“That actually sounds amazing.” I shakily exhaled. Days filled with cuddles with my men, good books, and endless cups of coffee. The perfect vacation.
Maddox frowned. “He’ll be allowed to make muffins though. At least for breakfast.”
I laughed, and more of my unease chipped away. “Don’t worry, big guy. You’ll get your muffins.”
“What about me?” Callum asked.
“As if I could say no to that dimple.” I pinched his cheek, and he smiled.
Something suddenly felt… off. But I couldn’t pinpoint the cause. I glanced around us, noting the groups of people waiting to refill their coffee at the drink station. Others continued to dance. Lady Alina stood with her ladies in waiting, and Kuya stood beside her. The women giggled as he told a story, a half-eaten strawberry cupcake in one hand and his tail whishing in the air behind him.
Then it hit me.
I didn’t smell black cardamom anymore.
“What’s the matter, love?” Briar’s brow creased.
“Ro’s gone,” I said, whipping my head around and standing on my tiptoes trying to find him in the crowd. “He’s been with me all night, following me around using the shadows. But he’s not here. I can’t—”
“Breathe, sweetheart.” Maddox retook my face in his hands. “I’m sure the thief is safe and well.”
“What if—”
A scream pierced the air.
I whirled around just as the queen jumped up from her chair and slapped her hands over her mouth. Guards rushed over to the table as she continued to scream. Then, I saw what had her in hysterics.
The king had collapsed.
“Father!” Sawyer fell beside him and looked around in a panic. “Don’t just stand there, gods damn you! Someone help him! Please!”
Briar pushed forward and quickly made his way to the table. The guards, recognizing him, allowed him to pass. He knelt beside the king, and a golden glow radiated from his palms. He said something to Sawyer, who visibly paled.
“The king’s been poisoned!” a guard yelled, addressing the crowd.
A ripple of voices followed the words as the people around me gawked and stared in horror. The orchestra had stopped playing. Fear had my sternum in a tight grip. Poisoned? How? He’d been fine earlier.
Briar spoke to two guards and motioned to a doorway before they lifted King Eidolon off the floor and rushed in that direction. His hazel eyes found mine, and I caught a shake in his chin. He then followed the guards through the door. Probably taking the king somewhere private to further examine him.
Voices rose as the crowd grew uneasy. Some tried to leave.
“Block the exits!” a deep voice boomed before a man came into view on the steps. Captain Vander, the commander of the Royal Order. “Our king has been poisoned. No one is permitted to leave until we’ve found the one responsible.”
Knights rushed to obey his command, posting themselves at each set of doors and in front of the balcony. The air weighed heavily as people felt the effect of being barred from leaving. Worry and panic. The hairs at my nape prickled. Nervousness was contagious.
“The baker!” the queen shrieked. “He did this.”
“W-What?” The bottom of my stomach dropped out. “Me? I didn’t—”
“It’s true,” Cedric said. “He brought us coffee only moments ago.”
The crowd parted and all gazes landed on me. Some stared with shock, others with suspicion.
“I saw it with my own eyes!” a nobleman exclaimed.
More of them agreed, recounting how I’d delivered drinks and food to the royal family. The king had collapsed mere moments after I left the table.
“Seize him!” a guard yelled, pointing at me.
