That dimple reappeared. “I’ll be sure to visit you in your cell.”
A weird ache formed in my rib cage. With one smile, he made winter feel like a bright summer day. “You better bring me coffee when you do. You know how I get without it.”
“I know.” Callum ruffled my hair. The warmth of his palm stirred the once sleeping butterflies in my stomach. “I’ll see you again soon.”
“Be sure to get permission from my jailor first,” I grumbled. “Otherwise you’ll be thrown into the cell beside mine.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” He tossed me a grin before turning toward his horse. But then, he hesitated. “Ev?”
“Yeah?”
“I…” A strong emotion burned in his eyes. That fire was then snuffed out, and he averted his gaze. “Go warm up in the cottage. Your cheeks are pink from the cold.”
Without another word, he swung back up into the saddle and set off down the path alongside the other knights, taking whatever he wanted to say with him.
A peppery scent tickled my nose.
“About time you came home. The pup was worried.”
“Oh yeah? Lake was worried?” I turned to Rowan. “Are you sure you—”
“What have you done to yourself, little treasure?” His eyes blew wide. “Tried to walk and breathe at the same time?”
“Is it really that bad?”
He looked me up and down, shaking his head. “Let’s get you cleaned up before the captain gets home and has a heart attack.”
“It’s official.” I grabbed his hand. “Dead muffin walking.”
***
“Take a breath and calm yourself, Captain,” Briar said. “It’s not good for your blood pressure.”
“That vein’s about to blow,” Rowan said, tucked away in the corner of the parlor. “A surprise it hasn’t already.”
Maddox kept his eyes pinned to me. “Tell me again. From the beginning.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I squirmed on the couch cushion. “You almost exploded the first time I told the story. I’mafraid a second time will trigger an atomic level blast that’ll level not only this cottage, but all of Bremloc with it.”
“Evan…” His jaw clicked.
“There it goes again,” Rowan said. “If his head pops off, I call dibs on his collection of swords.”
“You’re not helping,” Briar snapped at him.
“I wasn’t trying to.” Rowan picked at his nails.
Maddox’s stare didn’t leave mine.
As my squirming intensified, I shot up from the couch and padded over to the set of windows. “Beautiful night we’re having, isn’t it? All cold and stuff.”
“Evan.” My name on Maddox’s lips sounded like a curse word.
“Short version?” I lifted a hand to the windowpane and traced a design on the glass. “The knights were helping an old man with his cart, and while walking around, I slipped on the snow and rolled down a hill. I then heard what sounded like an injured animal and went deeper into the forest, found a puppy with a thorn in his paw, and helped him.”
“A puppy that was actually a damned Fenrir demon,” Maddox snapped.
“Yep. He was nice though. I gave him pets, and he licked my hand.”
