Page 61 of Arcane Entanglement

Evander shrugged. “The same could be said of you.”

They exchanged a small, intimate smile.

“What did you have to tell me?” Evander indicated an armchair.

Viggo sat down and leaned his elbows on his knees. He stared into his glass and swirled the golden liquid inside, still amazed at where he found himself and all that had happened tonight. His stomach fluttered when he lifted his head and met Evander’s inquisitive gaze.

I can’t believe the Ice Mage who is known for being cold to anyone who approaches him is willing to be mine.

The enormity of what had passed between the two of them and the unspoken promise they’d made to one another made Viggo fairly lightheaded. He focused on what had brought him to Evander’s townhouse.

“Nightshadeis looking for sources ofNoctis Bloom. And I wanted to apologise again. For how I treated you back in Winterbourne’s office.”

Evander’s throatconstricted at Viggo’s tormented look.

It was clear his actions that morning had been weighing heavily on his mind.

“You had every right to say what you did, Viggo.” Evander put their glasses on a side table and leaned forward to take the Brute’s hands. “You are a thrall whose entire family was killed by mages. I would have been more surprised if you had forgiven us and embraced us.”

Viggo shuddered and closed his eyes. “But I cannot keep blamingallmages. I realised that when I met you and the people you work with today.” His dark eyes gleamed hotly when he opened them. “Your kind is not all evil.Youare not evil.”

Evander’s mouth lifted in a lopsided smile. “I don’t know about that. I’ve done some pretty wicked things in my time. And you should see what Shaw gets up to.”

Viggo laughed. “I like that about you. You don’t take yourself too seriously. And you treat your subordinates with kindness.”

Evander’s stomach clenched. The Brute’s face when he smiled from his heart was simply breathtaking.

Viggo’s expression turned puzzled. “What?”

“You are magnificent.”

Viggo startled at Evander’s earnest words. His expression softened.

“I think the magnificent one here is you.”

Evander shook his head, his chest full to bursting. “No. You truly are incredible, Viggo.” He turned the Brute’s hand over and kissed his knuckles. “You overcame so much pain and devastation to get where you are today. Not many men would have been able to conquer those obstacles and rise to a position of power.” He squeezed Viggo’s fingers and met his dazed stare unflinchingly. “Yet, somehow, those awful experiences did not corrupt your soul. You are kind and smart and just and generous to a fault. I only need to see how Magnus acts around you to know this.”

Colour stained Viggo’s cheekbones. “Evander,” he mumbled thickly.

“I know whatNightshademeans to the non-magical community, Viggo. I’ve spent enough time in the slums to see the effect your organisation’s presence has had on the magicless.” Resolve tightened Evander’s face. “You are a beacon of hope for thralls in England and throughout the Empire. And I am determined to see to it that your flame is never extinguished.”

Chapter26

Viggo’s eyes widened.“What do you mean?”

“There are people in London and the wider magic community who wish to see another War of Subjugation. One that will take away the rights of thralls, permanently this time. And I have every intention of stopping them.”

Viggo felt the blood drain from his face. He stared at where Evander held his hands in the tense silence that befell them, his pulse racing.

I always suspected there might be another war, but to hear him say it makes it all too painfully real.

Bloodied memories of the past flooded Viggo’s mind. He suppressed them firmly and looked at Evander.

“Is that why you chose to work for the Met?”

Evander’s shoulders visibly knotted at the question. “Why do you ask?”

“I’ve been wondering about it since I met you,” Viggo confessed. “Even more so after I realised you were an Archmage.”