to look at her. “I promise to avenge our sisters, but if I fail, you mustn’t ever tell anyone what you are to me. If Gedeon finds out, he will torture you out of spite.”

Rory nodded numbly. “Okay, but don’t talk like that. If you think you’re going to lose, you will.”

Caius pushed open the door and stepped inside, surveying the room. Rory tried to follow him, but he held up a hand. “I need to make sure no one is in here.”

“I doubt there would be two assassination attempts in one night,” she said, ducking under his arm.

He gave her an annoyed look and closed the door behind them, turning the lock before checking the other door. “I don’t think I’ll lose, but I won’t underestimate my brother.”

“Before we head up, will you send for the potions while I shower?” she asked, slumping against the bookcase leading to her room.

“I’ll get the potions, you get showered, and then we’ll both get in bed,” he said, pulling on a rope in the corner of the office, ringing for a maid.

When Rory stepped out of the shower, she felt like a new woman. She wasn’t bloody like Lauren, save for her mouth and a small cut by her eye, but nothing made her feel better than washing the day away.

Caius waltzed in with a basket, and the sight was so odd, Rorycouldn’t help but laugh. He gave her a wry smile and set the basket on the table to unload. “Take these,” he instructed as he handed her three potions. “I brought food and juice.”

After shooting down the potions and gagging, she peeked over his shoulder and squealed when she saw a donut. She had it halfway to her mouth when he snatched it from her hand. “That’s mine.”

She tried to get it back, but he held it in the air. “You’re missing a tooth.”

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