Chapter Eleven
Welcome to the City of Shiny Things
“You snuck from your room last night,” Finnian said with a touch of amusement in his blue eyes. “August was awfully sour about it.”
“I know not what you speak,” I responded, playing innocent, before spinning around to hop into the carriage. I should’ve known better. The tip of my shoe hit beneath the step instead of landing on top of it, and I lost my balance, stumbling forward.
Before my face could slam against the side of the carriage though, an arm shot out and grabbed me.
“Thank you.” I turned to look at my savior and came face-to-face with Ban. His gray eyes held no emotion—that I could detect anyway. Not that I was the best at reading people to begin with.
He grunted and released me.
Rowan had hid our presence from him last night, saying I couldn’t trust him. But my gut told me differently. Ban had given me half of his sandwich when realizing I didn’t have anything to eat, and now he’d spared me from the humiliation of having a pink mark on my face and probably several scrapes and bruises caused by my own clumsiness.
He gave me “burnt marshmallow” energy. Crispy and coarse on the outside but sweet and gooey on the inside.
August marched toward me, leading his horse by the reins. The deep scars on his face made his scowl even more effective. “You do know it’s our duty to protect you, correct? Look at you. You can’t even take one step without falling on your face. What possessed you to go gallivanting through an unfamiliar town at night and alone? By the gods, boy, if I wasn’t looking right at it, I’d say you’ve lost your head.”
“Here.” I withdrew the bag of almonds from last night—the little that hadn’t been eaten by Lake once I’d let him try them earlier that morning—and opened the top. “Have one. It can be our truce nut.”
“A truce nut?” August sneered at the bag before shoving his hand inside and popping a handful into his mouth. As he crunched them between his teeth, his brows lifted. “It’s not horrible, I guess.”
Ban leaned forward to peek at the bag.
“You have some too.” I offered it to him. “An apology for last night. I, uh, kind of hid from you when you came looking for me.”
I could’ve sworn he’d been moments from smiling before stubbornly holding onto his stoicism.
Oh, Ban. I will get a reaction out of you before this trip is over. Mark my words.
The giant burnt marshmallow of a guard accepted one of the almonds and ate it, offering me a sharp nod and a grunt before retrieving his horse.
“Do I get one?” Callum asked as he walked up with Duke. The two of them had woken early to get in some training before breakfast.
“Just one.” I dropped one into his upturned hand. I gave Duke one too. “And one for you.”
“Wow, Ev.” Callum looked down at it. “I thought I was your precious, ooey-gooey cinnamon roll, and this is how you treat me?”
“Truce nuts are for foes, not friends.” I nodded to August. He had swung up into the saddle of his horse and narrowed his eyes at me. “Which is why he got a billion. I need all the help I can get.”
Callum and Duke ate their almonds—one each—before exchanging a look and walking toward me at the same time.
“Uh, what are you guys doing?” I asked, bumping into the carriage as I stepped backward. “If this is a shakedown, you should know I have a big mouth, and I’m not afraid to use it. I’ll scream so loud Maddox will hear me all the way from Bremloc and—”
They lunged forward and snatched the bag from my hand.
“Hey!” I tried to get it back, which was a futile attempt. They grinned as they tossed it back and forth, passing it over my head. “This isn’t the time to play ‘keep away from Evan,’ okay? Oh, fine. Keep them. Consider it your Christmas present.”
“Christmas?” Callum caught the bag as Duke passed it to him. “What’s that?”
“Whatever it is, it sounds like we get presents,” Duke said with a wide smile. “Though, being around you is gift enough, Thorn Prince.”
“Ev is a gift to us all.” Callum tipped my chin up, a smile warming his brown eyes. “Now, into the carriage you go.” He helped me inside before closing the door and patting it once.
As the carriage jolted and we took off, I lifted a hand to my chin, still feeling a tingle where he’d touched me.
“Yet another admirer?” came a voice from the seat across from me. Golden eyes appeared before Rowan eased from the shadows. “How many is that now? Twenty?”
“Oh, stop.” I wiggled on the seat to get comfortable and clutched my satchel. It had become a sort of security blanket during the trip. “Callum is just a friend.”
“If you say so.” Rowan sat at an angle and kicked one leg up on the seat. He shut his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall.
“Where did you sleep last night?”
One lid cracked open. “Worried I didn’t sleep alone?”
