Chapter Five
No Ordinary Muffin
The sky looked like it was on fire. Varying shades of red and orange clouds sat within a backdrop of gold and deep purple as the sun inched toward the horizon.
Callum stood on the terrace watching it set. The fading daylight shone on his brown hair, bringing out strands the color of rich honey. Even from my short distance away, I noted the softness of his expression as he closed his eyes, letting the last remnants of sun wash over his face.
“Hey, you.” I joined him near the stone steps that led down into a scenic courtyard. Flowerbeds burst with colorful blossoms, and the breeze carried the scent of lavender and ivy. “Dinner’s almost ready.”
“Rabbit stew.” He peered down at me and smiled, revealing the dimple in his cheek. His chocolate brown eyes were downturned at the corners, giving him a sort of endearing boyishness that still gave me butterflies even after all this time with him. “My favorite.”
“Yep.” I stepped into his arms, finding him way more beautiful than the sunset. “It’s one of the first meals I cooked for you and the boys, remember?”
“When the captain forced you to work at the barracks to earn your keep,” Callum said with a chuckle in his voice. As the fading sun touched his eyes, thin traces of caramel wound through his brown irises. “Much has changed since we first met.”
“Some for the better.” I hooked my arms around his waist. He had the body of an athlete, finely toned muscle without being bulky and washboard abs I felt even through the clothes between us. “We’re no longer just friends.”
“Aye.” Callum returned my embrace and rested his cheek on the side of my hair. “You’ve become the one thing in this life I cannot bear to lose.”
“Do you still think you will lose me?” I asked, recalling our conversation from when he and the others first came to the Shadow Realm.
He had mentioned not trusting Onyx, saying he feared a storm was on the horizon and that the demon lord would be the one to usher in that storm, sending everything crashing down around us.
He didn’t respond. He only held me closer.
“Cal?” I drew back and touched his face, gently tilting it down to mine. “Where’s your mind at?”
“A place I don’t wish to be.” He shakily exhaled. “I wish we could return to simpler days, Ev. Like the morning the captain and I found you in the field napping under that tree.”
“When you stole my shoes?” I lightly poked his chest. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about that, Sir Cinnamon Roll. They were my favorite pair of Vans too. Limited edition.”
“Cinnamon roll,” he repeated, his eyes crinkling at the edges. “Haven’t heard that in a while.”
Cheep.
“Um. Ev?” Callum slowly withdrew from me, his gaze locked on something over my shoulder. “There is a… strange looking, squirrel-like creature behind you. Though its body is much too long to be a squirrel. And there’s a twig jutting from its head.”
“That’s Pumpkin,” I said, turning to look at the cutie pie. He perched on a table at the edge of the terrace, as though having just jumped down from the low hanging branch beside the railing. “He’s a tree demon I met earlier today.”
“A tree demon?” Callum scrutinized the arbordu, then suddenly shifted me behind him. “It’s approaching.”
I fought an eyeroll. These overprotective men, I swear. “Don’t be scared, Cal. He’s nice. Just wait until he does his little butt dance. Cutest thing ever.”
Before Pumpkin could reach us, the terrace door opened. The critter squeaked and dashed off to the bushes near the steps. The little twig protruded from the leaves though.
“Eh, rabbit?” Rowan poked his head out. “Your brethren smell mighty good cooking in the pot on the stove. Take your stinky hands off my little treasure or you’ll be boiled in that pot along with them.”
“I’d like to see you try, snake.” Callum made a face. “Why are you here bothering us? Shouldn’t you be slithering around in the shadows?”
“And miss the chance to spend time with you?” Rowan flashed my favorite snaggle tooth. “Never. That sneer of yours brings me too much joy.”
As they continued to jab at each other, I listened, amused. While a lot had changed over the months, some things never did, like them constantly butting heads. Then again, I’d worry if they weren’t bickering. It was how they showed their affection.
Even if both of them would deny that affection until their dying day.
“I need to check the stew,” I said before standing on my tiptoes to peck a kiss on Callum’s jaw, then walking over and doing the same to Rowan’s. “Both of you behave.”
They sneered at each other.
As I headed toward the terrace doors, a tiny chirp sounded before Pumpkin leapt from the wall of ivy and landed on my shoulder. I reached up to scratch his fuzzy cheek. “Feeling social again?”
Cheep.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I gave him another light scratch and entered the castle.
