Chapter Sixteen
The Return of the Butthole Wizard
Five very irritated men stood in front of the inn waiting for me.
The pep in my step from an amazing night and pivotal morning faltered as I caught sight of those angry faces.
I flipped around to search for Rowan, spotting him leaning against one of the trees in the grove. He smirked from beneath his hood and fluttered his fingers at me in a little wave before pulling himself up onto the branch and fading from sight.
That jerk. Making me face down the angry group all by my lonesome. I gulped and slowly turned back to the inn—back to the men who looked like they wanted to tie me up and throw me in a barrel or something for safekeeping.
“You snuck out again,” August barked at me.
“Tying a bell around your neck is tempting.” Finnian pushed his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “At least then we’d be able to hear you sneaking away. I’m all for letting you have your fun, but I’ve reached my threshold for tolerance. This is unacceptable.”
Ban grunted in agreement.
As for the other two angry mugs? Duke’s nostrils flared, and Callum glared. They scared me more than the castle guards. Mainly because I knew they’d tell Maddox when we got home, and I feared the torture that awaited me following that news. Torture in the form of him tying me to the bed and tickling me until I peed myself.
“I understand you not tellin’ these fools.” Duke jabbed his thumb in the guards’ direction. “But why’d you keep it from us?”
“It was kind of last minute,” I answered. “Everyone had already gone to bed.”
“Which is exactly whereyoushould’ve been,” Callum growled. “In bed.”
“I’m sorry.” I shifted awkwardly in place, feeling like a naughty kid who’d gotten called to the principal’s office. I was sure they’d all paddle me if they could.
Callum sighed before offering me his hand. “Come on. I know you’re hungry.”
“I’m not a cannibal, Cal, no matter how ooey and gooey sweet you are.”
My cinnamon roll of a knight broke out into a grin. “Not to eatme, Ev. I’ll take you to breakfast.”
I slid my hand into his and walked with him into the inn and toward the dining area. The others followed behind us but veered toward the stairs, leaving just the two of us.
“The only thing that kept me from tracking you down when I realized you weren’t here?” Callum looked at our joined hands. “Lake said you were safe.”
“He wasn’t worried?”
He shook his head. “Lake trusts your judgment. I think he may even trust the thief too, if only a little. Trusts that he won’t hurt you anyway.”
It was progress. Even small steps could take you miles. Eventually.
We grabbed three bowls of porridge from the kitchen, then went upstairs to my room. Lake sat on a small ottoman near the window and peered out but stayed far enough back to avoid being seen. He turned as we came through the door, and his wolf ears perked up.
“Morning,” I said, then held up the bowl. “We brought breakfast.”
Callum shut the door behind us and locked it. A good call. In the guards’ irritated state, I wouldn’t put it past them to barge in without knocking.
“Good morning.” Lake closed the distance between us and nuzzled the side of my head, ignoring the food. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I breathed in his woodsy scent, detecting that subtle trace of peaches that mingled with it.
“More café work today?” he asked.
“Yep. I’m meeting William soon to go over more recipes. Opening day is coming up quick.” I kissed Lake’s chest. “I wish you could go with me.”
“As do I.”
