“A feast? For who?”
“The baron of Voltas and his daughter. They arrived earlier this morning. The feast is to welcome them. A small affair, by the sound of it. Only the royal family and those from Voltas will be in attendance.”
“The royal family,” I said in an unintentionally wistful tone. Technically, I should’ve been there too. The more time that passed, the more I wished I could tell them the truth. Or, at least tell Sawyer.
Maddox’s expression softened. “You have a family, sweetheart. One who’d move mountains for you.”
“I know.” I cleared my suddenly tight throat. Lake wasn’t the only one who could read me like an open book. “So, Lady Alina is here? Prince Sawyer said she’d be coming to the capital. I guess it’s really happening, then. Their engagement.”
“This saddens you?”
“Being forced to marry someone for political reasons is just… I don’t know.” I rested my head over his heart, thankful for every steady thrum. “I can’t imagine being torn away from the ones I love and told I have to marry a stranger. And for what? An alliance?”
“An important alliance.” Maddox pet the back of my hair. “Lord Norwood, Lady Alina’s father, controls the strongest naval fleet in the seas. Even Captain Stone steers clear of Voltas because of it.”
“It’s still not fair,” I mumbled into this armor. “This feast sounds like serious business. You should take me to the castle with you. I’m armed with a bread sword and will protect you with my life.”
He barked out a laugh and kissed the top of my head. “The bread is bigger than you. You’d end up whacking yourself with it before landing a blow to an enemy.”
“Hey, it’d be a good distraction. So new plan. I’ll make the enemy laugh while you go in for the kill. We’d make a great team.”
“If it were my decision, I’d never again leave your side.” He kissed my knuckles. “But Captain Braun is awaiting me at the castle gates.”
“Fine. Go,” I half-said, half-whined. Because I was a dramatic little muffin sometimes. “But you better be home for breakfast tomorrow. I’m trying out a new cinnamon raisin muffin recipe, and you’re my expert taste-tester.”
A knowing smile touched his lips. “I can think of one other knight who is as well.”
My heart knocked against my ribs. “Are you giving your blessing for him to eat your muffin?”
“I already gave you my answer on the matter.” Maddox caressed my jaw. “For I know a piece of that muffin will always belong to me and me alone.”
“A large piece,” I said, fighting a wave of emotion.
“Be careful going home, sweetheart.” Maddox kissed my temple before pulling away. His gaze lingered on me for several beats before he turned and continued down the lane.
Two other knights from the Second Order met him in front of the blacksmith’s forge and handed him the reins to his black stallion. I watched him until he was out of sight, then sighed and shuffled forward, way less bubbly than I’d been earlier.
That was, until I saw a cinnamon roll gleaming in the sunlight. Callum stood in front of the Guild Hall, having just stepped outside.
Spirits lifting, I jogged toward him, bags rustling and the top of the baguette smacking me in the face. A detail I wouldkeep from Maddox to spare myself the humiliation of him never letting me live it down.
But then, I came to a sharp halt.
A woman joined Callum outside. She had long brown hair and was dressed like an adventurer, wearing thin armor, leather cuffs, and a cloak with fur. A small axe was strapped to her belt. She rose up on the balls of her feet and kissed his cheek.
He smiled down at her. And when the dimple I adored made its appearance, something gnashed in my chest, like someone plucking at my heart strings. Testing the strength of each one with a painful amount of pressure.
I hid behind Miss Joanna’s fruit stand so he wouldn’t see me.
As the two of them left the Guild Hall and headed toward the main square, playfully bumping against each other and smiling from ear to ear, that pressure in my chest tightened. Made it hard to breathe.
“Well, if it isn’t dear Evan!” Finnian approached with Ban in tow, their armor and swords clanking.
Callum glanced over his shoulder.
“Shh!” I waved my hand at them and dropped lower to the ground.
The guards reached me a beat later.
