“You’re welcome,” I said before yawning. It had been one hell of a long day. “We make a good team.”
Callum stood from his chair. “How’s the captain?”
“He will make a full recovery.” Briar pulled out three glasses from a cabinet and grabbed a bottle of wine. “I gave him a powerful healing potion that is mending any internal injuries as he sleeps. After a night’s rest, he’ll be back to his former strength.”
“Magic is so awesome,” I said, amazed. Briar had stitched their wounds and performed minor surgeries like the doctors from my world, but the magical salves and elixirs had sped up the healing process.
“Yes, but there are limits to it.” Briar joined us at the table. He filled the glasses with a bright red wine and gave one to each of us. “Magic is more of a tool that aids in healing. It can be a remedy for many ills, but it’s not always an outright cure. At least for me.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are some whose powers far surpass mine,” he said. “They don’t require anything but magic to seal even the deepest wounds. Some can even bring someone back from the brink of death. I can use magic to enhance healing tonics and ease minor pain and aches with a simple spell, but my abilities are moderate at best. It’s why I’m always furthering my research into herbology and spells. Always learning. So I can improve my skills and save more lives.”
“Many of those men would be dead if not for you,” Callum said.
“If not for us.” Briar held up his glass. “Thane included.”
The three of us clinked them before taking a drink.
“It’s sweet,” I said, surprised. I had expected it to be bitter and dry like other wines I’d tried, which was why I’d decided long ago I hated the stuff. But this? I could drink the whole glass. I took another sip. “It’s a bit tart too. I usually don’t like wine, but this might change my mind.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Briar dropped his gaze to his glass, and maybe the flickering candlelight was playing tricks on me, but it looked like he was blushing. “It’s my own creation. I use a blend of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries.”
I took another—much bigger—drink. “Court physician, skilled herbalist, magic wielder,andmaster winemaker. Impressive.”
“You flatter me. I wouldn’t say I’m a master by any means.” Briar’s cheeks darkened even further. Definitely not a trick, then. Why was that so cute? “I merely dabble.”
“Careful, Evan.” Callum smirked. “Don’t drink too much. I doubt it would take much to get you drunk.”
He wasn’t wrong. I was a total lightweight. The few drinks I’d taken were already having a small effect, causing warmth to spread through my veins. After the day of stressing out and working hard, I welcomed the feeling.
“Can I ask a question?” I set my glass down. “What happened today in the dark wood? And what’s so dark about it?” The knights had mentioned beasts dwelling inside it, but I knew very little else.
Callum frowned at his wine.
“You don’t have to tell me,” I said, inwardly cursing my big mouth. “I’m sure it’s the last thing you want to talk about. I’m sorry.”
His eyes lifted back to mine, the color like sunlight hitting a glass of bourbon. “Are you sure you want to know? It may give you nightmares.”
“Well, now you have to tell me. My curiosity is a force to be reckoned with.”
Case in point: how I ended up in Lupin’s Emporium, therefore resulting in me being sent to another world. Maybe one day I’d learn my lesson… but it was not this day.
“Okay, but you asked for it.” Callum shifted forward. “There be beasts and demons in those dark woods.” His voice had taken on an accent, like he was putting on a show. “All of which would love to make you their next meal.”
“Tell me more,” I said before taking another drink.
“The dark wood separates Bremloc from the borders of Onyx’s territory,” Briar explained.
“And Onyx is a demon?” I asked.
“Notademon,” Callum said. “Thedemon. He’s the demon lord. You’ve really not heard of him during your travels?”
“Nope. Can’t say I have.” But I was certainly interested in learning about him. I just had to remind myself that this wasn’t a book. I wasn’t reading about my favorite book boyfriend, Ayden, going on adventures. I couldn’t nerd out—or start to simp for the villain like I so often did. These were real people whose lives were at stake. I recalled Maddox and his pained whimpers, and my chest tightened. “So Onyx is a demon lord with his own kingdom?”
“Kingdom is a slight understatement.” Briar took off his glasses and wiped at the lenses before putting them back on. “Onyx lives in a castle within the shadow realm and rules over all the demons and monstrous beings. He sends them to attack Bremloc.”
“Typical final boss move, sending his minions to do his dirty work for him. And did you say shadow realm? Is that like the underworld?”
