Page 129 of The Dark Mage

Ren’wyn felt a ridiculous twinge of jealousy.

“Course, m’lord,” the barmaid stammered, clearly stricken.

Zev smirked.“Nice.”

Fael seemed pleased with himself, and Ren’wyn crossed herarms.

Fael met her eyes and winked.When her frown deepened, he leaned across the table, his expression lazy, smug, devastatingly charming.

“Come now, Ren,” he murmured.“I saw you looking longingly at that empty wine glass.”A noise rumbled deep in his chest, sending a thrill down her spine.“I wish I was the white wine right aboutnow.”

Then, he leaned back, exuding satisfaction as she sucked in a slow, audible breath.The other two were pointedlynotlooking atthem.

Fael chuckled shamelessly.

The barmaid returned with a bottle, and Fael thanked her without breaking his gaze from Ren’wyn.She shivered at the intensity of it.

Zev cleared his throat, though his attention was fixed on thedoor.

Fael looked away then, chewing his bottom lip in thought.He passed the bottle to Ren’wyn.

“Are you ready to head upstairs?”Fael asked.

“Sure,” she said with a smile.“I’m going to rearrange my bags for the morning.Good night, gentlemen.”

She stood and wiggled her fingers at Fael, wanting to hold hands—to chase away the unease curling in her chest.

“Just a minute,” he said.“I’m going to grab a couple of things before I head up.I’ll be right there.”

He kissed the back of her hand and smiled, and she headed upstairs.

Fael didn’t get up.

He looked pointedly at the other two.“This is far worse than any of us let Ren’wynknow.”

They all looked guilty.

“Lissea is most likely already aware we’re here,” Fael continued, lowering his voice.“And we’ll be lucky to escape.”He leaned toward Esrin.“Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Esrin exhaled sharply.“Lissea is the worst thing I can imagine next to the emperor, and Iwill nothave Ren’wyn taken.”He met Fael’s gaze, one eyebrow raised in silent challenge.

“I wouldn’t either,” Fael asserted, spreading his hands on the table.

Esrin shook his head.“I know.But what if we’re found?What if we’re stopped before we get to the boat?Ren’wyn is unbelievably important to all of us—to all of this.And Lissea won’t hand her over to the emperor.I’m afraid she might do worse.”

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken fears.

Then, Fael spoke.

“I know Lissea better than most,” he said carefully.

Zev and Esrin glanced at him sharply.

“She and I had a relationship.”

Esrin recoiled, disgusted.

Zev went utterly still, watching.