“Like Sleeping Beauty?”
“Who?”
“Never mind.” I cleared my throat. “So Briar thinks the mage put himself to sleep? Why?”
“He knew we wouldn’t kill him until we had answers,” Callum answered. “I’m sure he also suspected a truth serum would be used once he refused to talk. Reign is working with Briar on a counter spell to wake him, but it’s complicated from what I’m told and will take time. A few days at least.”
“Do you think he’s waiting on backup? Other members of Nocturne?”
“Perhaps.” He blew out a breath. “I overheard Lord Norwood say that his fleet could be assembled at a moment’s notice. Once it’s confirmed that King Silas hired Nocturne, I fear war is inevitable.”
“I hate this.” My thumb found the scar on his hand, and I traced it. “I just want a cozy little life in this cottage with all of you. No war or sadness. Just cuddles, laughs, and muffins.”
“So many muffins.” Callum smiled. “And the best one of all for the captain and I to share.”
“There you go again,” I said, throat tight. “Making even the heaviest moments lighter. Like a ray of sunlight in a stormy sky.”
“Speaking of the sun.” He stood from the step, bringing me along with him. “He’s waiting for his dance.”
My heart skipped a beat.
Callum led me from the porch and into the yard, stopping beneath a tree. He hooked an arm around my waist and pulled me in closer. “Look familiar?”
“Huh?” I glanced around us. “The woods?”
“The tree.” He lowered his forehead to mine. “It’s where you first kissed me. But I was too much of a coward to return it. Allow me to correct that mistake.”
Our mouths softly met. The emotions building in my chest were far from soft though. They brimmed with an intensity that still made me feel like I’d internally combust. As if his lips were the sun itself.
“I love you, Ev.” He nuzzled my cheek. “So much it terrifies me.”
“I love you too.”
He was taller than Briar but shorter than Maddox and Lake. Perfect height to stand this way, hands clasped and pressed close together, standing still as the world around us prepared for nightfall. But then, we weren’t standing still anymore.
We were dancing.
Callum swayed me from side to side and hummed under his breath. My eyes stung as that intensity from earlier returned and circled my chest, plucking at my heartstrings. Playing a melodythat matched the little hums in his throat. He slowly spun me around, then chuckled as I stumbled and fell back against him.
“Those clumsy feet of yours may just be a blessing in disguise,” he said as we continued to sway. “They keep bringing us back together.”
A loud clatter came from inside the cottage, followed by Rowan releasing a string of obscenities.
Callum and I exchanged a look.
“Should we go see what happened?” I asked. “Hopefully no one died.”
He laughed and guided me back toward the porch. “Can’t say I’d be upset if the snake were to meet his end. Perhaps from eating too much bread.”
“Be nice.”
That dimple showed in his cheek.
When we walked through the back door and entered the kitchen, Lake was holding Rowan’s hand and chiding him. Rolls of bread were scattered across the floor, along with a downturned pan.
“Serves you right for trying to steal it,” Lake said, his tail swishing sharply behind him. He smoothed a salve on Rowan’s palm and on the underside of his fingers. “That pan was fresh from the oven.”
Rowan puffed out his cheeks and looked the other way.
