The only thing Briar needed to do that evening was sleep. It had been a while since I’d visited him at his clinic. He hid his exhaustion well when he came to the cottage after work, but I saw it so clearly right then. “You’re overworking yourself.”
“I’m fine,” Briar said. “I’ll brew an energy tonic soon for an afternoon boost.”
“That’s a temporary fix. You can’t run on fumes forever.” I snuggled closer, my heart heavy in my chest. “I’m worried about you.”
He kissed the top of my hair. “No need to worry.”
“Then take a break. I’ll make you lunch.”
Not taking no for an answer, I hunted around in the kitchen, pleased to see the pantry was nicely stocked. Thanks to Thane, no doubt. My sexy physician couldn’t even remember to feed himself, let alone go to the market for groceries. I cooked a chicken breast and threw together a salad with spinach leaf, thinly sliced carrots, hard-boiled eggs, and then a raspberry vinaigrette to go on top.
“Thanks, love,” Briar said as I gave him the bowl. “A certain captain of ours may get jealous when he hears you made me lunch.”
“Guess I need to pay him a visit then too.” My chest warmed at the thought of visiting Maddox and the knights. “I also need to make sure he didn’t murder my cinnamon roll.”
Briar laughed. “I’m certain Sir Callum still lives.”
“Cinnamon roll?” Thane softly groaned. “I swear I’ll kiss you if you make them for me.”
“Best not make them for him then,” Briar said, eyes narrowing at his apprentice.
Thane grinned.
After kissing Briar and saying goodbye to him and Thane, I left the clinic and ventured toward the knights’ quarters. The way was ingrained in my memory. I knew every turn and swerve in the path, having walked it too many times to count.
As the stable appeared up ahead, I picked up pace but was careful not to trip over anything—like my own two feet. In the courtyard, knights sat around an unlit firepit sharing a meal. Others trained in the nearby field, swords clashing. Some practiced archery in a separate arena, shooting arrows into straw dummies.
A hand clamped around my bicep. “State your name and purpose for being here.”
I jumped and looked up into the face of a man I didn’t know. He was young, maybe around Callum’s age, with cropped blond hair and pale blue eyes. “Um. Can you let go of my arm?”
He gripped me harder. Too hard. “I won’t ask you again. Who are you?”
“Ow, you’re hurting me.” Scaring me a little too.
“Hudson,” a deep voice growled from behind us. A voice that delighted me and gave me chills at the same time. “Remove your hand from him before I remove it for you.”
“Captain Maddox.” The man released my arm and spun around to him. “You know this boy?”
“Boy,” I muttered, rubbing at my bicep. He’d held me so tight he’d left pink marks. “I’m twenty-three dammit.”
“I do know him.” Maddox gently took my face in his hands. “He’s my beloved.”
His beloved? Oh my god. He didn’t often say things like that, especially around other people, so when he did, I melted.
“My deepest apologies, sir.” Hudson quickly lowered his head. “I… I didn’t know. I thought he was an intruder.”
“You thought wrong.” Maddox dropped his hands from my face and aimed an icy glare at him. “If you ever lay a hand on Evan again, it will be the last thing you ever do in this life. Do I make myself clear?”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
“Leave my sight.”
Hudson bowed his head before rushing off, gaze on the grass.
“Let me see,” Maddox softly said, his voice the complete opposite of what it’d been seconds ago. He examined my arm, and that murderous look returned to his eyes.
“I’m okay. My skin just whelps up easily.” I rose up and nuzzled his neck. It took a moment or two before he, finally, registered my touch and returned it, his strong arms coming around me. “I’m your beloved, huh?”
