I recalled the story Lake shared with me that morning. Varys’ rebellion had made demi-wolves enemies of Bremloc. It wasn’t fair.
“Your Highness?” Sir Noah stepped forward. “The meeting with the council will begin shortly.”
“Ah, that’s right.” Sawyer rose from his chair. I did the same. “A carriage will be sent for you and Miles tomorrow morning. You’ll have free rein of the castle kitchen to prepare for the ball.”
“Thank you.” I bowed my head to him. One less thing for me to stress about. If we started bright and early, we should definitely finish in time.
“I’ll see you again soon.” Sawyer offered me another smile before he and Sir Noah took their leave.
“Ready to go, Young Evan?” Finnian asked as I met him outside the door.
“Yep.”
He and Ban escorted me down the corridor and to the castle entrance. Once outside, I breathed in the springlike air and waited for the carriage that would take me back home. A home I missed dearly in that moment. With the threat of war so close and my nerves shot, I needed the familiarity and comfort of the cozy little stone cottage.
Needed my men. Now more than ever.
Chapter Six
Evan in a Field of Glowing Things
Coffee and books made everything better. So did snuggles with Callum.
He lounged beside me on the couch, a book propped up on his raised knee and one arm around my waist. The only sounds came from the occasional log popping in the fireplace and the turning of a page. Moonlight streamed into the parlor, adding a silvery glow to the dark corners the flickering firelight couldn’t reach.
Amazing how books provided the ultimate escape from life’s stresses. Heroic protagonists, swashbuckling adventure, funny side characters that lightened the mood when shit got too angsty, and morally gray villains with tragic backstories and sharp jawlines you couldn’t help but fall for. Even better when said villain was the love interest.
But as I caught a whiff of vanilla bean, I lost interest in the pirate from the story and instead focused on the hot-as-hell knight beside me.
“What are you reading?” I asked.
“A collection of war poetry.” He smoothed his hand down the page. “Written by soldiers on the battlefield.”
“Sounds sad.”
“Aye.” His smile reflected a bit of that sadness. “I relate to some of them. The pride while fighting by your brothers’ sides but also the grief that comes from watching them fall.”
Anxiety about my boys marching off to battle reared its ugly head again. “You should read with me instead. My book has a hot pirate captain.”
“If he’s hot, he should go for a swim. That will cool him off.”
And just like that, my adorable cinnamon roll of a knight chased away the nervous pangs in my stomach. Made everything feel lighter. “You’re a dork.”
He grinned. “But I got you to smile.”
“You always do.” I rested my head on his shoulder. “Do you think the mercenary is being questioned right now?”
“Aye.” He placed his hand at my nape and played with the strands of my hair. “Captain Vander and Sir Anton are overseeing the interrogation. Is that why you’re nervous?”
Callum read me so well. Saw beneath my shaky smiles.
I nodded. “Prince Sawyer said it’ll be an act of war if the king learns Haran hired the mercenary.” A lump formed in my throat. “I don’t want that.”
“Neither do I. However, should war be declared, we knights will do what we must.”
I felt sick.
An idea then took shape, one that terrified me. But as Callum cuddled beside me, his vanilla bean scent strong and the warmth of his arms around me even stronger, the need to protect him and Maddox outweighed any fear.
