The next morning, I woke in Maddox’s arms. He slept like a rock beside me, the only movement being his chest as he breathed. Briar was gone, probably having woken earlier and decided to let us sleep in.
Sunlight spilled into the room, catching on the particles in the air. The bed was in the corner, away from the window, so the flood of light wasn’t shining directly on us. I estimated it was midmorning, perhaps closer to noon. It wasn’t like Maddox to still be asleep that late in the day. He usually woke with the sun.
I lightly traced the edge of his jaw before ghosting my fingers over his lips. They softly parted beneath my touch. His exhaustion was my fault. My presence in Bremloc had shaken up his routine, knocked everything off-balance.
Wanting him to sleep for as long as possible—because fuck knows he clearly needed it—I carefully unwound from his arms and slid out of bed. He didn’t even stir, further evidence that he was right where he needed to be: in bed, asleep. I moved the sheet up his body to cover him and then pressed a kiss to his forehead.
After gathering my clothes that were strewn across the floor, I quickly dressed and left the room, shutting the door softly behind me. I descended the stairs and turned the corner that led down a short hallway and to the medical wing.
When I reached the main part of the clinic, Briar was at his workstation, tinkering with something silver. He was so focused on his work he didn’t notice I entered the room. He read a passage in the spell book, then returned to the trinket and muttered what sounded like an incantation. One that wasn’t successful if him cursing under his breath was any indication.
Sighing, he set the silver trinket aside and sat back in his chair, taking off his glasses before scrubbing his hands over his face.
“No luck?” I asked.
His head snapped in my direction, the lines of frustration instantly smoothing as our eyes met. He put his glasses back on before walking over and pulling me into his arms. “Good morning, love. Sleep well?”
“Mhm.” I returned his hold, breathing in his fresh, slightly floral scent, like champagne and magnolia blossoms. “Did you?”
“Yes. It was the best night of sleep I’ve had in quite a while.”
“Me too.” I gave him a quick kiss on the lips before glancing at the workstation. “Still trying to infuse an object with protective energy?”
“I’ve had a bit of success, but only with very basic protective charms. They’re strong enough to ward off minor spells, yet are worthless when faced with more powerful magic.”
“I believe in you,” I said before kissing him again, letting my mouth linger on his.
The door opened behind me as Thane came in, his arms full of supplies—more herbs, some vials, and wrapped meat purchased from the butcher in the market. “Morning, Evan!”
“Morning,” I greeted him. “Need help?”
“No, thank you.” Thane placed the items on the counter. “I wouldn’t mind if you cooked us lunch soon though.”
“Thane,” Briar said with a snap, similar to a father scolding his mouthy kid.
“What?” The apprentice shrugged. “It was worth a try. Besides, you complain whenIcook.”
“Because you burn it,” Briar responded. “Then there was the time you managed to burn the chickenandundercook it at the same time. How you did that is beyond my comprehension.”
“It’s why I’m a physician’s apprentice and not a chef.”
“I can cook,” I told them, fighting a grin. “I don’t mind at all.”
Feeding people was the one time I felt useful. And if I planned to stay in that world forever, I would eventually need to find work. Maybe the castle was looking for a pastry chef. Something to ask Prince Sawyer the next time I saw him. Then again, working in the castle might be too intimidating. Deadly too. Knowing my luck, I’d accidentally spill something on one of the princes, or god forbid, the king himself, and then end up with my head on the chopping block.
Yep. Avoid the castle at all costs.I made a mental note to go to the market instead. The King’s Smoker might be a good place to start. There was another tavern called The Drunken Toad too.
Briar kissed me on the forehead before stepping away. “I have something for you.”
“Oh no,” I said, recalling the previous night. The three of us had fallen asleep shortly after having sex… which meant we hadn’t taken a certain post-lovemaking tonic. “The flower juice. I’m gonna throw up.”
He chuckled and went over to the kitchen counter, grabbing the leftover bread. “Breakfast, actually. Thane tried to eat it all this morning, but I was sure to save you a big slice.”
Thane grinned.
I blinked, confused. Afraid to hope. “No nasty tonic? Really?”
Briar nodded. “The tonic rids the body of disease. Since the three of us have only been with each other since then, we don’t need to take it again.”
