After kissing him again and saying good bye to Thane—and cringing as he fed honey bun crumbs to Holly and Herbert—I left the clinic and headed toward the barracks.
The sun shone bright with very few clouds in the sky. Sunny but far from warm. Snow still covered the ground and crisp air nipped at my nose, causing me to burrow deeper into my cloak.A cloak given to me by the sexiest non-bandit with the most adorable snaggle-toothed grin.
Reaching the knights’ encampment, I passed through the courtyard and stopped beside the fire pit. The heat from the burning logs felt great on my legs. After glancing around, I turned and heated my ass too. My cheeks were frozen solid.
Shouts and grunts came from the nearby field as the men trained.
“I yield!” a knight exclaimed with a wave of his hand, having been disarmed and knocked on his ass.
Callum stood over him and lowered his sword, his expression serious. His gaze then trailed to me, and his hard features broke away, revealing that cinnamon roll smile.
Tingles of warmth wafted over my skin, settling in my face.
“Ev!” He jumped over the wooden fence and jogged over, beaming brighter than the sun against the snow. “This is a nice surprise. Are you here to see the captain?”
“Uh huh.” The warmth in my cheeks trickled down to my chest.
“He’s meeting with Captain Braun at the moment.” Callum stopped less than a foot away. Close enough for his scent to reach me. Something sweet and familiar. Like freshly baked bread and vanilla bean.
What the hell? Had he always smelled like that?
“Oh.” I swallowed to wet my suddenly dry throat. “Guess you’ll have to keep me company then.”
“Such a bother for you, I’m sure.” His brown eyes crinkled at the edges. “Quite fortunate for me, however. I’ll accept any reason to see you.”
Why was there a dip in my stomach?
“Maddox isn’t the only reason I came.” I tore my gaze from his, confused by my reaction to him. Maybe I was coming down with a cold or something. One that gave me a quickening pulse,heavy heartbeat, and a weird tugging in my chest. “I heard about the demon attack this morning.”
“Aye. No casualties, by the grace of the gods. Well, the gods and Briar. The protection charms proved to be invaluable. They made all the difference.” His thumb brushed the curve of my jaw before he lowered his hand. “I see you’re holding a basket.”
I held it higher. “What sharp eyes you have, Sir Cinnamon Roll. I’ve brought an offering of gratitude to you and the other brave knights.”
“Gratitude for what?”
“For protecting this fine kingdom. Also…” I leaned in closer and lowered my voice, sneakily glancing around. “Payment for your bodyguard services when Maddox learns I’m here.”
“He doesn’t know?”
“Um.” I shifted in place. “Not exactly.”
“You’re asking me to stand between you and a grouchy Captain Maddox? There better be muffins in that basket. Lots of them.”
I exaggerated a sigh. “I see how it is. You only love me for my muffins. Without them, you’d leave me to fend for myself.”
Callum’s lips curved up, showing a dimple in his cheek. “That pout is deadly.”
“Deadly enough for you to protect me with your life?”
Softness touched his eyes. “I’ll always protect you with my life.”
Heat crept up my neck, and my heart twinged.
“Several men will be awfully excited to see you.” He offered me his arm. “Shall I escort you to the mess hall, milord?”
“You shall, dear knight.” I slid my arm through his, holding the basket of goodies on my other.
The “milord” and “dear knight” was something we’d started during the trip to Exalos. All in good fun. Little did he know just how true it actually was.
