“Spies from the Secret Order located their hideout and ambushed them,” Briar answered. “Many of the mages were killed, but two were seized and questioned.”
“About time those spies made themselves useful.” Rowan slid off the counter and went over to pour himself a mug of coffee. Then, he withdrew a flask and ruined it with rum. Such a criminal. “Can’t expect me to keep doing their job for them.”
The Secret Order excelled in stealth missions, scouting, and recon, as well as handled all the behind-the-scenes matters of security that kept the kingdom running smoothly.
“What did the mages say when questioned?” I asked.
Briar adjusted his glasses. A nervous tic of his. “It appears Prince Sawyer remains their target. When the bandit scheme failed, the infiltration was their backup plan.”
“Why go after Sawyer?” I asked, hating the thought of him being targeted.
“Perhaps they believe by capturing him King Eidolon will be forced to agree to Haran’s demands.”
“Which are what?” Rowan asked. “Surrender the throne?”
“Or something of the sort.” Maddox picked at the muffin Briar had given him. “King Silas, much like his father before him, is blinded by greed and the pursuit of power. Tension began long ago over demi-humans and it’s since escalated, becoming a fight for territory and resources.”
Lake’s fluffy ears drooped. “What of the traitors? The knights who switched allegiances. Have they been identified?”
“Yes,” Maddox answered. “Newer recruits in the Third Order. Young and impressionable.”
Relief washed over me. “None in the Secord or First Order?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Because you’re too close to this,” Rowan told him. “You can’t fathom one of your men betraying not only the kingdom but you as well. That sense of loyalty blinds you.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” Maddox slowly scrubbed a hand over his face. It drew my attention to the dark circles beneath his ocean blue eyes. He hid his stress well, but it was weighing heavily on him, more noticeable now. “I trust my knights with my life. The thought of them betraying that trust is… painful.”
That pain echoed in his voice, stirring an ache of my own. I hated seeing him like this.
Rowan blinked. “Did I hear that right? You agreed with me? Say it again so I can be sure I haven’t lost my marbles.”
Maddox lowered his hand. “Keep talking and you’ll lose your head along with your marbles.”
Briar pushed the muffin closer to our captain. He was the gentle energy that kept the peace—and kept the others from killing each other. Maddox pinched off a piece and glared as he chewed.
“Oh, stop with that glare.” Rowan smirked. “You’ll make me start to like you.”
“Come on, big guy.” I nudged Maddox’s leg with my foot. “Be nice.”
Maddox expelled a tired breath and took my hand in his, gently squeezing once. “Fortunately for him, I haven’t the energy to throw him out into the snow.”
Rowan scoffed.
“You’ve done enough damage with snowballs today.” I linked our fingers, feeling the brush of his ring. A flat silver band with an emerald green stone in the center. He hadn’t taken it off since the day I’d gifted it to him. However, something seemed different about it. “Is the stone glowing? Or have I had too much coffee and reached a different plane of existence, seeing the usually invisible electromagnetic waves in colors?”
Lake cocked his head. “The… what?”
“Um. Nothing.” I cleared my throat. I’d barely passed science class in high school and had no business trying to explain the mechanics of it to them. I tapped the stone. “There are little glowing swirls inside it.”
Maddox lifted our joined hands and kissed the back of my knuckles. “A lot like the one around your neck, yes?”
Realization slammed into me, and I snapped my head toward Briar. “You crafted him a protection stone?”
He had stressed over it for months, wanting to make it as perfect as possible. Much like how he’d stressed when trying to make mine.
“I did.” With a bashful smile, Briar adjusted his glasses. “It turns out, the stone in the ring is an emerald. I didn’t notice in the beginning, however, after you left for Exalos, the captain and I were in quite the pathetic state missing you. That’s when the emerald reacted, and I sensed the magic. The gem I’d been searching for had been right under my nose all along.”
