All he wanted was a friend to see
That he, the fox, was sweet as could be.’
Why had this story been marked? Reading it made my heart ache. I slid it back into place and moved on.
A wooden ship sat on the top shelf, looking like a sort of trireme. Another resembled a battleship with canons. Beside the toy ships sat a stuffed brown rabbit with oversized floppy ears and buttons for eyes. I picked it up, touching the loose threads on the nose.
“His name is Mr. Hop,” a voice said from the doorway. With a start, I looked back at Lake. A sad smile touched his lips. “At least, that’s what I called him when I was a boy.”
“Sorry for snooping.” I set the rabbit back on the shelf and stood.
“It’s all right.” Lake walked over to the bed with a bundle in his arms. He tucked a sheet onto the mattress before draping a quilt over it and turning down the top. “This used to be my room. After my father… well, I eventually moved into the bigger room. I rarely come in here, so I apologize for the dust.”
“I don’t mind. It’s better than being out in the woods. Not to be dramatic, but I’m not sure I would’ve survived out there. You probably saved my life tonight.”
Lake’s ears wiggled, and his tail flicked once. He fluffed the pillow on the bed before, somewhat awkwardly, stepping away from it. “I’ll be in the room down the hall. If you need anything, please let me know.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded before exiting the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. He must’ve walked away, but I never heard his steps on the floorboards. He was so quiet.
I sat on the edge of the bed and removed my muddy boots before tugging off my pants and tunic. Well, what was left of the tunic. The thing had been ripped and torn and would need to be mended. I’d have to apologize to Callum once I got back. His mother had made the clothes.
After sliding into bed, I snuggled into the quilt and closed my eyes.
In the morning, I’d return to the castle and talk to Maddox and Briar. Figure things out with them, even if it was upsetting and awkward. Because the time away had made one thing crystal clear. When Lupin returned during the Festival of Lights, I’d tell him my decision.
I wanted to stay in Bremloc.
Even if it meant leaving my other life behind. Forever.
Chapter Twelve
And Then, There Were Three
“The forest doesn’t seem so scary now,” I said as Lake and I sat on the back veranda that morning with cups of tea and omelets made with egg, red bell pepper, ham, and cheese. My idea. He’d never heard of an omelet before and had seemed fascinated as I’d cooked, tail wagging.
I’d tried not to dwell on how fucking adorable that was.
“Daylight chases away the shadows of night, taking the fear of the unknown with it.” Lake took a bite of the omelet, a happy little hum in the back of his throat as he chewed.
Very true. The same trees that had seemed so endless and daunting, the vines that had stretched toward me like long, skeletal fingers, now basked in the morning sunshine. Droplets of dew shone on the leaves and glistened in the grass. A flutter came from a nearby tree before birds flew into the air, chirping as they went.
I sipped my tea, wishing it was coffee. It wasn’t bad though. Lake had stirred in honey and added cream. Between him and Briar, I might actually develop a taste for the stuff. “Briar would like this,” I said, a knot forming in my chest as I stared at my cup. “He loves tea.”
“The physician.” Lake nodded. “Tell me of the other male. You mentioned two of them.”
“His name is Maddox,” I responded. Given how on edge Lake had seemed when believing I was a royal, I wasn’t sure if I should tell him about Maddox being the captain of the Second Order. So I decided to keep that bit of info to myself. “Where Briar is softspoken and more of a nurturing type, Maddox can be brash and protective. He likes to poke fun at me, and I pretend to be annoyed by it. But really, I love it.”
“And your heart is torn between them?”
“Yeah. I’m gonna talk to them when I get back.” I ate the last of my omelet and wiped at my mouth, the gears in my brain turning before squeaking to a halt. It was an impossible choice. “I have no clue what to say. Any advice?”
Lake blinked at me. The sun bounced off his alabaster skin and brought out the silver threads in his purple irises. “I regret to say I can be of no help to you. I have little experience with romance. And by little, I mean none at all.” He set his empty cup on the table and stood. “We should leave soon.”
“You’re coming with me?” I perked up at that. I had thought he was just going to tell me which direction to go and send me off on my own.
“Yes.” He stacked our empty plates and placed the silverware on top. “To guide you safely out of the wood.”
