The next performer then took the stage. His voice rang out loud and clear as he introduced himself as Jack, another bard but with a comedic twist. The lyrics of the song told of a busty, blonde tavern wench all the men wanted toroll around in the hay with, which got some hoots and hollers from the drinking patrons.
“Busty blonde wenches,” I said, amused. “Every man’s type.”
“Not mine.” Briar lightly tapped his finger against his mug, smiling.
“I’ve recently found an appreciation for blonds,” Maddox said, and his blue eyes landed on me. “Though, I wouldn’t use the wordbustyto describe him.”
I hid my smile behind my mug as I took a drink.
“How long do you plan to stay in Bremloc?” Briar then asked.
Before I could respond, the waitress returned to the table with our food.
“Here you are, my dears.” She placed a plate in front of each of us. Some type of meat and vegetable stew inside a bread bowl. “Enjoy.”
Despite the amazing smell wafting up from the stew, my once hungry belly now felt kind of unsettled. What should I say? I didn’t know how long I’d be there, depending on my decision when Lupin returned.
“Eat.” Maddox nodded to my plate, then looked at Briar. “This is your fault. You made him lose his appetite.”
“I simply asked him a question.” Briar moved a spoon through his stew and let it fall back into the bread bowl with aslop. “His loss of appetite is more than likely the result of your poor choice of dining establishments.”
“Where wouldyouhave taken him, then, physician? Back to the apothecary to eat plants?”
Well, their truce was nice while it lasted.
I grabbed my spoon and forced myself to take a bite. The burst of spices on my tongue and the hearty chunks of potatoes, carrots, and beef made me temporarily forget about everything else. A true comfort meal. My hunger returned full force, and I shoveled another spoonful into my mouth.
Maddox didn’t smile but seemed pleased nonetheless. He looked at Briar. “See? He likes it.”
“That’s all that matters,” Briar said, his worried gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before dropping to his food. Under the table, he moved his foot forward and rested it against mine. When I gently bumped them together, the tendrils of worry faded, and he smiled.
Until I knew for certain, I wouldn’t answer the question. Would they be upset if I left? Seeing the two of them at the table, my heart ached a little. I got the feeling I’d be the one upset.
After we ate, Maddox paid for our meal, and we exited the tavern. Clouds had rolled in, blocking the stars. The smell of rain hung thick in the air, the humidity making my skin sticky. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
“A storm is coming” Briar said, glancing upward. “We should fetch our horses and hurry home.”
The storm hit not long after we reached the castle grounds. Rain drummed against the stable roof as Maddox guided the black stallion into its stall. Briar did the same for the horse he’d ridden. A flash of lightning spooked some of the other horses, and they shifted uneasily in their stalls. They weren’t the only ones startled.
I hated storms.
Thunder crashed, snapping through the electrified air like a whip. Every one of my muscles seized up, and my hair stood on end. Was my skin clammy? It felt clammy.
“Are you all right?” Briar asked.
Maddox joined us and gave me the same concerned look.
“Yeah. I’m totally fine.” But my words proved to be a lie as another loud boom of thunder pierced the air, sounding like a damn bomb going off. I nearly jumped out of my skin. “I’m, uh… not good with storms,” I admitted, voice rising in pitch. “A bit of rain I can handle, but—” More lightning flashed, and my words broke off as I squeezed my eyes closed.
How embarrassing. I was twenty-three and scared of thunder.
Arms came around me from behind before a familiar deep voice murmured in my ear, “I’ve got you.”
There was a rustling sound, like a bag being set down, before another set of arms came around me from the front, followed by the calming pressure of a warm body. I opened my eyes to see Briar.
He softly smiled and brought my face to rest against his shoulder. “We’vegot you.”
I was sandwiched between the two of them. And I had never felt safer. But I didn’t feel like I deserved to feel safe. Didn’t feel like I deserved them.
