“Do you have a mission tonight?” I asked Rowan. “Following anyone suspicious?”
“Hmm… now that you ask…” Rowan smiled. “I believe a muffin lord is at the top of our target list. An identifying characteristic is his sad toad face.”
“Meanie.”
Rowan pinched my cheek before a sudden seriousness took him over. “We actually do have a target. Last night was the first time I shadowed him. He spent most of the night drinking and fucking, then returned to his room at the inn.”
“He sounds like a regular guy to me,” I said. “Why is he a target?”
“I thought the same.” Rowan frowned. “Nothing stood out as suspicious. But Reign says he reeks of magic.”
“Reign can sense magic?” Briar asked.
Rowan nodded. “It’s his specialty. He can also sense the skill level of those with magic. And he said our target, though seemingly average at first glance, is actually quite powerful.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s bad,” I said. “You’re powerful too and have only kidnapped one person.”
He rewarded me with that fang-like snaggle. “That you know of.”
I cut my eyes at him.
“Enough with that look.” He laughed. “You’re my one and only victim, little treasure.”
“Good.” I touched the golden cuff holding his hair to the side. “Better keep it that way.”
“Is that an order, Your Highness?” Rowan brought me flush against him and lowered his face to my throat.
Shivers danced along my skin. “Y-Yep.”
“Will you keep following your target?” Maddox asked.
After a quick nip to my throat, Rowan pulled away. “Aye. Just to be sure he’s not a threat. But Draven thinks he may be passing through Bremloc on his way to another town.”
“Oh, Draven.” I sighed. “Maybe one day he’ll like me.”
“Reign likes you,” Rowan said. “I blame the brownies. One bite and he was addicted.”
“My brownies bring all the men to the yard.”
“They bring him at least.” My spy smirked. “I prefer your truffles.”
“I need to learn Draven’s favorite treat. I won’t rest until I do.”
“Think he’ll join your harem next?” Rowan asked.
I swatted at him, and he jerked away with a raspy laugh. He then stepped back toward the corner, lifting his mask back over his mouth. The shadows reached out and pulled him in, swarming his body. Topaz eyes stood out among the darkness before he disappeared.
“Damned thief,” Maddox mumbled. “But I suppose he has his uses.”
I pressed my lips together. Lord forbid he actually compliment Rowan.
Briar kissed the top of my head. “I’ll prepare your bed.”
Maddox watched him as he made up the cot beside Callum’s, adding an extra pillow and fluffing it. “Will that blanket be warm enough for him? He should have two. His feet get cold at night.”
“Stop worrying about me.” I went over and hugged him. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll always worry about you. You mean everything to me, sweetheart.” Maddox cupped my cheek. His eyes then lowered to Callum. “He feels the same as I do. Not long after we reached the castle this morn, he confessed everything. How he’s loved you from afar. How it pained him to be near you but never as close as he wanted to be.”
