The Frozen Prince (The Beast Charmer #2) - Maxym M. Martineau Page 0,21

his head, his bluish-black hair skating against his jawline. “Sit down and be silent, Calem. Adults are talking.” His words were syrupy and thick, full of unseen magic that weighed down the surrounding air.

Calem’s muscles flared as he fought in vain against the obvious command. Eyes bulging and a low groan rumbling from his chest, he finally caved, nearly splintering the chair with his need to obey. He did not say a word.

My mouth fell open. Were all mages this powerful? Did they all harbor such compulsory talents? Either way, it was clear we couldn’t force Eryx to do anything. And with the magic he wielded, we were puppets just waiting to be toyed with.

Noc seemed to know it. He clenched his jaw tight and spoke through barely parted lips. “It’s clear you can’t be swayed to help further.” He struggled to find words. I could only imagine what he was thinking, the threats dying to be spoken. What was it that he’d once told me? Assassins don’t fight fair, and they only strike when they know they’re going to win. Noc could win, if he waited for the right moment. But what good would that do us?

Gaige cleared his throat. “Point taken, Eryx.”

Standing, Eryx reached his palms toward the rafters in an unhurried stretch. Glamour gone from his stare, he offered a smile that was all too easy and hid far too much. “Glad we’re on the same page. Parting advice, Noc: Kill the person who ordered the contract, or complete the bounty. Quickly. The rules are written cleanly in the magic.”

Noc didn’t move. Everything about him was sharp and ready to strike.

Standing, Gaige offered his hand. “Thank you for your insight.”

Eryx lifted his shoulders in a lazy shrug. “Of course. Keep the parchment safe, Gaige, or you’ll be hearing from me.” Turning on his heels, he strolled out of Midnight Jester. Gaige slumped back into his chair, offering an apologetic glance in Noc’s direction.

“Fat lot of good that did us,” Calem mumbled the moment he was released from his compulsion, kicking his boots up on the table and jostling the tarnished candleholder.

Noc batted Calem’s feet away, and his ring once again snared my attention. The mark was a terrifying prospect, and the curiosities that ring held—the way it had sparked tension between him and Kost—was a welcomed distraction. Catching his hand, I brought my lips to his knuckles. “Why would he ask about this?”

Noc only hesitated for a breath, but it was enough to raise the hackles on the back of my neck. “No idea.”

No idea? Lie. That much I could tell. Noc dipped his head, and I caught the hint of a plea in his gaze. Did he not want the others to know? He’d promised to tell me everything after our battle in Hireath, but we hadn’t gotten the chance to discuss much. Sure, the guild had kept him busy, but there was a distance between us that hadn’t previously been there. A haunted look that would occasionally cloud his expression. I didn’t know when to push for answers and when to simply be there for him.

Gaige eyed the ring before running his fingers through his hair. “Interesting.”

“Let’s get back, shall we? I believe we have research to do.” Kost stood, shooting me a death glare. I bit my lip and angled my chin high, battling silently against his frustration. He wasn’t the only one privy to Noc’s world.

Gaige’s eyes lit up. “To the library, then?”

Noc sighed. “Though this proved futile, I’ll hold up my end of the deal.” As one, we stood and navigated around tables and chairs in pursuit of the exit. Pausing at the bar, I placed a tentative hand on Noc’s arm.

I couldn’t stand the intensity of his stare. The lingering thread of hurt for not openly claiming him as my anam-cara. The worry of what we’d just unearthed, thanks to the mage. So much uncertainty and frustration. It battled with longing and love as he tried to soften his expression for my sake. Releasing a heavy breath, he tucked loose strands of hair behind my ear.

Leaning into his touch, I placed a gentle kiss on his palm. “Wait for me outside? I’m going to grab my things.”

“Do you need any help?”

“It will only take a minute.”

He looked past me, taking in the bar and invariably Dez. He’d returned from the storeroom sometime during our meeting with Eryx to wipe down the countertops with concentrated fervor. Noc stiffened, but nodded once before