Page 63 of Arcane Entanglement

Viggo scowled. “What if I am?”

“Ginny and I aren’t like that.” Evander chuckled and wiped his eyes. “Besides, she correctly guessed my sexual preference within an hour of meeting me.”

Viggo appeared somewhat mollified by this. “Does that mean you’ve always been interested in men?”

“Yes.” Evander cocked his head curiously. “And you?”

“I’ve slept with a few women,” the Brute said with refreshing honesty. The smile he flashed at Evander made his stomach flutter. “But I don’t think I will have eyes for anyone else but a certain Archmage with blue eyes from now on.” He lifted Evander’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles, his hooded gaze gleaming.

Heat rose in Evander’s cheeks. He cleared his throat, his voice stern.

“Good. Because I’ll probably rip out the eyes of any woman who catches your interest.”

Viggo stared at him blankly. It was the Brute’s turn to dissolve in raucous laughter.

“What—” he said in a strangled voice, “what if it’s another man?!”

Evander jutted his chin out. “I’ll crush his balls so hard he’ll walk with a permanent lurch.”

This had Viggo doubling over.

Evander waited until he’d regained his composure before voicing a final sliver of doubt.

“Am I the only one who thinks this whole situation is far-fetched?” A shaky laugh left him. “We met a day ago. We barely know anything about one another. And yet here we are, pledging—” He stopped and bit his lip.

Viggo sobered. He traced Evander’s mouth with his thumb.

“Pledging our hearts to each other.” He leaned over and kissed Evander gently. “No, you aren’t the only one who believes what’s happening between us is insane.” The Brute’s gaze roamed Evander’s face, the light shining in their depths so intense Evander could not help but shiver. “None of this makes sense. But one thing I am confident about.”

“And that is?” Evander mumbled.

“It feels right.” Viggo took Evander’s hand and pressed it to his chest. “My heart never lies to me. And it’s telling me that what’s growing between us is meant to be.”

Evander’s breath caught. Emotion clogged his throat. His eyes prickled.

“I think I’m falling in love with a hopeless romantic,” he said tremulously.

Viggo smiled and wiped the tear trembling on his lash with a knuckle.

“I believe I shall very much enjoy courting you.” The Brute’s tone turned teasing. “Why, I’m even entertaining the idea of giving you flowers.” He pasted a solemn expression across his face. “I’venevergiven anyone flowers.”

Evander snorted. “Jasper will keel over if you do.”

Viggo chuckled.

“Don’t worry about the House of Lords,” Evander said on a more serious note. “Many of us will voice objections to their latest proposal. And no voice will be louder than mine and the current Commissioner.”

Viggo stared. “You mean, Sir Ambrose?”

Evander dipped his head.

Sir Ambrose Watson, now Lord Watson after his royal appointment to the House of Lords, was the current Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. A driving force for reform in Scotland Yard, he had worked relentlessly to improve relations between the magical and non-magical communities even before Evander had come on board. He’d always been a staunch advocate for the fairer treatment of thralls, often butting heads with more conservative elements in the government.

His nomination to the role of Commissioner after his retirement from the army was one of the reasons Evander had opted to enlist in the Arcane Division.

“That may not be enough.” Viggo’s expression grew troubled. “There are many unsavoury elements in Parliament.Nightshadehas come across a fair few in the time the guild has been in operation.”

“If all else fails, I can always threaten them. I’m an Archmage, after all.”