Chapter Sixteen
The Return of the Butthole Wizard
Five very irritated men stood in front of the inn waiting for me.
The pep in my step from an amazing night and pivotal morning faltered as I caught sight of those angry faces.
I flipped around to search for Rowan, spotting him leaning against one of the trees in the grove. He smirked from beneath his hood and fluttered his fingers at me in a little wave before pulling himself up onto the branch and fading from sight.
That jerk. Making me face down the angry group all by my lonesome. I gulped and slowly turned back to the inn—back to the men who looked like they wanted to tie me up and throw me in a barrel or something for safekeeping.
“You snuck out again,” August barked at me.
“Tying a bell around your neck is tempting.” Finnian pushed his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “At least then we’d be able to hear you sneaking away. I’m all for letting you have your fun, but I’ve reached my threshold for tolerance. This is unacceptable.”
Ban grunted in agreement.
As for the other two angry mugs? Duke’s nostrils flared, and Callum glared. They scared me more than the castle guards. Mainly because I knew they’d tell Maddox when we got home, and I feared the torture that awaited me following that news. Torture in the form of him tying me to the bed and tickling me until I peed myself.
“I understand you not tellin’ these fools.” Duke jabbed his thumb in the guards’ direction. “But why’d you keep it from us?”
“It was kind of last minute,” I answered. “Everyone had already gone to bed.”
“Which is exactly where you should’ve been,” Callum growled. “In bed.”
“I’m sorry.” I shifted awkwardly in place, feeling like a naughty kid who’d gotten called to the principal’s office. I was sure they’d all paddle me if they could.
Callum sighed before offering me his hand. “Come on. I know you’re hungry.”
“I’m not a cannibal, Cal, no matter how ooey and gooey sweet you are.”
My cinnamon roll of a knight broke out into a grin. “Not to eat me , Ev. I’ll take you to breakfast.”
I slid my hand into his and walked with him into the inn and toward the dining area. The others followed behind us but veered toward the stairs, leaving just the two of us.
“The only thing that kept me from tracking you down when I realized you weren’t here?” Callum looked at our joined hands. “Lake said you were safe.”
“He wasn’t worried?”
He shook his head. “Lake trusts your judgment. I think he may even trust the thief too, if only a little. Trusts that he won’t hurt you anyway.”
It was progress. Even small steps could take you miles. Eventually.
We grabbed three bowls of porridge from the kitchen, then went upstairs to my room. Lake sat on a small ottoman near the window and peered out but stayed far enough back to avoid being seen. He turned as we came through the door, and his wolf ears perked up.
“Morning,” I said, then held up the bowl. “We brought breakfast.”
Callum shut the door behind us and locked it. A good call. In the guards’ irritated state, I wouldn’t put it past them to barge in without knocking.
“Good morning.” Lake closed the distance between us and nuzzled the side of my head, ignoring the food. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I breathed in his woodsy scent, detecting that subtle trace of peaches that mingled with it.
“More café work today?” he asked.
“Yep. I’m meeting William soon to go over more recipes. Opening day is coming up quick.” I kissed Lake’s chest. “I wish you could go with me.”
“As do I.”
Hopefully one day, we wouldn’t have to sneak around anymore. I could openly be with my men, going to festivals, walking through the market, or lazing at the beach without worrying about someone hurting Lake. And maybe Rowan would be there too, stealing snacks I’d brought and splashing water at me as we swam in the sea.
I wanted it more than anything. Having all of them beside me.
“Did you and the thief have a nice time?” Lake asked.
“We did.” That familiar tingle of guilt stabbed at my chest, and I tried to ignore it. Lake was okay with me being with Rowan. “He took me to a cave up in the mountains. I was hoping to find a gem for Briar.”
Lake smiled against my temple. “He’d love that. But what he’ll love most is having you back in his arms. Both of them will.”
Callum took a bite of his porridge. “With luck, the captain will be in such a great mood to have his muffin back that he’ll go easy on us during drills.” He shook his head. “Wait. No, he’ll just push us harder.”
I handed a bowl to Lake before sitting on the bed with mine. “I can’t wait to see his grumpy face again.”
“Me either.” Lake’s wolf ears dropped at the tops. “And I can’t wait for more of Briar’s head pats.”
My heart squeezed. He missed them as much as I did.
After breakfast, I attacked Lake with all the hugs and kisses I could squeeze in before changing into clean clothes and leaving to meet William at the café. It was another long day of baking, but we both loved being in the kitchen, so it didn’t feel much like work. Great conversation helped too.
“Have you invited that girl to dinner yet?” I asked after we’d removed the last loaf of bread from the oven and started cleaning up. “The one who works at the jewelry shop?”
