Page 17

Chapter

Nine

DAIN

E arly morning sunlight spilled through the bedchamber’s window. Nikolas had thrown it open the moment we woke, leaning out to get a “read on the street,” as he called it.

He’d pulled his head back in a moment later, a sunny expression on his face as he declared the street below constable-free.

He’d left the window open, however, and now the sounds of the rousing village drifted inside.

The clip clop of horses’ hooves. Shutters slapping against the sides of buildings.

The occasional shout or bark of laughter.

Towns were always noisy places in the morning.

But the bedchamber was quiet as a tomb. Part of it was Nikolas’s absence.

He’d left ten minutes ago to rustle up something in the way of breakfast. Undoubtedly, he wanted to get a “read” on the brothel, too.

Maybe pass the brothel-keeper he’d threatened a few more gold pieces to stop the man from summoning the authorities.

Although, that was unlikely. If knights showed up, Nikolas and I could simply point them to the brothel’s kitchens, where they were sure to find stores of aphrodisiac.

A scratching sound pulled me from my thoughts. Bel knelt before the fire, her skirts pooled around her and a poker in her hand. The flames sputtered, the meager crackle a pale imitation of the heat that had roared through me last night.

I shifted in my chair, memories of Bel’s sleek body parading through my mind.

She was exquisite, but even that word didn’t do her justice.

For the rest of my life, I’d carry the image of her perfect curves and soaking wet desire like a brand stamped into my brain.

Every time I reached for my cock, I’d hear her ordering me to strip.

I’d hear Nikolas describing how it would feel for the two of us to take her together.

My dick stirred, and I shifted again. Pain blossomed low in my back—a reminder of the night I’d spent in the chair. The sofa was too short to accommodate my height, so Nikolas had taken it, his snores a rhythmic reminder that most furniture wasn’t built for me.

“Nikolas has been gone a long time,” Bel murmured, rising from the hearth. Sunlight haloed her as she faced me, a slight frown between her eyes. “Do you think we should be worried?”

“No,” I said, sitting forward. But it was awkward staying seated while she stood, so I rose. The second I straightened, my back twinged again.

Bel’s gaze sharpened. “Are you all right?”

“Never better.”

Her frown deepened. “You look like you’re in pain.”

Magic tugged in my chest, and I bit back a curse. But hiding was useless because she obviously felt it, too. She rubbed at her chest, a humorless smile playing around her mouth.

“It came back this morning,” she said.

I nodded. “Same for me.” The pull had disappeared in the tavern—and I could only assume the aphrodisiac had blunted it. But the magic had roared back, its claws sunk deep and its pull relentless.

Bel worried at her bottom lip, her white teeth making a deep impression in the plump pink. Heavy silence descended again, leaving me with nothing to do but stare.

And, fuck, I couldn’t look away. Her high-necked gown hid her sigils, but they’d shimmered like gold on her skin last night, the little suns appearing to writhe with her movements.

Before I could stop myself, my gaze went to her breasts. They were easily my favorite thing about her body. Except her pussy was also beautiful. And her ass. And her mouth.

Gods, her mouth.

“Dain?”

I jerked my gaze up to find her frowning again. Fuck, I’d been staring at her tits.

“Hmm?” I asked, scratching my cheek. My beard itched, the hairs in that awkward stage between too short and too long.

Everything about me was awkward, apparently. I should have volunteered to find food. Nikolas could have stayed behind with Bel. He was good with words. He would have smoothed things over, making her laugh until she forgot that the three of us had masturbated our way into a conversational stalemate.

The claws in my chest yanked harder, making me step toward Bel. She jumped at the same time, a little yelp escaping her as she clutched at the spot over her heart.

“It’s stronger,” I said hoarsely, fighting not to close the distance between us.

She nodded, her frown reappearing. “Much stronger.”

The magic was obviously done being patient. Which meant we needed to restart the search for her family heirloom.

“We should—” I began.

The door swung open, and Nikolas swept inside with a serving tray balanced on one palm.

“Breakfast is served,” he announced, the scent of coffee and bacon accompanying his entrance. He caught Bel’s eye as he set the tray on a table near the window. “I didn’t know what you liked so I got everything. Eggs. Scrambled eggs. Poached eggs. Hardboiled eggs. Toast. But mostly eggs.”

“I smell bacon,” I said, my stomach rumbling as I crossed the chamber.

Nikolas plucked one of several strips from the plate. “Don’t worry, big guy. I didn’t forget you.”

Heat flickered through me as I took it from him. “Thanks.”

“Any time.” He pulled a chair out, his brown gaze on Bel. “Eat before it gets cold, my lady.”

She wore a wary look as she drifted to the table. “What’s that?” she asked, pointing to a piece of folded parchment tucked next to the plate.

“Just a news sheet,” Nikolas said, plucking a hardboiled egg from the tray and tossing it to me. I caught it one-handed, then stuffed the bacon into my mouth with the other.

Bel unfolded the parchment and studied it, sunlight from the window putting red highlights in her glossy hair. The tip of one pointed ear poked from the wavy strands.

“The Crown puts it out once a week,” Nikolas continued, stealing a second egg for himself. “I like to make sure Dain and I aren’t in it.”

Bel jerked her head up. “Are you?”

“Not today,” Nikolas said, smiling as he began peeling his egg.

She gave him a disgruntled look, then frowned as he popped a piece of egg into his mouth. “Are you sure the food is safe to eat?”

Nikolas swallowed. “It’s safe. I tasted it before I brought it upstairs.”

“You shouldn’t have done that,” Bel said, concern flashing over her features. A hint of pink touched her cheeks. “What if you were dosed with the potion again?”

