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In the middle of the room sat an enormous bed that faced the fireplace. The elegant headboard was made of tufted suede in a hue that matched her eyes, which her mother had always referred to as sapphire. The silvery-blue sheets were luxurious satin. A mound of pillows were also covered in the same linen.
The duvet was perfectly coordinated with the material of the headboard and was so plump, she knew a down comforter filled it. She ran a hand over the luxe material as she marveled at the brilliant color that instantly added vibrancy to the otherwise dreary in
terior.
Davian had clearly remembered her excitement over Sheena’s offering of clothing that wasn’t drab.
“How did he do this?” she muttered in awe.
Morgan chuckled beside her. “He has people.”
She smirked at him. “I realize that. It’s just… This is so gorgeous.” The sensuous-looking bedding made her want to climb under the covers and never leave them.
Morgan said, “It’ll be a lot colder come December. Davian wants you to be warm.”
“Perfectly toasty is what I’ll be. Please tell him how much I love it. And I’m grateful to you and your helper too. Really, General…” She gave him a compelling look. “This is so kind of all of you.”
“Morgan,” he corrected. Then he turned and started to walk away.
But the memory that had stepped into the light earlier made her call after him, “Wait, please.” When he returned to her, she steeled herself and said, “You told me months ago that not all demons are evil.”
“Yes?” His expression gave nothing away.
“My mother used to say that very thing.”
He seemed to give serious thought as to how to address her statement. Finally, he said, “So did your father. I worked very closely with him when the king instituted laws to ensure peace between humans and demons. I respected Liam.”
She gazed up at him. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you?”
He nodded. “The last time was shortly after their deaths. You chose to stay alone and I wanted to make sure you had enough wood.”
Now she remembered returning from the village one afternoon and finding the large stack. No one had taken credit for the delivery—or the crate of food that had been left for her.
“Why would you help me?” she asked, perplexed.
The general rubbed his temple with the pads of two fingers, then told her, “I know this will seem strange, but Liam and I were friends. Very good friends.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“We had a political and military partnership to maintain, so not many people were aware of our high regard for each other in a personal capacity. But, before you were born, your mother would invite me to dinner from time to time. Liam and I would discuss strategies to strengthen the human-demon relations in an effort to minimize altercations and keep tensions low.” He smiled suddenly, as though a particular recollection came unexpectedly to him. “Marianne was a gracious hostess and she made the most incredible dishes.”
“Beef stroganoff,” they said in unison.
“It was her specialty,” Jade added, her voice faltering. Tears stung her eyes as she remembered her mother humming softly while she cooked and Jade set the table.
“Well.” Morgan’s gaze dropped to her necklace for a brief moment before he added, “Both the king and I were greatly disturbed by their deaths. Remorseful. Enraged, even. I hunted the shifters myself and…” He shook his head, a troubled look crossing his face.
“And, what?” she asked as she studied the general. He truly did seem upset by the tragedy. Even fifteen years later.
He inhaled deeply. Exhaled slowly. “They were renegades, but I didn’t take them to the castle to stand trial, Jade. As I was required to do by law. I knew first-hand what they’d done. I hadn’t been able to get to your parents before it was too late, but I couldn’t allow the murders to go unpunished. I had to avenge Liam and Marianne myself.”
She gaped. Pressed a hand to her heart. “You’re the one who pursued the shifters.” She’d seen that much from her hiding spot in the woods. “You were cloaked—I never saw your face. But you went after the wolves with such fury.”
“Yes.” He swallowed hard. “And my vengeance likely would have been worse if I’d had known you’d witnessed the whole thing. The king told me later.”
Her legs trembled and he reached a hand out to steady her.
“I never knew what happened to the shifters—you were all out of my eyesight in the end,” she said. “I should say they had the right to stand trial, but I can’t bring myself to consider that option. Knowing you dealt with them and exacted retribution for my family…” She fought back a wave of emotion and tried to control the tears threatening her eyes. “That means a lot to me.”
