“What about the big spiel about the power of a birthday wish and giving me the wishing stone?” I asked. “All an act too?”
“Not quite.”
“Not quite,” I mumbled, shifting weight to my other butt cheek. The cold, hard edge of the tub had made it go numb. “You said you never directly change people’s lives. You just give them the tools to make that change themselves. A magical loophole. That’s why you gave me the wishing stone.”
“Such is normally the case with all those who wander into my shop, but not with you.” Guilt shone in his eyes. “Whether you made that wish or not, you still would’ve woken in that field the next morning. For I gave you a heart stone.”
“What’s that?”
“Similar to a wishing stone, I suppose, but more powerful. Wishes can be so superficial, filled with selfishness and greed.” He lifted a finger. “However, a heart stone listens to the yearnings of your very soul and unites you with your missing parts.”
“Missing parts?”
“You had several at the time. Five, to be exact.” He offered me a soft smile. “Though that number has since changed.”
“My men.” An ache spread through my chest. Although I’d only held it once, I recalled the flat, smooth surface of the stone. “I remember it had a bunch of colors in it.”
“Colors with a deeper meaning,” he said. “Each one represents the eyes of your lovers. The original five, anyway. Callum wasn’t included at the time.”
“The trip to Exalos opened my route with him, right?” I asked.
He nodded. “Though that was simply the pivotal point in your romance. It actually began long before then.”
“It did?”
Another nod. “You recall waking in the field beside the dark wood? It’s because the knights weren’t the ones you were originally meant to encounter first in this realm. One of your other men… one you’ve yet to realize… was intended to be your first.”
The hair at my nape tingled. “Really? What changed?”
“As I’ve stated before, every decision alters a person’s intended path. In this case, your captain’s choices steered you both in another direction.”
“Maddox?”
“Yes. He and Lieutenant Callum were originally scheduled to patrol along the king’s road and down to the lower district that morning, yet instead his gut led him to the field outside the dark wood. Straight to you.”
My belly flip-flopped. “What would’ve happened if he hadn’t found me first?”
“Your life right now would be drastically different. You wouldn’t have your café, nor would you be such good friends with Sawyer and Kuya. The guards, Finnian and Ban, would be strangers to you, as would Miles. And Callum would no longer be here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Something heavy churned in my stomach.
“Callum was fated to die in the future I initially saw for you. He sacrificed himself for his captain.”
The blood drained from my face. “Why… why would he have to do that?” Tears blurred my vision. I couldn’t imagine a world where my cinnamon roll didn’t exist. “Why was Maddox in danger to begin with? What—”
“Calm yourself, Evander,” Lupin gently interjected. “That future is nothing more than what could’ve been. There’s no sense in dwelling on it now.”
I tried to find comfort in his words, but it just fucked with my head even more. I’d been so close to losing Callum. So close to having a completely different life than what I had now.
“Wait.” A chill snaked down my spine. “You once said that one of my destined men would either love me… or kill me. I’m assuming this mystery guy is my maybe-assassin?”
Regret shone in his expression. “I can’t say. Knowing the answer could alter your decisions going forward.”
“You’re so frustrating. Can’t say this and can’t say that. The least you could do is give me the name of the man who might freaking murder me someday.”
I felt my cheeks puff out.
“Oh, so that’s the sad toad face I hear so much about.” Amusement rang in his voice. “It’s nearly pitiful enough for me to give in and tell you. Lucky for me, my will is strong.”
