Page 78 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me 7

“That’s enough for one evening.” Onyx caressed my cheek with the backs of his knuckles. “You’ve had quite the eventful day and need your rest.”

“I wonder whose fault that is,” I said, leaning into his touch. “A certain someone took me through the forest of misery, then ravaged me in a cave. Twice.”

Rowan snorted. “I’d say you’re the one who ravaged Lord Onyx.”

I flipped around to him. “Were you spying on us?”

“It’s my job.” He shrugged. “If you’re sour over it, you’re blaming the wrong person.”

“Huh?”

“He’s referring to me,” Onyx said, turning my face back to his. Hesitancy flickered over his face, as though he was debating on saying more. Fortunately for me and my never-ending curiosity, he chose right. “I requested that he watch over you any time you leave the castle. Regardless of who was with you, be it one of your knights, Lake, or Briar. Even if you were with me.”

Something in his tone seemed… suspicious. “Why would he need to protect me if I’m with you?”

A shadow passed over his face. He didn’t respond, instead looking at Rowan.

“Come with me, little treasure.” Rowan grabbed my hand. “He’s right. You need to get some shut eye. I’ll take you back.”

“Unless you’d rather Bob escort you?” Onyx asked me with a touch of amusement back in his expression.

“Nope.” I patted Rowan’s hand. “I’m good just like this. Bob’s escort services aren’t necessary.”

Onyx’s amusement deepened, showing on his lips. “Sleep well, little bird. Tomorrow is an important day for you.”

Important day. Right. The elixir would be ready in the morning. Doomsday was nearly upon me. That doom coming from whatever horrors the elixir would make me face. Would I even be me after I woke up?

As Rowan started walking toward the door, his hand in mine, I waivered in place. My attention remained on Onyx.

“Did you need something?” he asked, his eyes clouding with an emotion I couldn’t place.

I nodded. “You didn’t kiss me good night.”

There was an instant clearing of those clouds. Onyx softly smiled and closed the distance between us, sliding his hand to the side of my neck. Our lips met lightly at first, brushing together almost hesitantly, before he deepened the kiss. He tasted like wine and woodsmoke, and the heat of his body took away any chills in mine.

“Ensure he gets to bed without incident,” Onyx told Rowan, lowering his hand from my neck. To me, he added, “And no roaming the halls at night.”

“Yes, Daddy Demon Lord.” I rose up on my tiptoes and rubbed our noses together. “Whatever you say.”

He smirked.

I glanced back as Rowan and I reached the door, finding Onyx staring after me, his smirk having slipped into something far more tender. And I envisioned that glowing ember between us getting just a tad brighter.

Chapter Fourteen

A Muffin Carol

Someone was going to die that morning. Killed by either the giant bird perched in the corner of the clinic or any number of other dangerous things scattered throughout.

“You come here every day?” Callum asked Briar in horror, eyeing Salem, then shifting his gaze around the rest of the room. “I’ve seen torture chambers less frightening.”

“Then leave,” Phantasia said, stirring the contents of a small black cauldron. Green smoke wafted upward as the potion bubbled. “Your presence here isn’t needed, knight. Nor is it wanted. You’re a big, bumbling buffoon.”

Rowan choked on his spit. He stood against a table that held glass jars of questionable contents. Contents Lake was busy inspecting with an adorable scrunch of his brow. Teeth of unknown creatures, claws, and something that I hoped like hell wasn’t maggots.

I cringed as I spotted some wiggling action inside the jar.

“Big, bumbling what?” Callum’s look of confusion made me laugh, and I forgot all about the creepy crawlies. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”