“Yeah,” I croaked.
“You should take Evan to the market,” Lake told Briar. “Sitting here worrying over things out of your control will only drive you both mad.”
Briar softly laughed. “Evan is your fated mate, yet you’re so attuned to me as well.”
“Well, I love you.” Lake looked out the front window. Moonlight shone through the glass, kissing his silvery hair. “Perhaps not in the same way as him, but it’s still strong.”
“I love you too.” Briar reached over and patted his head, causing Lake to close his eyes and lean into his palm. “We’re family. All of us.”
“Aye.” Lake shyly smiled. “Family.”
***
Paper lanterns hung between the various merchant stands, casting soft golden light onto the lanes. The market in the evening was fairly calm, though several people had ventured out. Mostly couples by the look of it, all walking hand in hand and lost in their own worlds.
“The lights are really pretty.” I held Briar’s hand as we strolled past the shops and merchant stalls. “I wish Lake could see it.”
“As do I.”
“It’s not fair.” I focused on a lantern and watched the flame flicker inside. Frustrated tears stung my eyes. “I still don’t understand why demi-wolves are treated like criminals. Just because a few of them sided with Lord Onyx like a million years ago? Lake shouldn’t be punished for that.”
“I agree.” Briar gently squeezed my fingers. “Unfortunately, that’s the way of most things in life. Two men start a war, and that burden then falls on the shoulders of their children. And their children’s children. Just look at your father. He had no partin the conflict with… that other kingdom, yet was forced into an arrangement to bring peace, resulting in his own death.”
I knew why he was being vague. No one was in earshot, but we couldn’t be too careful. Not with spies roaming about. Hell, Draven could be hiding in the bushes listening to every word.
“You’ve been the court physician for a long time, right?”
He cringed. “What a way to call me old.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.” I chuckled, then sobered, heart thumping harder. “I was only wondering if you’d ever… met my dad.”
“No. I never had the honor.” Softness shone in his hazel eyes. Maybe a smidge of sadness too. “I was just a boy when the news reached my village of his passing.”
“Oh.” I glanced at the cobblestone beneath my boots. “Duke said the people loved him. That he fought for demi-human rights and helped the poor. That he fought for what was right. I… I want to be like him.”
“You already are.” Briar stopped on the path and lifted his hand to my face, gliding his thumb across my cheek. The glow of the surrounding lanterns brought out the lighter shades in his hazel eyes. “Don’t you see it, love? You bring joy to everyone you meet. Not only with your food but because of your pure heart. You care deeply for those around you. And much to the captain’s dismay, you even forgot your own pain in order to seek out an injured demon.”
“I didn’t know Oreo was a demon.”
He tenderly smiled. “I feel you would’ve helped him even if youhadknown. It’s not in your nature to let anyone or anything suffer. Just as it’s not in mine.”
“Would you have helped Oreo?”
“Without hesitation.” He gave my cheek a soft pinch before retaking my hand and linking our fingers. “But let’s not tell our captain. I fear that vein in his temple really will blow one day.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I said, trying not to laugh. I lightly swung our hands as we walked. “Know what we need?”
“What?” He peered down at me.
“Something yummy.”
With his hand in mine, I took off down the lane, loving the sound of his laugh as I dragged him along. A woman near the center fountain sold chunks of boar covered in a maple and brown sugar glaze. Honestly, it reminded me of maple bacon, and I could eat the stuff every day for the rest of my life and die happy.
“Two please,” I said once reaching her food stall.
She grabbed skewers for the meat and told us the price.
“Allow me.” Briar touched my lower back before paying her.
