“You could always return to the knights’ quarters. The stew you made was delicious. Not that much was left by the time I got back last night. The men devoured it. They ate the blueberry cake too.”
I’d totally forgotten I had cooked while anxiously awaiting their return from the dark wood. “It was supposed to be blueberry muffins, but I couldn’t find a muffin tin, so I ended up making a type of skillet cake instead.”
“Maybe you can make it again sometime,” he said, softly smiling. “It truly lifted the men’s spirits.”
“Yeah.” My throat tightened. “I’d like that.”
“And stick around next time, as well. So we can see that cute face of yours.” Callum reached over to pinch my cheek, and I swatted him away. He snorted. “No wonder Briar kept you around today.”
“He and Thane were swamped and needed help. My face had nothing to do with it.”
“Uh-huh. Sure.” Callum flashed a dimple.
“What?” I splashed water at him. “Briar is very professional about his work, and he’s nice to me, unlike someone else I know.”
“Are you referring to the captain?”
“Maybe.” I glided my palm over the top of the water, my chest tight all of a sudden. “Speaking of the captain… have you seen him today?”
Because I sure as hell hadn’t. He never returned to see me after leaving the medical wing earlier that morning. One whole afternoon and evening without me being blessed by his oh-so-friendly face. I tried not to be upset by it.
“He met with the king earlier,” Callum responded. “And then he was sent on a mission.”
“Already?” I asked, a cold tinge of worry replacing my earlier disappointment. “But he’s still healing from his injury.”
“I assure you he’s fine. The healing tonics worked their magic.”
My worry didn’t dissipate though. It turned to lead in my gut. “What was the mission? Hopefully not another patrol in the dark wood.”
“He and a few knights left for Exalos. It’s a city south of Bremloc. A group of bandits recently blazed through it, plundering goods and wounding several people. They requested aid. The captain should return by tomorrow evening at the latest.”
“Why didn’t you go with him? Aren’t you his second-in-command?”
“I am. As such, it’s my responsibility to stay here and take charge in his absence. Besides, he gave me separate orders.” A lopsided grin touched Callum’s lips. “I’m not at liberty to give exact details, you understand, but let’s just say they involved looking after a clumsy traveler.”
“For fuck’s sake. I’m not clumsy. I’ll have you know I walked all over the castle grounds today and didn’t fall once. Well, okay. Ididfall once, but it wasn’t my fault. A cat boy pounced on me.”
“Kuya?”
“Yep. That would be the culprit.”
“He’s harmless,” Callum said with a laugh. “Mischievous? Yes. Very. But he’s sweet. It’s no wonder why Prince Sawyer adores him.”
“What’s their deal anyway? They seemed really close.” I leaned back and slowly exhaled, staring up at the bright dusting of stars. The hot spring was a decent walk from the knights’ quarters. We’d had to journey up a hill and walk for roughly a mile, but it was worth it.
Callum was quiet as he stared at the sky too. “The prince saved him when they were young boys. Eight or nine, I think. Kuya’s family was slaughtered, and he managed to escape. He was found beside a lake outside the kingdom, covered in bruises and severely malnourished. There were reports of a demi-human child stealing from the local butcher, and Kuya was identified as the thief. Prince Cedric, the eldest of the princes, ordered for Kuya to be executed for the crime.”
“That’s harsh,” I said. “He was starving. He shouldn’t be killed for stealing a little bit of food.”
“Demi-humans are often mistreated that way.” Callum’s tone took on a serious edge. “Many of them allied with Onyx during the war. The ones who didn’t are still seen in a bad light, though, because of it. Prince Cedric despises them and will use any excuse to put them to the sword.”
“So Cedric wanted to kill Kuya, but Prince Sawyer intervened?”
“Basically.” Callum nodded. “Prince Sawyer begged the king to spare his life. He even said he’d take the punishment in Kuya’s place, which King Eidolon of course refused. He did, however, allow Prince Sawyer to take in Kuya with the promise that he keep him out of trouble. Kuya is now his personal manservant. But he’s much more like a companion. The prince pampers him.”
I recalled the conversation between Roth and Duke. “Some of the knights don’t approve of Prince Sawyer.”
“You’re right. They don’t.” Callum expelled a breath. “Many believe him to be too sensitive. But I think his kind heart would make him a great king.”
