Page 27 of Desire

He glanced down. “We’ll need to go to Adele for the help we need to free your sister and ensure her safety. It may take some time.”

I didn’t care for the way he wasn’t meeting my gaze.

“How long, Garron?”

“A fortnight, perhaps.”

Dismayed, I set my half-eaten biscuit on the plate.

“That long?” I asked.

“Adele is nothing like Drisdall. The people don’t trust easily.”

I nodded in understanding even as my heart sank. Another fourteen days before I could reach Eloise? And it would likely take me double that to figure out how to help break the spell binding these men.

Could Eloise endure that long? Maeve had deceived Eloise and me and kept us alive for a reason. I had to believe she would continue to do so. The thought didn’t comfort me, though. I knew the suffering one could withstand and still live.

“Rather than think of it as time lost,” Garron said as if hearing my thoughts, “Perhaps you can devote yourself to learning.”

“Learning?”

He held up the book I’d been reading the night before. “If you don’t understand something, ask. We may not have your ability, but Henry did, and he taught us what he knew.”

I nodded and accepted the book.

Garron didn’t linger in the cottage, and I watched him leave and marveled at the spell that held them. What purpose did it serve?

My gaze returned to the book I held. Could the answers to breaking their spell lie within the pages of the books Henry left behind? Brandle thought not, but couldn’t a cast spell be uncast?

They left me to read in peace as I nibbled on my biscuit. However, when I rose to use the privy, Daemon hurried toward me and took my arm.

“Of course I’ll escort you to ensure your safety, Lamb,” he said in a normal tone before whispering, “Please invite me into the cottage with you. Any pretext will do.”

Undoubtedly, he was up to no good.

“And what will you give me for this favor?” I asked.

“My currently unrequited love and devotion?”

“No thank you.”

“Anything you wish, then.”

“Your agreement to a future request,” I said.

His gaze grew suspicious. “What request?”

“I’m not yet certain. However, I vow it will not cause harm to others.”

“Very well. I agree.”

With a suspicious glint in his eyes, Darian watched our return. Rather, he watched Daemon. Knowing that Daemon was likely provoking Darian in some way, I played along and threaded my arm through Daemon’s.

“If no one minds, I would like to claim all of Daemon’s unrequited love and devotion for the day.”

Without waiting for a reply, I steered him toward the cottage with me.

“Bloody git. He bribed her,” Darian grumbled.

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