“I distinctly remember you saying romance books are silly,” I said, trying to step past him but being pulled into his arms anyway. I only pretended to be bothered. His arms were a safe space for me. A safety I felt when around all of them. “You hate love and all the swoony, romantic things.”
“Smut cancels out my hate. Even better if we toss the book aside and act out the scene instead.” Rowan lightly bit at my neck. “You be the rogue and I’ll be the cabin boy.”
I batted him away with a laugh. A shaky little laugh because my blood was definitely racing hotter than before. Damn him.
As the scent of sweet buns reached me, causing another guttural rumble from my belly, I grabbed a plate from the cupboard. Two or three buns going missing from the platter wouldn’t be noticeable at all.
One glance out the kitchen window had me dropping that plate with a squeak.
“What’s wrong?” Lake was at my side in an instant and grabbed my hands, examining them. “Are you hurt?”
“N-No. But… um. Do you see them too or am I going crazy?”
“See who?” Lake followed my gaze and tensed.
Four hooded figures stood near the tree line, dressed in black from head to toe and with masks covering half their faces.None of them moved. They faced us, completely still apart from the ends of their cloaks blowing in the evening breeze.
“Is that Draven?” I pointed to the one in the middle. “Hard to tell from this distance, but it looks like him. Maybe.”
“Wait here,” Rowan said before heading for the back door.
As if I’d let him face them by himself. I followed him outside, sucking air between my teeth as the winter night hit every inch of exposed skin. Lake came with me, staying close. I knew he was looking out for Rowan too.
The four spies walked toward the porch without a word, their steps soundless. Not even their weapons clanked.
“Good evening,” I said, stopping on the top step. Lake grabbed the back of my shirt, preventing me from going any closer to them. “It’s cold tonight, huh? Kind of depressing. I’m ready for spring. But you all look warm enough in your cloaks. That’s good.”
Rowan glanced back at me. “I thought I told you to wait in the cottage, rambles.” He then did a double take. “Evan? What in the hell are you holding?”
“Oh. Um.” I waved the item in question. “A stirring spoon. It was a spontaneous grab. Just in case.”
“In case they want soup? You do know they have daggers, right?”
Lake made a rough sound.
Rowan turned toward the spies as they reached the porch. He stood on the bottom step, acting as a barrier between me and them.
“Evening.” The one in the middle tipped his head. I recognized that deep voice. And now that he was closer, I saw a peek of his pale blond hair and blue eyes.
“Draven,” I said. “I thought that was you. Welcome back.”
He looked at me, then focused back on Rowan. “Come with us.”
“How about... no.” Rowan crossed his arms. “Not until you tell me why you’re here.”
“Our captain wishes to meet with you,” Draven told him. “We’ve come to escort you to the location.”
The spy beside Draven regarded me. His hood fully covered his hair, but his exposed eyes caught my interest. They were different colors; one brown and the other blue. A silver dagger with a red stone in the hilt hung at his hip.
“Hi. I’m Evan. What’s your name?”
“Reign,” the spy said in a voice much softer than I’d expected. Pleasant and smooth.
I smiled. “Nice to meet you, Reign. Are y’all hungry? Dinner’s almost ready. Plenty for everyone.”
The other two spies looked at Draven. He must’ve held rank over them. Both appeared to have dark eyes and bronze complexions.
“We haven’t the time for a meal,” Draven said, then regarded Rowan. “Come with us or don’t. The decision is yours. We will not force your hand.”
