Page 135 of Arcane Entanglement

“Evander, you’re the most controlled mage I’ve ever met.”

Evander’s heart thumped painfully as he met the Brute’s steadfast gaze.

“I say this as someone who has seen what an Archmage can do, not just when I was a child but barely two weeks ago, in Charing Cross. The idea that you’d ever lose control like that is—” He trailed off and took Evander’s hands. “I refuse to believe you could do that.”

Evander shuddered, grateful for Viggo’s words and his unshakable trust.

Ophelia drew a sharp breath, her stunned gaze shifting from their interlocked fingers to their faces.

“I’ll tell you about it later,” Ginny whispered conspiratorially in her ear.

Ophelia flushed and nodded jerkily.

“I can.” Evander touched the Brute’s face lightly. “If someone were to threaten you,” he paused and glanced at Rufus and the two women in the room, “—threaten those I cherish, I would burn the world to save you.”

Tears glittered in Ginny’s eyes. Rufus gulped convulsively.

Ophelia wiped her wet cheeks. Her eyes bulged and a muffled squeak left her when Viggo took Evander in his arms and pressed a kiss to his hot brow.

“Then, we will stop you. We will stay by your side and make sure that doesn’t happen,” the Brute said in a voice that would brook no argument.

It was late by the time they left Ginny’s home.

As their carriage rolled through the darkening streets of London, Evander’s mind began to churn again. The anonymous letter, the lingering threat of what was still to come, and now Ophelia’s vision. All of it threatened to drag him down into a dark mire from which he feared he would never escape.

He flinched when Viggo reached out and took his hand, engulfing it in his much larger one.

“Stop fretting.”

Evander’s shoulders loosened a little. He squeezed Viggo’s hand. “You should know by now how much of a worry wart I am.”

“I do,” the Brute grunted. “I also know a way to distract you.”

Evander gasped when the Brute picked him up and sat him on his lap so he straddled his muscular thighs.

“Viggo!” Evander yelped. “People can see.” He glanced nervously out of the windows.

“No, they can’t,” the Brute said.

Evander’s mouth flattened to a thin line.

Viggo sighed and pressed the button that rendered the glass opaque.

“How did you know about that button?” Evander asked.

He shivered as Viggo ran his hands down his back and cupped his buttocks.

“I had an informative chat with young Samuel about the special fittings of this carriage,” the Brute muttered, nudging Evander’s chin up with his nose so he could nibble on his throat.

Heat danced through Evander and pooled in his belly. His cock came to life.

“Viggo,” he moaned.

The Brute tugged him closer and ground their erections as he continued kissing his neck. “What is it, your Grace?”

Evander twitched.

Viggo paused and straightened, a knowing smile lighting his face.

“I knew it. You like it when I call you your Grace when we’re making love, don’t you? I noticed the other night, when I was inside you.” He leaned closer and whispered in Evander’s ear. “You squeezed me so tightly, I thought you were going to castrate me.”

Evander shuddered, Viggo’s breath on the shell of his ear driving him wild.

“No, I didn’t,” he denied weakly.

Viggo’s voice turned gravelly. “Yes, you did—my Lord.”

Evander’s cock jerked. Viggo’s low chuckle echoed around the carriage.

Evander cursed, tugged the Brute closer, and silenced him with a blistering kiss.