“What’s the mission tonight?” I asked. “Track down a mysterious rogue? Or a lady of the night who slits the throats of unfaithful men? Maybe a crime duo who may or may not be named Holly and Herbert. The Bonnie and Clyde of beetles.”
Reign laughed so hard the top of his mask nearly slipped down.
“That mouth of yours is quite the weapon, little treasure.” Rowan reappeared in the corner of the kitchen. A black mask covered half of his face, revealing only his topaz eyes.
“It’s a gift.” My pulse quickened and heat swirled low in my belly. It was my first time actually seeing him in his spy outfit.
“Well, you certainly look the part of a spy now,” Maddox said. “Did Draven let you borrow his old clothes? From his youth, perhaps?”
Reign laughed again, then stifled it with a cough. I got the impression that when not working, he was quite the funny guy. Easygoing with an upbeat attitude.
“Better to be small than a big brute like you,” Rowan told Maddox, and I sensed the sneer behind his mask. “You’re slow and noisy.”
“No fighting.” I approached Rowan and adjusted the clasp on his cloak. “Want me to pack a bundle of treats for you? Something to snack on later? At least a sandwich. I’d say almonds, but the crunching would be too loud.”
“Gods, you’re too good for me. But I don’t need a snack.” Affection shone in his topaz eyes as he gripped the side of my neck and pressed his mouth to my jaw. I felt the warmth of his breath through his mask. “Don’t miss me too much.”
“Too late,” I said. Something about the mask being between us thrilled me to no end. Added a touch of mystery. Also made me feel like I was living in my own dark romance novel with a dangerous masked man.
That danger being to every carb in sight.
After brushing aside my bangs, he drew his hood up, turned, and walked toward the door. Draven nodded to Maddox before he and Reign followed Rowan, exiting the cottage. A shadow passed across the window before no sign of them remained.
Were they traveling through the trees now? Going from branch to branch and running across rooftops Assassin’s Creed style?
“Spies truly are sneaky,” Briar said, amused.
“Huh?” I followed his gaze. Three brownies were missing from the pan. One for each of them. “Sneaky indeed.”
“They can have the brownies, I suppose,” Maddox mumbled. “But if they take my muffins, I’ll take their heads.”
“Murder is wrong.” I turned to him, hands on my hips. His lips twitched. “I wonder what their mission is. Hopefully not something dangerous.”
“I wouldn’t worry, love.” Briar started water for tea. “The spies mainly keep to the shadows, rarely engaging with anyone. Their purpose is to observe and report anything suspicious.”
That made me feel better. If there was one thing Rowan was better at than anyone else, it was using the shadows to be a total badass.
Soon, the time came for Maddox to leave too.
“There’s the face I wished to avoid.” He smoothed his thumb across my bottom lip.
“My sad toad face?”
He softly smiled. “The very one.”
“I’ll pack you some brownies.” The scent of leather and Maddox-spiciness surrounded me. One of my favorite smells in the entire world. “Defending the kingdom is important and all, but so is your health. Eating. Sleeping.”
“Kissing my muffin lord?” His lips brushed mine.
“That too.” I smiled, feeling a quiver in my throat.
After kissing me softly, Maddox continued toward the front parlor and grabbed his white cloak from the stand near the door, securing it around his broad shoulders. I followed behind him, not saying a word despite the onslaught of things zipping through my mind.
He opened the front door and looked back at me. It was only for a second, but the look in his eyes made my heart ache.
Love. It radiated from him, so warm I still felt traces of it long after he’d closed the door.
“He’ll be safe, love.” Briar hugged me from behind, also staring at the door. “He wears his ring, remember? We’re protecting him.”
