My lip quivered at his words. Oreo didn’t have a family. He was alone and scared.
We continued down the road in silence. The other knights kept glancing at me, their expressions clouded with guilt. They blamed themselves for what happened. I hated making them all worry.
The knights steered their horses from the main path and toward the narrow road beyond the market.
A cottage then came into view. Smoke billowed from the chimney, and with the surrounding snow, it was like I lived in my own winter fairytale. One filled with so much warmth and love I could burst from it.
The sunny day had several customers sitting outside. Demi-birds by the look of it, with feather-like hair and beaked noses.The terrace I wanted to build wasn’t finished yet, but we’d placed a few tables and benches near the garden, along with small fire pits.
“Here we are. Home sweet home.” Callum slid from the saddle and then helped me down. The edges of his eyes tightened as his gaze raked over my face. With a tremble in his hand, he glided his knuckles along my cheek. “If only I could say you made it in one piece.”
“I’m okay.” I placed my hand over his. “Briar will give me an elixir, and I’ll be healed in no time. Good as new.”
The guilt in his eyes deepened. My heart thrashed as he pulled from my hold.
“Stay for a while,” I said. “Y’all can come in and eat. I may even whip you up a special dessert. Whatever you want.”
Anything to make him smile again. The sun shone above us, but it couldn’t reach me right then. Not with that sad look in his eyes.
“The captain needs to know about the Fenrir pup,” he said.
“Does he really though?”
“Ev…” His eyes narrowed. “It’s a matter of security.”
“That’s fair.” I shifted my weight to my uninjured knee. “But how about you omit the teeny tiny detail that involves me? ’Cause I’m like ninety-nine percent sure Maddox will never let me out of the house again if you tell him.”
Duke laughed from atop his horse.
“You expect me to keep this from him?” A trace of my cinnamon roll surfaced as a smile returned to his eyes.
“Man, I have a sudden urge to make blueberry muffins. You know. Your favorite. I could make a whole batch just for you. For a price.”
He cracked a smile. “You don’t pay fair. Making me choose between your delicious muffins and lying to my captain.”
“It’s an omission of the truth. Not a lie. Pretty please don’t tell him?”
“Did you…” Callum lost his footing a bit. Probably a loose rock. “Did you just flutter your eyelashes?”
“Nope.” I did it again.
His tongue quickly flicked out to wet his lips. “I see now. You may not be proficient with swords or bows, but you skillfully wield a weapon all of your own. Batting your lashes and being adorable to get what you want.”
I gasped and put a hand to my chest. “Are you implying I use my cuteness for evil?”
He grinned. There was something soft about it. “Evil? Never. You’re the kindest person I know.”
Heat crept up my neck. “Okay. I’ll bake muffins for you every day for the next month. Final offer. Take it or leave it.”
“He’s bound to hear of it eventually.” Callum tossed a look to the other knights. They whistled and looked the other way. “You’re also covered in cuts and scrapes.”
“I’ll tell him I fell. Which isn’t a lie. I did fall. Down a hill and right into a thorn bush. The irony, right?”
Duke laughed again.
Callum looked like he was fighting hard not to do the same. “Ev…”
“Fine.” I sighed. “Just don’t be surprised if you never see me again. Good bye, sweet freedom.”
