The madwoman patted Steve’s chest even though his large shoulder was much closer. “Ignorance is bliss…until it is not.”
“It worries me that I understand you,” Steve murmured.
“Yes,” the woman replied. “Your journey of finding love—”
Steve held up his hand. “Nope. We’ve talked about this. I don’t want to hear anything about the future. I’d rather be surprised. And love is for fools, so quit knocking on that door.” The woman cackled again, and Charity got the distinct impression that the crazy laughter was for show. Or it was drugs. “In answer to your question, Miss Charity the Arcana, Macy was applauded and her technique studied. They blamed the man she injured.”
Across the way, Charity caught sight of a powerfully robust body that stuck out amongst the lithe, lean forms of those around him.
Devon!
He fought with a graceful savagery that made her blood pump. The sun glinted off his bare torso as he moved through fighting poses, blocking a thrust and delivering a blow that had his opponent staggering back. His loose pants, just like hers, clung to his sweaty, well-built thighs. His messy black hair swirled around his head, and she just knew his jaw sported that irresistible bad-boy stubble.
In fact, now that she noticed, a line of spectators waited off to the side, women all, dressed in revealing clothes and hanging on every sword thrust.
Possessiveness, hot and fierce, bubbled up through her. Her heart hammered, and not just because of the battle she desperately wanted to join. She craved his viciousness and determination, his confidence that nothing in the world would get through him to harm her. She craved the man who had laid down his life time and again for her, the alpha who could make her feel safe even when she couldn’t protect herself.
“He’s the only one still competing,” Steve said before Charity could start off across the field. “His victories don’t count, but he keeps going anyway.”
Charity hesitated. “What do you mean, his victories don’t count? Count toward what?”
Steve lazily waved his hand toward the field. “This is some sort of fighting competition for people who think they are fierce and literally have nothing better to do. It’s tied to their status in the community, I think. Being that the Supreme Alpha Woman Magnet is not warrior fae, his victories do not count. He can advance, but so does the person who challenged him. And he does have to wait for them to challenge him. It’s a bonus of some sort.” He fluttered his eyebrows. “Or something, I don’t know. But like I said, these fae like our magic. They like the feeling of fighting with it, so he has no end of challengers. The men want to best him, and the women want to fu—paint rocks with him.”
“Paint rock—” Charity shook her head. She wanted to march across that field, challenge her love, fight him across the gloriously green field, and then drag him back to her bed and claim him. None of those chicks would be laying a hand on her goods. “Then why is he still doing this? It sounds stupid.”
“You were resting and he wasn’t allowed to wait by your side. He needs something to do with his hands. This is why love can really sour a good time. No offense.”
“I’m done resting.”
The madwoman’s cackles followed Charity across the field.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Enough,” Charity shouted, strutting past the women staring at Devon in rapture.
Devon flung his opponent back with ease. The male fae groaned as his head thudded down onto the field. Child’s play. Devon had been placating the lesser fighter. Wasting time, as Steve had said.
Devon spun around, his slightly widened eyes the only sign he wasn’t totally composed. His gaze held hers, but he didn’t make a move toward her. Hell, he didn’t even smile in hello.
She lowered her eyebrows into a scowl, not sure if she was angry or annoyed.
“Aren’t you happy to see me?” she asked, bracing a hand to her hip.
His hard expression slipped for a moment, revealing a flash of intense longing. “Yes. More than you could possibly know. How do you feel? I didn’t think they’d let you out of bed so soon.”
“A nutter broke me out and brought me here.” She smiled and took a deep breath as murmuring rose from the small crowd of spectators. “I feel amazing. Thanks to you. They said I should’ve died. You’ve really pulled ahead in our