Page 93 of Arcane Entanglement

Evander groaned.

“I like them,” Viggo said with a chuckle.

His laughter vibrated under Evander’s hand.

Evander spread his fingers unconsciously, marvelling at the hardness of the Brute’s chest, only to freeze when Viggo’s breath caught.

He snatched his hand away, his cheeks burning. “I’m sorry.”

Viggo captured his fingers and pressed them to his heart.

“Don’t be,” the Brute said gruffly. “I like it when you touch me.” He hesitated, a hint of vulnerability swirling in the depths of his eyes. “To be honest, I was concerned about how your servants might receive me.”

Evander felt a sudden rush of affection for Viggo. That this fierce, strong Brute could face down dark mages without flinching but worried about the opinion of his household staff humbled him. It made him grateful once more to whatever Fate had made their paths cross.

“They’ll accept you wholeheartedly,” he assured Viggo, reaching up to cup his cheek. “They’re loyal to me and they want me to be happy. And you,” Evander’s voice dropped to a near whisper, “you make me very happy.”

Viggo’s face softened. He leaned in for another kiss, this one sweeter than the ones they’d already shared.

It turned heated all too soon.

Viggo wrenched their mouths apart a moment later, his fingers digging possessively in Evander’s back and his face hard with desire.

“Evander?”

“Yes?” Evander panted, his cock throbbing between his thighs.

“I want to see you ride the biggest one-eyed snake in London.” Viggo’s gaze darted feverishly to the Persian rug in front of the fire.

Evander’s stomach clenched at that illicit vision. He narrowed his eyes.

“We talked about this.”

“But—” Viggo protested.

Evander pressed a finger to his mouth, his tone firm. “No buts. We can’t do anything more than kiss until this case is over.”

Viggo frowned. “Mark my words, mage. We’re going to fornicate over this entire room when that happens.”

Evander looked at him blankly before chortling, much to Viggo’s annoyance.

Chapter38

The hallsof the Arcane Forensics Division hummed with activity around Evander as he navigated them with Rufus the next day. Mages and alchemists hurried past, arms laden with scrolls, artefacts, and mysterious bottles.

A few startled and stumbled at the sight of Evander.

He resigned himself to their gawking stares.

The rumours about him being an Archmage were now firmly rooted in London society following more articles detailing the impossible feat he’d achieved at the church two days past. Not only were they claiming he’d saved hundreds of lives, police officers and thralls alike, they also incorrectly stated he’d been summoned to the palace to be congratulated by the Queen.

Evander swallowed a sigh.

I bet Victoria choked on her crumpet when she read that.

He’d pondered Viggo’s silence on the matter of his visit to the palace before the Brute had left his home last night.

“I gather there are some things you can’t tell me yet,” Viggo had said in response to his question, a faint smile hovering on his lips where he’d stood on the doorstep of the townhouse. “I’ll wait until you’re ready.”