“Did you fall and injure your ankle?” Baden asked, raking his gaze over me on Callum’s back. His hair reminded me of a military cut, buzzed on the sides and a tad longer on top. “Brawl with another thornbush, perhaps?”
It was Callum’s turn to laugh.
“I’m fine.” I slid from Callum’s back. “My gentle and noble cinnamon roll of a knight is just overly protective. One labored breath and he refused to let me walk.”
“Because you’re still healing, Ev,” Callum said.
“You’ve certainly been missed.” Baden’s blue eyes crinkled with a smile. “I was certain the captain would have you confined to a bed for the next year.”
“He’s suggested as much,” Callum responded with a barely repressed chuckle. “Our little lord is quite persuasive though, especially when he bats his lashes.”
Baden nodded. “A mighty weapon, indeed.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Captain Braun.” Callum tipped his head to the officer. “May I ask what brings you to our camp?”
“A meeting with your captain.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked, fighting a wave of anxiety. He normally only visited Maddox after something bad happened, like one of his units being attacked. Or when discussing patrol schedules. Hopefully, it was the latter.
“All is as well as it can be,” the knight captain answered, his voice lacking any sort of emotion. His eyes, however, softened as they fell to me. “You need only concern yourself with regaining your strength.”
Touched—and surprised—by his concern, my cheeks heated. “I will.”
“See to it that you do.”
I blinked at his authoritative tone and resisted the sudden urge to salute him and shout ‘sir, yes sir!’ like it was muffin bootcamp or something.
“We should be on our way.” Baden nodded toward the officers’ quarters.
“You should join us, Lieutenant,” Captain Braun said. “Your input into the matter would be appreciated. If you have the time to spare.”
“Of course,” Callum responded, then shifted his attention back to me. “I’ll escort you to the mess hall before I go.”
“Nah. I can manage just fine on my own.” I took the basket from him and slung it over my forearm before standing up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Now, go see our captain.”
He ruffled my hair in his familiar way before leaving with the other two men. As they walked in the opposite direction toward the officers’ quarters, I could still feel the warmth of his palm on the top of my head.
“Freaking cinnamon roll,” I muttered, heart fluttering. He had turned me into a lovesick muffin.
Scattered voices sounded from the courtyard, as did the smells of something cooking. The knights must’ve been sitting around the firepit, having a late lunch. Warming themselves and filling their bellies before setting off to patrol the kingdom.
I continued in that direction, in a great mood and overcome with the sudden urge to whistle. Too bad I lacked that skill. When I tried, it sounded like a pitiful puff of air.
“Damned bastards,” a deep voice boomed over the others. Sounded like Roth. He was a burly knight who pretty much hated my guts. “Heard another demon horde was spotted late last night.”
I halted in step and crouched down at the side of the mess hall. Eavesdropper muffin was back in business. I peeked around the corner. Knights sat around the firepit, eating what looked like chili from wooden bowls. Roth, Hudson, Duke, and Quincy.
“Aye,” Hudson said. He was the youngest of the group with short, blond hair and biceps bigger than my head. “My brother’s a new recruit in the Third Order. He was with the patrol party who saw them. Lower level, he thinks, but he wasn’t certain. Can’t blame him. All demons look the same. Like monsters.”
Duke drank from his mug. “They bleed just like the rest of us. That’s all that matters.”
“Bleed, yes, but when controlled by magic?” Roth tossed his empty bowl to the grass. “They’re far more aggressive and harder to kill.”
“Controlled by magic? The mercenary is detained,” Duke said. “He’s unable to enchant the hordes.”
Roth scowled. “I never said the mercenary was responsible. Could be someone else doing it. You’ve heard the rumors as of late. The ones about him.”
