I wasn’t so sure anymore.
Chapter Seven
Tale of the Two Men and the Confused Evan
As Briar worked at his desk that afternoon, I sat in an oversized chair beside the window and read a book on the history of Bremloc.
The day had been fairly quiet so far. No dire emergencies apart from a young knight who had caught a shield to the head during a sparring match and needed some tending.
Kuya had popped in once as well, staying long enough to grab a nutritional tonic for Prince Sawyer—the tonic helped rejuvenate the body and gave the drinker a boost of energy. Apparently, the prince had a late night going over documents and working on his studies. Kuya had fluttered around the clinic, touching everything as Thane made the tonic, and then he’d snatched it, nuzzled my arm with his head, and scampered away.
Briar and I hadn’t kissed again, but throughout the day, his hand had brushed mine when we were close. We’d shared soft smiles from across the room. For lunch, we’d cooked together in the small kitchen, making a fish dish with baby red roasted potatoes. Both of us were kind of awkward and shy.
I peeked at him over the top of the book. Light brown bangs fell like a curtain over his glasses as he read from an old hardback. He swept them to the side before jotting down notes in a leather-bound journal.
“Find anything interesting?” Briar asked, eyes meeting mine. A smile curved the edge of his mouth. “In the book, I mean.”
Yeah, he knew I’d been checking him out. I was about as subtle as a sneeze in church.
“Define interesting. Because, to be honest, this is kind of a snooze fest.” Especially by fantasy world standards. “The foundation of the kingdom, the long succession of monarchs and their triumphs, the type of currency… I’m gonna fall asleep.”
He chuckled. “Not enough adventure for your liking?”
“Nope.” I closed the book. “A swordfight would help. Maybe a love interest or two. But you don’t wanna make the plot feel too contrived, ya know?”
“Perhaps you should write your own story.”
I am.Sort of anyway. Being sent to this fantasy world had given me a fresh start. The possibilities were endless. I only needed to decide if I wanted to stay and embrace those possibilities.
The clock was ticking.
“You chose that book so you could learn about Bremloc, yes?”
I nodded. “I thought it was a good idea to be informed about the place I call home.” Ormightcall home depending on my decision when Lupin returned during the summer festival.
“I have a proposal you may find less tedious.” Briar scooted back from his chair and walked to the side of his desk, resting his hip against it. When he crossed his arms, my gaze landed on his biceps. He reminded me of a sexy college professor—one I never would’ve missed a single day of class if I’d been blessed to have. “Instead of reading about the kingdom, see it for yourself.”
“Really? I can go exploring?” I’d been itching to explore since the first morning I woke up there—after all the confusion and dealing with a grumpy captain anyway. But I hadn’t yet left the castle grounds.
“You don’t need my permission,” Briar said, his hazel eyes twinkling with the laugh he didn’t release. “However, I’d love to accompany you. If you’ll have me.”
“Hell yeah.” I stood from the chair, stretching my arms over my head. I’d been sitting for too long. “Are you sure? I don’t want to take you from your work.”
“I can watch over the clinic,” Thane said from the workstation, where he was separating different herbs into jars. “But as payment, I’ll take something sweet from the market.”
Briar smiled. “I’m sure that can be arranged.” His hazel eyes shifted back to me. “If you’re ready, we can go now before it gets too late—”
Thuds sounded from outside, like something heavy beating against the ground. Horse hooves? The thuds stopped before there came a murmuring of deep voices.
Briar sighed. “Lovely. He’s returned.”
“Who—”
The front door swung open before Maddox stepped across the threshold. His deep blue eyes instantly found me.
Fuck. Nearly two whole days without seeing him, and I’d forgotten just how strongly I felt his presence. He commandeered every space he was in, like an icy wind sweeping down from the hillside, a chill felt by everyone it touched.
I shivered beneath his hard gaze, but it had nothing to do with being cold. “Hey,” I said, my body heating under his scrutiny. “Long time no see.”
