“Don’t be sorry,” he said, eyes glassy. “It took me much too long to confess to you as well. But we’re together now.”
“Yeah.” I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes, exhaustion taking me over. “My dear knight.”
“My little lord.” He brushed a kiss to my forehead. “Sweet dreams, Ev.”
It was the first night I fell asleep with him beside me. But it wouldn’t be the last. After so many weeks of confusion and pining, we had finally found our way to each other.
We’d met in the twilight.
Chapter Eighteen
Puzzle Pieces and Stressed Muffins
Morning light streamed into the room, kissing Callum’s soft features as he slept. Snored, really. My cinnamon roll was definitely noisy in bed—both meanings. Wanting to let him sleep for as long as possible, I tried to ease from his hold.
He tugged me right back and shoved his face into the crease of my neck. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To snoop in your room while you sleep.” I lightly headbutted him. “Sir Snores a Lot.”
“I don’t snore.” Callum frowned. “Do I?”
I laughed.
“Is it always like this?” he asked.
“What?”
“Love.” He held me closer. “Terrifying but also exhilarating. As if my heart’s going to beat right out of my chest.”
“Yep.” I rested my head against his, loving the warmth of his skin first thing in the morning. “So, you better get used to it.”
“Or you’ll do what?” He cracked a sleepy smile.
“You know those blueberry muffins you love so much? I’ll bake a huge batch of them… and then give them to Maddox.”
“Rude.” He playfully bit at my ear. “Isn’t that what you always say?”
I bit at his chin before trailing my mouth to his and kissing him.
Voices came from outside, as did distant whacks and clinks of armor. The knights had woken and started their daily duties.Twittering birds perched in the tree beyond the window, singing their morning song. It was peaceful.
A peace disrupted as the door swung open.
“Morning, Lieutenant,” Duke said, his red hair free of its usual hold. The spark of mischievousness in his eyes told me he’d come to be a pest. Probably encouraged by the other knights. A theory proven correct as they entered the room behind him, all wearing smirks. “We’ve come to check on you.”
“To check on me?” Callum tucked one arm behind his head and held me with the other. “As you can see, I’m more than fine. Feel free to see yourselves out.”
Quincy poked his head around Duke, the scar on his face wrinkling as he grinned. “This’ll take some getting used to. Seeing you snugglin’ the captain’s sweetheart.”
I smiled. “I know why you’re all really here. You want me to cook breakfast.”
“Now that you mention it...” Duke rubbed at his chin. “Bacon would certainly be appreciated. Slightly charred and crispy.”
“And biscuits,” Baden added. “With blackberry jam.”
“I’m quite fond of the cakepans,” Quincy said.
“Cakepans?” I asked, confused.
