Chapter Three
The Man with the Mustache Means Business
My day started with morning snuggles in bed, strong coffee, and an unexpected summons to the castle. Once Miles arrived and reassured me he had everything under control at the café, I kissed Lake goodbye and then left with Briar and Maddox.
Now, I sat in a super fancy sitting room within the castle. Waiting. For what? I had no idea.
The armchair was far from comfortable. I wiggled on the cushion and tried not to let my thoughts jump to all the horrible reasons why I could’ve been summoned. Like maybe they’d learned about me being from another world, thought I was a spy, and intended to torture me for information.
Maybe Prince Douchebag—aka Cedric—was bored and wanted a new plaything to torment. More anxious fidgeting.
Tall windows revealed an overcast sky. On the short horse ride there, I’d smelled rain in the air. Hopefully, it held off until I returned home.
If I returned.
Okay, no one liked a morbid muffin. Time to take a breath and chill out.
The door opened.
“Good morrow,” an older man greeted me. A bushy white mustache covered his entire upper lip, and his thinning gray hair was slicked back. A younger man trailed behind him. “You must be Evan Clark.”
I quickly stood. “Yes, sir.”
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Walter Willoughby, Lord Mayor of Exalos.” He rested a hand over his chest and tipped his head to me. “I do hope you haven’t been waiting long. This one—” He waved toward the younger guy. “—was late in alerting me to your arrival.”
Exalos? My heart thumped harder. That was where my mom had been from.
“Oh, it’s no trouble at all.” I offered the younger one a smile. He must’ve been Walter’s attendant. He weakly returned the gesture. Something told me he’d received quite the talking-to on the way there, given his defeated posture. “What’s your name?”
That took him by surprise. “Percival, sir.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, then turned to the Monopoly Man’s twin brother. “What can I do for you, um… Mr. Willoughby?”
I wasn’t the best at knowing how to address those in power. Poor Prince Sawyer had dealt with my flailing around plenty of times in my attempt to do so.
“Lord Mayor, if you will.” Walter motioned to the armchairs. “Please. Let’s sit.”
I sank back down to the cushion.
“You.” He snapped his fingers at Percival. “Fetch us tea.”
“Right away, sir.” Percival nodded and exited the room.
“Worthless boy,” Walter mumbled as he sat across from me. He straightened his suit jacket and crossed one ankle over his knee. “I’m sure you relate all too well to such ignorance from subordinates. I rarely have a personal attendant for more than a fortnight before I show them to the door.”
Maybe if you treated them better, that wouldn’t happen. But I bit back the words.
“I wouldn’t know, sir. I don’t have an attendant.”
“What a shame.” Walter tsked. “A highly successful businessman such as yourself shouldn’t do everything on your own. Appointments. Chores. Fetching meals. We have subordinates to perform those mediocre tasks for us. But anyway.” He flicked his hand. “Shall we get to business? I’ve journeyed all this way to Bremloc to speak with you about your fine establishment.”
“My café?”
“Yes. The Brewed Muffin, is it? I requested an audience with the king to discuss the matter, and he gave me his blessing to extend the offer to you.”
“Offer?”
Percival returned carrying a tray with a teapot and cups and placed it on the table between the armchairs. He filled a cup and added two cubes of sugar from the bowl before stirring and handing it to Walter. Once the older man took a sip and nodded his approval, Percival stepped aside.
“Word of your café has spread to many villages, towns, and cities outside the capital,” Walter said before taking another sip. “Even more so following the autumn ball. I was in attendance, as I’m sure you recall, and sampled one of your pumpkin cakes. I’ve never tasted something so exquisite in all my years.”
Yeah, I didn’t remember him whatsoever, but I smiled and pretended that I did. I had catered the ball, providing drinks and pastries to the guests. Afterward, my business skyrocketed. It had been nonstop ever since.
“Which brings me to the purpose of my visit,” he continued. “I believe an establishment such as yours is too great and prosperous to remain in only one place. More people should have the opportunity to experience it. Therefore, it’s my honor to offer you the privilege of opening a second location in Exalos.”
I could only stare at him at first. Having one café was already a dream come true. Having two? It took my brain time to process.
“Mr. Clark?”
“Uh, yes. Sorry.” I cleared my throat. “You want me to open a café in Exalos? Am I understanding that right?”
