Finnian seemed curiously amused as he knelt beside me. “Why are we squatting? Hiding from someone?”
“No. I’m just, you know, hanging out.” I peeked around the cart, not seeing Callum and the girl anymore. Good. I was in no state to explain to him why I’d taken refuge with some fruit. With the coast clear, I stood up and dusted off my butt. “Hi. Good morning. Sorry about that.”
Ban cocked his head. He wore his helmet, but I caught the scrunch of his mouth through the gap.
“You never fail to amaze me. Such spirit you have. And quirks.” Finnian smiled. “We were just on our way to your café when Ban spotted you.”
Ban averted his gaze.
“Oh. I had to run a few errands but was on my way back. Feel free to come over, and I’ll make you something to eat.”
“You are much too kind,” Finnian said. “Unfortunately, we’re here on business. We’ve come at the request of the king.”
“The king sent you? For me?”
Was this it? One of the doom endings I’d been stressing about? Someone learning my secret, telling the king, and me being taken into custody. I saw myself being thrown in front of him and ordered to explain myself. He might even think I was lying and have me locked in the dungeon.
“For your sweets, actually.” Finnian bowed his head to me. “King Eidolon has requested your services for the feast this evening. If you’d be so inclined to accept.”
***
The look on Maddox’s face when I showed up at the castle was priceless. A bit terrifying, sure. He wasn’t happy at all, given that I was supposed to be at the cottage, safe and sound. But still. The man made anything look good. Shocked, yet murderous, expressions included.
“Evan.” His hard tone matched that lethal gleam. He stood on the castle steps, having stepped away from Captain Braun once seeing me arrive in the carriage. “Why are you here?”
“I’m happy to see you too, big guy.” I patted his chest. “Seems like only this morning when you embraced me fondly and said how much you love my muffins.”
“Explain yourself.”
I sighed and fidgeted beneath the force of his hard stare. “Know the feast you mentioned earlier? Well, the king wants me to make the dessert. So, here I am.”
Maddox expelled a long breath. “I wasn’t informed of this.”
“Hey.” I closed the tiny gap between our bodies and reached up to cup his face. Light stubble tickled my palm. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, and I kind of loved it. “Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll be on my best behavior. Trust me.”
“I do trust you, sweetheart.” Maddox’s eyes tightened, and he exhaled again, shakier now than before. “But I want you at home where it’s safe.”
“Iamsafe.” I brought his hand to my chest, over my necklace. “I have all of you right here. Protecting me. Well, except for Rowan. Maybe I can ask him to add something to it so he’ll be represented too. I have the dagger he gave me but left it at home. Didn’t want the guards to search me, find it, and think I was an assassin muffin or something.”
“No one would ever make such an assumption of you. Of that I’m certain.” His lips twitched. “Assassins have stealth. A skill you sorely lack.”
“Wow.” I stuck my nose up at him. “And to think I planned on making you muffins tomorrow.”
“You would deny me?” Maddox asked. “Your gluttonous captain?”
Damn him and those blue eyes. Denying him anything was impossible. The sexy bastard. “I’ll consider it.”
Albeit small, his eyes softened, and he brought my head forward, kissing the top of my hair.
Boots thumped up the steps, and we turned to see a bright-faced Callum. Usually, he was like my own personal sunshine. But seeing him right then brought to mind an image of him with that pretty girl.
“Afternoon, Ev,” he said, not faltering in that smile. “Ban is looking for you. He said you’re making the dessert for the feast?”
“Yep.” Then, I processed his words. “Wait. Hesaid? As in, the big, silent Ban actually spoke?”
Callum’s dimple appeared. “Well, not exactly. He grunted a few times. Finnian translated.”
“Finnian must be a wizard.” I shook my head in awe. “Welp. Best get to the kitchen.”
