Briar fought a smile. “Nice try, love.”
While the oatmeal raisin cookies baked, I whipped up a batch of blueberry muffins, then grabbed eggs, bell peppers, onion, and cheese for omelets. Lake wagged his tail in excitement; it was his favorite meal.
Gradually, the sky lightened, signaling the dawn of a new day. The clomp of boots against tile had me flipping around to the archway leading into the hall. One by one, my band of favorite knights appeared. Baden first, then Duke. Quincy and Callum entered the kitchen next, and my stomach fluttered as chocolate-brown eyes met mine.
“Ev.” Callum strode over and drew me close, pressing his face into my hair. His sweet scent wrapped around me, just like his arms.
“Miss me that much?”
I felt him smile. “Waking without you beside me always makes me anxious, milord. I have half a mind to tickle you for such an offense.”
“Oh no. Let’s not do that.”
His smile widened.
“Have mercy, dear knight. Please accept this offering in place of such a cruel punishment.” I nodded to the muffins. “I made your favorite.”
“Blueberry.” The indention in his cheek as he grinned gave him a boyishness that never failed to make my heart wobble. “Offering accepted.”
“Banana is better,” came a deeper voice from behind Callum. Maddox strode over and greeted me with a kiss to my brow. “Though, I suppose I’ll forgive you just this once.”
A hard crunch drew my attention to Quincy. He held one of the burnt snickerdoodles.
“Unhand that cookie!” I rushed over and tried to take it from him. “It’s not fit for human consumption.”
“Why not?” He held it above his head, the scar on his face wrinkling as he grinned down at me like a doofus. “I quite like it. Give me a glass of cold milk, and it’ll be perfect.”
“What’s with all the ruckus in here?” Fane entered the kitchen, his expression hovering between sour and wary. “You aren’t the only ones in this castle. Show some respect and consideration for the rest of us.”
“Apologies.” Quincy bowed his head.
I snatched the cookie from his hand and tossed it back on the platter with the others, then stood in front of it. I would guard it with my life if I had to. No one would eat something so horrible on my watch. Nope.
My attempt at an intimidating expression fell at seeing the knight’s pout though.
“He stole my cookie,” Quincy said, staring at his now empty hand.
Maddox laughed. The sound was lighter than usual. One look at him had my heart skipping a beat. His blue eyes loweredto me, and he stepped over, pulling me into his arms. The kiss he pressed to my lips said more than words ever could. It was tender and brimming with the type of joy he hadn’t shown since the night we’d been chased from our home.
“You seem happy,” I said softly, as though a louder tone would pop the bubble.
“I suppose I am.” He glided the tip of his nose along my cheek. “I have you in my arms and my family by my side. All of us have our health. We even have a new furball running around.”
I smiled at that. “I knew Oreo would grow on you.”
Maddox huffed. But his eyes kept that happy crinkle.
“If I can’t eat the cookies, can I have some of those?” Quincy asked, waving his hand at the cranberry scones—which werenotburnt, thus acceptable to be eaten. “I’m starving.”
But he already had crumbs dusting the edge of his mouth.
“Tell that to the pastry in your hand,” Duke told him. “You’ve eaten two in a matter of seconds. Inhaled them like air.”
Quincy grinned. “As I said. Starving.”
“Then eat up.” I kissed Maddox’s jaw before pulling from his arms and facing the knights. “You’ll need the energy for your training today.”
“And you’ll need more of this.” Lake brought over my cup of coffee. “Also a nap. We can take one together in the garden after breakfast.”
