Chapter Five #3
“Kuya will forgive Evan just this once. Because Evan is still healing.” His long, reddish-brown tail danced in the air behind him. “But Kuya expects a whole batch of strawberry yummies all to himself when Evan feels better.”
“Deal.” I smiled.
He snatched two cookies from the basket and gobbled them up.
“Your Highness.” I bowed my head to Sawyer.
“Good afternoon, my friend. I’m pleased you could join me on such short notice.
” Sawyer’s wide smile veered on relieved, as though he hadn’t known if I’d show or not.
It hinted at a deep sadness that broke my heart a little.
“I seem to always spring these visits on you so unexpectedly. You must tire of it.”
“Not at all. I’m happy to be here.” I fought the urge to hug him. He just looked so… lonely. “I’ve missed you and Kuya.”
“The feeling is mutual.” He motioned to the small table in front of the windows. “Please have a seat. The tea should be out shortly.”
I waited for him to sit before taking the chair across from him.
He appeared more casual that afternoon, wearing fitted black trousers and a white shirt that fell open in the front.
His blond hair lay flat and hung to the middle of his ears, the shade and texture reminding me a lot of mine.
Even when dressed down, Sawyer’s natural elegance still shone through.
Kuya plopped down to his left, munching on another cookie. Adorable chitters sounded in his throat as he chewed.
“Such an enthusiastic eater you are.” Sawyer swept his thumb across Kuya’s lip, wiping away a dusting of crumbs. “What am I to do with you, sweet boy?”
“Just love Kuya.” His rainbow eyes sparkled as he smiled at his prince. In those eyes also existed a glimmer of grief. “For as long as Prince Sawyer can.”
Their time was limited. The reminder caused a sinking in my gut. Once Sawyer married Lady Alina, he’d be forced to leave Bremloc and move with her to Voltas. Kuya wouldn’t be allowed to go with him.
Sawyer quietly cleared his throat and dropped his hand back to his lap, looking at me.
“It’s a relief to see you back on your feet.
I’ve been sick with worry ever since the attack.
Briar reassured me you were on the mend, yet it’s been weighing heavily on my mind.
Forgive me for not reaching out sooner.”
“It’s okay. No worries at all.” I sat up straighter in my chair as servants brought the tea and poured our cups.
Being waited on hand and foot was something I’d never get used to.
Further proof I wanted no part in living the life of a royal.
“Besides, you’ve been busy. Hearing petitions, sorting through important documents, and attending council meetings, all while preparing for the ball tomorrow. ”
“Ah, yes. The ball.” Tension tightened the skin around his eyes. “Quite the grand affair it will be. Nobles from Bremloc and other cities will be in attendance.”
“That’s a lot of people. Good thing Miles and I have an awesome menu planned,” I said, wishing I could take away that sadness in his voice.
“Along with the cake, we’ll be serving vanilla petit fours, dark chocolate truffles, lemon cupcakes, and cookies.
Coffee too, of course. I’ve been tinkering with a recipe that has notes of bourbon. ”
“Sounds lovely. I look forward to tasting it.” Sawyer added sugar and a dash of cream to his tea and slowly stirred. “Perhaps the only part I’m looking forward to.”
“We’ll have a blast.” I doctored my cup, adding way more cream and sugar than he did.
“We can stuff our faces with cake and let loose on the dance floor. Make it a real party. Just don’t let me near the wine.
Otherwise, I’ll be jumping up on a table and stripping down to my underwear in front of all the nobles, giving them a show they’ll never forget as I twerk. ”
“What is a twerk?” he asked.
“A type of butt dance.”
Sawyer almost spat his tea. “Pardon?”
“You squat, put your hands on your knees, and wiggle your butt,” I explained. “I’d show you, but I’ll need at least two glasses of wine first.”
Though faint, a rasping noise came from the far corner. Rowan. As expected, he hadn’t left my side since the carriage.
“Evan is so silly,” Kuya said, his lids dropping. He looked like he could use a nap.
My silliness worked though. Sawyer smiled.
“Apologies for the delay, my loves.” Rose entered the room, pushing a cart stacked with plates and platters of various sizes. She was the head chef in the castle kitchen and made the best quiches I’d ever tasted.
“No apology needed,” Sawyer told her. “We’ve been enjoying chatting over tea. Which is remarkable, by the way.”
“If you think the tea remarkable, just wait until you see what’s beneath the cloche.” She lifted the lid. “An apple tart. Your favorite.”
“You’re too good to me,” Sawyer told her.
“You deserve nothing less, Your Highness.” She sounded like she meant it. The castle staff adored Sawyer. That adoration was unmistakable with every glance and soft smile when in his presence.
Kuya’s lids fluttered open, and he became more alert, tail lifting into the air behind him. He leaned forward and sniffed the other platter. “Did Rose bring crab cakes?”
She smiled at him. “Do you think me mad, Master Kuya? As if I’d forget them.”
The demi-cat’s grin widened, and his tail flicked faster.
“Gratitude, Rose,” Sawyer said after she situated the food on the table. “You’ve once again outdone yourself.”
Along with the apple tart and crab cakes, she’d brought quiches—bless her—mini sandwiches, a selection of fruit, and shortbread cookies.
“It’s my absolute pleasure, my prince. Once you’re wed and shipped off to Voltas, I won’t be able to…
” Rose swallowed hard and almost lost her composure before forcing a shaky smile.