“Indeed, you are.” Walter grabbed a thin cookie from the platter and bit into it, sprinkling crumbs down the front of his suit.
“How would it work? Would I need to move to Exalos?”
“Oh, not at all.” Another bite. More crumbs. The mess didn’t faze him at all. “In short, you’d only need to travel to Exalos for a brief time to ensure all is to your standards. A week or two at most, give or take a few days.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound too bad.” Nerves jumbled inside me. But so did excitement.
“The building has already been chosen for the café,” he continued. “Quite the ideal location as well, right in the heart of the city. You’ll have full control over the inner workings of the establishment, such as recipes, overseeing staff, et cetera.” He flicked his hand, showering the chair and floor with more cookie crumbs. “We can discuss your percentage of profit as well, of course.”
My cut of the money didn’t matter to me. I made more than enough from my café. It was everything else involved that gave me pause. Was it smart to leave Bremloc right now? A war was—maybe—on the horizon. Before making a decision, I first wanted to talk to my men.
“Thank you for the generous offer, Lord Mayor,” I finally responded. “I’m definitely interested, but can I have some time to think about it?”
“Certainly.” Walter smoothed a hand down the front of his suit and stood. “I’m staying at the Crown’s Inn in town square for the next three days on business. Think over the proposal, and find me there when you’ve made your decision.”
“Sounds good, sir.”
Percival rushed over to clean the crumbs before brushing off Walter’s vest and jacket. As the two of them left the room, I sat back down and took a moment to process.
A second café. In Exalos, of all places. It felt like fate. I had wanted to know more about my mom, and then Walter showed up with an offer that would take me to the place I could feel close to her. To the streets she’d walked and land she’d once called home.
I stood from the chair and approached the window. More dark clouds had rolled in. They looked angry. My gut coiled. I hated storms. My fear of thunder was irrational, but I couldn’t help it.
“Did Evan bring Kuya any of his yummy cakes?” a familiar voice rang from behind me. I didn’t even have time to properly turn around before something slammed into my back. A slam that was followed by a hard nuzzle to my shoulder blade. “Evan is snuggly and warm in this sweater.”
“You can thank Briar. He gave it to me.” I shifted around to look at my cat-boy bestie. “And of course, I brought yummy cakes. Who do you think I am?”
A journey to the castle meant I’d potentially see several of my favorite people: my band of silly and lovable knights, guards who’d warmed up to me in recent months, and my close friends like Kuya and Prince Sawyer. So I had come prepared. Though, the basket was a lot lighter than it’d been when I’d left the cottage, thanks to Maddox and his muffin-thieving tendencies.
Kuya’s rainbow eyes sparkled as they found the basket I’d placed on the side table. Me and my snuggly sweater were all but forgotten as he dove toward it and tore open the lid, finding the strawberry cupcakes I’d packed just for him.
Sir Noah stood in the doorway, stone-faced as usual. His black hair had been trimmed since I’d last seen him, cut shorter on the sides. He was Prince Sawyer’s personal knight but often escorted Kuya around the kingdom instead, obeying the request of his prince. That request being to keep Kuya safe and happy.
“Morning,” I greeted him. “Well, I guess it’s close to afternoon now.”
He merely nodded to me. Like Maddox, Noah rarely showed much emotion, especially when on duty. His black cloak was held together by a decorative silver clasp, and instead of armor, he wore a pristine uniform, leaving little doubt as to the high rank he held.
“Are you hungry?” I asked. “I packed some sugar cookies. Your favorite.”
“No, thank you.”
Kuya rolled his eyes. “Sir Noah is so grumpy and boring. Boring because he denies himself yummy treats.” Strawberry frosting was smeared around his lips, becoming even worse as he devoured a third cupcake. “When Kuya heard his Evan was at the castle, Kuya had to come see him.”
“I’m glad you did.” Amazing how one person could chase away the storm clouds. Figurately. Because it was even darker outside now. “How’s Prince Sawyer doing? We’ve written to each other, but I haven’t seen him in a while.”
“He’s well,” Sir Noah answered. “His studies have kept him busy.”
Yeah. His studies. More like, he’d been given a shitload of work to keep him distracted and confined to the castle. The kingdom of Haran had orchestrated the kidnapping attempt in order to force King Eidolon to agree to their demands—whatever those demands were.
