My mouth parted slightly to see Cain standing beside the golden-haired man. It was rare to see men in Linmoor and I’d never been allowed to engage with them before. 

“Cain,” I blurted out. “What are you doing here?”

“You know the prince?” asked Lady Elga, her gaze focused on my face. 

I quickly rearranged my features. Thirteenth rule as an assassin? Don’t give away your emotions. “I met him last evening in Oakhedge, but I wasn’t aware he’s a prince.” 

Cain turned back to glance at Lady Elga. “She is not aware of my identity.”

“Is she the woman you met last evening?” asked the golden-haired man beside him. 

“Yes.”

My gaze focused on Cain’s companion.

He was just as handsome as Cain but in a very different way. 

While Cain was tall and broad-shouldered, appearing like a trained soldier, the stranger was lean with a keen look in his soft blue eyes. His features were smoother and less harsh. Even his skin shone like polished marble. He was dressed the same way as Cain, in plain cotton clothes, but the air of regality about him was the same as him. 

“Come forward, Daria,” said Lady Elga.

I moved past the two men to reach Lady Elga and bowed down low. Before either one of us could say a word, strong fingers grabbed hold of my elbow. I twisted my body and would have hit Cain in the face with my other elbow if his companion didn’t stop me. Suddenly, I found myself in the grip of two men.

“What is this?” I muttered, struggling against them. 

“Sshh,” whispered Cain, his hot breath on my face.

“Let me smell you,” said the golden-haired man in a low voice in my ear. 

My heart was pounding heavily. I was acutely aware of their warm touches on my skin as their noses skimmed over my body. 

Warmth pooled between my thighs as they pressed my body between theirs. I bit my bottom lip hard, struggling to suppress the moans threatening to come out of me. Lady Elga could never know the emotions these men were bringing out in me. The consequences of her finding out would not be good for me.

“Do you smell him on her, Adal?” asked Cain.

“I do. It’s so strong…like she’s been rubbing herself against him.”

“Lady Elga,” I called out breathlessly. “What do you command?” I could free myself from both men but they would both be hurt in the process. I still didn’t know whether they were guests or people she brought in for a training session. 

“Let the child go.” Lady Elga’ voice was cold and commanding.

Cain and Adal released me at once and stepped away, but their gazes were filled with anguish as they stared at me. What was making them act so desperately? Cain wasn’t so agitated last evening.

“Where is he?” asked Cain. “Where did you see him?”

“Who?”

“The dark-haired man,” said Adal. “You must have been very close to him for his scent to be so strong on you.”

I turned to Lady Elga. “I don’t understand what’s going on. Who are they and what are they talking about?”

“You will calm down, princes,” said Lady Elga. “Explain your sudden excitement before you touch her again.”

“Lady Elga,” said Adal. “This young lady has the scent of Prince Norvin all over her. Both Cain and I cannot be mistaken.”

Surprise flitted through Lady Elga’s gaze. “How is that possible?”

“That’s what we want to know,” said Cain. There was pain in his silvery eyes and his voice was heavy with anguish. He turned towards me. “Please, Daria. Who have you been closest to recently?”

“There is a stranger in Linmoor,” I replied, meeting Lady Elga’s stern gaze. “She is a young girl called Tilly I rescued on my mission. She is with one of the girls now. I’d hoped to present her once she was cleaned up and fed.”

“They are talking about another man, Daria,” said Lady Elga. “Who else have you been close to? Who else have you…touched?”

“Touched?” I thought of the events since last evening. “The man I killed, Tilly and my pet snake are the only creatures that I’ve laid hands on since yesterday.”

“You have a pet snake?” asked Lady Elga, her thin eyebrows arched high.

“I got him only a month ago, though I am not really sure he’s a snake. He’s got horns on his head and tiny limbs on his body.”

“It’s a dragon,” said Adal. An excited smile came over his beautiful face. “Cain…could it be Norvin?”

“They never found his body after being thrown in the river,” said Cain, his own voice rising with excitement. 

“Please, Miss Daria,” said Adal. “Can we see your…err…snake, please?”

I looked over at Lady Elga. She gave an imperceptible nod. 

My curiosity was taking over the strangeness of the situation. I still didn’t know who Cain and Adal were but since Lady Elga seemed to favor them so much, I would treat them respectfully and avoid hurting them.

“Come this way,” I said, turning around to walk out of the cottage. 

Everyone stared at me as I led the two strangers through the village path towards my cottage. My body yearned for a hot bath and nap, but I was desperate for an explanation. I had to know who these men were. Their strange behavior was making my emotions run wild. I was angry, confused and curious while my body throbbed with need.

“Here we are,” I said, walking inside my cottage to see Naya on my pillow. 

Cain and Adal strode past me to get a closer look. I held back, watching them. 

“It is him,” said Adal, picking up Naya gingerly. 

Naya opened his purple eyes to stare at Adal. His head slowly turned to stare at Cain next. Even from the distance, I could see the surprise in my pet’s gaze. Naya leaped from Adal’s palm to fall onto the floor. Before I could move to pick him up, a man materialized in his place.

My whole body tensed at the transformation that occurred before my eyes. I’d never witnessed shifter magic before but I’d read about them. Certain mortals with ancient blood could turn themselves into the beast from which their ancestors emerged. The change happened in the blink of an eye.

I recognized the young man who stood before me now. He was the same person I’d been dreaming of since the past few weeks. I took in the dark hair that almost looked navy under the sunlight, his purple eyes and the way his lips curved up as he smiled at the two men before him.

“Norvin!” Cain and Adal gasped together. They fell on him and hugged him tight, shouting and crying incoherently.

I almost pinched myself at the sight to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Such extraordinary things never happened in Linmoor. Now, there were three handsome men in my cottage, embracing each other like lost brothers. 

“Naya,” I called out, unable to keep a hold over my emotions.

The blue-haired man looked in my direction and smiled. “Hello, Daria.”

I stared at him. He was grinning at me and the cheekiness in his voice was exactly the kind of vibe Naya gave off.