More was written on the backside of the note, and I tilted my head to read it.
A proper breakfast, love. Not just coffee and sweets.
“It’s scary how well he knows me.”
I left my room and headed down the hall. After taking a quick bath, I ventured downstairs and into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. Having a coffee machine again was a luxury I’d never take for granted, and this one was magical, so it was even more awesome.
Leftover cookies from the previous day set on the counter. The temptation lured me over. I grabbed a lemon cookie and took a bite. I could practically feel Briar’s frown burning into the back of my head.A proper breakfast.
“Cookies are proper,” I said, then shoved the rest of it into my mouth.
Once my coffee was ready, I took it—and the entire platter of leftover cookies—over to the table. It sat in front of two oval windows, giving me a view of the back yard and the forest beyond it. I opened one of the windows to let in fresh air, and a warm breeze swept through, ruffling my hair.
Golden light filtered through the tree branches, and insects buzzed. The humidity was noticeable but not too bad. Summers in Bremloc weren’t nearly as gross and muggy as the ones back in Arkansas, where mosquitoes attacked as soon as you stepped one foot outside your door, and the air was so thick it was like breathing through a clogged straw.
Summers here were nice. Hot but not miserably so.
Peter and Alice arrived shortly after I finished breakfast and helped me prepare for another day. By the time the first customer arrived, we had a selection of baked goods frosted and ready to go, with more coming out fresh from the oven. The intoxicating smell of brewed coffee filled the kitchen, filtering out to the main dining area as it filled with more customers.
Alotof customers.
My worries about the successful opening being a fluke was definitely wrong. People piled in all throughout the day, promising to come again tomorrow as they left with satisfied smiles and full bellies. It was busy and hectic keeping up with the orders, but as closing time came, I couldn’t stop smiling.
Maddox and Briar arrived at sundown, just as promised. And they brought a horde of hungry knights with them. Callum, Duke, Baden, and Quincy rushed in and picked off the remnants of desserts that hadn’t sold.
“You’ll spoil your dinner,” I told them. “I’m making roasted chicken and mashed potatoes.”
Callum lifted the bottom of his shirt, revealing washboard abs, and rubbed his belly. “I always have room for more food.”
“Cover yourself,” Maddox said with a slight snarl. “You’ll ruin my appetite.”
Callum grinned at him. “More for me then.”
“Anything exciting happen today?” I asked.
“It was quite dull honestly,” Maddox answered. “New recruits joined the Second Order, and we helped them settle in.”
“Dull is good.” I nodded. “It means you’re safe.”
Maddox ruffled the top of my hair, a soft smile on his lips. Knowing him, he wouldn’t tell me even if something badhadhappened. He didn’t like worrying me.
“Speaking of safety, I believe I finally had a break through on the infusion spell,” Briar said, becoming bashful as he withdrew something from his pocket. It was a necklace with a pale blue stone. “I successfully imbued this with protective magic.”
He got self-conscious sometimes when discussing his work. It was too cute.
For the past few months, he had been trying to perfect a spell that would ward off both physical and magical attacks by infusing protective energy into an item, like a charm, a necklace, or anything else someone could carry with them. In theory, it would act as a shield to protect them from harm. He’d had a bit of success weeks ago, but it had been weak. He was trying to improve it.
“That’s great!” I flung my arms around his neck. “I knew you could do it.”
“Thanks, love.” Briar leaned his head against mine. “I won’t know the degree of protection until I test it. Whether it shields from strong attacks or only minor ones. What level of magic it can repel.”
“I could help you test it,” Maddox said, smirking at Briar. “Put on the necklace, and we can go outside. I’ll throw daggers at you and see if it shields you from them.”
“No,” I said. “You will not do that. That’s a horrible idea.”
“Fine.” Maddox expelled a sigh. “We can give the necklace to Callum, and I’ll throw daggers at him instead.”
“No one will be throwing daggers at anyone,” I argued. “And you be nice to Callum. He’s my friend.”