Anxiety knotted in my gut as I veered toward the kitchen. Between Nocturne camping outside the barrier and uncertainty around my powers, not to mention the confusion over a certain demon lord, my head was more than a little jumbled.
“You seem to be in low spirits,” Fane said as I entered the kitchen. Bless him, he stood at the stove stirring the stew, making sure it didn’t burn.
“Just a lot on my mind. But I’ll be okay.” I tried for a smile and went to check the loaves of bread on the counter. They had finally cooled and were ready to be devoured.
“It’s all right if you’re not,” Fane responded, his tone softer than before. “Okay, that is. Much has befallen you in a short time. Losing your home and your café. Being chased from Bremloc and attacked by mercenaries. I’d be concerned if you weren’t disturbed by it all.”
“Thanks, Fane.” The center of my chest prickled. “Things might be kinda complicated right now, but it’s nice to know I have a friend.”
His grass-green eyes flickered to me. “I’m your friend?” Though subtle, a smile landed on his mouth. “I suppose I may feel… some fondness toward you in return. Not much, so stop smiling.”
I pressed my lips together.
Pumpkin scurried off my shoulder and landed on the counter before snatching berries from the bowl of fruit and rushing toward the open window. He perched on the sill and nibbled on a raspberry, adorable chitters sounding in his throat.
“Evan?” Fane had returned his attention to the pot of stew, stirring it slowly. “I hear the mercenaries are still in the dark wood. That they’ve positioned themselves outside the entrance to our realm and are waiting for you.”
Throat tight, I nodded.
“It’s because of your power, isn’t it?” A frown marred his features. “Word travels quickly through the castle. I’ve heard tales that a strong magic awoke in you.”
Shock had me freezing in place.
“Don’t worry.” His frown smoothed into a tight smile. “Not many know the truth of what those powers mean. Most believe they come from your father being a dark mage. It’s already well known in this realm that he was a demon tamer.”
“But you know what they really mean?” I asked, completely taken off guard. Fane had treated me no differently over the past few days. When all along, he had known the truth.
“Aye. Though my knowledge is limited. Not much is written of saints in books. But I remembered Koga mention blue flames. Just like yours.”
So, Koga knew the truth too? Who else did?
“Oh.” I rested more against the counter. Mainly for balance. My knees were a bit wobbly. “And how do you… um, feel about it?”
“Regardless of whatever power may flow through your veins, you’re still Evan to me.” Fane set aside the stirring spoon and looked at me. “A human I’m somewhat fond of. One I may even miss if he were to ever leave this realm.”
My chin wobbled, and a burning started in the backs of my eyes.
“You still shouldn’t put bacon in your green beans though.” Fane gathered a stack of bowls and placed them on the serving cart, along with silverware. “An unforgivable crime.”
I breathed out a laugh. He didn’t fool me one bit. He’d loved those bacon-infested green beans.
Steps neared the kitchen, and Fane and I turned toward the archway just as a cinnamon roll stepped through it.
“Hey, Ev.” Callum smiled. “I came to fetch you.”
“To fetch me, huh?” I asked, putting a hand on my hip.
His smile widened, and he approached. Then faltered in that approach as his gaze landed on the window. “There’s that strange-looking creature again. Why does it have blood all over its mouth?”
“First, that’s raspberry juice, not blood.” I grabbed his arm and patted it once. “And second, he’s not strange. He’s adorable.”
Callum scrutinized the arbordu. “I admit he is fairly endearing. Blood and all.”
Fane rolled his eyes. “The two of you should join your companions in the dining parlor. Nina and Cyan will be here shortly to help serve dinner.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “I can stay and—”
“You do realize that I prepared and served all the meals long before you came here, yes?” Fane interjected with a flick of his hand. “Now, shoo, humans. You’ll only get in my way.”
“Okay, okay.” I put my hands up. “If you insist.”
With my arm looped around Callum’s, the two of us left the kitchen and headed toward the dining parlor. Voices filtered out into the corridor as we approached, as well as booming laughter.
Entering the parlor, the happy swirls in my chest intensified.
Lake sat crisscross on the rug in front of the fireplace playing with Oreo.
The puppy gnawed at the bottom of his tunic and shook it violently as if it were a game of tug-o-war.
Lake simply smiled and rolled the puppy to his back, tickling his chunky belly.
Rowan stood against the wall beside them, one leg kicked back, and watched the two play.
The trio of knights sat at the large dining table, mugs of ale in front of them, along with pre-dinner snacks I’d made for them. Duke grabbed his mug and downed the contents, then slammed it back on the table with a hearty laugh in response to something Baden said.
