“Liar.” Rowan grazed his lips along my jawline. “Besides. I’m already yours. You’ve had me in a chokehold since the moment I first saw you. There’s no escape for me. Not one for you either. Because while I’m yours, you’re mine too, little treasure, and always will be.”
My insides turned to mush. Between all of them, I really would melt into a puddle of Evan goo someday.
Maddox’s stomach rumbled again.
“We better feed him before he resorts to cannibalism,” Briar said with a mischievous gleam in his hazel eyes. “A man of his size could probably eat two of us before being sated.”
Our captain smirked. “Mind that tongue, physician, or you’ll be the first to be eaten.”
Rowan’s nose crinkled. “What would Specs even taste like?”
“Plants,” Lake said casually. “With a floral hint.”
“Wow, pup. Sounds like you put some thought into this. What about me? How would I taste?”
Lake eyed Rowan. “Like cheap, watered-down rum, rotten almonds, and lies.”
I laughed.
As we filled our plates and sat at the table, my heart warmed. A simple life with them, laughing and loving like this in our cozy cottage, was all I wanted. Forever.
Chapter Two
Sneezing Muffin and the Snarly Knight
Briar’s clinic felt like magic, bringing to mind stories about magical apothecaries and the hot wizards who owned them.
Potted plants hung from hooks in the ceiling, the volley of leaves cascading down the sides catching the sunlight coming in through the windows. Herbs dried on a rack along the far wall, and thick books covered the shelves, the spines worn from years of being opened and closed—loved like books should be. A small cauldron bubbled on the crafting station, surrounded by glass vials filled with colorful elixirs, varying from sky blue to grass green and others that looked like honey.
Callum placed the basket of pastries on the kitchen counter.
“Thank you for your assistance, dear knight,” I told him. He’d refused to let me carry it.
“My pleasure, milord.” He flashed that irresistible dimple. “Shall we add Carrier of Treats to my noble title?”
I hugged his arm and pushed my face against his tunic. “Carrier of Treats and Eater of Muffins. Has a nice ring to it.”
“The captain and I both hold that title now.” Callum kissed my hair. “No one stands between us and our muffin.”
My heart was so light. He and Lake had helped me bake a few batches of treats before leaving for the clinic that morning. I couldn’t show up at the castle without something yummy to feed my boys.
“Over here, love.” Briar stepped away from the crafting table and led me over to the plushy armchair near the fire. A vial was in his hand. “Open up.”
“I don’t wanna.”
He smiled. “Ah, come now. This one tastes much better than the sex tonic.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. His smile grew. I behaved myself, though, and let him administer the medicine. The blue elixir tasted like berries. I smacked my lips, pleasantly surprised.
“See?” Briar lightly pinched my cheek, squatting in front of my chair. “Not bad at all.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I put my arms around his neck, preventing him from leaving. “How much do I owe ya for the treatment, Doc?”
“Let me think.” He leaned forward and ghosted his lips over mine. “A kiss should cover the cost.”
We kissed, slow and soft, as the fire crackled beside us. Would’ve been romantic if not for the door bursting open. Two knights rushed in, one bleeding from his temple and the other holding his arm that hung at an awkward angle.
“Oh my,” Briar said under his breath before kissing me again and rising to meet them.