Something dark flickered in Nikolas’s eyes. He blinked, and it was gone as he moved to the hearth and picked up the poker. He kept his back to us as he jabbed at the logs. “The brothel doesn’t want its patrons lingering past breakfast. They need to prepare for the evening.”

My chest tightened, and the bacon became a hard lump in my stomach. Most people wouldn’t have heard the careful neutrality in Nikolas’s tone. It only appeared when he spoke of his past—or subjects close to it.

I set my uneaten egg on the plate, my appetite deserting me. Words formed on my tongue, but I swallowed them. Nikolas’s story was his to share.

Bel read the news sheet, her gaze moving down the page. When she flipped it over, the color drained from her face. “That son of a bitch!”

Nikolas moved swiftly to her side, his brow knitting as he read the sheet. “A new king crowned in the Summer Court.” He pointed. “Oh, look, they sketched a likeness. Corvus Orakleides. Decent looking fellow.”

“He’s a snake ,” Bel spat, her nostrils flaring. “He stole my—” She stopped abruptly, looking between us as if suddenly remembering her audience.

The hair on my nape lifted, puzzle pieces sliding into place in my mind. The Summer Court had a new king, crowned days after Bel appeared in Andulum. Bel, who searched for a family heirloom she was willing to cross the Covenant to find.

Bel, who wore fine clothes and carried herself like a noblewoman. Like royalty.

“You know this Corvus?” I asked, holding her gaze.

She lifted her chin, a serious note entering her voice. “I’m Ezabell Kasreneth, the rightful Queen of the Summer Court.” She bit her lip. “Well, I will be once I find the sunstone.”

Nikolas and I exchanged a look. Neither of us spoke.

Ezabell waited. “I expected more of a reaction.”

Nikolas shrugged. “We figured you were someone important.”

More puzzle pieces fell into place. “You’re on your magical quest,” I said. “The Dokimasi.”

“You’ve heard of it?” she asked, eyes widening.

Nikolas smiled gently. “We’re not that ignorant.”

She blushed. “I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s just… I didn’t realize humans cared about these things. The sunstone is the key to Summer’s magic. If I don’t find it, I won’t just lose my throne. I’ll put the entire kingdom in jeopardy. Crops will fail, and my people will suffer.”

“And this Corvus?” Nikolas asked, gesturing to the parchment. “How does he factor in?”

“He’s my betrothed,” she said, bitterness lacing her voice. “Or, he was . I can’t believe he moved this quickly.” She tossed the parchment onto the table as if she couldn’t stand touching it a moment longer. “He must have been planning this for a long time.”

I racked my memory, trying to remember everything I’d heard about the Dokimasi. “I thought only the rightful heir could search for the sunstone. It only reveals itself to the next in line for the crown. Is that right?”

Bel—no, Ezabell —nodded. “Yes, which is why I don’t understand how Corvus seized the throne. He doesn’t have the stone, and he won’t be able to search for it as long as I’m alive. The Dokimasi will only call to—” She broke off, one hand flying to her throat. “Oh gods…”

Nikolas touched her arm, alarm on his face. “What is it?”

Ezabell’s expression went stark. “Corvus is the most high-ranking noble at court. If I die, his house would be next in line for the throne. The Dokimasi would move to him. That’s why he acted so swiftly.

He doesn’t expect me to survive. Or perhaps…

” She looked toward the window, her face white as chalk. “Maybe he means to make sure I don’t.”

The magic fired in my chest, a sense of urgency exploding behind my sternum. “We should get moving,” I said, going to the bed to fetch her cloak. “Right now.”

Sounds of commotion erupted beneath our feet. Men’s shouts echoed through the floorboards, followed by the pounding of boots on stairs.

“Open up!” a man shouted below us. Somewhere in the brothel, a fist pounded on a door.

“…a dark-haired woman and two thieves,” a second man barked.

The three of us froze. But only for a second.

“Window,” Nikolas said, already moving. He peeked out, then turned and spoke barely above a whisper. “It’s clear. There’s a roof below, then a short drop to the street.”

I grabbed Ezabell’s cloak and swung it around her shoulders. “Ears.”

She pulled her hood up and tucked her hair inside. “How did they find us so quickly?”

I took her arm and led her to the window. “Someone must have recognized you.”

“Or you,” she muttered. “Your face is all over the trees.”

Nikolas came to her other side. “Just one tree. And I don’t know how anyone could have identified me based on that sketch. It looks nothing like me.”

The pounding grew louder as the men outside moved closer to our door. Nikolas climbed through the window first, dropping lightly to the roof below. He skidded down the slope, then caught himself before reaching his arms up for Ezabell.

She hesitated, her fingers curled over the edge of the window.

I put my hand over hers, drawing her gaze. “Do you trust us?” I asked.

Golden eyes held mine. After a second, she nodded. “Yes. I trust you.”

“Good girl.” I helped her swing her legs over the sill. “Nikolas will catch you.”

A fist hammered at our door. The knob rattled. “Open this door by order of the king!”

“Go,” I whispered in Ezabell’s ear. She pushed herself off the sill, dropping straight down.

Nikolas caught her around the waist, and they stumbled several steps down the roof’s slope until he steadied her.

They grinned at each other, triumph and relief on their faces.

Then Nikolas grabbed Ezabell’s hand and helped her to the edge.

I climbed through the window just as the door splintered open behind me. Shouts followed me onto the roof, but I jumped, landing on the balls of my feet before dropping to my knees. Gripping the eave, I swung to the street below.

Nikolas and Ezabell waited. The second I hit the ground, the three of us took off running.