“Um. No.” Heat prickled at my scalp. “Whoever you do or don’t sleep with is your business, not mine.”
“Liar.” Rowan faintly smiled and closed his eyes again. “Fret not, little treasure. I debated on visiting the brothel to distract myself from you, but alas, no one even comes close to you. It would’ve been a waste of time and coin. So, I downed several tankards of ale from the tavern, then used one of the vacant rooms in the inn. Free of charge, of course.”
Meaning he’d slipped into the room using the shadows and stayed without paying. Which reminded me of something.
“You never told me how shadow traveling works,” I said. “Can you go anywhere in the world in the blink of an eye?”
“No.” He tucked his hands behind his head. “My traveling distance is limited. I have to be able to see the location I want to go.”
“Oh.” I looked out the window.
“You seem disappointed. Am I not powerful enough for you?”
“That’s not it.” I got the feeling that was a touchy subject for him, not being as strong as he wanted. “I was just wondering… hoping, I guess, if you could go back and forth between here and Bremloc.”
“To check on Specs and your captain?”
His nickname for Briar made me smile. “Yeah. Something like that.”
“More experienced shadow wielders can travel anywhere,” he said, relaxing again. “I’ve never been taught how to use my magic. Everything I know, I figured out on my own. While it’s gotten me by so far, I want to be more powerful. And I will. Someday. Don’t worry about your men though. Specs has intelligence on his side, and the captain is a brute who’s decent with a sword. Skilled enough to not get himself killed. I’m sure they’re fine.” A short pause. “When they’re not crying over you anyway. The lovesick fools.”
He was trying to comfort me.
“Thanks for that.” I smiled over at him. He didn’t return the smile, but his eyes softened just a smidge. “Can you take someone with you when you travel?”
“Why?” He arched a brow. “You want to try it?”
“No.” I shifted on the seat. “Maybe.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He moved the tip of his boot in slow circles as it sat crossed over his other ankle. “One day, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
“How romantic.”
Rowan scoffed. “Hate to disappoint you, but I’m not like those heartthrob heroes in your little romance novels. Instead of flowers, I’d give you the head of your enemy.”
“I mean… that could still be romantic. It shows you care.”
“Dear god.” He lightly laughed. “That mouth is a weapon. Every time it opens, I feel a knock in my chest.”
“You may want to have Briar check that for you. Could be your heart.”
His smile faded. “My heart stopped beating years ago. Nothing can touch it now.”
Rowan avoided emotional intimacy. I’d been that way too, once. Growing up like I did, never feeling like I belonged anywhere and constantly being tossed aside, neglected, or made to feel like I didn’t matter, I’d been reluctant to open my heart to anyone. But then I’d woken up one day in a grassy field and looked into the bluest eyes.
I grabbed my necklace and moved my thumb along the leather band it hung from. My men had brought me back to life.
The carriage continued down the road, the wheels rattling each time they went over rocks or found small holes. Nerves twisted in my belly with every forward motion that brought us closer to the next town.
“You look like a sad toad again.”
“I’m not sad,” I said. “I’m… nervous.”
“About?”
“Reaching Exalos.” I released a shaky breath. “I’m nervous about opening the café. What if the people there don’t like me? What if I mess up?”
“You won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re you.” His expression was the kindest I’d ever seen from him, not an ounce of sarcasm or cockiness. “You work hard and have passion for what you do. And you make decent coffee, I guess.”
I snorted.
“We’re complete opposites.” Rowan examined his nails. To keep from looking at me? “You live in the light, and I come from the dark. You’re everything good in this world, and I’m the vermin that creates a stain upon it. With my magic, that’s all I can ever be.”
“Don’t say that. You may have dark magic, but that doesn’t mean you have to do bad things with it”
“And if I want to do bad things?”
I stared at him. “You don’t.”
“How can you be so sure? You said so yourself. I’m an army of red flags. An Evan-napping bandit.”
“Thief, not bandit.”
Rowan grinned and placed a hand to his chest. “Did you hear that, little treasure? The knock right here?” He tapped the spot. “All because of you.”
“I still think you need to get that checked out. Could be a serious heart condition. Like it grew three sizes or something.” He wouldn’t understand the Grinch reference, but it was close to Christmas, and I couldn’t help myself.
“Oh, something grew just now.” Rowan dropped both feet back to the floor and leaned forward in the seat. “But it wasn’t my heart.”
