Briar stepped farther into the room and started undoing the buttons on his shirt. His fingers, normally so precise, fumbled with them.
“Need help?” Maddox asked, voice gravelly.
Briar gave him a tired smile. “Please.”
Warm tingles swirled in my belly as Maddox went over and helped Briar undress. He took off his glasses and carefully set them on the nightstand. Affection shone in their eyes, telling of the deep love that had blossomed between them.
“In to bed with you.” Maddox swatted his ass.
“I don’t take orders from you, Captain.” Briar stepped toward the bed anyway. “How many more times must I say it?”
“Once more at least.” Maddox lifted the blanket for him. “Now, in you go.”
Briar moved sluggishly and plopped down beside me on the mattress, groaning softly. “A sign of my old age. Groaning gettingintobed.”
“You’re not old.” I snuggled into his side. “You’re just exhausted. Been working too hard.”
He bent to kiss my temple. “Yet, even when my body aches, my soul comes alive when you’re near. You keep me young.”
“He keeps you young and ages me ten years,” Maddox said. “He can’t take one step outside without facing death.”
“I’m notthatbad,” I grumbled.
My captain smirked.
My gaze shifted to the window—to the swaying tree branches caught in a gust of wind. Why wasn’t Rowan home yet?
A whine tore through Lake’s throat, and he focused on the same window. He was waiting for Rowan too.
Sometime later, I was in that place between awake and asleep when a familiar scent brought me back. Spicy with a hint of sweetness. Lips pressed to my forehead, and that peppery scent strengthened.
“Ro?” I peeked at him through bleary eyes. The fire in the hearth barely lit the room, having burned too long without being stoked.
“Didn’t mean to wake you, little treasure.” He knelt by the bed and smiled. “Go back to sleep.”
“What happened at the meeting?” I propped myself up on my elbow, the haze of drowsiness fleeing.
“Oh, nothing really.” He toyed with my bangs. “Only that a certain spy, you may know him, rhymes with raven, pledged forme in front of his captain and agreed to take me under his wing. A bit of a shock. I thought he was an asshole.”
“Take you under his wing?”
Excitement sparked in Rowan’s eyes. “You, little treasure, are looking at the newest member of the Secret Order. I was sworn in this evening.”
“Oh my god!” I threw my arms around him. “I’m so proud of you, Ro.”
He tucked his face against my neck. “No need to be so loud. It’s not that exciting.” Yet, I felt his smile. Heard the delight in his voice.
Lake stirred from sleep and looked at Rowan, his tail wagging once. “Welcome home.”
“Were you worried about me, pup? I’m flattered.”
Our wolf huffed and turned his face away. Not seeing the soft smile Rowan gave him seconds later.
Briar shifted in place and opened his eyes. He scrutinized Rowan, as if trying to process what he was seeing. Being without his glasses probably didn’t help. “Good. You’ve returned.”
“He says with disdain,” Rowan said. “I bet you secretly hoped they’d shove daggers in my gut and leave me in the woods to die.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Briar scoffed. “That would break Evan’s heart. It would also… well, it would be upsetting for the rest of us as well.”
