“Aye, he’s a tough one.” Quincy tossed me a smile, causing the scar on his face to crinkle. “But we will protect him all the same.”
“Pfft. I’ll be the one protecting all of you.” I put my hands on my hips. “I have muffins of steel, you know.”
Callum smiled and guided me toward the door.
The knights readied their horses, and we started the trek to the cottage. I sat with Callum in the saddle, and the others rode behind us. Hooves clacked against the road as we moved at a steady pace, passing through the castle gates and into the kingdom beyond them.
Fields of snow glinted under the clear blue sky. The crisp air found every inch of exposed skin and made me think fondly of spring. I didn’t even care that my allergies went nuts. I’d take that over bone-chilling cold any day.
Callum wound his arms around me, keeping hold of the reins. “I… I really missed you, Ev.”
Heat seeped into my skin. “Sure you didn’t just miss my muffins?”
“Oh, I missed those too,” he said with a smile in his voice. “But nothing compares to the man who makes them.”
His words acted as an accelerant to my blood, sending it racing faster through my veins. Hotter. Confused by my reaction, I tried to ignore it altogether. “I was afraid you’d had enough of me after our journey to Exalos. Not everyone can handle my rambling mouth for extended periods of time.”
“I could never tire of you.” His breath feathered across my nape. “Or your rambles.”
“You say that now, but you haven’t lived with me.”
“Is that an offer?” he asked, and I could’ve sworn I felt the graze of his lips.
My heart knocked against my ribs. “You’re always welcome at the cottage. Might have to ask Maddox first though. Not sure how he’d feel about a rival for his morning muffins.”
He laughed into the back of my hair. The sound awoke little flutters in my belly. “He’s not the same man he once was. I learned many things about him because of you.”
“Like what?”
“That he has a sweet tooth, for one,” Callum responded. “He rarely indulged in anything. Food, drink, or sex. He dedicated everything he had to the knights, seldom taking a moment for himself. Then you came along. I saw him truly smile for the first time. And laugh. It’s like you breathed life into him.”
Emotion clogged in my throat. “Coming to Bremloc and meeting all of you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“I feel the same about meeting you.” He rested his cheek against my hair. “My world hasn’t been the same since the morning I first saw you beneath that tree.”
“You stole my shoes that day,” I said, sternum tightening.
He exhaled a laugh. “Borrowed, not stole. I’m saddened they aren’t warm enough for these winter months. The material’s too thin. But I must confess, they’re a bit snug around my toes.”
“You better not say a word about me having small feet. Maddox teases me enough.”
“Only to see your reaction. You pout and stomp your foot like a child.”
Like a child.Callum clearly saw me as a kid brother. Fitting since a majority of my wardrobe—apart from Briar’s sweaters—had come from Gerard, Callum’s actual little brother.
“Up ahead,” Duke said with a nod forward.
A wooden cart set on the side of the road, loaded down with logs and a bit lopsided. A large horse stood in front of it and stared as we approached. The hooves were massive and covered in fur, reminding me of a Clydesdale.
“Pardon me, sirs!” an older man called out, wearing a wool hat and a heavy tunic several sizes too big for him. He motioned to the cart. “Lost a wheel on my way home and could use some assistance if you have a moment to spare.”
Callum exchanged a look with the others before guiding his horse in that direction. He dismounted from the saddle and offered me his hand. “Your turn.”
“Don’t trust me to take control of the reins?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Wow. That was fast.”