“Pervert.”
He laughed and came closer. My breath caught as he knelt on the floor in front of my seat and pushed my legs open, settling between them. Gold and shades of light orange wove through his irises, and when the sun came through the window and shone on them, there looked to be fire in the depths.
Fitting. Maddox was my ocean. Lake was my night sky. Briar grounded me to the earth. And now Rowan was a blazing inferno, his flames licking at my skin, begging to seep deeper into me. I wanted them to. Craved the burn.
“What are you doing to me, little treasure?” Rowan slid his hands up my thighs and dropped his forehead to my chest. “You’ve burrowed deep inside me, and I can’t cut you out no matter how hard I try.”
“What if I don’t want you to cut me out?” I cradled his head, certain he could hear the wild beating of my heart.
He stayed against me for several seconds, silent and unmoving, before pulling away and returning to the darkened corner. Without saying a word, he tossed me a final glance and let the shadows swallow him whole.
Sighing, I pulled Mister Hop from the satchel and curled up, closing my eyes. Lake’s scent clung to the fabric of the cloth bunny, and I pushed my face deeper into it.
These damn men would be the death of me.
***
We reached Exalos by midafternoon. The sun shone bright as Callum helped me from the carriage. My butt and legs were sore from the long and bumpy ride, and my cinnamon roll of a knight pressed his lips together as I walked like I had something stuck up my ass.
“Not a word,” I mumbled at him.
He lost composure and let that grin run free.
“Welcome to Exalos,” a girl greeted me with a curtsey. Her strawberry blond hair was pulled back in a low bun, and a pink dress with a flower pattern covered her petite frame. “My name’s Gertrude.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Evan.” I glanced behind her at the two-story building. It sat in the center of the plaza, with a quaint courtyard on one side. The swooping trees, burst of color from flower beds, and stone benches gave it a whimsical look. “Wow.”
She smiled. “Lovely, isn’t it? The lord mayor spared no expense. The building has been fully furnished with new flooring and updated kitchen equipment but remains a blank canvas for you to paint as you wish. I’ll be assisting you with the interior decorating.”
A guy with short black hair and glasses stepped forward. He appeared to be a handful of years older than me, if I had to guess, and stood several inches taller with a lean build. “I’ll be assisting you with the food preparation, recipes, and anything involving the kitchen. The name is William James Morton the Third, but do call me William.”
“Awesome. I’m Evan, Lord of the Muffins, First of His Name. But you can just call me Evan.”
William laughed. “Lord of the Muffins? I quite enjoy your wit.” He showed off his pearly whites and motioned to the entrance. “Shall I show you around?”
“Sure.”
Hershel turned to me from his seat atop the carriage. “I’ll continue on to the inn and place your belongings in your room, Master Evan.”
“Thanks,” I said, still weirded out by the “master” address but getting more used to it. “That’d be great.”
August and Finnian accompanied the coachman, while Callum, Duke, and Ban stayed with me. Lake was close by as well. I sensed him. In such a big city, I worried about him being seen, but he’d reassured me several times everything would be okay. I needed to trust him.
Gertrude and William then led me inside the building.
The polished hardwood floors and a multitude of windows gave the place an open and classy feel. Tables filled the main dining hall, some seating two and others big enough for six. Beautiful but not exactly homey. Not yet anyway. Once decorated, it’d hopefully feel cozier.
That’s what made the Brewed Muffin so special. The feel of home and comfort. A lived-in space with nooks and crannies, plushy chairs to curl up in, coffee and pastries made from the heart, and a warm fire to take the chill from the air.
A home away from home.
“I hope all is to your liking so far?” Gertrude asked as we moved around the dining room.
“Yep. It’s great.”
“Excellent.” She neared a set of glass doors and motioned outside. “Customers will also have the choice to sit on the back patio if they prefer.”
It was exactly what I wanted to do with my own café. More and more, the reality was sinking in that this was actually happening. Briar was right. This was an opportunity I would’ve kicked myself had I passed on.
“What about the reading parlor?” I asked.
“Of course.” She smiled. “Follow me upstairs.”
The upstairs had less of an open floor plan, which I liked. Little reading nooks, corners, and dividing walls added to the magical atmosphere of escaping into books. I surveyed the space, admiring the walls of bookshelves and comfy armchairs. The shelves were empty at the moment.
