A memory stirred. It felt like a lifetime ago, but when I first stayed the night with Maddox in the barracks, I’d noted several poetry books on his shelf.
“Those were yours? I remember seeing them in his quarters.”
He breathed out a laugh. “They’re probably still on his shelf collecting dust. Turns out, he’s not much of a reader.”
“Sounds about right. But he likes when I readtohim.”
“Like a child?”
“Oh god.” I tried to hold back a smile and failed. “He’s not allowed to know about this conversation. You’d probably be shoveling horse poop for a month, and I’d be tied up and tickled until I pissed myself.”
“The captain does enjoy making you squirm, doesn’t he? In all fairness, your giggles are endearing.”
“I don’t giggle. My laugh is deep and manly.”
Callum arched a brow. “And you said Duke was a bad liar.”
A small giggle left my lips, and I slapped my hand over my mouth. “You heard nothing.”
“Aye.” His hand lightly rubbed my spine. Like the time in the mess hall, the touches seemed impulsive. “Nothing indeed.”
Reaching the stable, I approached the brown mare and smiled when she came right over to see me. “Hey, pretty lady.” I patted her neck. “It’s cold today, huh? Let’s make sure you stay nice and warm. Fed and brushed too. All the pampering.”
Callum rested against the stall door and watched me. “You really love horses, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” I brushed her coat like Maddox showed me. “Before coming to Bremloc, I wasn’t around them much though. Just saw them from a distance and occasionally got to pet one.”
“I remember your struggle riding one the morning the captain and I found you. You couldn’t step up into the stirrup without falling. It took a lot of control for me not to laugh.”
“Well, you found me sleeping beside the dark wood and kind of thought I was a demon boy at the time. Or one of Onyx’s minions. Laughing wouldn’t have been very knightly.”
“A warrior must never let his guard down around his enemy,” he said. “No matter how adorable they may be.”
“Adorable but deadly. Don’t you forget it.”
“I forget nothing. Every moment with you is seared into my memory.” Another smile. “Including the time in the hot spring when you tiptoed around naked covering your privates.”
I snorted. “Can you blame me? You have an amazingly toned body with a big…” Heat swarmed my cheeks. “Um. Heart.”
Callum arched a brow. “A big heart?”
“Yep. There’s absolutely no other part of you I could’ve meant instead.”
“If you say so.” When he averted his gaze, he did so with a knowing curve to his lips.
After Star was brushed, fed, and watered, I stepped from the stall and looked toward the stable door. The whimsical snowflakes continued to fall, and a gust of wind made the rafters creak. A bone rattling chill that was just rude.
“Come here.” Callum pulled me into his arms. “You’re shivering.”
“I-I’m okay.” The feel of his body against mine accelerated my pulse. “Mighty thorn prince, remember? A little snow can’t defeat me.”
“He says with a nose as cold as ice.” Callum lightly booped it. His hand then slid to my cheek, lingering. “I suppose muffins aren’t built for winter.”
Normally, I’d spout off something witty and cute. It was what I was known for. But I was too focused on his sweet scent. The hints of freshly baked bread and vanilla bean.
An idea brewed for why I was so attuned to him. I’d been through it four other times; the unique scent and rush of heat when we touched. But it confused me.
If Callum was one of my fated men, why had it taken so long for me to notice? With the others, the connection had been instant.