She flicked her hand and turned back to the cart.
“Oh, never mind my rambles. I’m merely a sentimental old woman. Please excuse me.”
She moved with haste to push the cart from the room, keeping her face away from us until she was out of sight.
Sawyer frowned at his plate. The urge to hug him returned. He looked absolutely miserable, sad and frustrated at the same time. His future had been chosen for him, and he’d had no say in it.
I needed to distract him.
“Oh man.” I rubbed my hands together, eyeing the platters of food. “Look at all this deliciousness. Rose is a gem. I’m gonna eat so much you’ll have to wheel me away from the table by the time I’m done.”
Sawyer laughed. “Or ask one of your men to carry you. Rumor has it you’ve claimed another heart. Lieutenant Callum of the Second Order.”
The mention of my cinnamon roll brought an instant flutter of butterflies. “He’s claimed mine too.”
As he cut into the apple tart, I set my sights on the quiche. And the cookies. All of it, really. Callum and Maddox might need to come carry me away after all. Birds splashed in the outside basin, and Kuya hopped up from his seat and went over to the window to watch them.
“I’m told the man who attacked us will be interrogated later this afternoon.” Sawyer moved a piece of tart crust around his plate with a fork, his brow creased. “My father suspects King Silas hired him, but it’s merely speculation at the moment.”
“What will happen if the mercenary confirms Haran’s involvement?”
“It will be viewed as a direct attack on the crown.” He gently pushed his plate away. “An act of war.”
“Oh. That’s… really scary, actually.”
“I agree,” he said, looking toward the window. “Which is why the alliance with Voltas is so important. Lord Norwood’s naval fleet is strong, and with control over the canal many trading ships use, we will have the advantage.”
But at what cost? Maddox, Callum, and my band of knights would be forced to fight in that war.
For some reason, my thoughts turned to the red spider lily. Many believed it to be an omen of death. Not long ago, I’d had a dream where I’d been standing in a field full of them, the red petals detaching and painting the grass like smears of blood.
Bodies facedown. Fallen shields. And a distant rumble of thunder.
Throat suddenly dry, I reached for my tea. Big mistake. My hand shook so much that some sloshed over the rim. I grabbed my napkin and started to quickly wipe up the spill, only to bump and knock over the container of cream, causing an even bigger mess. “Crap! I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so—”
“Evan?” Sawyer touched my wrist. “Take a breath. It’s all right. Accidents happen.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Do you think we’ll really go to war?”
Understanding bled through his concern. “You worry over your men.”
Unable to speak past the tightness in my throat, I could only nod.
Sawyer placed his hand over mine. “We can never predict what the future holds. We can only make the necessary preparations and hope for the best. So for now, let’s finish our tea and enjoy the beautiful day, yes?”
I shakily exhaled. “Y-Yeah. A shame to let this quiche go to waste.”
“Kuya is sleepy.” The demi-cat rubbed his belly. He’d eaten three crab cakes and at least four more cookies. “Kuya needs a nap.”
“Sir Noah?” Sawyer turned to him. “Will you please escort Kuya to my chamber?”
“Right away, my prince.” The knight gathered Kuya in his arms, bowed to Sawyer, then me, and took his leave. Soft snores reached my ears before they even left the room. Kuya was already asleep.
Sawyer stared after them with a pained expression. “I’m in no position to request a favor from you, especially after you saved my life… but were you serious about taking care of Kuya once I leave?”
We’d had the conversation right before the mercenary attacked us. When Sawyer left Bremloc, Kuya wouldn’t be able to live in the castle anymore. He had no family or anyone to take care of him.
“He can live at the cottage,” I said. “Lake’s been working on designs to expand the café and add another room upstairs. Kuya can have the guest room until it’s done.”
Rowan hopefully wouldn’t mind. His work hours had him going to bed once everyone else had already woken anyway, so he could sleep in our room.
“Lake is skilled in carpentry?” Sawyer asked, his interest piqued. “He gardens and whittles too, yes?”
“Mhm.” I smiled at the thought of my wolf. “He’s a male of many trades.”
“I hope to meet him someday.” His gaze dropped to the apple tart. “And by then, perhaps things will be different. Better.”
Sawyer worded everything carefully. Only one guard and a serving boy remained in the room, but it was too risky to divulge Lake’s identity.
I recalled the story Lake shared with me that morning. Varys’ rebellion had made demi-wolves enemies of Bremloc. It wasn’t fair.
“Your Highness?” Sir Noah stepped forward. “The meeting with the council will begin shortly.”
“Ah, that’s right.” Sawyer rose from his chair. I did the same. “A carriage will be sent for you and Miles tomorrow morning. You’ll have free rein of the castle kitchen to prepare for the ball.”
“Thank you.” I bowed my head to him. One less thing for me to stress about. If we started bright and early, we should definitely finish in time.
“I’ll see you again soon.” Sawyer offered me another smile before he and Sir Noah took their leave.
“Ready to go, Young Evan?” Finnian asked as I met him outside the door.
“Yep.”
He and Ban escorted me down the corridor and to the castle entrance.
Once outside, I breathed in the springlike air and waited for the carriage that would take me back home.
A home I missed dearly in that moment. With the threat of war so close and my nerves shot, I needed the familiarity and comfort of the cozy little stone cottage.
Needed my men. Now more than ever.