Page 34 of Malicent (Seven Devils #1)
I admit the real reason I was watching the guards: “I was considering training.”
“I think that is an excellent idea!” Iris beams. “I could train too, but, honestly I’m still learning. I’d be no challenge for you.”
She leans against the railing, still grinning. Her positivity shines like the midday sun. “A lot of the guards are well trained, but the knights might be more your speed. The mages too. And Kalix or Cage would probably be willing to help.”
The idea of training with Cage unsettles me.
I worry that if I lean too far into it—if I lose control—I’ll lash out. And Nora is still keeping a close eye on me.
I cannot falter.
If I get my mother’s killer under me—his heart calling to me, pleading with each beat to have its long song ended—I will not stop until the tan from his skin pales, the warmth a memory.
Tyran’s orders are clear: no assaults, no exceptions—not even if I found peace after tearing Cage apart.
“I will think about it,” I say. My gaze drifts down to the yard, just as a familiar presence pulls at the edge of my awareness.
Iris gasps and grabs my arm, whipping around to face me.
“Millicent, look!” she exclaims, pointing down excitedly at the floor below.
There, staring up at us with black beady eyes, is Ollie.
He licks two of fingers and smooths over nonexistent eyebrows. “Well, hellooo , Misses,” he whistles, eyeing Iris with exaggerated flair. His gaze slides down her leg and then up, and I can already hear the thoughts forming in his head.
“Oliver, no humping,” I snap, earning a huff and an indignant scowl.
“Oliver, this is Iris. Iris, meet Oliver, my familiar.”
Iris giggles. “He is so cute ! That’s amazing. I wish necromancers got familiars. We have to make our own.” She crouches and extends a hand. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
Oliver flushes pink all over, flattered by her compliment.
His chubby, clawed hand grabs her finger and gives it a formal shake.
“Ollie to friends!”
“Ollie it is, then, as we must be friends.”
He blinks up at me, surprised. “Me Misses made friend?”
“Yes, Oliver. Don’t look so damn shocked.”
The annoyance in my voice masks something deeper.
I do want connections…sometimes. It’s just hard for me. I’m not allowed. Connection means caring. Caring means weakness. And weakness invites pain.
My magic doesn’t respond well to such things. It’s better for everyone if I don’t let anyone close enough to hurt me. If they did, the loss of control would lead to bloodshed—that is, when I rip their heads from their bodies.
Arcadia slipped into my heart when I was still too young to build walls. She fought to stay there. She always does.
Oliver plants his hands on his hips, sass radiating from every inch of him.
“Well, sorry that Me Misses never goes to parties, and we sit alone in room all the time.”
“Oliver, shut it,” I snap.
Iris’s laughter bubbles up again, encouraging him further.
“Me Misses has also felt aroused while here.” He smirks like the little hellion he is. The bond between us leaves little room for secrets.
Iris’s eyes shoot at me, mouth parting with a question.
“Ollie, I am not giving you any more wine!” I bark, cutting her off. I yank on our bond, tightening his leash to lock those damn lips. The last thing I desire is Oliver divulging every emotion he feels from me because he wants to make a pretty girl laugh in hopes of being allowed to hump her leg.
Manipulative thing.
Oliver closes an imaginary zipper over his lips and hums innocently.
“Are we having wine already? And I wasn’t invited? That’s rude, Millie.”
Kalix’s voice draws our attention as he strolls down the hall toward us, towel in hand, wiping sweat from his face and chest.
Up close, I catch new details: small, pale scars scattered across his torso, the kind earned in combat, as well as one particularly nasty animal bite marring his bicep.
Iris straightens with a grin. “This is Millicent’s familiar, Oliver!”
“We’ve met. What's up, little guy?” Kalix waves at Ollie but walks straight to Iris. He slips his arms around her waist, tugging her close to his chest.
“You’re covered in sweat!” she whines, pushing against his bare chest.
He chuckles. “You love it. Besides—” He leans down and whispers something in her ear that makes her cheeks flush scarlet.
Oliver tilts his head, confused. “Me Misses…how will he fit inside her?”
The silence is immediate. Iris and Kalix both freeze.
I can’t help it; I burst out laughing.
“You see, Oliver, when a woman is aroused, she—”
“Shut up!” Iris yells, glaring at me. “We are not having sex! Never have! Never will!”
She pushes Kalix back down the hall, forcing him to walk in reverse. He shoots me a shit-eating grin— that devil —and waves at me over her shoulder.
“Be back in a few hours!”
“A few hours?” she mutters.
“Come now, Rainbow,” he says, voice low and rough. “I like to savor you.”
Then he grabs the backs of her thighs and hauls her into his arms. She laughs, wrapping her arms around him as he carries her off.
The hollowness returns; it’s subtle but sharp. I stare after them until a tug at my dress draws my gaze downward.
Oliver clambers up my side and settles on my shoulder, curling in like he belongs there.
“Me Misses, don’t be sad,” he says gently. “She will survive, even if she is small and he is massive.”
I snort. “That’s not why I’m sad, and I’m not even sure I’m sad.”
“Me Misses, I feel what you do. You are left wanting—alone—but I am here now. Never alone. Remember?”
He rubs his cool, slick cheek against mine like a naked cat trying to comfort its owner. Heat radiates deep in my chest, along with a slight pressure as he works to ground me through our bond.
I fall quiet.
I can’t lie to Ollie. He can’t lie to me.
I just lie to myself all the time.
I wish that Arcadia were here to guide and anchor me.
Restlessness rises again in the absence of distraction. So, I begin walking the halls, Oliver talking my ear off as he perches on my shoulder.
He’s thrilled by everything we pass. His joy is infectious. Slowly—quietly—my spirit lifts as I give him a tour of the palace, pointing out every strange or wonderful thing I think he’ll love.