Chapter 10
Leo
Lacey had a lab on the castle grounds. It was a small cottage that had been converted into a workspace, with overflowing gardens of herbs and flowers stretching along the outside walls.
As soon as Maddie heard we were going, she decided to tag along—notbefore fluffing her hair for the twentieth time and checking her reflection in the window.
“You look fine,” I muttered.
She shot me a narrow look. “I don’t want tojustbe fine,” she hissed, smoothing her clothes again.
Elira waited for us outside, her body restless with impatience. Whatever breakthrough we’d had the night before had clearly regressed—she was back to being closed off and unreadable.
I sighed.
Slade had opted out of our little mission, choosing to train with the soldiers today. He already knew the gist, and though it pained him—I knew, even if he didn’t say it—he understood it was better to be ready to move than to be stuck in the planning stage.
The Queen and Jasper had asked him personally to assist, and though it took a little convincing, in the end he’d agreed. Not because he liked it.
But because that’s who Slade was.
Always the shield. Even when no one asked him to be.
Phoenix walked ahead of all of us, his face thoughtful and brooding. I could see the tension in his gait.
He thought Thorne might be alive. And it was tearing him apart.
“Are you sure I look okay?” Maddie whispered.
“You don’t even know if she’s gay,” I muttered.
Maddie rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You saw those arms. Thosemuscles.”
“Maybe she just likes to stay fit.”
“Maybe she likesme,” Maddie shot back, lifting her chin with mock confidence.
“Of course she will.Ifshe’s gay,” I said, giving her a small grin. “Mads, don’t get your hopes up.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She huffed. “Gods, do you know how long it’s been?”
I glanced ahead at Elira, walking beside Phoenix, her expression distant.
“I have an idea,” I muttered.
Maddie caught the shift in my tone and gave me a sympathetic look. “Still no real progress then?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. Some days it feels like I’m getting through. Two steps forward…”
“…three steps back?” she offered gently.
I exhaled. “Yeah. Exactly.”
“I never thought I’d see the day, Mr. Knight,” Maddie said, grinning.
I cast her a sidelong look. “What?”
“You’re in love with her.”