William adjusted his glasses. “I have a confession to make. There is no girl.”
“Oh?” I was wiping off the counter and paused, soapy rag in hand. “Why lie about it?”
“It was only a small lie. A girl does work at the jewelry shop.” He cleared his throat and shifted the platter of croissant sandwiches we’d made. “But you see, I’m actually fond of… her brother.”
I broke into a huge smile. “You should invite him to the café’s grand opening. In my experience, the best way to a guy’s heart is through his stomach.”
William seemed relieved. “You must think me silly for hiding it from you. You’ve told me about the men you love. I suppose I just… well, my family, they…” Frown lines marred his brow. “They’re already quite sore about me choosing the life of a pastry chef as opposed to continuing in my father’s footsteps and running the accounting firm. They expect me to marry a nice girl and have children to carry on the family name and bloodline. Falling in love with a man would…”
He shook his head, leaving the thought unfinished.
Since arriving in that world, I’d noticed no one batted an eye at two men or two women being in love. Heterosexuality wasn’t the norm. However, talking to William showed me that although Bremloc and the surrounding lands didn’t discriminate based on sexuality, some families still held on to those expectations.
“What’s his name?” I asked, not wanting to stay in those toxic waters. I wanted him to smile again.
And he did. “Edwin.”
“Does he know you like him?”
“Yes. He’s fond of me as well.” William cleared his throat and motioned to the sandwiches. “May I take some of these with me? I’m having supper with him and his family this evening.”
“Of course. Take the bread pudding too.” An impulsive bake, thanks to Callum. “Go ahead and head out. I can finish cleaning up.”
“No, I couldn’t. You have already done so much for me, and I—”
“William.”
He sighed. “That tone is honestly quite unsettling coming from you. Very well. But only if you insist.”
“I do. Now, shoo. Go on and get.”
He did, but not before patting me on the back and giving me a grateful smile. As he packed food into a basket and left, I said a silent prayer to whatever god or gods existed that everything worked out well for him. No one should be forced to hide or deny themselves love just to please someone else.
A light thud came from upstairs.
I had just rinsed out the wash rag and draped it over the faucet when I heard it and froze. Callum, Ban, and Duke were outside, keeping watch of the perimeter. August and Finnian were off Evan duty and enjoying drinks down the street. No one else should’ve been inside the café.
Was it a burglar? Maybe one of the ruffians I’d seen tucked away in the corner of the tavern? Or it could’ve been the building settling.
The floorboard above me creaked.
“Rowan?” I wouldn’t put it past him to use the shadows to teleport inside the café. He’d flash that adorable snaggletooth and snicker at my incredible feat of bravery—aka grabbing the closest thing to me to use as a weapon. Which was…
A soup ladle.
I read a book once where a guy grabbed a spatula for protection against a creepy demon chef trying to chop him up and put him in a stew. At least a soup ladle wasn’t so flimsy.
Better to smack you with, my dear.
Another creak.
After taking several deep breaths and pumping myself up to face whatever horrible thing lurked upstairs, I tiptoed from the kitchen and neared the staircase, keeping my steps as light as possible as I took the stairs one at a time.
Don’t betray me, feet. Now wasn’t the time to be clumsy.
It was my nose that betrayed me. Right as I reached the second step from the top, I sneezed. One of those super-loud ahchoo ’s that shook my entire body.
“I heard hot tea is good for the sinuses.”
That voice.
I hurried up the last step and looked around the parlor. In my time in Exalos, books had been brought in to fill most of the shelves, and more plushy reading chairs had been added, along with large rugs and curtains. Curtains that had been pulled shut, blocking out the remaining daylight and casting the room in darkness.
Not total darkness though.
The hearth had been lit, and the burning logs radiated a golden glow, drawing attention to the man sitting in an armchair in front of it. A man with pale blond hair.
“Lupin,” I whispered. Nerves twisted in my belly. It was never a good thing when he showed up. Each visit left me with more questions. More anxiety.
“Do you intend to hit me with that ladle?” Lupin smirked at me over his shoulder.
“Huh? Oh. No, of course not.” I lowered the weapon, er, ladle. “Um. Why are you here?”
“Your suspicion is offensive.” He stood from the chair and smoothed the front of his suit jacket. He wore a wintery blue suit with a pearl-white undervest. I had the sudden urge to call him Father Winter or something.
“Can you blame me?” I set the ladle on the side table beside the armchair. “Every time you show up, you spout off nonsense and leave me with a massive headache. So what is it this time? Come to tell me about a long-lost brother who’s destined to unalive me or something? Maybe an evil twin?”
Humor touched his expression. “A truly horrifying thought. One of you is more than enough.”
