Page 88 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

“Thank you.” Darius dropped onto the pillow with a groan.

Esmeralda entered, brightening the room. Literally. “How are you, Mr. Strange?”

He flashed a cheeky grin. “I’m the most powerful mage in the kingdom. A shallow wound won’t harm me.”

A small crease appeared between her dark eyebrows. “Surely, you’re joking, Mr. Strange. I don’t doubt your prowess as a wizard, but Lord Morquen is without a doubt the most powerful mage in the kingdom.”

A muscle in Darius’s jaw ticked. “I beg to differ. Lord Morquen can’t read De Mirabilibus Mundi.” He pulled the darn book out of his pocket and flourished it. “For me, it’s a piece of cake.”

Esmeralda’s gaze turned keen. “Indeed.”

“Perhaps we should let Mr. Strange rest,” Irene said, covering Darius. “We can leave the debate for another time.”

“Of course. My fairies and I shall retire.” Esmeralda nodded at one of her fairies. A moment later, the fairies came in, carrying globes radiating golden light. “These are for you. They’ll help you keep this nasty fog at bay while you find a solution.”

When the fairies released the globes, they floated in the air and cast warm light like little suns.

I gave her a bow of my head. “Thank you.”

Her mouth twitched. “That doesn’t mean I’m happy about the way you’re managing the Dark Court. But Rothbart isn’t exclusively your problem. He’s a danger to all of us. Before we resume our discussion on the rogue at large, I’ll give you the time to set things in order.” She gave a disgusted look at the snakes smacking against the golden light.

“So generous of you.” I didn’t expect anything different from her, but she’d helped us.

The moment the fairies left, Darius scoffed. “Lord Morquen the most powerful mage? In which fairy tale? Rothbart knocked him out cold in a heartbeat.”

“Don’t get agitated,” Irene said. “Think about getting better.”

“Here I am.” Myrtha came in with a tray filled with Darius’s favourite sweets and sandwiches. “What did I miss? Oh, right. Tea.” She poured a cup of tea and added several sugars.

“The duchess thinks Morquen is stronger than I.” He popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth. “My arse. That vapid fairy would throw up his internal organs if he tried to read my book.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” Myrtha nodded.

I gave him a pat on the shoulder. “I must see if Rothbart has been secured.”

He waved. “By all means.”

I kissed Irene. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

I was heading to the dungeon to see how Rothbart was faring when Cara stopped me.

She was still incredibly pale with gaunt cheeks and bloodless lips. But she didn’t say anything.

“Yes?” I was impatient and eager to go to Rothbart’s cell. “Did you stop me to talk or to annoy me?”

She squeezed my hand, and the gesture was surprisingly warm. “I just wanted to say thank you,” she said before blushing and rushing upstairs.

33

ENTWINED

Alex

Something was truly wrong with me because I’d been watching Rothbart in his iron cell in the dungeon for almost half an hour and found the view utterly entertaining.

He wasn’t doing anything, merely lying unconscious on his cot, surrounded by poisonous iron, and wasn’t that perfect?

Knowing that the man, who had terrified me, killed or cursed my sister, and attacked Irene, was trapped in a cell that made him weak calmed me. Finally, Rothbart was under my control.