“Always,” I said, my voice shaking. One that had nothing to do with fear. As he walked toward me, slow and almost predatorily, my mouth went dry.
His favorite dagger was strapped to his thigh, and smaller ones were sheathed in his belt. I would’ve bet my entire supply of coffee beans more daggers were tucked out of sight too—beneath his cloak, hidden in the leather cuffs on his wrist, and at least one in his boot.
“Yeah?” Rowan took hold of my jaw and tipped it up slightly. “Tell me how much.”
All my blood rushed south. “Can’t right now. I’ve lost the ability to think.”
“Yet, you can somehow still speak,” came a different voice from behind me, the accent heavy and reminiscent of a Russian one from my old world.
I turned to see Draven. He and Reign stood under the archway between the kitchen and back door, both also dressed in black from head to toe and wearing masks. Draven’s face was a mystery. All I’d seen were his baby blue eyes and pale blond hair I’d caught glimpses of beneath his hood.
“Evenin’, gents,” I said, hands going to my hips. “Fancy a cuppa tea?”
Rowan choked on a laugh. At my random attempt at a Cockney accent, no doubt. It happened on occasion, usually when I was super nervous.
“Tea sounds nice,” Reign said, his mismatched eyes crinkling with a smile, the left one brown and the right a deep shade of blue. “Quite the chill out there tonight. Mug of something warm would be appreciated.”
Like with Draven, I’d never seen Reign’s face either. The mystery of what lay beneath their masks intrigued me. However, I had seen Draven lift the bottom of said mask once to eat a chocolate chip cookie. A jawline so sharp it could cut glass.
“Of course.” I stepped over to the stove and put on a kettle. “What brings y’all to the cottage?”
“To see you,” Reign said with that same eye-crinkling smile. “How is it possible you’ve become even cuter since we last spoke? Perhaps you have a touch of magic in you after all, Evan Clark.”
“I assure you that I don’t.” A nervous laugh left me, and I leaned against the counter, waiting for the water to boil. I knew he was only teasing me and not seriously flirting, but the glint in his eyes and smooth voice made me hot all over. “I’m just an ordinary coffee addicted bookworm who loves to bake and stuff.”
And who’d traveled across realms, going from one world to another, and just happened to be the son of a prince. But definitely still ordinary and very mundane.
Reign tilted his head, amused gaze still locked on mine. I detected a note of something else too. Curiosity.
“Welcome home,” Lake told Rowan as he entered the kitchen, eyes downcast. My wolf had opened up to the knights and felt comfortable around them, but the spies were still strangers to him.
“Thanks, pup.” Rowan tugged down his mask and took a swig from his flask. “We won’t be staying for long. Just wanted to check on Evan.”
“Check on me?” I was grateful for the change of topic. Reign was too big a flirt, and my awkward self couldn’t handle it.
“Because of the storm,” Rowan said softly and focused on his flask. “I know how you are with them.” Then, his demeanor changed, losing the softness and reverting to his cocky self. “So, I came to rescue you, little treasure. I should get a reward.”
I smiled. Typical Rowan. Showing a hint of affection and then backtracking. In front of others, at least. When it was just the two of us, he let all those romantic and vulnerable parts of himself show.
“I guess I can make you some spicy truffles. Since you’re so heroic.”
“I look forward to it,” Rowan said, smirk softening into a genuine smile. “It’ll have to wait though. We have to return to the castle soon.”
“You do?” I removed the kettle from the heat as it started to whistle.
“Aye,” Reign answered. “The mercenary from Nocturne has woken.”
I nearly dropped said kettle.
“Specs is with him now,” Rowan added, pocketing his flask.
Anxiety bubbled in my gut. With it came a sudden sharpness between my ribs. “Will he be left alone with the mercenary?”
“No,” Draven said. “The physician isn’t qualified for the actual interrogation. Once he’s fulfilled his duty, he’ll be dismissed. The Royal Order will be overseeing the questioning.”
That was good news, at least. I didn’t want him anywhere near that fire-wielding psychopath. With my mind more at ease, I poured tea for each of them and added three drops of cream and just a pinch of sugar to Rowan’s. The only way he’d drink the stuff, not too sweet or creamy.
“Snake,” Callum said as he entered the kitchen. “I thought I heard you slithering around in here.”
