Pale light came in through the window, and white flurries drifted from the wintery sky. After several days of sunshine, the snow felt cruel. It sure was pretty though. Perfect weather for curling up with a cup of coffee and a good book.
Business at the Brewed Muffin was booming. People piled into the café for breakfast, seeking something warm to warm their bellies. The murmur of voices and clanks of silverware filtered in from the main dining room.
“Should I whip up another batch of pumpkin muffins, mister Evan?”
“We’re out already?” I asked.
Miles nodded. “The last one just sold.”
“Damn. That was fast. We better make two more batches to be safe.”
“On it.” He smiled and sprang into action.
Poor Maddox. The people of Bremloc were eating all his muffins.
Miles and I pulled pastries from the oven and filled them with jam. Donuts were glazed. Mugs were filled and sent out to waiting customers.
“How’s Ellie doing?” I asked as we moved around the kitchen filling orders.
She was a girl he’d met at the autumn ball months ago. One date had turned to three, and then he’d announced they were courting. They’d been together ever since.
“Very well.” The demi-bear blushed. “I think I may love her, mister Evan.”
My heart nearly exploded. “I’m happy for you. If you two end up getting married, you better not ask anyone else to make your cake or I’ll kick your butt.”
Miles smiled again. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Once the breakfast rush ended, the traffic in the café slowed, leaving only a handful of customers in the reading parlor and a few in the main dining room, savoring their hot drinks and watching the snow fall.
“Bloody ridiculous,” a man gruffly said to another. The two sat at the table closest to the large stone hearth. “Haran threatened the youngest prince’s life, yet our king refuses to take action. Prince Cedric should seize the throne from him. He’d do what needs to be done.”
I knelt by the fire and stoked the logs, trying not to be obvious that I was eavesdropping.
“King Eidolon must be weighing his options,” the other man responded. He had a scraggly beard. “Would be foolish to throw the kingdoms back into a war without first taking measures to ensure we have the advantage.”
“True.” Gruff-Dude nodded. “I heard an alliance is bein’ formed.”
“With Voltas,” Beard said. “They have a powerful naval fleet and control all sea trade. And they’ve been a neutral party up until now, never choosing a side in previous wars.”
Prince Sawyer’s marriage to Lady Alina was the key to that alliance.
After adding another log to the fire, I returned to the kitchen, finding Lake sorting blueberry cake donuts. Milesworked quietly beside him, plating a batch of cranberry and cheese Danishes. Both were shy and didn’t say much, but they’d become comfortable around each other over the months.
Voices neared the kitchen, and Lake darted into the hall out of sight. Customers never wandered back there without permission, but after Draven’s visit, he and I were both a bit paranoid.
But it was a false alarm.
A cinnamon roll stepped through the doorway, followed by Duke. Snow flurries clung to their hair, and their cheeks were pink from the cold.
“Cal! Duke.” I wiped my hands on my apron and rushed over to them. “Why are you here? Is everything okay?”
“All is well, milord,” Callum said in a showy fashion, playing our little game.
Seeing him caused a vibration along my heartstrings. And when his vanilla bean scent tickled my nose, flutters swarmed my belly.
“Only knight business.” Duke flicked his hand. “Merely a… very minor, I assure you… incident. Nothing to worry your adorable head over.”
“You’re a bad liar.” I put my hands on my hips. “Like epically bad. Tell me what happened before I whack you with a spatula.”
