Page 5 of House of Demons and Bones

“If I told you everything, I’d have to kill you,” Killian mocked.

“You already tried and failed.” Rowan's lips curled into a sneer, transforming his handsome features into something unpleasant.

Liar,Sy protested.My sugar looks great no matter what.

“Weren’t we supposed to be brothers?” Rowan’s words cut like glass. “Yet here you are, keeping us in the dark this whole time.”

Killian sighed. “I can only travel to my dragon’s realm.” He caught Rowan’s look and added, “Not exactly breaking news that I’m bonded with a dragon, and he’s an ass. And yeah, I can also show up wherever Barbie is when I’m dream walking.”

My heart did a little flip. Did he mean that we had a serious link that mimicked a solid bond? But wasn’t he already tied to the demon queen?

He meant that he can find you whenever he wants to fuck you, dummy,Sy said.

If you can’t say something nice, zip it,I snapped at her.

Rowan gave Killian an odd look but dropped the subject.

Killian flicked his wrist with a flourish, and poof—bloody clothes gone, replaced by a black shirt and worn jeans. Every heir could pull that convenient quick-change magic, and Cade could even whip up a feast, like he had done in that prison cell in the House of Mages. Everyone in the academy knew that all the heirs were keeping some of their powers under wraps. They never showed their full hands, not even to each other.

I can magic up dresses too,Sy bragged.You missed my show at the party while you were passed out. By the way, you should keep your mouth shut when you sleep—you snore like a chainsaw.

Rowan snapped his fingers to summon his outfit and got zilch. He let out a growl when it became obvious that no one could conjure up magic in this pocket dragon realm except Killian.

Killian slanted Rowan a pitying look, then waved a hand. A stack of clothes appeared in his grip. He held them out like a peace offering, and Rowan grabbed them with a grunt. He didn’tthank Killian, not even with a nod—not when they’d just finished trying to kill each other five minutes ago.

Rowan’s blank look turned to a scowl when he saw the farmer getup Killian had offered him. A sheltered fae prince raised with silk sheets knew cheap clothes when he saw them.

“They’re all I’ve got,” Killian said. “Wear them or stay away from Barbie. She’s not having drinks with anyone who looks like they’ve just walked off a horror movie set.”

“And whose fault is that, asshole?” Rowan snapped. “I stayed in my lane and fucked my own woman, and you came at me like a psycho.”

He stripped off his frayed tunic and squeezed into Killian’s handouts. The shirt rode up above his belly button, and the pants looked like he was ready for a flood. Next to Killian’s superhot look, Rowan could’ve been auditioning forFashion Disasters: Immortal Edition. Which was exactly the point, judging by Killian’s smirk.

“Fuck you,” Rowan said.

“Maybe later, brother.” Killian smiled and headed toward me.

His mood had improved a great deal now that he knew his friend hadn’t bedded me. “Better than nothing, right? Besides, the peasant look is really working for you.”

Rowan shook his head in disgust as he approached the table.

I’d been holding in my laugh, but watching the fae prince rock the discount rack look broke me. A peal of laughter burst out until I doubled over, Killian’s grip the only thing keeping me from hitting the floor.

Sy seethed beneath my skin, pissed that Killian had turned her prince into a joke.

I tried not to look at Rowan, but one glance at him in that ridiculous outfit sent me into another giggling fit. Killian lost it too, while Rowan scowled.

I fell apart in Killian’s arms. He held me as if I was the most precious thing. Electricity buzzed on my skin, and arousal shot through my veins. By sheer will, I shoved him away before the mating heat could kick in—especially with Rowan right there.

The fae prince didn’t blink on seeing that I could touch Killian. He’d clearly figured out why the chaos prince had attacked him. Killian gave me a hungry look as he slid into the seat beside me, and Rowan took the chair across from us.

“How’s my Sy doing?” Rowan asked, his face tight.

Sy straightened, glowing at his attention.

“She’s prickly,” I said.

My laughter had faded as reality crashed back down. We’d made a mess, and it was time to let the truth out, but I didn’t even know where to begin. I bit my lip, shadows haunting my eyes.

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