Excitement swirled in my veins as I thought about the lord mayor’s proposal. Another location for the café would mean spreading these good and cozy vibes to other areas, creating a safe space for more people beyond Bremloc’s borders.
I was useless with a sword, but I could strive for peace in the way I knew best.
One cup of coffee at a time.
***
The lively dinner felt even more special that evening. As the men I loved stuffed their faces and talked about their day, it was like a warm blanket over my heart.
Duke stole food off Baden’s plate, and Baden retaliated by swiping Duke’s mug of wine and downing it in one huge gulp. The best wine ever, too, because Briar had made it—another of his many talents.
Lake and Briar were engaged in conversation about the wine-making process, while Maddox, Callum, and Quincy discussed the meeting with Captain Vander.
“Knights of the Third Order are patrolling tonight,” Maddox said between bites of salmon and roasted baby potatoes. He sat beside me, and I felt his knee bounce as he ate. “One unit is stationed in the dark wood, and the other’s near the harbor. We’ll send units along the outskirts of the kingdom come morning.”
Talk of patrols brought back unwanted memories of my knights lying in the medical wing of the clinic, bloody and moaning in pain. I shoved the memory to the back of my mind and sipped more wine. My hand trembled.
“Why the harbor?” Briar asked.
“A small unmarked ship was spotted off the coast,” Maddox said. “Appears to be a mere sailor passing through, but we’re staying vigilant just in case. Should the ship make for the shore, we’ll know.”
Briar brushed his fingertips along my temple. “You never told us why you were summoned to the castle, love.”
The knights stopped talking and focused on me.
“Oh. Yeah, I guess I haven’t.” I fidgeted in my chair like I always did when nervous. Walter’s offer suddenly felt trivial compared to everything else happening in Bremloc. “The lord mayor of Exalos wants me to open a second café.”
“Seriously?” Callum beamed. “That’s excellent news!”
“It truly is,” Briar said. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
“I don’t know.” More fidgeting.
Lake’s ears drooped. “But it’s important.”
Maddox stared at me, silent and unreadable.
“If I do it, I’ll have to travel to Exalos.” I averted my gaze to my plate. “Two weeks at most. With everything going on with Haran, I’m not sure leaving is the best decision right now.”
“Don’t worry about Haran.” Duke filled his mug with more red wine. “The knights will deal with any threats they send our way.”
Baden nodded. “Aye. Leave the fighting to us. You focus on what you do best. Bringing joy to people with your food. Speaking of…” He helped himself to more potatoes and snatched three more rolls of bread, slathering them in butter.
Small flutters rolled through my belly. “I told the lord mayor I’d think on it for now. He’s staying at the Crown’s Inn for three days, so I need to give him an answer before he leaves.”
“Well, you have my support,” Briar said. “Regardless of your decision.”
Lake nodded, giving me his silent approval as well.
Maddox still hadn’t said a word.
What was he thinking? Was he mad? Worried? Communication wasn’t his strong suit, so it was difficult reading him in times like this. But then, I felt the pressure of his hand on my upper thigh. He still didn’t say anything, but as his blue eyes found mine, there was an unmistakable softness in them.
The three of them wanted me to do whatever made me happy. Which meant I had a lot of thinking to do.
Lightning flickered on the other side of the dark window, and thunder soon followed, the deep rumble rattling the glasses lining the shelf behind the main bar.
“Y’all should sleep here tonight,” I told the knights. “I don’t want you getting out in the storm.”
