“Thane’s new beetle,” Briar explained, amused. “She’s beautiful.”
“Beautiful?” I shuddered. “Not the word I’d use to describe the creepy terror.”
“Ah, come on, little treasure. You’ll hurt its feelings.” Rowan pushed from the wall and neared the hearth, kneeling on the rug to stoke the fire. “It may scuttle all the way from the clinic and bite you for saying such a thing.”
I dove onto the couch and drew both legs up. “That’s the meanest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
His raspy laugh joined the crackle of the burning logs.
“The flower could also contain mana particles, which would explain the glow,” Briar said, flipping through the book. When he set his mind on something, it consumed him.
“A magic flower?” I relaxed on the cushion, now that the fear of a vengeful beetle had dissipated.
Briar nodded. “Well, one with magical properties. There are many types. Some are highly toxic and are used on blades and arrowheads to make them lethal with a mere scratch. Others are beneficial for medicinal purposes, such as the Night Kisses you’ve seen me gathering. They only bloom beneath a full moon and aid in relieving insomnia.”
“Thanks for the lesson, Specs,” Rowan mumbled. “The Night Kisses aren’t the only things that can help someone fall asleep. Your blabbing has the same effect.”
Briar ignored him and tapped a page. “Ah, look here! This flower only grows in the darkest part of a forest. Extremely difficult to find, as certain conditions must be met in order for it to fully bloom. Oh. But it’s purple, not red. Hmm.”
Maddox arched a brow at me. “We’ll never be able to pry that book from his hand, will we?”
“I can throw it in the fire,” Rowan suggested.
Briar, oblivious to them, slowly paced across the parlor floor, his nose buried in the book. My handsome nerd.
Lake padded over to the couch with a blanket and draped it over me before curling up at my side. I snuggled into him, smiling at the faint smell of peaches.
“All right. That’s enough for tonight.” Maddox snatched the book from Briar. “Your little plants can wait until tomorrow.”
“Give that back.” Briar held out his hand and gave an impatient snap of his fingers. “Now.”
Smirking, Maddox lifted the book high in the air. “You want it that badly? Come and get it.”
“Oh, you infuriating man.” Briar huffed and pushed his glasses farther up his nose. “The gods blessed you with height, and you certainly use it to your advantage. Very well. I will cease my search for the evening, but when I wake in the morning in a wretched mood, just know it’s your fault I lost sleep obsessing over which flower our Evan saw in the forest.”
“He’smyEvan,” Rowan said from his spot on the rug. “Find your own.”
Maddox glared at him. “Silence that tongue before I throw you outside, thief.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Be nice,” I said. “Both of you.”
“Are you giving me orders, muffin lord?” Maddox slowly approached the couch.
I squirmed. “Save me, Lake.”
Lake lifted his head from my shoulder, glanced between me and Maddox, then laid back down.
“Rude.”
“See that?” Maddox bent down and placed a hand on each side of my head. “The wolf’s on my side. What will you do now?”
“Throw a muffin at your too perfect face.”
“That’s not the threat you think it is. Have you met me?”
