“You wish for the truth? Very well.” Callum slowly exhaled. “War hasn’t officially been declared yet. The situation is stillongoing. King Silas is aware we know he was behind the intended capture of the prince.”
“Is he trying to negotiate peace now that we caught on to his evil little scheme?”
“I’m not privy to that information. Only higher-ranking officers and court officials are. But if I had to guess, I’d say no. Conflict with Haran goes back centuries. Truces have been put into place, but none last for very long.”
“How did it start?”
“Territory disputes, I think,” Callum answered. “Also, differences over demi-humans. They have no rights in Haran and are still enslaved, even to this day. A former king of Bremloc, King Eidolon’s great-great-grandfather, sent armies over and freed many of them, offering them refuge here. Not that the people here have been very accepting of them either.”
My heart ached as I thought of Kuya, Miles, and Lake. “And then Haran retaliated?”
“Yes. That action sent the two kingdoms into a war that continued through the reign of several kings. When King Eidolon took the throne, he tried to mend the damage caused by his predecessors and worked toward peace.”
“But it didn’t work?”
“It did, at first. A ceasefire was called, but it ended after Prince Elias, the king’s younger brother, broke the terms of the truce. Or so I’ve heard.”
“And war continued on.”
“Yes, it did.” Callum slowly exhaled. “A treaty was eventually negotiated that ended the war. The terms were that both sides would keep to their own lands and not make a move against the other.”
“And now that King Silas has sent people after Prince Sawyer…”
“The treaty has been broken,” he said. “I’ve heard that King Eidolon wishes to settle this without bloodshed, which is more than likely why we haven’t been dispatched already. But I feel it’s only a matter of time before that changes.”
That was one thing I appreciated about Callum. He cared for me, but he didn’t sugarcoat shit.
“Maddox hasn’t told me any of this.” Frustration laced in my voice. “He keeps things from me so I won’t worry.”
“Don’t be too cross with him, Ev. He has a lot on his shoulders right now, and I think coming home to you helps him forget about that weight, at least for a little while. You’re his safe haven. A place he can escape to when life gets to be too much.”
“He’s mine too.” I felt that truth swell in my chest. “But he’s not the only one. All of you mean so much to me.”
Callum rested his cheek on the side of my head. “You mean a lot to us too. Baden, Duke, Quincy… me. We’d give our lives for yours.”
“Hopefully, it never comes to that.”
The rain picked up during the ride home. By the time we reached the cottage, it was a torrential downpour. Callum helped me from the carriage, thanked the driver, and ushered me toward the front door.
“You don’t have to stay with me,” I said once we were inside. Thunder then boomed so loud it sounded like a canon going off. I squeaked and threw myself at him.
Callum breathed out a soft laugh and wound his arms around me. “I’ve got you.”
His words stirred something inside of me. Before I could dwell on that feeling, I pulled from his embrace. “Are you hungry? I can make you something. It’s the least I can do since you so bravely escorted me home.”
As Callum smiled, I could’ve sworn a beam of sunlight broke through the dark clouds and flooded the front parlor. “Well, thecaptain’s orders were for me to stay by your side during the storm. Denying your request and leaving would be disobeying those orders.”
“See? You have no choice.”
The weather didn’t impact business. In fact, it seemed to draw in even more people. Nothing like drinking coffee and enjoying a good book on a rainy day.
Customers sat in the reading parlor, curled up by the fire with a hardback and hot drink. I smiled at them and continued with Callum through the cottage. More customers chatted at the bar. Peter and Alice flitted around the room, delivering trays of food and refilling cups.
Demi-humans sat around several of the tables: cats, otters, rabbits, and one that resembled a hawk. I hadn’t seen any bird-type demi-humans before and noted his slightly elongated nose and how his hair looked to have a feather texture.
Some humans sat with them, and they all chatted and laughed. The sight warmed my heart, especially after learning what Callum told me.
The Brewed Muffin was a safe space for everyone, humans and demi-humans alike. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere was exactly what I’d hoped it would be.
