Oh no.
Chapter Ten
A Muffin on Trial
This couldn’t be happening. Out of all the scenarios my men and I’d anticipated for the night, being accused of poisoning the king hadn’t been one of them.
Two guards approached from the left. Another rushed from the right, cutting through the sea of nobles. I shuffled back a few steps on impulse.
And then, my face pressed to something warm.
“Stand aside,” Maddox told the guards. He had stepped in front of me and reached behind with one arm to hold my side, keeping me close to his back. Shielding me. “Lay a hand on him and you’ll lose that hand.”
“You are in no position to give orders,” Captain Vander said. “Quite the allegation has been made against that boy.”
“An allegation, yes,” Maddox growled in response. “There is no evidence to back that claim. Until it’s found, no one will touch him. Do I make myself clear?”
“How dare you speak to a superior officer in such a way,” Prince Cedric spat. “Then again, considering the company you keep, I must say I’m not surprised.”
Maddox tensed. I knew it didn’t come from fear, but rather, from him using every ounce of self-restraint to keep from telling Cedric to go fuck himself.
“Your Highness.” Captain Vander bowed his head. “What are your orders?”
Cedric found me in the crowd, and the slight curve to his lips told me nothing but trouble would follow his next words. “Bring him to me.”
Another body pressed close to my side, acting as a shield between me and the approaching guards. Callum. He and Maddox refused to budge. Defying the orders of a prince would see them both thrown into chains. Or worse. I couldn’t let that happen.
“Let me pass,” I told them.
“No,” Maddox said.
“Not a chance.” Callum faced down a guard. “If they want you, they’ll have to go through me.”
The man visibly shrank beneath his glare, probably recalling the stories about Callum’s swordsmanship. My cinnamon roll was currently weaponless, yet he could easily disarm an opponent and take theirs. I’d seen that firsthand when he’d done it to me during our mini training session.
Knowing my men would risk not only their jobs but their freaking lives to stand between me and the guards, I wiggled past them.
“Ev.” Callum reached for me. “Don’t.”
“It’s okay.” I grabbed his outstretched hand and nuzzled his fingers. “This is all one huge misunderstanding.”
Outside of their protective barrier, the guards seized hold of me, one grabbing each of my arms.
“Not so tight.” Maddox’s nostrils flared. “You’ll hurt him.”
“Don’t worry.” I smiled back at him as they dragged me away. “I’m a tough muffin lord, remember?”
His hard exterior faltered a bit. He and Callum fell into step behind us, not letting me stray too far from their reach. It occurred to me I’d forgotten to pocket the protection charm Briar had crafted for me. Not that it would’ve done me much good now.
The guards hauled me up the few steps of the dais and shoved me to my knees. A deep growl came from behind me. Maddox was seconds away from ripping their heads off.
“Evan wouldn’t do this,” Prince Sawyer said, voice thick with emotion. The rims of his eyes were pink, but he kept his composure. “I know him. He wouldn’t harm a soul.”
“You know nothing, baby brother, for you are much too naïve and softhearted. This commoner has played you for a fool, just as he has with everyone else around him.” Cedric shifted his attention to me. My insides coiled. “But you are far from innocent, aren’t you?”
“I’ve done nothing wrong, Your Highness.” I met the cold eyes that’d often haunted my thoughts, mustering all my courage and strength.
“Speak lies and feign innocence all you want. The truth will be revealed soon enough.” He held my gaze for an excruciating few seconds before nodding to the guards. “Search him.”
