The slimy Solheart rolled his eyes. "As you say, my lord." Bowing his head, he stalked away.
He shot me a lingering glance, eyes studying my body.
The ring of steel drew my eyes to the broad Solheart. He drew a knife from his belt and raised it to plunge through Liam's throat.
"Don't," Seradh barked. "I'm not in the mood to clean blood up."
The hulking man scoffed. Returning his knife to its sheath, he slammed his boot into Liam's side before whirling on his heel and following his mate.
A gasp of horror escaped my lips, though I tried to strangle it. Falling to Liam's side, I checked him for injuries. Blood trailed down the side of his face, and he looked dazed.
"You're an idiot," I hissed. "Talking like that to Solhearts."
"I'man idiot?" Liam slurred. "You shouldn't have let him touch you then."
"Asshole," I murmured, helping him to his feet.
Lord Seradh stared at me, yellow eyes narrowing. "Mare Rohan,” he said. "Cierthine's new master."
"I am," I said. Nervous flutters danced in my heart. Would this man want me dead? "I'll have you know I'm under the protection?—”
"Of Paragon Tiernan, I know,” he interrupted me. "He's right behind me, but I don't think he realized that."
I stared at him, confused. Lord Seradh tapped his wrist, as though counting the ticks of a clock. On the fifth, the door burst open, and Reese ran in, golden eyes wildly searching the room.
For me.
Seeing the Solheart, Reese's demeanor shifted. I'd seen it enough to notice it, now. Whenever I was in danger, his posture straightened, his pupils narrowed, his muscles clenched. One look into my eyes lit a fire in his. He threw himself between us, sword drawn.
"For your sake," he growled, leveling the blade at Seradh's throat. "I dearly hope you didn't touch her."
"I did no such thing." Lord Seradh raised a single finger and brushed the blade away. "The culprits went through the back door, if you're in a killing mood. The smaller one had his hands all over her."
Reese's grip on his rapier faltered.
Silence hung in the room for a long moment.
"Quinn?" Reese breathed.
"Reese," Lord Seradh responded tightly.
"What are you doing here?"
"Turns out, when you take your eyes off someone long enough . . . " He paused, “They can change into someone you hardly recognize."
Reese's hand tightened on his sword again, but he said nothing.
"Do take better care of your charges," Quinn Seradh said, eyes flicking to me. "Your faith in your fellow man will get her killed." Nodding stiffly, he walked past us, following his peers into the back room.
Liam wiped the blood from his face and slipped from my grip. "Old friend of yours?"
Reese sheathed his blade. "More of a ghost." He rested his hand on my face and gently turned my head, checking for injury."I'm so sorry. Had I known Solhearts were here, I never would have left you alone."
"What would bring them here?" I asked, staring at the floor.
Warmth caressed my cheek as Reese's fingers slid down to my jawline and then pulled away. "Two Solhearts in white, one in black. A rare, but customary group to oversee the passing of a Paragon weapon."
For a moment, I wondered if they were here for me. For Cierthine.
