Page 32 of Queen of Mirrors and Madness

My eyes widen, and my nostrils flare with every inhale as I force myself to continue breathing past my fear. I nod as though I know whom is speaking to me and for what reason. The stranger’s hold on my mouth falls away as a grin appears just below the pair of eyes.

“I can see some of the mental shields are still in place,” he says.

The door to my bedroom bursts open, and Lucien enters like an avenging angel. He holds his cane as though it’s a weapon, and the glint in his icy gaze speaks of violence.

“Adelaide?”

“I’m here,” I say.

A light flares, surrounding the lion’s head at the tip of Lucien’s cane. The hat atop his head tilts precariously, and he shoves it back into place. “I should’ve known you’d come, Nox.”

Baxter runs into the room, coming to an abrupt halt just beside Lucien. His appearance is disheveled. He has bits of hair sticking up, and his clothing is rumpled as though he went to bed fully dressed.

When his gaze meets mine, it changes drastically. A moment ago, it was wide, frenzied, but now it’s shuttered. Yet his blood continues to rush through his veins, his heart pounding furiously.

Is he worried about me?

I dismiss the thought. Just because he’s attracted to me doesn’t mean he cares about me.

Although I wish he did.

The pair of amethyst eyes and wide smile start off alone, only to become part of a man’s features. Presumably, Nox. Whoever that is.

His golden hair gives him an angelic look and only adds to an already beautifully chiseled face. The man wears a crisp white shirt with thin blue stripes, the buttons undone to reveal a substantial amount of his sculpted chest. His pants are a dark shade that I can’t pinpoint because of the dim lighting, but they match his boots.

He runs his gaze over me, taking in my shocked expression that I’m not able to hide, and looks to Lucien. “Of course, I came. Someone has been fucking about in her mind.”

Baxter folds his arms. “How did you know? Though I’m not surprised at finding you in my home, un-fucking-invited,” he says, shooting a pointed look at Lucien. “It’s a clear indication you’re aware of what’s happening.”

“I know because I put the shields there,” Nox says as if Baxter is a jackass for not knowing. “Why do you think she can’t remember anything?”

“Why did you do that to me?”

My question brings all three of the men’s attention to me, and I clasp my hands to keep from fidgeting. One minute I’m a woman with no fucks to give, pleasuring myself on the dining room table. The next, I’m back to being the quiet, shy woman from the mental facility. I’d rather be just one person, not a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Or a Princess Alice and Miss Adelaide.

Nox turns to me and takes a step in my direction, only for Lucien and Baxter to follow suit, but in a threatening manner. Nox stops short, and a grin tugs at his lips.

“I was going to light the lamp, but if you prefer to have this conversation in the dark…” He sweeps a hand, and the light surrounding Lucien’s cane disappears. “That can be arranged.”

“Jabberwocky's balls,” Lucien mutters. “I’d forgotten how irritating you are. At least you know how to have a good time. I’ll give you that.”

Someone sighs. I guess it to be Baxter.

“Why don’t we convene downstairs and finish this discussion there?” he asks.

I wrap my arms around my middle to fortify myself as the darkness causes my mind to spiral and my skin to prickle. With me unable to see, a veil of vulnerability covers my face like a bride’s, yet without the anticipation of seeing a loved one.

The golden lion head is encompassed with light once again, and my breathing eases as the faces of the men come into view.

“Yes, let's,” Lucien says, adjusting his hat. “I find that being in a space with a bed, while in the company of a gorgeous woman, is a temptation I’m not liable to walk away from.”

Nox smirks. “You would rut her on any flat surface, my friend. Let’s not spin illusions others will see straight through.”

“Your ability to make things disappear is more vexing than you are,” Lucien says. His expression, matching Nox’s, fills the room’s atmosphere with mischief. “Do me a favor and make yourself scarce, hmm?”

Nox vanishes.

---