Has your little human finally decided to ditch you and find someone her own age?” Evin flinched, and Maddock’s teasing smile fell. “I know how much you care for her, but you know how it is with mortals.”
“You know nothing.” Evin hadn’t told anyone about Callie’s unique predicament, and he certainly wasn’t going to start with Maddock.
“Well, I’d like to think I know a thing or two about the ladies.”
“Really? When’s the last time you were in a relationship?” Evin retorted.
Maddock’s cheeks flushed, and he bit his lip to hide his expression. Evin sensed the self-proclaimed bachelor may have actually found someone to settle down with, but now was not the time for such things, especially considering Maddock’s penchant for burying the truth in innuendos and jokes.
“A man doesn’t kiss and tell,” Maddock replied, confirming exactly what Evin was thinking. However, Evin did know that with enough ambrosia, a certain blond guard would probably tell anyone who was willing to listen about what pretty girl he had conned into his bed.
“Never mind, forget I asked. Are you going to tell me where my father is?”
Maddock pouted. “Oh fine—the last time I saw him, he was in the kitchen trying to filch some freshly baked bread.” As if to confirm his claim, he pulled a roll out of his pocket and took a large bite.
“It’s not filching if the cook gives it to you,” Evin fired back before spinning away from Maddock and striding toward the kitchen. He rounded the corner and bumped right into his dad, who fumbled a hot roll.
“Damnit,” his father growled as Evin quickly darted out and caught the warm bread before it hit the floor, then handed it back.
“Getting slow in your old age?” Evin joked.
“Oh, Evin. What are you doing here? I thought you were off today.”
“I am, but I need to speak with you.” His gaze darted around the hall, not wanting to be overheard. “Alone.”
“Okay, let’s head to my quarters.”
Torin, having lost his elder son Reid, had recently moved into the palace. Evin knew his childhood home held too many memories and was filled with more ghosts than his dad was willing to deal with at the moment, but he hoped his dad would eventually move back. It’d be a shame for his family home to go to waste. He’d stop by later and make sure it was being kept up.
They entered his dad’s apartment, and Evin sat down on the couch, noting that the blanket his mother had woven for his father as an anniversary present was draped across the back.
“So, is this where you confess you haven’t stopped seeing that human girl, the redhead who landed you in so much trouble before?” His father’s wizened gaze studied everything about his son’s reaction. He hadn’t become the king’s first in command without keen powers of observation. He could read people rather accurately based on the tiny ticks in their muscles and facial expressions, and his son was no exception.
“Not exactly,” Evin replied. “Why don’t you have a seat?” And from there he told his dad everything that had happened with the quanlier he had been sent to track, about Callie almost dying, the ancient ritual that now tied their life forces together, and the most recent developments with her blossoming abilities.
“Well, you never do anything half-assed, do you?” he asked when Evin was finished.
Evin heaved a sigh of relief, glad to see his dad take it all in stride and not fuming. “So what now?”
“What do you mean what now? You have to train the girl, obviously. She can’t be dabbling in things she doesn’t know about or she’ll end up getting herself killed and you as well since you’re bound together.”
Evin stared up into the familiar amber eyes. “I couldn’t let her die, Dad. I just couldn’t. And worst of all, it’s not because I wanted her to live, which I did, but because I couldn’t imagine my life without her in it. It was completely selfish of me. I took away her choice in the matter and I’m not entirely sure she doesn’t resent me a little for it.”
Torin’s gaze softened. “I understand, son. I would have done anything to save your mother. If I’d known her pregnancy would lead…” He swallowed thickly, unable to finish the thought, but Evin could hear it echo loudly around them.
“She wanted a daughter so badly,” Evin soothed. “You know that. Being pregnant with a girl was the happiest I had seen her since