Stop overthinking.Sighing at my overactive mind, I exited the room.
“Morning,” Duke greeted me. His red hair fell free, the strands ruffling with the light breeze. “Ready to slay the day, little hero?”
“Hero?” I snorted and joined him in the grass. “I wouldn’t go that far. Briar’s the one who healed all of you. I just helped pass out the tonics.”
“You have my gratitude all the same.” He slowed his pace to match mine as we walked through the yard. “I still say we should put a sword in your hand.”
Another snort. “I wouldn’t even know what to do with a sword.” The one in Maddox and Briar’s pants was a different story. I handled that type of sword quite well. “Probably poke my eye out, like the captain said.”
Duke laughed. “Best stick with kitchen duty, then. The men still speak of the stew and cake you made.”
“Really?” I halted in step. “They liked it that much?”
“Aye.” He nodded. “Some people are skilled in combat. Others are skilled in medicine and healing. And then there are those like you, I believe, who can heal through food. Soothing the soul. The knights were exhausted and wounded both physically and mentally, yet eating your food lifted even the weariest of spirits. Perhaps a spatula is the type of weapon you should wield.”
His words settled over my chest. Helping people with my cooking? I remembered my dream of opening my own café. Back in my world, I’d thought it was impossible. I didn’t know if my odds were much better in Bremloc, but that dream stirred to life once again.
Duke patted me on the back before joining Baden near the training field. The two then grabbed swords and began their drills.
Quincy leaned against the fence and watched them, his arm no longer in a sling but still not at its full strength, so he wasn’t ready to jump back into training. Briar’s magical elixir and surgical work had saved it from being severed at least. Catching my eye, his hard expression lightened a bit, and he nodded. I returned the gesture.
“My men like you.”
The sound of that familiar deep voice caused sparks in my heart. I turned to see Maddox as he reached my side, sexy as hell in his black-on-black outfit.
“Does that make you jealous?” I teased. “Who knows. Maybe they’ll vote me to be their new captain. I have a badass reputation for being small but mighty, you know. They call me Evan the Brave.”
“They do, do they?” Maddox cut his eyes at me, but he couldn’t hide the humor dancing in the blue irises.
“Yep. I’m pretty sure I’ll have no choice but to steal your position. Sorry.”
A throaty chuckle came from him. When he stepped closer, bringing his warm scent with him, my heart knocked in my chest. “How do you feel? Are you sore at all?”
“Never felt better,” I answered. “Thanks for the coffee. Callum said you made it for me.”
Maddox’s eyes softened before he looked away. “I hope it was to your liking.”
“It was.” I fought a smile. His shyness was too cute. The man could stare death in the face and not bat an eye, but one mention of him doing something sweet and he got all awkward. “Looks like we found your new title.”
“New title?”
“Yeah.” I bumped his arm with mine and stayed there, leaning against him. “I’m Evan, Lord of the Muffins. And you’re Maddox, Captain of the Second Order and Brewer of Coffee.”
He scoffed. Pink speckled his cheeks though. “What is Briar’s title?”
I thought for a moment. “Briar, Healer of Knights and Master Baker. Not to be confused with masturbater.”
Maddox made a choking sound. “Gods. You will be the death of me someday.”
“You mentioned Briar without insulting him,” I pointed out. “Are you two friends now?”
“We’re…” His brow scrunched. “I’m not quite sure. When we woke this morning, we didn’t say much before going our separate ways.”
“Captain,” one of the knights said as he approached, bowing his head. “Your horse is ready.”
Maddox nodded to him before returning those blue eyes to me.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
