He smirked.
The reason I thought Quincy was cute had nothing to do with his appearance and everything to do with his gluttonous behavior and silliness. The knight certainly wasn’t the sharpest sword in the armory. Which made him too damn endearing. I had a soft spot for dorks like him.
“How fortunate for them. Being missed by you.” Maddox’s deep blue eyes flickered to me. “You normally hug me as soon as I step through the door. I suppose you no longer have need of me now that you have another knight.”
Was he pouting?
“Oh, stop.” I went over and wrapped my arms around his waist. “There’s room in my heart for two knights.”
“Aye,” Callum said. “Me and Quincy.”
“Remind me to toss you in the stables first thing tomorrow morning,” Maddox told him. “They could use some mucking out.”
Callum cringed. “Apologies, Captain. Have mercy.”
There was a twitch in Maddox’s cheek as he visibly fought a smile.
“Enough of the pouting, big guy.” I hugged him tighter. “You know you own a piece of me no one else will ever touch. You’re stuck with me for life.”
“And hopefully long after as well.” Maddox’s expression softened. “Did you behave today?”
“I always behave.” I snuggled into his chest, inhaling his warm, leathery scent. Any time away from him felt like an eternity. “But I might’ve accidentally dropped a sword on Cal’s foot earlier.”
He drew back, eyes narrowing. “Why did you have a sword?”
“Just some basic defense training. Not a bad idea, considering everything that’s happened, you know?”
“I see your point,” Maddox said. “Yet, I feel you are in far more danger with a weapon than without.”
Rowan laughed.
Callum touched my lower back. “It was a training sword, so the blade was dull, at least.”
“Still too heavy for him though,” Rowan added. “Our little treasure could barely even lift it.”
“Is that so?” The corner of Maddox’s mouth lifted. “Best leave the fighting to Callum and I, sweetheart. Your talents lie elsewhere.”
“Like in the kitchen, baking your muffins?”
His smirk turned smoldering, causing my blood to rush south. “In the kitchen… and in my bed.”
“Our bed.” Briar walked into the room, his light brown hair windswept and his cheeks rosy. Despite spring being so close, winter still had Bremloc in its clutches, bringing in a round of cooler air once the sun set. “All this time and you still haven’t learned to share. What am I to do with you, Captain?”
“Smacking him would be a good start,” Rowan said.
Maddox arched a brow at him. “I’d like to see you try.”
While they bickered, I bounced over and hugged Briar’s waist.
“Good evening, love.” He kissed my temple—his favorite spot.
I melted at the endearment. “How was your day?”
“Productive. Thane brewed vials of Herbert’s pain-fighting elixir while I read over documents from the magical academy in between crafting tonics. Reign also stopped by the clinic.”
Reign was one of the spies who worked with Rowan. His specialty? Sensing magic in people. He’d detected the mercenary prior to my attack and had put together a team to track him down.
“Are you any closer to waking the mercenary?” I asked.