“Lieutenant!” Duke motioned for Callum to approach. “Ya won’t believe what this reckless bastard did earlier today. Picked a fight with two axe-wielding demons.”
“Sparred with,” Baden corrected. “Not fought.”
Callum pecked a kiss to my cheek before walking over and sitting down, an eager gleam in his chocolate brown eyes. He loved hearing stories of their training. Loved sharing his own too. He and the demon with the spiky black hair I’d watched him train with before had become regular sparring buddies.
Maddox and Briar stood together near the hearth, their heads pressed close together as they chatted quietly amongst themselves. Briar caressed Maddox’s bicep, followed by Maddox brushing aside a strand of Briar’s bangs.
Their affection made my heart so happy. Both of them then aimed their soft smiles at me.
“Good,” Maddox said, his gaze on me as his hand fell from Briar’s hair. “You’re here. Now I don’t need to track you down myself.”
Excitement fluttered in my belly at the thought of him doing exactly that. In an attempt not to show that excitement though, I stuck up my nose at him and stepped toward the dining table to sit with Callum.
And stumbled.
“Easy, boy,” Draven said in his thick accent, grabbing my arm to stop me from face-planting on the hardwood floor.
“Thanks. I swear, one day I’ll be able to walk without…” My words trailed off as I finally looked at his face. “You’re not wearing your mask.”
My memory hadn’t done him a lick of justice. Blond hair such a pale shade it almost looked silver was paired with baby blue eyes, long lashes, a straight-bridged nose, and a jaw so sharp it could cut glass.
“What of it?” he asked, though there seemed to be color in his cheeks not normally present. “You said so earlier. Shadow doesn’t wear his. Reign and I agreed to do the same.”
“Wow.” I smiled. “Is that a blush I see?”
Draven responded with a disgruntled noise and turned away from me.
“Hey now,” Reign said, appearing beside the big blond spy. Also mask-free. Like Draven, the man was smoking hot, with high cheek bones, perfectly shaped lips, and a strong jaw. “Don’t go falling in love with V, darlin’, or I’ll get jealous. I saw you first.”
“Call him darling again, and it’ll be your head,” Maddox barked from his place by the fire.
“So violent. I like it.” As Reign flashed another smile, an impish glint reflected in his heterochromatic eyes. Without his mask, the crooked set of his lips drove that impishness home even more.
Before Maddox could murder Reign, Briar guided our big scowling grump to the table and sat him down as Fane, Nina, and Cyan entered the room.
“Evan!” Nina gave me a toothy grin as she pushed the serving cart to the table. Her flicking tail matched her enthusiastic tone. “Nina brought yummiesss!”
I tried to help them serve the food, but she patted the top of my head and told me to sit back down. Which was hard. I hated sitting and doing nothing when others were working.
Lake washed his hands in the water basin in the corner of the parlor before sitting beside Rowan, telling him he should go wash his hands too.
“Go order someone else around, pup.”
Whack.
“Fine, I’m going.” Rowan stood from his chair. “You know, that tail of yours is a deadly weapon. It’s rude to hit people with it.”
“You’re not a person,” Lake said. “You’re Rowan.”
That caused our snaggle toothed spy to release one of his raspy laughs.
Fane ladled stew into bowls and cut into the bread loaves, handing out thick pieces for everyone. Nina and Cyan went around the table filling everyone’s goblet with their choice of either ale, a deep red wine, or honey mead.
I declined all three and chose water instead. Best for me not to drink. I was a total lightweight and would probably end up twerking on the table by the end of the night after only two glasses.
“Good evening,” a smooth, silky voice came from the doorway. “Apologies for my tardiness. I was reading and lost track of time.”
My heart skidded to a halt before restarting, beating faster now.
“Milord.” Fane bowed to Onyx before pulling out the chair at the head of the table. “A pleasure for you to join us.”
Onyx thanked him and sat.
It was the first time I’d seen Onyx since we’d said goodnight in the doorway of his room last night. And as his red eyes shifted to me, the nerves in my belly went nuts, flapping around like huge bats on Halloween night.
I quickly averted my gaze from him. The lack of eye contact didn’t help much though. The air was charged with those electric tingles that seemed to stir when he was close.
“Nina?” I whispered, flapping my fingers at her. She perked up and rushed over, her black tail dancing behind her. “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll take some of that ale.”