“As you wish, my prince.” Finnian placed an arm over his chest and bowed.
Ban copied the gesture before the two of them continued down the path. He glanced back at me before rounding the corner.
“You’ve made quite the impression on those two,” Sawyer told me. “Since returning to the capital, Ban seems much lighter.”
“You can tell?” I asked, not surprised he knew their names. When I’d first met Sawyer, he’d said that the knights and guards who risked their lives to keep the kingdom safe deserved to be addressed by name, so he’d made it a priority to learn them.
“Yes. His eyes are softer.” Sawyer smiled. “Thank you for accepting my invitation. It’s rare to find a moment to myself these days, and with the opening in my schedule, I wished to take advantage while I could.”
“I’m glad you did,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t shake too much. It was my first time seeing him since learning we were family.
“Look at Kuya’s new clothes.” Kuya took a step back to show them off. He preferred wearing crop tops and loose trousers that allowed him the freedom to pounce and play to his heart’s content, but with winter in full swing, he was dressed in a long-sleeved purple tunic that hit him mid-thigh and pants that reminded me of leggings or tights. And at the bottom of those tights?
“Wow,” I said. “You’re actually wearing shoes.”
“A gift from Kuya’s prince.” He rocked on the heels of his feet and smiled at the fur boots. A speck of strawberry frosting sat at the edge of his mouth. “Kuya thinks they’re cozy.”
Sawyer dabbed at the frosting on Kuya’s mouth before turning to me. “Shall we go inside? Rose has prepared us lunch.”
“Won’t hear me turning down Rose’s food.” She was the head cook and made sure I ate way too much every time I visited. “Lead the way, Your Highness.”
Sawyer crinkled his nose. “Please don’t.”
I laughed. “Okay, okay. Sorry.”
He smiled and walked with me toward the door.
When in a casual setting, he didn’t like me using his title. Being around me gave him the freedom to be himself. He could laugh until he snorted, indulge in one too many sweets, and freely vent about the weight on his shoulders… and how he sometimes wished he could abandon his title altogether and flee the castle, taking Kuya with him to live an ordinary life.
For once, I felt like I could relate to him. At least a little. I wanted an ordinary life too. Which was why I kept putting off telling my men what I’d learned the night of the winter solstice.
Once they knew, everything would change.
Sir Noah met us at the door and trailed along behind us. Close but not too close. Instead of armor, he wore a pristine uniform, leaving little doubt as to his high-ranking position within the Royal Order. His black hair had been styled back to keep the bangs out of his whiskey eyes. Those eyes lowered to my basket.
“Want a cookie?” I asked. “I brought your favorite.”
The knight had a weakness for sugar cookies. It was a power of mine—learning people’s favorite treats. A talent that maybe wasn’t too impressive, but still.
Noah shifted his gaze forward, shaking his head once.
“Kuya wants a cookie.” He skipped alongside us, stopping once to flick the helmet of a castle guard. He grinned at the littleding.
“Hear that?” I asked Noah. “If you don’t take one, they’ll all be eaten by an adorable cat.”
Said adorable cat snickered.
Noah remained indifferent, though I noticed a slight wrinkle in his brow. I’d be sure to save at least one cookie from Kuya’s inevitable attack.
Kuya toyed with another guard like the little terror he was, then dashed farther ahead of us.
Guards were stationed outside each main doorway and entry point, expressions stern and hands behind their backs. Some smiled when meeting my eye, then quickly sobered again. I’d snuck many of them treats once or twice.
The two guards outside Sawyer’s study bowed their heads as he passed them. One eyed my basket, and I made another mental note to save a cookie for him too.
Sawyer dropped down in the armchair near the lit hearth and smiled as Kuya dragged over his large floor cushion and curled up on it. His tail caressed Sawyer’s leg.
I sat in the chair opposite his and placed my basket on the table between us. The study was nice and homey, with touches of Sawyer everywhere. Papers scattered across the desk, and a book lay open on a side table. A vase of fresh flowers added a burst of purple and white to the room.
