“I’m okay. I promise.”
“Give me a moment,” he rasped, keeping his arms around me. “I just… I need to hold you right now.”
With my pulse thrumming wildly, I burrowed my face into his cloak. His sweet scent enveloped me, helping quiet my frayed nerves.
“That demon could’ve killed you in mere seconds, and I was too far away to stop it,” Callum said, voice strained.
“I’m wearing my protection stone.”
“Still. Anything could’ve happened.”
As much as I wanted to be mad at him for trying to kill Oreo, I understood why. Fenrir demons had slaughtered countless knights. A single moment of hesitation could be the difference between life or death. He hadn’t seen how cute Oreo was when he licked my hand or when he rolled to his back, head tilting and tongue poking out.
“Sorry I worried you.”
“Worried is putting it mildly.” He pushed his face into my hair, body quaking. “Your gentle heart is what I love most about you. It also terrifies me. I can survive many things, Evan. But seeing something happen to you? It would kill me.”
His words settled over my heart. They said he loved me. I loved him too. He was my best friend.
Baden whistled under his breath. “You are a downright bloody mess. The captain will have a fit when he sees ya.”
“It’s not that bad.” Glancing between them, their horrified stares gave me pause. “Is it?”
Quincy cringed. “Looks like you got into a fight with a crazed rooster and lost.”
Duke looked at him. “A crazed rooster?”
“Aye.” Quincy held up his hand, gnarling his fingers. “One with sharp talons. We had one on our farm when I was a lad that’d chase me every time I stepped outside. Gave me nightmares.”
“Ah, so that’s how you got your scar,” Baden said. “I thought it was an honorary mark of your time in battle, but a chicken makes much more sense.”
I laughed.
Callum’s eyes tightened at the corners as he examined my face. He then dropped down, offering me his back. “Hop on, milord. I’ll escort you from the forest and to your royal steed.”
“How kind of you, dear knight.” I grabbed his neck and hooked my legs around his waist. He was visibly upset but trying to lighten the mood with our little lord and knight game.
“You meanyou’rehis royal steed.” Duke snorted. “Shall I fetch a saddle, Lieutenant? A coffin? Because the captain will take your head when he sees his precious muffin in this state.”
“And I’ll let him.” Callum rose from the ground with me on his back. “I was supposed to protect you, Evan. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”
The quiet walk back through the forest and to the horses waiting along the main road said he didn’t believe me. He placed me in the saddle and stepped up into the stirrup, seating himself behind me.
“I’ll take you to Briar.”
“Nah, it’s okay. These are just scratches. I don’t want to bother him since he has his hands full with a million other things.”
“Very well.” Callum pressed his face to my nape. “What possessed you to wander into the forest?”
“I heard him whining and went to help.”
“As I feared.” He expelled a short breath. “That gentle heart was nearly your undoing.”
“I didn’t think I’d find a demon. I didn’t know they traveled to the king’s forest.”
“Normally, they don’t,” he said. “The beast looked smaller than typical Fenrir pups, so I assume he’s the runt of the litter and was chased off. Perhaps from the horde Captain Braun’s men encountered earlier this morning.”
