Page 90 of Enchant the Dawn

“What?”

“I couldn’t let him kill her. . . .”

Maddy leaned back so she could see his face. “After what she did to us? She locked you in a cage. She put some kind of sleeping spell on me! She might have killed us both! I should think you’d be glad to see the last of her.”

“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” He couldn’t say he understood his actions either.

“Is there something going on between the two of you? Something I should know about?”

“No! No, nothing like that, love. But in spite of everything, I just couldn’t let her be destroyed.”

“I know what that everything is,” she retorted. “Thirty-six, twenty-six, thirty-six.” Maddy glared at him when he threw back his head and laughed.

“You’ve got nothing to be jealous of, sweetheart.” His hand stroked up and down her back. “Ava and I will be leaving tomorrow night, now that I know where the Knights’ stronghold is located.”

“Don’t you mean you and Ava and me?”

“No. I don’t want you anywhere near the place.”

“I think that’s my decision, isn’t it? Not yours.”

“Maddy, use your head. We’re going to battle. I won’t have time to look after you.”

“I can look after myself!” she exclaimed, eyes flashing with indignation.

“Honey, you’ve never been in a battle of any kind in your whole life, much less one like this.”

Refusing to admit he was right, she asked, “Where is this mysterious stronghold?”

“And just why do you need to know?”

“Why won’t you tell me? Afraid I’ll follow you?”

“Exactly.”

“I’m a witch, remember? And I’ve tasted your blood. I can find you anywhere.”

Shit. He hadn’t thought of that. Although it wasn’t precisely true. He could always block her if he chose to do so.

“Tell me,” she coaxed.

“Connecticut,” he muttered. “But you’ve got to promise me that you won’t come after us.” His gaze bored into hers. “Do I have your word?”

She opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it. After all, he was right. She had no fighting experience. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate if he was worrying about her.

“All right, I promise.” But even as she spoke the words, she wondered how she could watch Dominic and Ava go off to fight who knew what while she stayed safely at home.

* * *

Dominic stood outside later that night, after Ava and Maddy had gone to bed. He hoped like hell he was doing the right thing in going to confront the Brotherhood. But something had to be done. The Knights had been hunting his people with renewed enthusiasm ever since the new Elder Knight took over.

Dominic blew out a sigh. The Elder Knight had a personal vendetta against Quill for killing his father. And Dominic’s father wasn’t available, so there was a good chance the Knight had decided to avenge himself on his enemy’s son. Perhaps if he met the man one-on-one, they could come to some sort of an understanding, although Dominic thought the odds of that happening were a million to one. He considered calling his father for help but quickly thrust the thought aside. Quill was needed at home, more now than ever, while Andras had gone to Montenegro to settle a dispute between two warring families.

Dominic shook his head as he caught a familiar scent. Moments later, Claret sashayed toward him, her midnight-blue silk gown swishing around her ankles. “Lovely night.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to thank you for saving my life. And to help you defeat the Brotherhood.”

---