“That’s very admirable of you, but you gotta remember to take care of yourself too, Doc. You’re no good to anyone if you work yourself to death.”
“You aren’t the first one to say such a thing.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “However, I won’t be able to properly rest knowing others need me. As is the life of a physician. My workload is lighter now that Thane is here though.”
“Today was rough on him,” I said. “But he pulled through.”
“He did. There’s much more for him to learn, but I’m confident in his abilities. He was born with magic, you see. If properly trained, he can surpass me in no time.”
“Well, until the knights get better, I have a once-in-a-lifetime offer for you.”
“Oh?” He seemed amused. “Do tell.”
“Me.” I jabbed a thumb into my chest. “The stable boy life didn’t work out for me. Being in the clinic today was hard but rewarding work. So I can come by in the morning to help. Unless I sucked and you don’t want me there.”
“The help would be lovely,” Briar said, still amused by something. He lifted a hand and gently brushed the backs of his knuckles across my cheek. “Though I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t enjoy being near you as well.”
Heat inched up my neck. Was I imagining that softness in his hazel eyes?
Briar withdrew his hand. “I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well, Evan.”
“Y-Yeah. You too.”
He waited until I was inside the room before walking away. I rested against the door, heart beating hard in my chest. It squeezed a little too.
Despite being dog-tired, I lay in bed wide awake for what felt like hours, thinking of Maddox. Thinking of Briar. And being confused by my budding attraction toward both of them. I also thought of Jonah.
Did he think I ran away? Got abducted? Was my face flashing across the six o’clock news as a missing person? If so, which picture did they use? Hopefully not my senior photo. I’d started to sneeze right before it was taken, so my eyes were squinted and my mouth was puckered. My plea to retake the photo had been ignored. The asshole photographer had already been pissed off about being underpaid and dismissed my pleas. The picture had haunted me ever since.
I flipped to my side and stared at the tree outside the window. Eventually, my eyelids became too heavy to keep open, and I finally drifted off to sleep.
I’ll wake up in the morning to find this was all a dream.
I would be back in my small apartment. Back in my own world.
But when morning came, the same tree I’d stared at before falling asleep greeted me once again. The sun shone through the branches, and birds chirped. Light sounds came from outside as others woke and started their day. Eager to do the same, I hopped out of bed, quickly washed using the water in the basin, dressed, and left the room.
The knights should be waking soon, and I wanted to be there to help Briar and Thane as soon as possible.
Chapter Six
Cat Boys Are Cute When They Pounce
“You have so many books.” I glided my fingers across the spines. No dust whatsoever. The books on the other shelves appeared the same. Some had slight wrinkles in the spines and told me they’d been read several times—his favorites.
“Reading is not only the perfect way to unwind after a long day, but it also fuels the mind.” Briar gathered supplies and placed them on a tray. “I love learning all I can about the world and the things in it.”
“Me too.” I turned from the shelf. “Well, I mainly read fiction.”
“All stories have their place,” he said. “Whether they be to inform the reader or entertain. Feel free to borrow any that catch your eye.”
“Thanks.” I yawned.
“Would you like for me to make you a cup of tea?” Briar asked. “It’s how I start each morning.”
“Coffee is how I like to start mine.” I smiled at him. Maddox had made some for me yesterday, and while not the best I’d had, it was still good. “I’ve never developed a taste for tea, but I’m open to trying some of yours.”
“I’ll put on a pot,” he said before walking over to the stove. “If it’s not to your liking, I don’t have any coffee at the moment, but I can make something similar with dandelion root.”
“I’ve heard of that.” Much to my surprise. I’d read an article about it late one night when I should’ve been sleeping. It was made from dandelions and didn’t have any caffeine but still tasted good. Allegedly.
