But for now? I got lost in the men I loved more than life itself.
***
Early morning light filtered into the bedroom. A gust of wind rattled the branches of the tree outside the window, and I snuggled deeper into my blanket.
The bed felt too empty. Cold. I stretched out, finding myself alone in the sheets. An extra blanket had been placed over me, and something soft tickled my cheek: Mister Hop, Lake’s toy bunny rabbit from his childhood. The stuffed animal had become a comfort for me over the months.
Had Lake placed him in my arms?
WherewasLake? I always woke to him on my lap, whether he was asleep or not.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee came from downstairs, luring me from my burrow of blankets. Chilly air nipped atmy bare skin as I hunted for Briar’s oversized sweater. After dressing and slipping on house shoes, I descended the stairs.
Voices trailed from the kitchen. I padded that way, eager for coffee and morning snuggles with my men.
“I’m still in a state of shock,” Briar said.
I came to a sharp stop in the hall.
“We all are,” came Maddox’s deeper voice. “I find myself torn between my devotion to him as a knight and my love for him as a man. Locking him away in this cottage for all of eternity so he can come to no harm is awfully tempting.”
“Do you believe it’s truly that dangerous for him?” Lake asked.
“Assassins were sent to kill his father,” Briar responded, followed by the clink of a spoon against a cup. “The kingdom of Haran has a long history of holding grudges, some of which are why we’re still in conflict with them to this very day. I fear what would happen if they learned about Evan. He may become their target instead of Prince Sawyer.”
I pressed closer to the wall.
“You’ve worked in the castle for many years, Specs,” Rowan said. “You know the king better than most. Evan is his nephew. If Haran did come for him, wouldn’t the king protect him?”
“It’s hard to say. I’d like to believe he would, yet too many factors are unknown. Telling him about Evan is a risk I’m not willing to take. At least not at this time.”
“Then we’ll keep it between us for now,” Maddox said. “No one else can learn the truth.”
“Agreed,” Briar responded.
“Aye,” Lake added.
“Thief?”
“I’m offended you’d even ask,” Rowan snapped. “Like I’d do anything to harm a hair on his pretty head.”
“Says the one who captured him and tried to give him to the goddamn demon lord,” Maddox said.
“You really need to let that go.”
Mugs clinked together, followed by the sound of something being poured. Just as I was mustering the courage to step into the kitchen and pretend I hadn’t been listening to their conversation, Rowan popped his head through the archway.
I screeched.
“Morning, little treasure,” he said, looking sinfully sexy in tight black trousers and no shirt. Leave it to him to forgo a shirt but remember the dagger strapped to his thigh. “Or should I say, little eavesdropper.”
He handed me a mug of coffee. The source of the sound I’d heard. He was so sneaky. Observant too. Between him and Lake, I couldn’t get away with anything.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. It just sort of happened.” I took a sip and groaned. The strong brew awoke my taste buds and chased away the leftover grogginess from sleep. “So yummy. Thank you.”
“Specs made it.”
“Morning, love.” Briar sat at the table near the bay windows and offered me a tight smile. He wore a sweater—similar to the one I’d stolen from him—and his unfixed, light-brown hair just begged to have me run my fingers through it.
