“Well, demons didn’t kill his men.”
“Huh?”
“The knights received word about demons approaching the kingdom and set out to confront the horde,” Rowan explained. “It was a ruse. A member of the patrol party was one of the infiltrators. He waited until they were isolated in the dark wood before making his move. He set off a signal for others waiting nearby. Dark mages. They then hit the knights with magical attacks that ripped them open as though they’d been mauled by demons. The knights never even saw it coming.”
“Why make it look like a demon attack?”
“To shift blame, I suppose.” Rowan drew back and grabbed my wrist, pulling me from the wall. “Making it look like a banditattack would’ve caused suspicion of Haran’s involvement, seeing as to how the king used bandits in the scheme to abduct the prince. But demons would place the blame on Lord Onyx.”
“A smokescreen, like last time,” I said, walking with him from the alley and back onto the street. “While the knights are busy fighting demons, that gives Haran the advantage.”
“Aye. It’s my thinking anyway.”
“Okay. So why can’t I trust the guards? We’ve already established I’m no one of importance. I could bump right into one of the Haran spies or whatever, and they wouldn’t waste time on me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” Rowan’s hold on my wrist tightened. “The autumn ball was a sort of public declaration of your relationship with Maddox and Briar. Both men are of high standing within society. The precious sweetheart of the court physician and the captain of the Second Order would make for a fine ransom opportunity. Your café has also increasedyourstanding in society.”
“Oh. I didn’t think about that.”
He snorted. “Of course not.”
“What about you? Can I trust you?”
Rowan’s expression became unreadable, the amusement flitting away. He didn’t need to wear a mask or hood in order to hide. “I meant what I said about not wanting to hurt you, little treasure. But don’t put your faith in someone like me. You’ll only get burned in the end.”
“You told me once I’d burn you too. Like taking a drink of spiced rum. But here you are. So maybe burning isn’t always bad.”
There was a brief flicker of emotion in his eyes before he shoved it back down. He stopped walking and tipped his face up to the building. “Home sweet home.”
We’d reached the inn.
When I stepped toward the front door, he hooked an arm around my waist. Confused, I looked at him.
“I have an aversion to doors, remember? Up we go.” Rowan shifted me to his back before leaping up and grabbing the edge of the low-hanging roof.
I kept my eyes closed as he scaled the building, losing my courage from earlier. Already being high in the air was different than a slow ascent upward, seeing the ground stretch farther below you.
“Here we are.” Rowan ducked through the window and dropped me, quite literally, onto the floor of the room.
I landed on my ass with athud. “Ow.”
“Evan!” The scent of peaches tickled my nose before arms came around me.
“Brought him back to you safe and sound,” Rowan told Lake before hopping back onto the windowsill. As a low growl filled the air, he clicked his tongue. “Be a good pup and keep those teeth to yourself.”
“Wait,” I said before he could leave. “Where are you staying tonight?”
Rowan motioned to the sights beyond the window. “Wherever I want. The city is my playground.”
And then, he was gone.
“Insufferable thief,” I mumbled.
“Are you all right?” Lake helped me to my feet and gently rubbed my backside.
I laughed. “Believe me. I may be skinny, but I definitely have some cushion back there. I’m fine.” I stepped into his embrace and breathed him in. The muscles I hadn’t even realized were wound tight relaxed. “Hi.”
“Hello.” Lake nuzzled my hair. “I was good and didn’t follow you, even though I wanted to.”
“Good boy.” I hugged him closer, and more of my tension fell away. The sudden wave of relaxation had my eyes closing.
“Time for bed?”
“Time for bed,” I agreed, then let him guide me that way. I was exhausted, and we had another long day of travel waiting for us in the morning.
After I washed off using the water basin in the corner and tugged on my sleeping tunic, we turned out the light and cuddled together in bed. Lake was so attuned to my emotions and picked up on my worries. About Maddox and Briar. About the traitors among the orders of knights and the likely escalation of war with Haran. So, he did the one thing that always eased my restless mind.
He sang me a lullaby.
The words were in his native tongue, but given the sweet melody, I’d bet the lyrics spoke of love. The kind of soul-deep love I felt while pressed against him. My shooting star. Beautiful and pure and who’d brightened my entire sky simply for existing.
