“Aye. Those little cakes you made the other morning. Round, golden, and delicious. Great when drenched in butter.”
I tried not to laugh, but he made it hard. “Do you mean pancakes?”
A puzzled look crossed Quincy’s face. “Was that its name?”
Baden clapped him on the shoulder. “Quite fortunate you’re skilled in a fight. You’d never make it far with intellect alone.”
“All right,” I said, pulling the blanket higher. “Give me a moment to get dressed, then I’ll make breakfast.”
No way in hell was I showing all of Maddox’s knights my junk. I might’ve had a harem, but I drew the line somewhere.
After the knights left and closed the door, I pecked Callum on the lips and scooted out of bed. I cleaned up using the water basin in the small connecting room before dressing in the clothes I’d worn the previous day. A certain knight was right where I’d left him when I finished.
“You’re still in bed.” I put my hands on my hips.
Callum wiggled more into the mattress and tossed me that crinkly eyed grin. “I’m injured, Ev. Forget making breakfast for them and cuddle with me.”
I blinked. That was way cuter than my pre-coffee brain could process.
A knock came at the door. When it wasn’t forced open like earlier, I figured it wasn’t one of the bratty knights and went over to answer it.
“Good morning, love,” Briar said, his brown hair tousled from the morning breeze. A satchel was slung over one shoulder. “Apologies for the intrusion. I’m here to check on Callum.”
“Morning.” I hugged him. “You’re not intruding. Seeing you always makes me happy.”
“Not as happy as you make me.” He kissed my temple and stepped through the doorway.
A familiar smell wafted from him. Magnolia blossoms… but something else too. My mouth watered. “Briar? What’s in your bag?”
He peered at me over his shoulder, brow arching. “A surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” My stomach grumbled as he reached into the satchel and withdrew a wrapped bundle. “Oh my god.”
“Fig bread.” He smiled. “It’s been too long since I’ve made it for you.”
“Have I ever said how much I love you?” I flung my arms around him in my excitement.
“Once or twice.” Laughing, Briar handed me the bundle and softly kissed me. “Sit and eat while I check on your knight.”
I padded over to the small table and sat down, eagerly unwrapping my treat.
“How do you feel?” Briar sat on the edge of the bed and brought his satchel forward.
“Better.” Callum sat up and lowered the blanket, exposing his tight abs. “A bit sore is all.”
“Soreness is expected.” Briar examined the wounds on Callum’s torso. “You’re healing nicely.”
“Will I be able to return to my usual duties soon?”
I narrowed my eyes at him as I chewed. He was lucky I hadn’t woken to find him outside hitting trees with sticks again.
“I believe so.” Briar gently probed a deeper gash on Callum’s ribs, nodding to himself. “May I see your neck?”
The bread soured in my gut as he removed the bandage. The wound had closed but wasn’t nearly as faded as the others. How he’d survived it was a miracle. My heart wobbled.
“No tears,” Callum said, looking over at me.
“I’m not crying.” I wiped at my eyes and turned in my seat to face the window. “There’s just dust in my eye.”
