My throat felt tight. “And with the threat of war looming over our heads, it’s making them desperate.”
“War hasn’t yet been declared,” Maddox said. “But while the king consults with his advisors over the situation with Haran, the knights will do all in our power to keep peace in the kingdom.”
Commotion sounded as the knights exited the kitchen.
“These are incredible,” Quincy said with his mouth full, holding a chocolate chip cookie in each hand. Both had bites taken out of them, as if an attempt to prevent the others from stealing them. “Whatever’s in the oven smells good too.”
“You’re not allowed anywhere near it,” Baden told him, then pointed to me. “If he ever asks to help you in the kitchen, tell him no. Quincy here was assigned to the mess hall once during a rotation of duties, and he burnt the soup to such an extent it looked like blackened sludge. As for the bread? Like rocks. Nearly broke off my tooth.”
Quincy made a face. “You make it sound worse than it was.”
“No, he’s being kind actually,” Duke said, holding a chocolate muffin. “You’re a culinary disaster.”
“Since when do you take his side?” Quincy asked.
Duke took a bite of the muffin. “Since he let me have the last one of these.”
“The last one?” Maddox asked.
Duke paused in his chewing, glanced at the muffin, lightly brushed off the top, and held it out. “Here ya go, Captain. Saved you the last one. Ignore the bite in this area. I had to taste it to ensure it wasn’t poisoned, you see.”
Maddox frowned at it.
I laughed. “Look who’s a sad toad now?”
His lips twitched. “Careful, sweetheart, or I really will bend you over my knee and spank you.”
“You’d have to catch me first,” I said, then dashed toward the kitchen.
Duke’s boisterous laugh echoed behind me. But so did the heavy thumping of boots against the floorboards as Maddox gave chase. I squeaked and ran faster, regretting my life’s decisions; being a brat to my captain the biggest one in that moment. Just as I reached the kitchen island, he caught me around the waist and lifted me off the floor.
“I surrender! Have mercy!”
Maddox pressed his mouth to the shell of my ear. “Muffin lords shouldn’t surrender so easily. What of your reputation for being small but mighty?”
“Stories always embellish a hero’s triumphs,” I said with an irrepressible shiver. His low, gravelly voice did things to my belly—and nether regions. “But I’m not really a hero. More like a coffee addicted harem protagonist from a slice of life anime.”
“A… what?”
“Oh, little treasure. Please never change.” Rowan appeared on the counter, one leg dangling down and the other bent at the knee. He wore his spy clothes, minus the mask.
“Ro!” I smiled. “Did you enjoy your nap?”
“I did.” He smirked. “I also enjoyed watching you dance and sing earlier with your little broom when you thought you were alone.”
“If only we’d come home even sooner.” Maddox placed me back on the floor but kept his arms around me. “Such a shame.”
“Oh god.” I sighed and slumped against him. “I’m going to run away and live in the woods. Surround myself with a boma to keep out ravenous animals.” I patted his belly. “You’re the ravenous animal in that situation.”
A deep laugh rumbled in Maddox’s chest.
“I smelled that casserole all the way from the front porch.” Briar strolled into the kitchen, looking handsome as hell in his white button-down shirt.
“Briar!” I wiggled, and Maddox softly kissed my hair before letting me go to him.
“Evening, love.” He caught me against his chest and smoothed the bangs from my eyes. “How was your day?”
“Busy, but good. Miles and I could barely keep up with orders. Maple glazed donuts were really popular. I put them on the menu as a weekly special paired with a brown sugar roasted coffee.” I snuggled into his shirt, loving the whiff of magnolia. “What about you?”