“I’ll meet with the bookshop owner about supplying the books,” I said, gliding my hand along a shelf. “Maybe we can run a joint promotion that’ll bring more business to both of us. Buy one of their books and get a discounted cup of coffee or pastry.”
“Excellent idea,” William responded. “We can arrange a meeting for tomorrow after breakfast.”
“Cool.” Reaching the window, I checked out the view of the courtyard. “This is the perfect location. It’s stunning.”
“Indeed. Now on to the kitchen,” William said, one arm behind his back and the other resting near his chin. “And prepare to be amazed. As Gertrude mentioned, no expense was spared.”
I was definitely amazed. The kitchen had double the number of ovens as my café, as well as more stovetops and a walk-in pantry that was more like its own small room rather than a cupboard. The burr mills were top of the line, and machines sat on the sleek counter opposite them, fancier than any I’d seen before.
“Everything’s so shiny,” I said.
“Well, you are in the city of gems,” William responded. “Beauty and extravagance is what we’re known for.”
“So you’ll be one of the bakers when the café opens? Did I understand that right?”
“One of the bakers?” William made a face that I associated with rich snobs. “My role is far more important than that, dearest Evan. Not only will I be head baker, but I’ll also be the one running this café once you return home.”
William carried himself like a nobleman, in both how he spoke and how he dressed. I was sure he’d received the best culinary training money could buy and more than likely far surpassed me in skill because of it. If so, the idea that I’d be teaching him anything was kind of silly. I wasn’t classically trained at all.
As Rowan had said in regard to his magic, everything I knew I taught myself through trial and error—a lot of error.
Memories surfaced of cookies burnt to a crisp and crumbly cake dryer than the Sahara Desert. We all had to start somewhere, and I’d started in a run-down kitchen in a group home surrounded by other lonely boys desperate to find their purpose in life. Something that made you want to wake up in the morning.
Some of those boys never found the thing that set their souls on fire. But my love of baking became mine. Food brought people together.
It saved them too.
After thanking William and Gertrude for showing me around and making plans to meet them for breakfast the next morning, my escort of bodyguards and I left the café-in-progress. The sun had inched closer to the horizon. We had an hour left of daylight, if that.
“Needs a lot of work,” Callum said. “That place is nice but lacks warmth. Your café is cozy and helps me feel better after a hard day.”
“Aye.” Duke threw his arm around my shoulders, having to bend down to do so, given our height difference. “Nothing beats coming to your cottage and enjoying a hot meal and good company. That’s what this café needs. The kinda love and care only you can give.”
“Y’all are gonna make me cry. Stop.”
Ban peered down at me. He was the tallest of our group. The top of Duke’s head barely even clipped his shoulder.
“What’s your favorite flavor?” I asked him. “Chocolate? Blueberry? Or maybe you’re a vanilla bean kinda guy.”
No response. Just more staring.
“Hmm. You’ll be quite the challenge, but worry not. I have a knack for finding everyone’s favorite treat. Callum and Maddox love muffins. Briar loves cranberry and oatmeal cookies. Sir Noah of the Royal Order has a weakness for sugar cookies, but don’t tell him I told you that.”
The muscle in Ban’s cheek twitched.
“Was that an almost smile?” I asked in disbelief.
He only stared at me. One second passed. Two. Then, he emitted a rough grunt and averted his gaze back to the paved walkway.
“I’ll figure you out, Ban the Silent. Just wait and see.”
“Ban the Silent?” Callum asked.
“I want a nickname too.” Duke rocked me from side to side with his beefy arm still around my shoulders. “Come on. What do ya have for me?”
“The Redhead of Destruction.”
He barked out a laugh. “I’ll take it.”
Mountains bordered Exalos, stretching for as far as the eye could see. Lush valleys and green fields dwelled within and around the city too, some of it farmland and some privately owned by nobles for their grand estates. Farming and mining seemed to be the popular professions among common folk.
As we walked toward the inn, we passed a group of men covered in sweat and grime, their expressions dazed from a hard day’s work. They towed a creaky cart weighed down with mining tools and various brown bags. The men nodded to us before going on their way.
“What’s in the bags?” I asked once they’d passed.
“Coal or gemstones, I’d wager,” Callum answered. “The fruit of their hard labor that’ll be passed on to their superior and make the rich even richer.”
