“But you’ve had your hands full of women?”
He cringed. “A dream for many men, I’m sure. For me, not so much.”
“I’ve been well,” I said, taking pity on the poor guy and changing the subject.
Better than well, actually. Over a week had passed since Briar, Maddox, and I’d made things official between us. Their duties kept them busy for most of the day, but our nights were rarely spent apart. Whether it was in Maddox’s bed or Briar’s, I fell asleep with both of them wrapped around me.
With the exception of last night. Briar had left yesterday for the magical academy to be a guest lecturer for the students and would be gone for another day.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Sawyer ate a grape from his plate. Our lunch had consisted of turkey and tomato sandwiches on a flaky, buttery croissant, a side of mixed fruit, and strawberry jelly tarts for dessert. The day was too warm for hot tea, so we drank water from a pitcher kept cold by a magical rune. “Kuya also mentioned a demi-human who helped you.”
“His name is Lake.” I had kept quiet about him to anyone not part of the rescue-Evan party because of how poorly demi-humans—especially wolves—were viewed, but Sawyer didn’t share those negative views. I trusted him. “Did Kuya tell you what kind of demi-human he is?”
“A wolf.” His voice had dipped in volume. So the castle attendants standing not too far away wouldn’t hear? “His father was ruthlessly murdered.” Murdered, not killed. The distinction mattered. It showed how seriously Sawyer took the matter and that he, too, believed it to have been wrong. He then glanced around us and forced a smile, tipping his head to one of the attendants who had stepped a bit closer. Still with that fake smile, he told me under his breath, “We shouldn’t discuss it any further. Not here.”
Understood.
“How about this weather we’re having today?” I said loudly, fanning my face. “Summer’s right around the corner. I’d love to go for a swim.”
When the prince smiled again, it was more relaxed. “The sea is still much too frigid to swim in, but perhaps we can journey down to the shore and dip our feet in the water.”
I was excited by the thought. “I’ll have to ask for permission. The last time I left the castle walls, as you’re well aware, didn’t exactly go well. And let’s just say that two men have been keeping a super-close eye on me since then.”
More than two, actually. Callum, Duke, and Quincy were never far from my sight when I wandered the grounds. Baden was less noticeable, but I’d caught him watching me too, especially when Maddox was busy. They were basically my babysitters now.
“Ah, so like the Royal Guard following me everywhere, you have your own personal force of guards.” Sawyer grabbed a tart from the platter and handed it to Kuya as the cat boy rushed back over. Kuya gently head-butted the prince’s arm, purrs rumbling in his chest, before dashing back out into the sunlight. “Rumors are circulating the castle. I’m ashamed to say I’ve been greatly intrigued by them.”
“What rumors?”
“About you, Captain Maddox of the Second Order, and the chief physician. The three of you are romantically involved, yes?”
“Oh. That.” My heart hammered in my chest. “Yeah, we are.”
Sawyer laughed at whatever expression had crossed my face. Given my suddenly hot cheeks and spiked heart rate, I could only imagine what he saw. “No reason to be alarmed. People are merely curious. Before your arrival in Bremloc, Captain Maddox had quite a frosty reputation. And Briar, while polite, seemed distant and detached from those around him. Both look much happier now, as do all who are fortunate enough to meet you. Me included.”
“Because of my dashing good looks, right?” I fluttered my eyelashes at him.
He nearly choked on the second grape he’d popped into his mouth.
“Please don’t die, Prince Sawyer. Kuya would be sad. I would too. And out of all the heroic and awesome ways to die, do you really want ‘choked on a grape’ written on your tombstone?”
He laughed harder.
Kuya’s ears twitched before he turned to us with a wide grin. Jelly was smeared at the corner of his lips. His grin then vanished as his gaze fell on something behind us.
“How sweet,” an unfamiliar voice said before a guy who looked just like Sawyer but with slightly bigger muscles and shorter hair joined us beneath the gazebo. He wore an elaborate, deep crimson outfit with golden sigils on the chest and shoulder that marked him as someone of high rank. “My baby brother has made a new friend.”
Baby brother? Oh shit. So this must be—
“Cedric,” Sawyer greeted him, voice taut. “I didn’t know you were back in the capital.”
“I returned this morning.” Cedric helped himself to fruit from the platter. By Sawyer’s sudden shift in mood, his shoulders tense, I knew right away he didn’t care much for his brother. “Did you miss me while I was gone?”
Sawyer didn’t answer.
“Oh, how you wound me.” Cedric placed his hands on the back of Sawyer’s chair, causing my friend to tense a bit more. “Here I am working hard to deepen our relationship with the neighboring kingdoms, forging strong alliances and ensuring the ones we already have do not falter, and you treat me so coldly.” He then leaned down, his mouth close to Sawyer’s ear. “You’re fortunate I’m in a good mood, little brother, or I would have you punished for this insolence.”
The accompanying smirk to his words was chilling. My first impression of Prince Cedric was he enjoyed intimidating those around him—got off on it. Callum had said he’d tried to kill Kuya years ago. Knowing someone like him was first in line to rule was a truly frightening notion.