“And you?”
“Me?” I asked the knight.
Noah’s cheeks darkened a shade. “Since your capture. How are you…” He shifted in place. “Doing?”
Bless him. He was trying. “I’m good. Just staying busy with work.”
Prince Sawyer had been the intended target when Rowan captured me. How, might you ask, had I gotten dragged into the middle of it, then? Apparently, people thought Sawyer and I looked alike. Silly, right? Sure, we both had golden hair and a similar shade of green eyes, but that’s where the resemblance ended.
The prince was a high-end, brand-name luxury item, and I was the knockoff version found on a sketchy website.
Noah looked at Kuya. “We should be on our way.”
“No. Kuya doesn’t want to be tortured again!” He bolted away from Noah, jumping up onto the armchair and squatting down. The last cupcake was in his hand.
“Tortured?” Alarmed, I looked at Noah.
The stoic knight seemed close to shattering that stoicism as the muscle in his cheek jumped. “It has been recommended that Kuya take… classes.”
“Be tortured.” Kuya’s tail flicked in the air behind him as he shoved the whole cupcake into his mouth. He wiped at his lips, then glanced at the back of his hand and licked off the frosting. “Kuya must learn how to behave all fancy.”
“Etiquette lessons,” Sir Noah said.
Kuya hissed.
Before they left, Kuya attacked me with more snuggles and promised to visit the café soon. But only if I promised to have cake waiting for him. A castle attendant then came and asked for me to follow her from the sitting room. The staircase curved down to the ground level, and we passed walls of windows.
A light tap on the glass drew my attention. Looked like the rain wouldn’t hold off after all.
“I’ll call you a carriage,” the woman said.
“Thank you.”
As I stood on the castle steps beneath the awning, I watched as more rain started to fall, heavier by the second. The rumble of distant thunder had me clutching my basket closer. Freaking irrational fear.
“Afternoon, Ev.”
I turned to see my favorite cinnamon roll. “Callum! Do you have business at the castle?”
“I do.” He gently took my basket and offered me his other arm. “You.”
I slipped my arm through his. “Maddox sent you, didn’t he?”
“Aye, he did. He would’ve come himself, but he’s in an important meeting and asked for me to come in his stead.” His eyes crinkled with a smile. Rain dampened his brown hair, and several drops ran down his armor. “But I would’ve come anyway. I remember how you don’t care for storms.”
“Thanks.” The rumble of thunder grew louder, and I pressed closer to his side. “What kind of meeting? With who?”
A covered carriage arrived, pulled by a white horse with gray spots on its rear. The driver tipped his head to us.
“Captain Vander of the Royal Order.” Callum guided me forward.
“Why?” I asked as he opened the carriage door and helped me up the step. The interior seat was super plushy, and my butt sank into it. He seated himself beside me. “Is it about Haran?”
“Matters of security, mostly. Patrol schedules, locations to station certain units and when.” He patted my leg. “Worry not, Ev. All is well at the moment.”
“At the moment,” I muttered under my breath. “I doubt any of you would tell me the truth anyway even if something was happening. Haran sent people to kidnap Prince Sawyer. That can’t just be swept under the rug.”
“You wish for the truth? Very well.” Callum slowly exhaled. “War hasn’t officially been declared yet. The situation is still ongoing. King Silas is aware we know he was behind the intended capture of the prince.”
“Is he trying to negotiate peace now that we caught on to his evil little scheme?”
“I’m not privy to that information. Only higher-ranking officers and court officials are. But if I had to guess, I’d say no. Conflict with Haran goes back centuries. Truces have been put into place, but none last for very long.”
“How did it start?”
“Territory disputes, I think,” Callum answered. “Also, differences over demi-humans. They have no rights in Haran and are still enslaved, even to this day. A former king of Bremloc, King Eidolon’s great-great-grandfather, sent armies over and freed many of them, offering them refuge here. Not that the people here have been very accepting of them either.”
My heart ached as I thought of Kuya, Miles, and Lake. “And then Haran retaliated?”
“Yes. That action sent the two kingdoms into a war that continued through the reign of several kings. When King Eidolon took the throne, he tried to mend the damage caused by his predecessors and worked toward peace.”
