Chapter One
A New Adventure Begins
“This is the last of it,” Maddox said, setting a small crate overflowing with books on the floor.
Briar frowned at the books before aiming that frown at me. “I don’t like this. You living here. It’s too…” He swept a finger across the desk against the wall, creating a line through the layer of dust, “dirty.”
“Eh, it’s not so bad.” I put my hands on my hips and studied the bedroom. I had cleaned it before we’d brought my things that day, but it could use more dusting and scrubbing. Maybe a new rug.
“The bed is too small.” Maddox pressed his hand down on the mattress, making the frame creak.
“It’s not small.” I eyed the queen-size mattress. “You’re just really big. In more ways than one.”
He smirked. “Ready for more hard labor?”
“I was born ready. Watch and be amazed.” That ‘hard labor’ consisted of unpacking my belongings and moving furniture into my new home; the cottage I’d found nestled in the woods.
I still couldn’t believe it. My dream of opening my own café was finally becoming a reality. The two-story cottage would be my business and my home, with me living on the second floor.
Over the past two months, I’d gotten my affairs in order: approved for a loan to purchase the building, filed for a business license, and set up suppliers for ingredients. The entire downstairs had needed to be renovated too; the old equipment replaced, fresh coats of paint applied, and new hardwood flooring laid.
Prince Sawyer had pulled some strings to help speed up the process too, encouraged further by Kuya’s excitement about eating my baked treats. They’d all played a part in making this happen. Opening day was a week from now, and I was a bundle of nerves but excited too.
“This is ridiculous,” Maddox said. “You should just stay with me. You can leave early for work and come home at sundown. It’s unnecessary for you to move here.”
“We’ve talked about this.” I slipped my arms around his waist, resting my chin on his chest as I stared up at him.
“You talked,” Maddox said with a huff. “I merely listened, thinking the idea of you moving foolish.”
“As much as I love hopping between your bed and Briar’s, I want my own place. Laying down roots, remember?” During the Festival of Lights, I’d chosen to stay in this world instead of returning to my old one, and I fully intended to make the most of it. Going all-in.
I wanted to build a life in Bremloc, not just float around looking for a place to call my own.
“You’ll be outside the castle grounds, Evan.” Worry clouded in Maddox’s deep blue eyes, revealing the true reason behind his complaints. “If something happens to you, I’ll be so far away.Toofar.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I said. “I’m a powerful muffin lord. I can take care of myself.”
“Tell that to the rock that tripped you earlier.”
Briar snorted.
“Hey.” I peered over at him. “No laughing. Give me kisses instead.”
“That can be arranged.” Briar approached and dipped his face to my nape for a soft peck. “All the kisses for my love.”
“Mylove,” Maddox said before nuzzling my temple.
“No, he’syourmuffin,” Briar countered.
Maddox chuckled, the deep sound rumbling in his chest. “That he is.”
I savored every touch and kiss as I stood sandwiched between the two of them—my favorite place to be.My knight and my physician.I didn’t think it was possible to love someone this much, let alonetwopeople, but I fell harder for them each day.
A loud bang came from downstairs.
“That doesn’t sound good,” I said.
Maddox withdrew from me and stepped out into the hall, peering over the stairway railing. “Callum? Everything okay down there?”
