He watched me as I took a step back. As I spun around to leave, bumping into the edge of a small table in my haste, I heard him softly laugh. With my cheeks on fire, I quickly walked toward the door and left the medical wing. That’s when I noticed I was smiling.
Something had definitely shifted between me and the grumpy captain.
Briar sat at his desk, hunched over a journal as he scribbled notes. He looked up at me as I shut the door, his bangs falling across his glasses. “All done?”
“Yeah.”
“Would you like me to walk you to your room?”
“Nah, it’s okay.” I stepped from the doorway. “You look busy. I can find my way back.” Maybe.
Probably.
“It’s no trouble at all.” He set his quill aside and pushed back from the desk, standing from his chair. He had undone the top few buttons of his shirt, and the casual look went with his somewhat messy hair. “One can easily become lost if you’re unfamiliar with the area. I won’t be able to sleep unless I know you made it back safe and sound.”
Maddox and Briar were total opposites, one snarly and demanding while the other was gentle-natured and kind. Yet, I enjoyed being around both of them.
“Okay,” I said. “But only if it won’t interrupt your work.”
“My studies can wait.” Briar walked with me to the door and opened it for me.
“Thanks.” My head was still spinning from the hot-as-hell kiss I shared with Maddox. I could still feel the pressure of his lips on mine and taste the warm spice of his skin. The slight scruff of his stubble against my chin. Could still feel the heat in my veins from when our bodies rutted together. The desire had faded some but continued to simmer deep in my core.
“The moon is bright tonight,” Briar said, pulling me from my thoughts. His face was angled toward the sky as we moved down the narrow stone path, passing the gardens and an orchard of fruit trees.
I glanced upward and faltered in step—not because I was clumsy. Not at all. The sky was incredible, more stars than I’d ever seen. Brighter too. “The sky doesn’t look like this where I come from. You can’t see nearly as many stars.”
“That seems awfully unpleasant,” he responded. “Nights like this make me feel alive. They also make me feel small. Like I’m a mere speck in one massive universe.”
“Hey, give yourself more credit. You’re a super-talented speck in spectacles who saves lives and makes delicious bread and wine, making all the little specks around you happier.”
Briar laughed. “The way your mind works fascinates me.” His smile faded—turned sad just like it had earlier in the medical wing. “You fancy the knight captain, don’t you?”
“Fancy him? I wouldn’t go that far.”
“The two of you kissed, did you not?”
“Were you spying on us?”
Briar shook his head. “No. Your lips are a bit swollen, and your cheeks were flushed when you exited the room. It was a simple observation.”
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.” I sounded just as awkward as I felt.
“I apologize for overstepping,” he said. “In all the years I’ve worked at the castle, I’ve never known Maddox to show interest in anyone. I suppose it came as a shock.”
“Yeah, it shocked me too, if I’m being honest. He’s way out of my league.”
“Out of your league?” Briar studied me. “The wording is unfamiliar, but I believe I understand the implication.” He moved his gaze back to the sky. “Much like how a star cannot see how brightly it shines to those around it, you don’t see yourself clearly either, Evan.”
“I’m not a star. I’m a speck. Just like you.”
He smiled and said nothing more on the subject. He guided me toward a courtyard on the right. A building surrounded it, with multiple doors and windows, reminding me of an apartment complex. Minus the screaming neighbors, junk in the yard, and smell of greasy food like the one I lived in back home. This one was quaint and peaceful.
“Here we are,” he said as we stopped in front of my room.
“I appreciate you walking with me.” I glanced at the other doors. “Is one of these yours?”
“No,” Briar answered. “I have a room above the clinic, so I’m always close if anyone needs me. And with the wounded knights there tonight, I’ll more than likely sleep in one of the cots in the ward to watch over them.”
