“It does.” He shakily smiled against my lips. “Forgive me for how I left this morning. My head was a mess, and I—”
“It’s okay.” Being mindful of his injuries, I curled up beside him on the cot. One of the advantages of being so small. “You were worried about upsetting Maddox.”
“Aye.” Callum pushed his face against my temple. “I never thought you could be mine, Ev. So I kept my feelings to myself. But then something broke in me, and I couldn’t hold it back anymore. Yet, when you kissed me, I panicked. Confessing to you was bad enough, but acting on those feelings? I feared it would betray the one man I respected above all others.”
“And now?”
An unsteady breath feathered across my cheek. “That same man told me to stop being stubborn and take you in my arms.”
“Maddox of all people told someone to stop being stubborn?” I asked with a snort.
Callum echoed the sound. “He and I are more alike than I thought. A weakness for muffins. And now matching scars.”
“Yours are far worse, I’d say,” a deep voice came from behind us.
Snuggled against Callum’s chest, I looked over my shoulder. Maddox stood in the doorway of the medical ward. The other knights stepped through next and tossed relieved smiles our way. That relief transitioned to amusement as they took in our position on the cot.
“About bloody time,” Baden mumbled.
Quincy elbowed Maddox in the ribs. “Is this where ya take off his head, Cap’n? Poor bloke survived a violent demon attack only to greet death by your hands.”
Maddox rolled his eyes. “No one is dying tonight.”
Duke wiped at fake tears. “Our lieutenant’s growing up so fast. It seems only yesterday he was as pure as the freshly fallen snow. And now look at him. Tainted by an adorable muffin.”
“Piss off,” Callum said, voice veering on strained. Sweat had started to bead across his forehead, and his breaths grew sharper. Not only had he ignored his pain for too long, but it had clearly been worse than I’d realized.
“Good god, you really are stubborn.” I sat up. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hurting so much?”
“Just a…” He grimaced. “Scratch.”
“Briar will be in soon with another elixir to ease your pain.” Maddox neared the cot and regarded Callum’s wrapped torso with a shadow of guilt. The guilt worsened when he noticed the bandage on Callum’s neck.
“Stop with that look, Captain,” Callum told him. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Still, I blame myself anyway.” Maddox focused on the fire as a log popped. “As your commanding officer, it’s my duty to keep you and the entire unit safe. I failed.”
After gently squeezing Callum’s hand, I let go and stood from the cot, latching on to Maddox’s waist. My captain always carried a lot on his shoulders. That weight would eventually crush him.
“I know you did all you could,” I said.
Maddox returned my hold. “It wasn’t enough.”
“Not enough?” Quincy asked. “You kept a demon from tearing my face off. My protection charm shattered just before the beast attacked. All I saw was its sharp claws before you struck it down.”
Duke nodded. “I was fighting two at once when a third closed in from the flank. You threw your shield to knock it off course. Although…” He looked at Quincy. “I feel the demon clawing your face would’ve been an improvement.”
Quincy shoved Duke, while Baden crossed his arms and shook his head.
“Listen to their words, Captain.” Callum tried to smile through his discomfort.
“Giving me orders, Lieutenant?” Maddox arched a brow. He appeared so much lighter. As if, maybe, that weight wasn’t nearly as heavy any more. His knights had taken some of the load.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Callum responded, expression softening. “You’re my captain. Now and until I take my last breath.”
“Then I order you to keep breathing. Because I need you by my side.” Maddox turned his face into my hair. “So does our muffin.”
Ourmuffin.