“Rude.”
Lupin neared the hearth and rested a hand on the mantle above it, staring down at the fire. “Do you recall during one of my earlier visits when I said that opening your café set a future into motion?”
I nodded. “You also said the future can only be estimated, never predicted.”
“Correct. Our destiny is woven within various threads. Some threads may lead to the same place, yet the journey getting there varies. And some lead to completely different places. The choices we make determines which path we find ourselves on.”
“Yep. There it is. I feel that headache already brewing.” I scrubbed my hands over my face. “Enough with the cryptic crap, Lupin. I’ve brained too much today, and your little riddles will make it explode.”
He tapped his index finger on the mantle. “Opening your café set several possible futures into motion. Created a multitude of paths, some interconnecting, some not. Attending the autumn ball sent you down one path. That path then led you here. To Exalos. And it’s here where a key piece of the puzzle will fall into place. Once it does, there’s no going back, Evan. Everything will change.”
A strange pressure pressed against my ribs. “Well, that’s not ominous at all. I’m guessing you won’t tell me what that something is?”
“Contrary to what you must think, I’m not an omnipotent being who can do whatever he wants. Even someone as powerful as I am has to answer to someone else. So as much as I’d like to tell you, I can’t. I’m already on thin ice as it is.”
“What do you mean?”
Lupin dropped his gaze to his wedding ring and slowly twisted it. “When I agreed to help your mother all those years ago, I broke the rules. I directly interfered with your fate by removing you from this realm. And it nearly cost me what I hold most dear.”
“Saint?” I asked, concerned.
“Yes. No reason to look so worried. All has been forgiven. But I was given a warning.” He lifted his hand to his mouth and kissed his ring, a shudder rolling through his body. “If I step out of line again, I’ll be stripped of my power. All will be lost to me. My magic and the Emporium… but also my husband. Saint is human, you see. I gave him immortality. However, it’s not permanent. I infused an amulet with the power to bind his life force to mine. If I lose my magic…”
My heart sank. “It’ll undo the spell and make him mortal again?”
He nodded. “So despite the frustration it causes you, I hope you understand why I must be a cryptic butthole wizard.”
I choked on my spit. “Oh my god. I didn’t know you heard me when I said that. I’m so sorry—”
He held up a hand. “No apology necessary. I find it quite funny, to be honest. When I told Saint, he laughed so hard he shot tea from his nose.”
I smiled at that. “If it’s against the rules to interfere with my destiny again, how were you able to send me to Bremloc?”
“I did nothing of the sort,” he said in mock astonishment. “The Emporium tapped into your sadness and led you to me. You made the wish. You made the magic work. I merely gave you the tools to do so.”
Flutters swarmed my belly, tiny and quick, like hummingbird’s wings. “Best wish I ever made.”
“It pleases me to hear that,” Lupin said. “I swore to Cynthia I’d take you far away from this realm to keep you safe. I never intended to break that promise. Yet, seeing how unhappy you were in your other world, I couldn’t bear it a day longer. So, I got creative in order to prevent breaking the rules. A magical loophole, if you will. I harnessed the power of a birthday wish, combined with the mana infused in the wishing stone, to bring you home.”
“To bring me home,” I repeated. “Because I was really born in this world?”
“Yes.”
It was still hard for me to wrap my head around. “Why did my mom come to your shop? What was she protecting me from?”
“Your father’s enemies. Enemies that became hers when she fell in love with him.” He released a shaky breath. “And here I am years later, steering you toward that very path.”
“Was my dad someone important? Like on a Most Wanted poster for being a criminal mastermind?”
“Important? Yes. Though, I wouldn’t say he was a mastermind in any sense of the word, nor a criminal.” Lupin’s pale eyes shone with something soft. “He was, however, very charismatic and had a wonderful sense of humor, always making those around him laugh. Traits you inherited.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m charismatic. I’m too quirky and awkward.”
“Tell that to your harem.”
I groaned. “Don’t call them that.”
“It’s true, whether you admit it or not.” A sudden seriousness took him over then. “Just as it’s true that opening your café forever altered your fate. Think of it like reaching a crossroads and choosing a direction. All paths unrelated to that direction will disappear, as will all the other possibilities for how your life could play out.”
I plopped down into the closest armchair, too unsettled to stand. “Am I going to die or something?”
“You very well could. It’s also possible you’ll prevail in the coming challenges and live happily with all of your men by your side.”
“I like option B. Let’s go with that one.”
Lupin smiled, though it didn’t fully reach his eyes. “Your actions from here on out will be the deciding factor. As it stands, the bad endings far outweigh the good.”
