Trouble was, my temper was already running hot.
Wyatt came closer, and I could see that he hadn’t changed. The man was still wearing his too-tight pants and an open shirt to expose his chest. I suppose some girls must find that overall look appealing. I glanced at the woman seated on the front bench of the wagon. She must have found it attractive. That or Wyatt blackmailed her. I frowned. I wouldn’t put it past the man.
Wyatt stopped before me and set his hands on his hips. He now wore yellow calfskin gloves to match his wagon wheels. I suppose that was one change, at least. “Can this be?” he asked. “Is this my long-lost neighbor Elea?”
I schooled my features into a look of calm. “Yes, I’ve returned.”
“You look quite the lady now.” Wyatt stared me down from head to toe. His thin tongue flickered across his lips, a movement that was both unnecessary and disgusting.
My eyes widened. All thoughts of avoiding my temper evaporated. “Isn’t that your wife and two children back in your wagon? I can’t believe you’re disrespecting them in this way. They’re almost within earshot, and you’re eyeing me like I’m a slab of fresh meat.”
Wyatt glanced over his shoulder. A small smile rounded his pink lips. “Some women know their place, you know.” He raked his hand through his white-blond hair. “If only you’d learned that, Elea, then you wouldn’t be alone. No man has put a ring on your finger, I see.”
On reflex, my hand went to my throat. Under my gown, I still wore my mating ring from Rowan on a chain around my neck. I told myself that I’d throw it away. Tomorrow, perhaps.
Wyatt’s smile widened. “Well?”
“My personal life is no business of yours.”
Wyatt took a step closer. His grin disappeared, and a sick kind of menace oozed off him. “It will be my business, all right. My wife lets me do whatever I like. Some night, I’ll walk by that little cottage of yours. A lonely woman like you can’t afford to pass up some company.” His eyes narrowed. “You will open the door for me.”
I’d never had a lot of control when I was around Wyatt. What little I had today snapped. Raising my left arm, I started to pull Necromancer energy into my body. It was beyond time I cast a serious spell to shut this man’s mouth, once and for all.
Wyatt pointed at my hand. “You’re still practicing that death magick? Knew it! No one wants people like you around.”
I gritted my teeth. By the Sire. I was playing right into his plan yet again. The local farmers were Forgotten Ones, Commoners without magick. They’d almost had me kicked off my own land when Wyatt told them I was a rogue Necromancer. What had I opened myself up to?
The gallop of horses’ hooves echoed through the air. Wyatt and I both turned to see someone riding toward us on a black steed. Even from a distance, there was no mistaking the man’s halo of golden hair.
Philippe.
I couldn’t help but smile. I hadn’t been able to say goodbye to Philippe after the battle at the Montagne estate. My chest warmed. He’d tracked me down. Philippe pulled his horse up to my side, dismounted, and took stock of the situation. I could almost hear the clockwork gears of his mind spinning.
Wyatt frowned. “Is this your man? I thought you were alone.” His voice deepened. “We had an understanding, Elea.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You demanded that I open my door to you. I never agreed to it, which is what makes you a menace to all women.” I gestured to the cart. “I pity your poor wife.”
Philippe strode to my side and wrapped his arm possessively around my waist. “Hello, darling. Sorry I’m late.” Before I could think, he planted a gentle kiss on my lips. “Do I need to kill this fool for you?”
In that moment, I couldn’t remember being happier to see anyone in my life.
Wyatt gulped. “Kill me? In front of my wife and children?”
Philippe chuckled. “That’s someone’s family, but not yours. Your brother’s perhaps?”
“But… I…”
“Don’t bother to deny it. As I approached, the little boy was pointing in the opposite direction and asking for his da. Clearly, it’s not you.” Philippe pursed his lips. “Or should I ask them if they belong to you? The lady seems like the type who won’t tolerate liars.”
I glanced over to the woman. Indeed, she was glaring at Wyatt. Clearly, she knew his ways as much as I did. All of a sudden, the morning was looking up. I leaned my head against Philippe’s chest. “Darling, how I’ve missed you.”
Philippe set his hand on the pommel of his sword and focused on Wyatt. “Here’s what happens next. You walk away and never speak to my woman again. In return, I won’t run you through with my blade. Do we have an agreement?”
Wyatt mumbled something unintelligible and rushed back to his cart. Within a matter of seconds, he was rolling away. What a beautiful sight.
I watched the wagon grow smaller down the road and wanted to cheer. “You handled that well.”
Philippe shrugged. “All in a day’s work of protecting my lady.”