“You’re a breathtaking sight, Ev.” Callum beamed down at me. “The sun on your face and that smile on your lips. I’ve never seen anything more stunning. The gods must surely favor me.”
Baden stood beside him. “Fortune favors the brave, as they say. And for us, that fortune comes in the form of an adorable little lad with the best pastries in all the realms.”
Warmth flooded my system. “I’m already yours, Cal. No need to sweet-talk me.”
“But I like sweet-talking you,” he said, sitting beside me on the log. “Your answering blush is endearing.”
“I don’t blush.” I hid my face against his arm. “It’s just the sun.”
He nuzzled my hair. “If you say so, milord.”
Baden sat beside Duke and stole the rest of his pastry.
“The thorn prince made that specially for me, you bastard,” Duke snapped. “Get your own.”
“But yours is so tasty.” Baden kept eye contact with him as he bit into the sweet bun.
By the sudden flush in Duke’s cheeks, I wondered if he envied that bun. Wanted Baden to bite into him the same way.
“Looks like the sun’s affecting you too,” Quincy told Duke.
“Bugger off.” Duke shoved his shoulder and turned his face the other way.
Baden stared at Duke a moment before dropping his gaze to the half-eaten pastry. His expression wavered between different emotions, as if uncertain of his own feelings. Or confused by them.
“How did the meeting go with Captain Braun?” I asked.
“Both captains received demands from the Royal Order,” Callum answered. “The meeting was to strategize how to effectively carry them out.”
The Royal Order consisted of elite knights charged with protecting the royal family. They were very rarely sent on combat missions or patrols, unless it was to escort the royal family or guests of the crown, such as Lord Norwood and Lady Alina.
“What sort of demands?” I asked, eyeing the basket of treats. I snatched a cookie and bit into it. Sugar made everything better. Though, I’d never turn down a nice, beefy sausage either.
“Security, mostly,” Baden answered. “Mercenaries normally work alone, but seeing how the one who attacked you and the prince is sitting in the castle dungeon, more might follow. The orders include frequent patrols of the castle perimeter.”
Duke nodded. “With the engagement ball happening at week’s end, security is of the utmost importance.”
A ball taking place in three days. The Brewed Muffin would be catering the event. Our desserts would be front and center, and there was still so much to do before then. A reminder that didn’t stress me out at all. Not even a little.
The lies you tell.
Knights neared the courtyard, their shields clanking and boots heavy on the ground. Glancing in our direction, one smacked the arm of the man beside him, and the two of them halted. The other three followed suit.
“Lieutenant,” one said, bowing his head.
Callum stood from the log. “Where are you off to?”
“We’re joining a unit from the Third Order to patrol the lower district and along the harbor, sir.”
“As you were, then,” Callum said.
The group of knights gave him respectful nods before peering at me. Something in their expressions caused a weird twist in my gut. They looked… uneasy. Maybe they were just nervous about the recent demon sighting.
“I kind of overheard your conversation earlier,” I said to Hudson. “About the demon horde seen last night.”
“Aye.” The big, blond knight wiped cookie crumbs from his lips. “My younger brother saw them. A dozen or so.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