“Well, that’s not fair. They work their butts off all day and probably get paid a crappy salary, while lazy rich bums reap all the rewards? Where’s Robin Hood when you need him?”
“Robin Hood?” Duke asked. “I met a fellow once named Robin. He had a wart on his cheek the size of a copper coin. Said he wanted to be a painter.”
The story was so random that I started giggling and couldn’t stop. It got Callum cracking up, too, while Duke and Ban stared at us. Their serious expressions sent me even more over the edge.
A loud chiming rang out, drawing my attention to a bell tower. It towered over all the surrounding buildings and was attached to a grand cathedral with a high-arched roof, stone statues, and stained-glass windows. The chimes ended after five.
“I think I want to explore town a little while it’s still light out,” I said. “Is that okay?”
Callum nodded. “As long as we go with you.”
“So you wouldn’t like it if I started running to get away from you?”
Ban’s alarmed gaze shot to me.
Callum, however, started to laugh. “You wouldn’t get far. You’d take three steps and trip.”
“Rude.”
With no destination in mind, I veered down a street with shops on both sides. People strolled past us, greeting me with a nod or smile, which I returned. Restaurants buzzed with activity as the dinner crowd swept in.
Excitement fluttered in my chest. This was the city my mom had grown up in. Twenty-three years was a long time, and any evidence of her was probably long gone by now, but still. I could almost imagine her in my head, walking along this same street.
Did she ever stop in at the bakery for a loaf of bread? Had she bought apples from the farmer’s fruit cart?
Where had she met my dad? By that fountain, with the water cascading behind them and a gentle breeze sweeping through the surrounding trees? Or maybe they’d met in front of the bookstore, bumping into each other and dropping their bags before frantically apologizing, then looking up and locking eyes in a Hallmark-movie-worthy meet-cute.
Lupin, the cryptic butthole, had said it was too dangerous to reveal my dad’s identity. But learning more about my mom could lead me to answers about him too.
I was happy with my men. Happy with the family I’d found. However, there was a tiny hole in my chest when I thought of the parents I never had the chance to know. Being in Exalos might help me fill that emptiness, at least a little.
Kids exited a candy shop, grinning from ear to ear as they clutched their bags of goodies. A group of four women wearing leather armor walked past with bows strapped to their backs and daggers holstered at their sides. A man followed behind them, struggling with a large bag that clanked, probably filled with weapons and supplies.
“Adventurers?” I asked.
Ban nodded once.
“Every city has a guild hall,” Callum said. “You interested in changing careers? Not sure the captain would approve. You’d try to raid a dungeon and end up as the monster’s afternoon snack.” He ruffled my hair. “Because you’re too sweet.”
I patted my hair back down and sneered at him. It only made him laugh. “No, I don’t want to be an adventurer. It’s just kinda cool.”
Maybe an adventurer knew something about my mom? Or someone who worked in the main guild hall? They usually knew all sorts of secrets about the city and everyone in it.
“I see your interest.” Callum sighed. “All right. Come on. We’ll take a quick look.”
He took my hand and led me toward the guild building, and Ban and Duke followed behind us. More adventurers exited as we approached, each holding a small coin pouch. Probably payment for a recent job. Reaching the main set of doors, I felt like a little kid about to step into a long-anticipated theme park.
Was I suited for a life of raiding dungeons, fighting monsters, and completing magical tasks or quests of bravery? Well, no. I’d more than likely trip over a rock and impale myself on my own sword or whatever. But. Everything about it intrigued me.
Upon entering, my gaze darted everywhere, taking in the marble floor, high arched ceilings, and scattered conversations.
People stood in groups, more than likely members of the same guild or party, and pointed toward a board with quests posted. Others stood in lines awaiting payment for completed missions. The adventurers were decked out in leather armor and chainmail, while others reminded me of Vikings, with braided hair, black markings like tattoos, and huge battle axes.
Several groups dressed like Rowan too, wearing hoods and face coverings, like maybe they specialized in stealth-oriented quests.
“Are you a free-roaming adventurer with no guild?” a woman called out, standing on top of a crate. “Find your home with us at Half-Moon. Equal share of pay for all bounties earned.”
“Seems like she’s recruiting,” I said.
Callum gave me a look. “Don’t even think about it.”
