“Be nice. Both of you.” I fought hard not to smile.
Their banter cracked me up. Pretty sure it was Rowan’s love language—being a butt to the people he cared about. And Callum had become one of those people, even if both of them constantly threatened each other.
The three of us entered the cottage. Lake sat at the table whittling and glanced up, ears perking. From his seat near the window, he would’ve had a clear view of us outside, no doubt chuckling to himself every time I stumbled.
“We worked up quite the sweat.” Callum pulled me in close. His slightly downturned brown eyes and dimple gave him a boy-next-door charm that was both irresistible and comforting. “Allow me to escort you upstairs, milord. The royal bath awaits.”
“The royal bath?”
He blessed me with that endearing dimple. “I hear it even has lavender-scented soap. Quite suitable for a prince.”
“Hmm. Sounds fancy. But I’m not interested unless cinnamon rolls are included.”
His smile softened. “I can’t speak for all cinnamon rolls, but this one belongs to you and no one else.”
No one else. The words stirred a bit of possessiveness in me. Maybe it was selfish to feel that way, seeing as how I had so many lovers, but I loved being Callum’s one and only. He’d strolled into my life, stealing my favorite pair of Vans and then stealing my heart.
“We should definitely change your name to Sir Swoonamon Roll,” I said, my insides a gooey mess. “My knees almost gave out.”
“Don’t worry. If you fall, I’ll catch you.” Callum dropped his face to my hair. “Always.”
The scent of vanilla bean and freshly baked bread enveloped me. Sweet and warm, just like the knight who held me. I nuzzled his neck and breathed him in, feeling a featherlight tremor across my heartstrings that branched out and traveled through my veins. A sensation that was both scary and exciting, like sailing out into open water for the first time.
Our relationship was still new. We’d loved each other as friends for a long time but only recently realized that our love went much deeper.
“Gross.” Rowan made a face. “Are all virgins such saps?”
“I’m no virgin,” Callum told him. “The sound of Ev’s moans last night and early this morning should’ve made that all too clear.”
“Oh my god.” My face heated. “Both of you, stop it right now.”
My redhead smirked and sat beside Lake at the table.
“Hop on, milord.” Callum knelt down and lowered his head, inviting me to climb onto his back.
“How kind of you, dear knight.” Smiling, I hooked my arms around his neck, then emitted a little yelp as he grabbed hold of my legs and rose from the porch quicker than I expected. He opened the door and stepped into the cottage.
“Better not drop him, rabbit,” Rowan called from behind us. “Harm one hair on his pretty head, and I’ll skin you and throw you in a pot.”
“He keeps threatening me with that,” Callum said as he carried me toward the stairs. “I can’t help but wonder if he’s secretly a cannibal who truly wants to eat me.”
I laughed so hard I snorted.
Once upstairs, Callum removed my tunic as the tub filled with hot water. He softly kissed my neck and unfastened the strings on my pants and let them fall to the floor. Calloused fingertips grazed my bare sides, and his warm breath feathered across my skin.
I tipped my head back, reveling in his touches. But something changed. As he kissed down my collarbone, I felt a tremble in his lips.
“Ev,” he said shakily, palming the center of my chest. Touching my scars.
Because of the powerful magic in the spell, the burns had scarred. They covered most of my upper torso and areas along my sides. My lungs would eventually heal, but they’d always be there as a reminder.
“I’m okay. They’re just my battle wounds.” Sure, the scars definitely weren’t pretty. But what bothered me most were the pained expressions of my men when they looked at them. “You have them too.”
I lifted a hand to his neck. A Fenrir demon had almost killed him, leaving jagged scars along his ribs, sides, a small one on his jaw, and the one on his neck.
“The difference is I’ve dedicated my life to such things. Battle is no place for you. You’re meant to be loved and protected, Ev. Far from harm’s reach.” Callum grabbed my nape and brought me against his muscled body, resting his head on mine. “Be it man or demon, I will kill anyone who tries to hurt you again.”
“What about evil potatoes?” I touched the tiny scar on his thumb. He’d gotten it as a boy while helping his mom cook dinner.
