I felt sick at the thought.
“Don’t be afraid, Ev.” He squeezed my hand. “We knights love you and will do everything in our power to keep you safe. You’re our family.”
“You’re mine too.” I traced the scar on his thumb. “I’m not worried about myself though. I just want all of you to be safe.”
“We will be.” Callum offered me a small smile. That close, I noted the different shades of brown in his irises. Chocolate with swirls of deep caramel. And the prettiest damn lashes it was almost criminal.
My heart knocked hard in my chest.
We continued toward the stable at an unhurried pace. It wasn’t far, but our slow steps gave me a moment to admire the falling snow. And to be all too aware of Callum’s hand in mine. Heat came off his skin and chased away the chill, like maybe he was made of sunshine after all.
“About what the thief said…” Callum kept his gaze forward. “Regarding my… experience.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain.”
“I know where to put it.”
“I’m sure you do.” I tried hard not to smile. He was clearly embarrassed, but I found it cute. Really cute. “You haven’t though? Um, put it somewhere?”
“No, I haven’t. My days are spent training. Strengthening my body and sharpening my mind. Defending this kingdom. I haven’t the time for anything else.”
“Maddox said the same thing once.”
Callum cracked a smile. “Then you came along, irresistible in every way, and his fate was sealed.”
“The muffin of doom.”
He barked out a laugh.
So Callum reallywasa virgin. Had anyone ever piqued his interest? Not that it was any of my business. But he was an amazing person, inside and out. He deserved to be loved and showered in affection. Affection and orgasms.
A chilly breeze swept through the trees, and I pressed my nose into his cloak. “The snow is pretty, but I’m ready for spring. Winter’s too cold.”
“Because you’re so small. No meat on your bones.”
“I have enough on my ass.”
He laughed again. I was beginning to realize how much I loved the sound.
As we walked through the snow-dusted grass, the stable came into view. Not much farther. Time, however, seemed to slow, as though each second lasted a beat longer than it should.
Callum peered up at the sky. “And then the world fell silent, like tears rolling down trembling chins, as the cold of winter settled in.”
I paused in step. “Whoa. That was good.”
“I can’t take the credit.” His eyes softened as he looked down at me. “It’s from a poem.”
“You like poetry?”
He nodded. “Very much so. I find it fascinating, how impactful words can be.”
“How did I not know this?” I smiled. Probably looked like a goofball too. “My cinnamon roll has the soul of a poet.”
The winter air brought out the rosiness of his cheeks. “I wouldn’t say that. I may read poetry, but I’m dreadful at writing my own. The one time I tried, Quincy snatched it from me and jumped up onto a table in the mess hall to recite it in front of the other knights.”
“That’s horrible. Quincy needs a spanking.”
“The captain ordered him to muck out the stables for three days afterward,” Callum said, smile growing. “It was a silly little poem about the pride I felt fighting alongside my brothers. Yet, the captain told me he liked it. Thinking he shared my interest, I let him borrow several of my poetry books.”
