Page 144 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me 4

“Perhaps,” Briar said. “However, I imagine the idea must’ve crossed his mind over the years. Haran has sent assassins afterthe royal family before. There have also been several capture attempts in the past. And Prince Sawyerwouldhave traces of the same energy, being of the same bloodline. It’s possible they assumed he possessed a protection stone of some sort.”

“That’s right!” I said, finally finding my voice. “The mage said his first attack was to shatter the stone around Sawyer’s neck. So, he knew about it.”

“When you returned to this world and your life force was sensed, I suspect King Silas believed his theory to be true and became more serious in his effort to seize the prince.”

Maddox stood from the couch and pulled me against his big body. His breaths were steady, but his heart raced. A sign of his worry. “Let’s say your theory is true. What purpose would King Silas have for wanting Evan? He was only a baby when his father was killed. He’s done no wrong.”

Briar shook his head. “Of that, I have no answer.”

Breathing became difficult. It explained so much. Rowan captured me because he’d mistaken me for Sawyer. And Sawyer had been targeted for being mistaken for me. An endless circle of bullshit. It was like the merry-go-round of hell.

“I stand by my earlier statement and say we should tell King Eidolon,” Callum said. “Ev is his family. If the kingdom of Haranisafter him, the king would protect him.”

“True,” Briar said. “King Eidolon may be overjoyed at the news and do all in his power to protect our male. But the risk to Evan should the king take a different course of action concerns me.”

“Such as?” Rowan asked.

“King Eidolon is a great king. He cares deeply for this kingdom and the people in it.” Briar looked toward the window, expression wistful and voice softer than before. “The alliance with Voltas will give Bremloc the advantage in a possible waragainst Haran; however, if the king sees another path to prevent us from that war, I fear he’d take it.”

It took me a second to understand, but once I did, my blood turned to ice. “You believe he’d use me as a peace offering, don’t you?”

Worry pinched his brow. “One life would mean little to him if it saves countless others. Perhaps not when his son’s life is at risk, but yours? I’m not as certain.”

Silence filled the parlor.

“No more talk of this tonight.” Maddox pressed a kiss into my hair. “You’re alive and well, sweetheart. That’s all that matters.”

Callum neared my other side. “And we’ll keep you safe.”

Briar lightly grazed his knuckles along my jaw. “With or without your protection stone, all of us will be watching over you. Keeping you safe.”

“Little treasure?” Rowan had unsheathed his dagger and glided his finger along the blade. “You told me murder was wrong, but that was before someone harmed you. I know where the mage is being held. It’d be all too easy to enter his cell using my shadows and slice his throat.”

“I don’t want that,” I said. “I just want you to be here with me.”

Firelight caught in his topaz eyes. “I’ll always be here with you.”

“Besides, we need the mage alive,” Briar said. “He’s the only chance we have at confirming my theory about King Silas.”

Rowan flashed my favorite tooth. “Can I kill him after?”

Maddox breathed out a laugh. “I’ll help you, thief.”

“Spy,” I mumbled, emotion welling in my chest. “Ro is a spy.”

“He’ll always be a thief.” Maddox rewarded me with a breathtaking smile. “Just as you will always be my muffin.”

My stomach flip-flopped. Damn him and that sexy, deep voice.

It flopped from anxiety too. If Briar was right, King Silas was after me. But why? What was so important about me that the king would go through all that trouble? And would King Eidolon really hand me over as a peace offering if he learned the truth?

“Sweetheart?” Maddox kissed the edge of my brow. “Where have you gone?”

I smiled despite the influx of nerves in my belly. “Right here. With all of you.”

The only place I wanted to be.

Lupin said I had several possible futures and countless paths leading toward each one. But as I stood in the parlor, sandwiched between the men I loved more than life itself, I refused to be a victim of fate. Refused to obsess over doom endings and things out of my control.

I would choose my own path. One that kept me with them.

Maddox wrapped his arms around me and lowered me to the rug in front of the fire. Callum’s mouth found mine. Another set of lips brushed my temple. Their scents mingled, and my soul purred, feeling more at peace than I ever had.

When life became heavy, these were the moments I’d remember: these nights with my men where nothing outside our cottage existed.

The End