Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me #5

Chapter One

Knights With Big… Swords

“It’s too big,” I panted, muscles straining. “There’s no way I can do this. I can barely even get my hand around it.”

“Come on, Ev.” Sweat dampened Callum’s brow. “You’re a mighty muffin lord, remember?”

“Mighty might be an exaggeration. How much does this beast weigh? Seriously?”

“Here.” Callum stepped up behind me, his warm body flush against my back.

He grazed his fingertips along my bicep and down my arm, helping me hold the massive sword.

His breath tickled the back of my ear, eliciting a flurry of goose bumps on my skin.

“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. ”

The feel of him against me erased all other thoughts, and my focus turned to shit. Definitely started thinking with my other head.

The heavy sword fumbled from my hands. And landed right on his foot.

“Gods!” He jumped back and rubbed at the top of his boot.

“Oops! Sorry, Cal.”

Rowan laughed from the porch steps. “Oh, little treasure. Can’t say I’m surprised. That sword’s bigger than you. This fool should’ve known better.”

“Think you can do better, snake?” Callum sneered at him. “Come over here and show us, then.”

“And have my head ripped off when Captain Glutton comes home? No, thanks.” Rowan’s smile slanted, showing a peek of my favorite fang-like tooth. “You know how he feels about his precious sweetheart being around pointy objects.”

“The sword’s blade is dull. I wouldn’t give Ev a sharp one.”

“Like that matters. He could hurt himself on a spoon.”

“Well, that was rude.” I put my hands on my hips. “I’m not that accident-prone.”

Both of them looked at me, their amused expressions matching.

“That’s enough for now.” Callum rested his hand on my lower back. “I don’t want you overexerting yourself.”

“I feel fine.” Mostly.

A small fib he caught right away. “Time to go inside and rest.”

Sighing in defeat, I nodded and grabbed his hand. Truth was, my stamina wasn’t even close to where it used to be.

Five days had passed since the dark mage slash mercenary attacked me and Prince Sawyer at the castle.

The fire spell had then burned through my chest and scorched my lungs.

Briar’s healing elixirs had helped, but due to the advanced magic in the spell, it would take more time for me to get back to normal.

Which meant my men were in overprotective mode.

After the café closed for the day—Miles letting me only do the bare minimum because he was also worried about me—Callum had suggested teaching me a thing or two.

We’d started with basic self-defense, such as maneuvers to break someone’s hold and the sensitive spots to kick and jab to momentarily stun them, then moved on to sword drills.

If that training had taught me anything, it was that I shouldn’t give up my day job. Master swordsman, I was not.

The setting sun lit the cottage in a dark golden hue. As we approached the porch, I slowly inhaled, letting the late-afternoon air fill my battered lungs. Each breath was a blessing. Precious.

“Hands off my treasure, rabbit.” Rowan stood as we reached the porch and grabbed my wrist, gently pulling me away from Callum. “You’ll get your stench on him.”

Callum tugged me right back to his side. “I’d like to see you try to keep me from him, snake.”

“Know what sounds good for dinner tonight?” Rowan tossed the knight an impish grin. “Rabbit stew.”

“I hope you choke on it,” Callum responded.

“Be nice. Both of you.” I fought hard not to smile.

Their banter cracked me up. Pretty sure it was Rowan’s love language—being a butt to the people he cared about. And Callum had become one of those people, even if both of them constantly threatened each other.

The three of us entered the cottage. Lake sat at the table whittling and glanced up, ears perking. From his seat near the window, he would’ve had a clear view of us outside, no doubt chuckling to himself every time I stumbled.

“We worked up quite the sweat.” Callum pulled me in close. His slightly downturned brown eyes and dimple gave him a boy-next-door charm that was both irresistible and comforting. “Allow me to escort you upstairs, milord. The royal bath awaits.”

“The royal bath?”

He blessed me with that endearing dimple. “I hear it even has lavender-scented soap. Quite suitable for a prince.”

“Hmm. Sounds fancy. But I’m not interested unless cinnamon rolls are included.”

His smile softened. “I can’t speak for all cinnamon rolls, but this one belongs to you and no one else.”

No one else. The words stirred a bit of possessiveness in me. Maybe it was selfish to feel that way, seeing as how I had so many lovers, but I loved being Callum’s one and only. He’d strolled into my life, stealing my favorite pair of Vans and then stealing my heart.

“We should definitely change your name to Sir Swoonamon Roll,” I said, my insides a gooey mess. “My knees almost gave out.”

“Don’t worry. If you fall, I’ll catch you.” Callum dropped his face to my hair. “Always.”