“But it didn’t work?”
“It did, at first. A ceasefire was called, but it ended after Prince Elias, the king’s younger brother, broke the terms of the truce. Or so I’ve heard.”
“And war continued on.”
“Yes, it did.” Callum slowly exhaled. “A treaty was eventually negotiated that ended the war. The terms were that both sides would keep to their own lands and not make a move against the other.”
“And now that King Silas has sent people after Prince Sawyer…”
“The treaty has been broken,” he said. “I’ve heard that King Eidolon wishes to settle this without bloodshed, which is more than likely why we haven’t been dispatched already. But I feel it’s only a matter of time before that changes.”
That was one thing I appreciated about Callum. He cared for me, but he didn’t sugarcoat shit.
“Maddox hasn’t told me any of this.” Frustration laced in my voice. “He keeps things from me so I won’t worry.”
“Don’t be too cross with him, Ev. He has a lot on his shoulders right now, and I think coming home to you helps him forget about that weight, at least for a little while. You’re his safe haven. A place he can escape to when life gets to be too much.”
“He’s mine too.” I felt that truth swell in my chest. “But he’s not the only one. All of you mean so much to me.”
Callum rested his cheek on the side of my head. “You mean a lot to us too. Baden, Duke, Quincy… me. We’d give our lives for yours.”
“Hopefully, it never comes to that.”
The rain picked up during the ride home. By the time we reached the cottage, it was a torrential downpour. Callum helped me from the carriage, thanked the driver, and ushered me toward the front door.
“You don’t have to stay with me,” I said once we were inside. Thunder then boomed so loud it sounded like a canon going off. I squeaked and threw myself at him.
Callum breathed out a soft laugh and wound his arms around me. “I’ve got you.”
His words stirred something inside of me. Before I could dwell on that feeling, I pulled from his embrace. “Are you hungry? I can make you something. It’s the least I can do since you so bravely escorted me home.”
As Callum smiled, I could’ve sworn a beam of sunlight broke through the dark clouds and flooded the front parlor. “Well, the captain’s orders were for me to stay by your side during the storm. Denying your request and leaving would be disobeying those orders.”
“See? You have no choice.”
The weather didn’t impact business. In fact, it seemed to draw in even more people. Nothing like drinking coffee and enjoying a good book on a rainy day.
Customers sat in the reading parlor, curled up by the fire with a hardback and hot drink. I smiled at them and continued with Callum through the cottage. More customers chatted at the bar. Peter and Alice flitted around the room, delivering trays of food and refilling cups.
Demi-humans sat around several of the tables: cats, otters, rabbits, and one that resembled a hawk. I hadn’t seen any bird-type demi-humans before and noted his slightly elongated nose and how his hair looked to have a feather texture.
Some humans sat with them, and they all chatted and laughed. The sight warmed my heart, especially after learning what Callum told me.
The Brewed Muffin was a safe space for everyone, humans and demi-humans alike. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere was exactly what I’d hoped it would be.
Excitement swirled in my veins as I thought about the lord mayor’s proposal. Another location for the café would mean spreading these good and cozy vibes to other areas, creating a safe space for more people beyond Bremloc’s borders.
I was useless with a sword, but I could strive for peace in the way I knew best.
One cup of coffee at a time.
***
The lively dinner felt even more special that evening. As the men I loved stuffed their faces and talked about their day, it was like a warm blanket over my heart.
Duke stole food off Baden’s plate, and Baden retaliated by swiping Duke’s mug of wine and downing it in one huge gulp. The best wine ever, too, because Briar had made it—another of his many talents.
Lake and Briar were engaged in conversation about the wine-making process, while Maddox, Callum, and Quincy discussed the meeting with Captain Vander.
“Knights of the Third Order are patrolling tonight,” Maddox said between bites of salmon and roasted baby potatoes. He sat beside me, and I felt his knee bounce as he ate. “One unit is stationed in the dark wood, and the other’s near the harbor. We’ll send units along the outskirts of the kingdom come morning.”
Talk of patrols brought back unwanted memories of my knights lying in the medical wing of the clinic, bloody and moaning in pain. I shoved the memory to the back of my mind and sipped more wine. My hand trembled.
“Why the harbor?” Briar asked.
