Without breaking eye contact, Maddox strode toward me, his armor clanking with his steps. His intensity made my knees quiver. Was he mad? Did he change his mind while away on the mission and want to throw me in the dungeon after all?
Hot tingles spread all throughout my body in the short time it took for him to reach me.
“Good.” Maddox pulled me into his arms, crushing me to his chest. One of his large hands cupped the back of my head. “You’re just as I left you.”
He had been… worried about me? As his scent of leather and spice filled my senses, I pressed my face more into his chest.
I’d been worried about him too.
“Like I’d allow anything to happen to Evan,” Briar said in a tone I wasn’t used to hearing from him. It lacked his usual gentleness. “He was perfectly fine under my care.”
“Fortunate for you,” Maddox said, still holding me close. “If I’d returned to find even a scratch on him, we’d have words, you and I.”
“Oh, like the head wound he received while underyourcare? A wound I healed for him.”
“It was just a bump,” I said. “I wouldn’t call it a head wound. Not exactly.”
Both ignored me.
“That was an unfortunate accident that won’t be repeated,” Maddox snapped.
“See to it that it’s not.” Briar’s voice was just as snippy. “Or you and I will have much more than words exchanged.”
“Is that a threat?” Maddox pulled away from me.
“I never make threats. Only promises.”
“Bold words coming from a man I could snap in two with my bare hands.”
“Um, guys?” I glanced between the two of them. “Can we tone down the murderous impulses for a sec?”
Maddox glared at Briar. The physician glared right back. And I… well, I stood there between them, confused as hell. Guilty too.
It’s my fault.I had kissed both of them. My stupid lips had set off a chain reaction of events.
Thane met my gaze with wide eyes. He then turned back to his work, clearly not wanting to get in the middle of their spat.
“Why don’t we find something to eat?” I asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “It’s way too early for dinner, but I never turn down a snack.” More silence. “I can make muffins. Any kind you want.” And then, because neither of them reacted, I did what I always did when nervous and rambled. “My favorite is banana nut. Not to brag, but baking is one thing I’m really good at it. Well, except for when I burn myself. But still. I’ve never caught anything on fire, so that’s a plus. Do you have bananas here? Bremloc certainly doesn’t have a nut shortage. That’s for sure.”
The two continued to glare at each other for another handful of seconds before Briar averted his gaze to the floor.
Maddox gave a little smirk, as if he’d won some unspoken challenge. He then aimed that smirk at me. It softened around the edges. “What were you rambling about, Muffin Lord?”
I grinned at that. His usage of the silly title I’d thought of on the spot never got old. Especially since Maddox didn’t seem like the joking, playful type toward anyone else.
“Evan and I were about to leave for the day,” Briar chimed in. My ramble about food had done the trick, cutting through the possessive, high-strung testosterone thick in the air. “He wants to see the kingdom, and I offered to take him. We should be on our way while there’s still daylight.”
“I’ll go with you,” Maddox said without missing a beat.
“That won’t be necessary. You just returned from a mission. I’m sure you’re tired.” Briar adjusted his round-framed glasses. “Go report to the king about your travels or whatever you need to do. We can manage without a knight escort.”
Okay, the daggers were back. If looks could kill, Briar would’ve been in pieces at the captain’s feet. I eyed the sword at his side. He never reached for it, but his hand twitched a little, making me think a part of him wanted to.
“If he leaves these grounds, it will be in my company,” Maddox retorted.
“Is that so?” Briar tipped his chin up. “He’s not your property, Captain, nor is he your prisoner. Evan can go wherever he chooses, with or without you.”
“This is awkward,” I mumbled. “I’m, like, right here. Don’t I get a say in anything?”