The scent of vanilla bean and freshly baked bread enveloped me.

Sweet and warm, just like the knight who held me.

I nuzzled his neck and breathed him in, feeling a featherlight tremor across my heartstrings that branched out and traveled through my veins.

A sensation that was both scary and exciting, like sailing out into open water for the first time.

Our relationship was still new. We’d loved each other as friends for a long time but only recently realized that our love went much deeper.

“Gross.” Rowan made a face. “Are all virgins such saps?”

“I’m no virgin,” Callum told him. “The sound of Ev’s moans last night and early this morning should’ve made that all too clear.”

“Oh my god.” My face heated. “Both of you, stop it right now.”

My redhead smirked and sat beside Lake at the table.

“Hop on, milord.” Callum knelt down and lowered his head, inviting me to climb onto his back.

“How kind of you, dear knight.” Smiling, I hooked my arms around his neck, then emitted a little yelp as he grabbed hold of my legs and rose from the porch quicker than I expected. He opened the door and stepped into the cottage.

“Better not drop him, rabbit,” Rowan called from behind us. “Harm one hair on his pretty head, and I’ll skin you and throw you in a pot.”

“He keeps threatening me with that,” Callum said as he carried me toward the stairs. “I can’t help but wonder if he’s secretly a cannibal who truly wants to eat me.”

I laughed so hard I snorted.

Once upstairs, Callum removed my tunic as the tub filled with hot water. He softly kissed my neck and unfastened the strings on my pants and let them fall to the floor. Calloused fingertips grazed my bare sides, and his warm breath feathered across my skin.

I tipped my head back, reveling in his touches. But something changed. As he kissed down my collarbone, I felt a tremble in his lips.

“Ev,” he said shakily, palming the center of my chest. Touching my scars.

Because of the powerful magic in the spell, the burns had scarred. They covered most of my upper torso and areas along my sides. My lungs would eventually heal, but they’d always be there as a reminder.

“I’m okay. They’re just my battle wounds.” Sure, the scars definitely weren’t pretty. But what bothered me most were the pained expressions of my men when they looked at them. “You have them too.”

I lifted a hand to his neck. A Fenrir demon had almost killed him, leaving jagged scars along his ribs, sides, a small one on his jaw, and the one on his neck.

“The difference is I’ve dedicated my life to such things.

Battle is no place for you. You’re meant to be loved and protected, Ev.

Far from harm’s reach.” Callum grabbed my nape and brought me against his muscled body, resting his head on mine.

“Be it man or demon, I will kill anyone who tries to hurt you again.”

“What about evil potatoes?” I touched the tiny scar on his thumb. He’d gotten it as a boy while helping his mom cook dinner.

“My sword is yours.” He cracked a smile. “To fight potatoes and thornbushes alike. Snakes too. Especially ones with red hair and bad attitudes.”

I snorted. “Be nice to Ro.”

“He started it.” Callum dropped to his knees in front of me and nuzzled my belly before dipping his fingers beneath the waistband of my underwear. A frown tugged at his lips. “No creatures this time?”

“I can’t wear them every day,” I said with a laugh. He loved my hot dog boxers. They were the ones I’d been wearing the day I arrived in Bremloc, along with skinny jeans, a blue hoodie, and my favorite pair of Vans—which he’d stolen. “Silly man.”

Said silly man then gave me a lopsided smile that turned my heart to mush. Callum was so damn wholesome. A total golden retriever type of personality: loyal, lovable, playful, and protective.

He made quick work of sliding off my underwear and helping me into the tub. The hot water felt amazing. I sank down chest-deep, the tension in my muscles easing. For a finishing touch, he added lavender-scented soap to the bath, causing a plethora of fragrant bubbles.

“How’s the water?” Callum squatted beside the tub. “Too hot?”

“It’s perfect.” I walked two fingers up his forearm. “Well, almost perfect. It’s kind of lonely in this big tub all by myself. If only I had some company.”

His responding smile told me it wouldn’t take further convincing for me to get my way. He shed his clothes and stepped into the bath, sitting behind me. Rock-hard muscle and warm skin pressed against my back. But his abs weren’t the only thing hard.

“Did you sneak your sword into the tub, or are you just happy to see me?”

He wound his arms around my waist. “Apologies.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I rested my hand on his thigh. Fine hairs tickled my palm. “You’re just thinking about blueberry muffins, aren’t you?”

Callum barked out a rough laugh and turned his face against my nape. “I still can’t believe this is real. That you’re here in my arms.”

“Do I need to pinch you again? To prove it’s not a dream?”