I laughed. The place was everything I’d imagined. The adventurers ranged from humans to demi-humans, and several had pointed ears. Others had a reptilian look to them, with a faint shimmer on their skin reminiscent of scales, clawed fingernails, horns, and glowing irises.
“Are they demi-humans?” I asked in awe.
“Of sorts,” Callum answered. “They have the blood of dragons.”
“Dragons? Oh my god! Seriously?” I couldn’t take my eyes off them. Their skin varied in shades of green and hues of brown, and their horns looked to be made of wood.
“From the earth clan,” Duke added. “They’re prominent in these mountainous regions. Those from the water clan are found more along the coast. Fire is to the east, and the northern lands are home to the ice clan.”
There was still so much I needed to learn about this new world I now called home. Freaking elemental dragon hybrids? How freaking cool was that?
“Oh, pardon me,” a male voice came from my left. I turned to see Ban’s arm shoved against the dude’s chest, as though acting as a barrier between him and me. “Wasn’t watching where I was going.”
Ban lowered his arm and glanced at me. Yep. He must’ve stopped the man from bumping into me.
“You must be someone of great importance to have your own force of guards,” the man told me with a smile. Lighter strands mixed in with his dark blond hair, and his brown eyes had faint wrinkles at the edges, like he’d smiled a lot in his life.
“Nah. They’re just protective.” I nodded to the stack of leatherbound hardbacks in his arms. “That’s a lot of books.”
“They’re grimoires,” he responded, patting the top of one. “Just picked them up. I put in several requests for these to be found and rushed over as soon as I received the news.”
Ah, that’s right. The guild offered combat-oriented quests, like fighting monsters or giant boars, but other requests could be placed as well, like gathering specific ingredients or locating objects. Briar told me he put in requests for herbs sometimes when he was too busy to gather them himself.
“Are you a mage?” I asked. Grimoires held various spells and recipes for potions. Only those with magic had any use for them.
“I am. A professor of magic, actually. I teach at the nearby magic school.” His gaze lingered on my face. “Have we met before?”
“Nope. I’m new in town. Got here today.”
“Ah.” He nodded. “You’re the young man everyone’s talking about. The one with the café.”
“You’re famous, Ev,” Callum muttered with a light nudge to my side.
“Like he really is a little lord,” Duke added, wiping fake tears from his eyes. “Look at how far he’s come.”
I rolled my eyes at them and looked at the mage. “Ignore them. I’d offer to shake your hand, but your arms are full. I’m Evan.”
“My name’s Xavier.” His gaze roamed my face again. “Are you certain we haven’t met before? You seem awfully familiar.”
“Positive.” I’d remember meeting a hottie like him. The bookish types did it for me. But so did the muscled ones. And gentle ones. And smart-ass redheads like Rowan. “Maybe I just have one of those faces.”
“Perhaps.” He gave me another lingering gaze before half smiling. “Well, I should be on my way. Enjoy your stay in Exalos.”
After leaving the guild hall, my three shadows and I continued through town. My mind spaced for a moment, and I misjudged the distance when trying to step down from the sidewalk, nearly crashing to the ground.
Callum caught me by the arm. “So clumsy.”
“Sorry.” I regained my footing. “Probably low blood sugar. It’s been forever since we ate. I hope the inn has food.”
“We should get back, then.” Callum led me farther down the street. Holding his hand like this had become sort of normal. Natural.
A hand came around my bicep and gently squeezed. Callum and I stopped walking, and I looked up into the face of the owner of that hand.
Ban’s gray eyes caught the fading daylight, reminding me of a ray of sunshine piercing through a stormy sky. More noticeable? The depth of concern in those stormy eyes.
“Um. Hi. Is everything okay?”
He tipped his head toward a cluster of shops and released me. I followed where he’d nodded to. Two women walked inside a building, amplifying the clatter and voices before the door closed and muffled them once more.
“A tavern?” I asked.
He grunted.
The sound made me smile. What made that smile bloom bigger? Knowing he’d searched for a place for me to eat. Yeah, there was definitely more to the mountain of a guard. A caring nature beneath the muscle and scowls.
Callum looped his arm through mine. “Shall I escort our little muffin lord for some fine dining?”
“Why, yes, my good sir.” I stuck my nose up in the air. “Only the finest establishment will do.”
“It’d be my pleasure, milord.” He chuckled and led me toward the tavern.
Boys’ night out, here we come.