Page 74 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me 7

Blue sparked from my fingertips. Sparks Onyx regarded with a heavy brow—and a hint of apprehension in his eyes.

“Sorry.” I dropped back down on the couch and took a steadying breath, then another. “Kinda lost it for a second.”

“It’s the power humming in your veins,” Onyx said, still staring at my hands despite the sparks having flickered out. “Any strong emotion causes it to surge within you. I feel it won’t be contained for much longer.”

“Fortunately, the elixir will be ready come morning.” Briar returned to his seat beside me and lightly scratched his nails up and down my spine. To the others in the room, he added, “We should let any other matters rest for now. No more talk of mercenaries or what lies beyond this realm.”

Nods were exchanged.

Oreo padded over from the rug and pawed at my leg, a little whine leaving his throat. Hard to be sad when a face that cute was peering up at me. I reached down and scratched his ears, then did the same to Lake, who had retaken his spot against my legs after my almost-blowup.

“Forgive me, sweetheart.” Maddox came and knelt in front of me, on the other side of Lake. “I know you’re capable of making your own decisions. I… I was only…”

“Worried about me. I know.” I grabbed his hand and smoothed my thumb over his ring. One I’d bought for him that day in the market so long ago. Briar had infused it with protection magic. “I also know it can’t be easy being with me. Having to share me with other men.”

A soft smile curved his lips. “Sharing you is no trouble. As I’ve told you many times, you could love a hundred men, yet I know a part of your heart would always belong to me.”

“A big part.” I brought his hand up to place a kiss on his ring. “And don’t you ever forget it.”

“My part’s bigger though,” Rowan said from his place near the window.

“Silence that tongue, thief, before I toss you from the balcony.”

“Be nice,” I chided my grumpy captain.

“Yeah, you gluttonous bastard, be nice.” Rowan smirked. The moment I saw my favorite tooth, I knew trouble would follow. “Besides, I’m not the one who left a bite mark on your precious muffin.”

“I noticed,” Maddox said, shooting my neck a narrow-eyed glance. “The demon left his mark on you.”

Lord Onyx smiled before taking a drink of wine. Pleased with himself.

I touched my neck on impulse. Onyx had really chomped down. Not that I minded. A little biting kept things spicy.

Maddox didn’t seem to share my thoughts. His frown deepened as he aimed it at the smug demon lord at the head of the table.

“Look at his temple,” Rowan said, smirk slanting higher. “That vein’s gonna blow.”

“You’re not helping,” Briar chided him.

“I’m not trying to.” Rowan sauntered over and eyed a bowl of fruit on the side table with the wine, picking out a grape and popping it into his mouth. “Captain Glutton needs to accept facts that Lord Onyx is one of us now. He can kiss, bite, and do what he wants to our little treasure.”

“Within reason,” Callum interjected. “Amusing how you once accused me of kissing the ground Maddox walks on, yet here you are doing the same to the demon lord. More so now that you two are bonding over your shadows.”

“Careful, rabbit.” Rowan tipped his head, his topaz eyes glimmering with mischief. “Or I may just toss you into the shadows and keep you there.”

“None of that,” I said. But then couldn’t help but be curious. “Can you do that now, Ro? Take people with you when you travel in the shadows?”

“Well, no.” Rowan lost some of his snark. “Not yet.”

“But he will have the ability someday.” Onyx peered at Rowan with the kind of pride a teacher may have for his star pupil. “We’re meeting again this evening to continue his lessons.”

“Can I come?” I perked up in my chair. “I promise I’ll be quiet. Won’t even know I’m there. I’ll be like a fly on the wall.”

“More like a pest buzzing around.” Onyx’s mouth curved as he looked at me. “But one I’ve grown quite fond of.”

Being insulted had never made me happier. I was beginning to see that was how Onyx showed his affection. Through playful jabs and teasing. Through biting too. Much to Maddox’s dismay.

Realizing we hadn’t cut into the cake, yet, I hopped up and divvied out slices for everyone, then returned to the couch. The fire crackled as we ate, the only sound apart from the occasional rumble of thunder. The rain had stopped at least.