Page 54

Well, at least now I had a reason for my flushed face. I pulled the rest of the ingredients from the fridge. As I arranged them on the island, Einar came to my side.

“How can I help? I’m pretty useless in the kitchen, but I can chop something.”

I pointed to the celery. “You can chop that.”

He got to work. I moved around the kitchen, gathering plates and forks. As I returned to the island, my gaze snagged on the moonlit maze visible through the patio doors. A fresh wave of guilt crashed through me. I had to tell him. The longer I dragged it out, the worse it was going to be. And why was I so reluctant, anyway? It wasn’t like I did anything wrong.

Einar followed my gaze. Then he put a hand on my shoulder and turned me toward him. “You don’t have to worry about the centaurs,” he said, misinterpreting the source of my anxiety. “I’ll make sure they don’t bother you again. But it’s still important to stay away from the maze. I know you’re curious, but?—”

“I met Goliath,” I blurted. “And Leander and Adina. And Keir and Rolfe.”

Einar stared. Then he stepped back, his expression shuttered. “When did this happen?”

“On my third night here. Goliath wanted to apologize for Myrna scaring me.”

“Goliath said that?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you meet him?”

“Well, he came to my room. Then he took me into the maze.”

Einar’s eyes flickered, going from silver to gold and back again. “He showed you the maze?”

Oh no. This was going exactly as I’d feared. “Yes, but it was no big deal. Everyone was lovely. Adina gave me tea and—” I sucked in a breath as Einar grabbed my arm.

“Adina gave you tea?” he growled.

“Yes, why?” I tugged at my arm, my heart speeding up.

Einar tightened his grip. “Did you eat anything?”

“Just cakes. Einar, please, you’re hurting me.”

“And you drank the tea?” He loomed over me, his features suddenly sharper.

Fear pumped like acid in my veins. What was wrong with him? “Yes.”

His fingers bit into my arm, and I couldn’t help my wince. “When?” he demanded.

“I don’t know! It was days ago.” I tugged harder. “Einar, let go of me.”

He jerked me closer. “Last week? Just before you saw the centaurs outside?”

Was it? I racked my fear-addled brain. “Yes, it was the night before, but?—”

He released me with a curse. Then he rounded the island and stalked to the patio doors.

Alarm bolted through me. “Einar!” I called, hurrying after him. “What are you doing?”

He ignored me as he flung the doors open and marched into the night. “Adina!” he bellowed. “Goliath! Show yourselves.”

I ran down the patio steps, terror tightening my throat. “What’s going on?” I asked, running to his side. “Why are you so angry?”

He rounded on me, rage blazing in his bright gold eyes. Fangs flashed as he spit his answer. “Because I don’t like being taken for a fool.”

“What?” I gasped, bewilderment joining my panic. “What are you talking about? No one thinks you’re a fool.”