Page 15 of Dewitched

“A stranger,” she countered. “How could they be more loyal than someone who has protected me since birth?”

Owen ducked his head to hide his smile. Oh, the princess had fire, and he had no doubt she would make a strong leader for her people one day. Judging by the tick of his clenched jaw, even Fenix didn’t have a response to her argument.

“We’ll discuss it later,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I want to visit the Haunted Escape Room.”

At some point during the discussion, the hotel employees had quietly returned to their duties. Even Arlo. In their place, Seneca had appeared from seemingly nowhere, along with fourintimidating males similar in size and build to his mate. The Nightstar Guard.

Seeing them all together like that, he could definitely understand the point Iliana had been trying to make. No one in their right mind would take on one of the Guardians, let alone all of them. In the unlikely event of an emergency, his mate’s temporary absence wouldn’t diminish her safety.

On the other hand, he could also appreciate Fenix’s position. He had made a vow to put her life before anyone else’s, including his own. While that might not have been an issue in the past, Owen’s arrival had flipped the script. Rather than being forced into a choice between the two, he would rather walk away altogether.

It still sounded extreme to him, and he definitely didn’t want his mate to lose something important to him just because Owen existed. Vacillating between having his mate’s back and voicing his concerns, he erred on the side of caution and kept his mouth shut.

Frankly, it wasn’t his decision to make, and even if Fenix wanted his input, he needed more information. With that in mind, he decided to wait until they had a chance to speak in private before offering his opinion.

“Your Highness,” Seneca said as she stepped away from the rest of the group. “You still haven’t seen your cabin. Perhaps you’d like to settle in and eat something before we attempt the…uh…”

“Haunted Escape Room,” Iliana provided helpfully. “Yes, you’re right, of course.” She gripped the ends of her long, royal blue robes and lifted them from the floor. “I think I would like to change as well.”

From the corner of his eye, he saw Fenix dip his head at Seneca in thanks.

Another Guardian with sunny blond hair stepped forward, his right hand outstretched toward the corridor behind the staircase. “This way, Princess.”

Iliana simply stared at him. “Carry me.”

The shifter hesitated only briefly before reaching out to pick her up. Before he could get a grip on her, however, she batted his hands away with a cluck of her tongue.

“I’m teasing, Draven. Maybe we can find you a sense of humor when we go shopping tomorrow.”

“You are a pain in my ass.” He grumbled under his breath, but he allowed her to link her arm through his as they headed across the lobby.

“Aww. I love you, too,” she sang, practically skipping beside him.

The rest of the Guard followed, all smiling and shaking their heads at her antics.

As he watched them, it dawned on Owen that he hadn’t merely witnessed a princess with her bodyguards. It was a tightknit, dedicated family. She obviously adored each of them, and judging by their expressions, they felt the same.

Which only made him worry that much more about Fenix leaving.

“Here.” Seneca paused in front of them and held out a brass key. “Cabin 4. Hurry and change. I’ll try to distract her for as long as I can.”

Fenix took the key with a pensive expression and watched her hurried off to catch up with the rest of the group. Whatever worries occupied his thoughts, he didn’t voice them. Instead, he simply took Owen’s hand and led him back the way they had come from.

Owen remained silent as well while they navigated their way to the south exit. Naturally, he wanted to discuss why his mate felt he had to leave the Nightstar palace, but he instinctually knewFenix wouldn’t want to discuss it yet. It also wasn’t about him, and any questions he had could wait.

Stepping out onto the small portico with its iron benches and potted plants, Fenix came to an abrupt stop and sighed. The rain had slowed to a heavy mist that quickly coated Owen’s hair and face. Still, he didn’t move, didn’t speak. He just gripped his mate’s hand and waited patiently.

While he stood quietly, he cast furtive glances down at their linked fingers. It had been so long since he’d allowed himself contact with anyone that he’d almost forgotten what it felt like. The weight, the warmth, the comfort—he craved it all, and he didn’t know how he’d gone so long without it.

Moreover, the fear of losing it filled him with a hollow ache right in the pit of his stomach.

“What wrong?”

Owen squeezed his mate’s hand and shuffled closer. “I should be asking you that.”

“You’re worried,” Fenix countered, turning to face him. He tapped his index finger gently against the center of Owen’s forehead. “What are you thinking about?”

He briefly considered redirecting the conversation, but it didn’t feel right. “It’s not important.”

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