“A small unmarked ship was spotted off the coast,” Maddox said. “Appears to be a mere sailor passing through, but we’re staying vigilant just in case. Should the ship make for the shore, we’ll know.”
Briar brushed his fingertips along my temple. “You never told us why you were summoned to the castle, love.”
The knights stopped talking and focused on me.
“Oh. Yeah, I guess I haven’t.” I fidgeted in my chair like I always did when nervous. Walter’s offer suddenly felt trivial compared to everything else happening in Bremloc. “The lord mayor of Exalos wants me to open a second café.”
“Seriously?” Callum beamed. “That’s excellent news!”
“It truly is,” Briar said. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
“I don’t know.” More fidgeting.
Lake’s ears drooped. “But it’s important.”
Maddox stared at me, silent and unreadable.
“If I do it, I’ll have to travel to Exalos.” I averted my gaze to my plate. “Two weeks at most. With everything going on with Haran, I’m not sure leaving is the best decision right now.”
“Don’t worry about Haran.” Duke filled his mug with more red wine. “The knights will deal with any threats they send our way.”
Baden nodded. “Aye. Leave the fighting to us. You focus on what you do best. Bringing joy to people with your food. Speaking of…” He helped himself to more potatoes and snatched three more rolls of bread, slathering them in butter.
Small flutters rolled through my belly. “I told the lord mayor I’d think on it for now. He’s staying at the Crown’s Inn for three days, so I need to give him an answer before he leaves.”
“Well, you have my support,” Briar said. “Regardless of your decision.”
Lake nodded, giving me his silent approval as well.
Maddox still hadn’t said a word.
What was he thinking? Was he mad? Worried? Communication wasn’t his strong suit, so it was difficult reading him in times like this. But then, I felt the pressure of his hand on my upper thigh. He still didn’t say anything, but as his blue eyes found mine, there was an unmistakable softness in them.
The three of them wanted me to do whatever made me happy. Which meant I had a lot of thinking to do.
Lightning flickered on the other side of the dark window, and thunder soon followed, the deep rumble rattling the glasses lining the shelf behind the main bar.
“Y’all should sleep here tonight,” I told the knights. “I don’t want you getting out in the storm.”
“Eh, we’ve been through worse,” Quincy said, lightly scratching at the scar cutting across the left side of his face. “A little rain is no trouble at all.” Just then, that little rain swooshed hard against the side of the cottage, the drops sounding like a spray of bullets. Flashes of lightning revealed the trees bowing from the force of the wind. “On second thought, sleeping here sounds great.”
Callum snorted.
After cleaning up from dinner and fetching blankets and pillows for the knights, my men and I went upstairs to wash and get ready for bed. Callum and Quincy shared the guest room, while Baden and Duke took the couches in the reading parlor. I’d set out a platter of cookies in case they got the munchies in the middle of the night.
“About the café in Exalos…” Maddox knelt by the fire in our room and added another log. “Is it something you want?”
I remembered the table of demi-humans and humans. How they’d all sat enjoying a meal together, laughing. I thought of all the people who left the café with full bellies and smiles. Then, more selfishly, I thought of how going might make me feel closer to the mom I never had the chance to meet.
“Yeah,” I confessed. “I really do.”
Maddox stared at the burning log. “Then you need to go see the lord mayor and accept his offer.”
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Yes.” He stoked the fire.
Something was upsetting him.
“Exalos is a beautiful place. You’ll love it.” Briar slid under the covers and spooned me from behind. “Mountains as tall as the clouds and caves with crystal-clear springs unlike any you’ll find here in Bremloc.”
“That’s right,” I said, recalling a few months back when Maddox traveled there for a mission. “Exalos is more inland with mountainous terrain, huh?”
Briar nodded. “The mountains contain powerful gems and jewels highly sought after by merchants and mages alike. Quite the prosperous city in that regard. Your café would make it even more so. And you’ve said before how you’d love to travel and see other lands. This is the perfect opportunity for that.”
Lake claimed his spot on my legs and nuzzled my thighs. I lowered my hand to his hair and petted the soft strands. It calmed some of the anxiety in my chest.
Maddox, once satisfied with the fire, joined us in bed. He pushed one arm beneath my pillow and draped the other across my waist. Being quiet wasn’t new for him, but this felt different.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Why do you believe something’s wrong?”
