I inched closer. Rumors about who? Someone else with dark magic? Maybe another mercenary from Nocturne?
“Silence your tongue before I remove it,” Duke growled through gritted teeth. I’d never heard him so angry before. “Those rumors are utter shite, and you know it.”
“All I know is this madness began with him,” Roth grumbled. “The bandits. The rise of demon attacks and sense of unrest among the people. I’m not one to believe in coincidences. He has all of you under his spell, but my mind is clear. I see him for what he truly is.”
“For what he truly is?” Quincy frowned. “And what’s that?”
“A traitorous bastard who’s been playing you for a fool.”
“Enough!” Duke pushed up from the log with a murderous look in his eyes. “Say another word, and it’ll be your last.”
My heart pounded hard against my ribs.
And then there was a tickle in my nose. I tried to fight it but failed. I sneezed. Loudly. Damn allergies. Probably the evil stinky trees—that’s what I called them. They looked pretty but smelled like cow shit and sent me into sneezing fits.
Following my loud-as-hell sneeze?
Silence. They’d stopped talking.
Uh-oh. I ducked farther out of sight. My feet always betrayed me, and now, my nose did too. So unfair. The spy life clearly wasn’t for me. Just as I was debating on how to approach them without letting on I’d been eavesdropping, a shadow passed over me.
My cover was blown.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze and found my least favorite knight glaring down at me.
“Boy.” Roth’s disdainful tone matched that glare.
“Um. Hi.” I quickly stood from my crouched position. “Beautiful day we’re having, isn’t it?”
“Sneaking around our camp is a good way to find yourself in shackles.”
“I wasn’t sneaking.” I adjusted the basket over my arm. “I brought snacks.”
His dark eyes narrowed even further. “Have you no common sense in that head of yours? We have enough troubles without being bothered by you and your dry muffins.”
My chest deflated. “Do you really think they’re dry?”
The burly knight’s eye twitched. “That’s what concerns you? My opinion of your muffins? Merlin’s beard, boy, you are truly daft. How you haven’t gotten yourself killed by now is beyond me.”
More knights rounded the corner. Quincy nudged Roth out of the way before throwing his arms around me and lifting me off the ground. As my feet dangled, he swayed from side to side. I giggled and returned his hold. He made me feel better. All of my boys did.
Duke regarded Roth, expression hard. “Evan is the captain’s sweetheart. The lieutenant’s too. You’d do well to remember that.”
Roth huffed and stormed off, mumbling to himself as he went.
“Never mind him. We all love your food.” Quincy placed me back on the grass and patted the basket. “Speaking of… do ya have any cookies in there? I fancy the ones with chocolate.”
“As do I,” Hudson added, practically salivating.
“Both of you are in luck, then.” I fished out cookies for them, then handed Duke a sweet bun. “And this for you. I remember how much you liked the last batch I made.”
“Gratitude.” He grinned like a schoolboy who’d been given an extra cup of pudding at lunch. His anger from earlier had fortunately lifted.
They led me over to the firepit and dug into their treats. Mouths full, they spoke of their day and filled me in on what I’d missed since last seeing them. As they talked, I peered up at the blue sky. Clouds were scattered throughout, a mix of thin wisps and small fat ones. Off in the distance, a wall of puffy clouds rose.
The sight caused a worried pit to settle in my gut. I’d seen enough of them to recognize storm clouds. On top of allergies, it was the worst thing about spring—thunderstorms. Hopefully, those clouds just floated right past us. Evil bastards.
A hand landed on top of my head and ruffled my hair.