“Because I know you.”
He angled his head to look at me. The blue eyes I adored were like oceans that hid his deepest thoughts. “When you leave, I’m needed here and won’t be able to travel with you. That… worries me.”
“I’m a mighty muffin lord, remember? I can take care of myself.”
I mean, probably.
“Ah, yes,” he mumbled. “A mighty muffin lord who trips each time he takes a step and who has a charm that attracts everyone around him, friend and foe alike.”
Lake raised his head and bumped my palm, a silent request for more pets. I obliged, and he settled back in place with a soft sigh. “I’ll journey with you to keep you safe.”
Some of that anxiety returned. “What if someone sees you?”
“I’ll keep to the forest, staying out of sight.”
“You’ll also have your necklace.” Briar dropped a kiss to my shoulder blade. “No one can hurt you while you’re wearing it.”
“My own two feet not included.”
Maddox huffed.
“The lord mayor said you’d be gone for about two weeks?” Briar asked.
“Yeah. I’m sure he’ll give more details when I meet with him to accept the offer.”
“It’s a three-day journey to Exalos,” Maddox said. “So there and back will take roughly a week. Add two weeks for the time you’ll be there supervising and helping with the opening. A month sounds like a reasonable estimate.”
His expression didn’t change, but I heard the minute change in his tone. The gravelly edge to some of the words. Was that why he’d been so quiet earlier? He’d been calculating the time he wouldn’t be by my side.
I rested in my favorite little nook between his arm and shoulder and closed my eyes.
A whole month without seeing Maddox. Without seeing Briar, too, since I doubted he’d be able to travel with me either. Their roles in the kingdom were too important. It would be the longest I’d been away from them since coming to Bremloc.
Lake nuzzled me again. Did he sense me fretting?
“I don’t have to do it,” I said. “The timing is kinda crappy anyway. I’ll go see Walter in the morning and tell him I’ve decided not to—”
“No.” Maddox grabbed my chin and tilted my face up to his. “You’ll tell him yes. I see how much you want to go.”
“I agree with the captain,” Briar said. “Opportunities such as this don’t come along very often. You’ve worked hard, love, and deserve this.”
“Okay.” I yawned and wiggled in place, loving the feel of them all around me. It was an indescribable comfort that never failed to bring me peace, even when my mind was sort of a mess.
The rain hadn’t let up since starting earlier, but wedged between the three of them as the fire crackled in the hearth, I wasn’t afraid of the storm.
Morning brought with it a burst of golden light as the sun rose, chasing away the dark clouds from the previous day. I dressed and went downstairs to start breakfast. I had a house of hungry men to feed.
Soon, those men swarmed the kitchen, pouring coffee and piling food onto their plates, their voices boisterous in the early dawn hours. I loved it. When time came for them to leave for the castle, Baden and Duke ruffled my hair as they passed by, stealing a muffin for the road. Quincy playfully bumped my arm and followed after them.
“Thanks for letting us sleep over,” Callum said, standing beside me at the counter. A sweet fragrance came off him, like maybe he really was an ooey gooey cinnamon roll. Was that how he always smelled in the morning?
“Anytime.”
Smiling, he lightly bopped the top of my head with his fist and dashed off after the others.
Maddox watched after him with a slight wrinkle to his brow. He then came over and kissed me deeply before drawing back. His thumb traced the line of my jaw. “Behave.”
“I always do.” I hugged him. “And you be safe.”
“Always am.”
Briar kissed my temple before the two of them left.
“The house is so quiet now,” Lake said, staring toward the doorway they’d all passed beneath. His tail drooped behind him.
“Do you miss the noise?”
His purple eyes moved to me. “Not necessarily. But I do miss… them.” He touched the base of his sternum. “I feel a strange ache right here when they leave.”
“Me too.” I stepped into his arms and rested my head over his chest. “But we’ll see them later. When they come home.”
“Home.” Lake emitted a soft sound. “The one we’ve built together. All four of us.”
Four of us. He really had grown over the months. The lone wolf who feared others and isolated himself had evolved into the beautiful male in front of me.
“Yeah.” I focused on the steady beats of his heart as my own heart swelled with my love for him.
For all of them.