“Oh, lovely.” My lungs felt tight as I breathed out. “Is one of those possible doom endings still at the hands of one of my men?”
“Yes.”
I hated even considering it may be Rowan. I felt in my heart he’d never hurt me. “Can you tell me which one?”
“No. That would be against the rules.” Lupin sat in the chair opposite mine. “My advice on the matter is to follow your heart. It will never lead you astray, even in times when your mind tries to convince you otherwise.”
“Love isn’t logical.” I shifted in my chair, still uneasy.
“Exactly,” he responded. “While we’re on the topic, remember when I said there were five men destined to love you? Well, that number may have altered. Slightly.”
“Slightly?” My eyes narrowed, and I fought the urge to pick the ladle back up and chuck it at him. “Lupin…”
“Ah, that glare is lethal,” he said, amused. “Like a little murder muffin. Your irritation is misplaced, though. It’s not my fault. You’re the one who gave rise to other futures and unlocked all the possibilities that go with them. In doing so, you also unlocked new love routes.”
“Love routes? Are you telling me I really am living in a dating simulation game?”
“This is no game. It’s very real. But if that helps you better understand the situation, then yes.”
“I hate you.”
He snorted. “Don’t kill the messenger.”
“How many men are we talking about? I’m only one muffin with so much loving to go around.”
“Oh… not too many more. Six in total.” Lupin folded his hands in his lap and reclined more in his chair. “Perhaps seven.”
“Seven?” I gaped. “What is this? Muffin Lord and the Seven Alphas?”
“Not all are alpha males. Briar and Lake are more submissive in nature, I’d say. Rowan and Maddox will butt heads a lot though, I’m afraid. Both of them are stubborn beyond belief.” He paused. “You’re smiling.”
Fuck, I was. But I was too happy not to. “So Rowan really is one of my destined men?”
“Seeing as to how my answer won’t change anything between the two of you, I can confirm that he is.”
My smile widened. I felt giddy. Maybe Lupin was right about the whole trusting my heart thing. My mind had definitely tried to caution me against Rowan, but I’d done what felt right. And being with Rowan felt right.
Loving him did too.
When Lupin exhaled, his breath shook. “I’m prohibited from directly interfering with your fate. Meaning I can’t give you the answers you seek. I can, however, provide you with clues. Which is why I came to you months ago and told you about your mother. I knew you’d come to Exalos.”
“Isn’t that interfering?”
“Not necessarily. You’d already decided to attend the autumn ball and showcase your coffee and desserts. Thus, your path to Exalos was already guaranteed. The lord mayor would be in attendance at the ball, sample your food, and then later ask you to open a second café here. All paths showed you accepting his proposal. Telling you about your mother had no bearing on your decision. It would, however, fuel your curiosity while here and allow you to find the answers you need.”
“Joke’s on you,” I said, frustration billowing in my stomach. “It’s done nothing but drive me nuts. I’ve tried learning about my mom but don’t know where to even look. All I know is she used to hand out food to people and then vanished one day.”
“She did vanish, in a sense. She ran away with your father.”
Nerves replaced my frustration.
Lupin shifted forward in his chair, clasping his hands together. “Your father was someone of importance. His identity is the key to all of this. The missing piece. And your mother is the clue needed to find that piece.”
“But I haven’t found it.”
“You will. And soon.” The sadness in his eyes fell to his mouth in a weak smile. “Knowing who your father is will put you in great danger, but knowledge is power. You can use it to your advantage when the time comes.”
“When the time comes? Can you give any clues to when that might be?”
His brow furrowed, and he rested a finger at the edge of his lips. “Cherry blossoms.”
“Um. What?” My brain hurt from thinking too hard. “Wait. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, right? Are you saying something will happen to me in the spring?”
He pressed his lips together.
“Yep. You’re a total butthole wizard. I hate you.”
“You could never truly hate anyone. You are far too kind.”
I touched my necklace, taking strength from it. “You’re probably right about that.”
“You’re quite remarkable, Evander. You always have been. I knew it the moment I first saw you. When your mother stepped through the door of my shop, golden light radiated from her. Her aura was so gentle. Then, I saw you bundled up in her arms. And your aura?” Lupin’s smile shook. “It was so pure. Beautiful. A kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Colors that would brighten the lives of every person you touched. It’s why I decided to disregard the rules and help you.”
I fidgeted in place, wringing my hands together. He made me sound way more special than I actually was. The only thing remarkable about me was when I managed to keep my mouth shut for more than ten seconds.
“I’m curious about something.” Lupin studied me, one brow raised. “You haven’t told your men about your mother being from Exalos. Why?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe because I’m having trouble understanding it all. I want to know more before I tell them.”
“If I may offer a word of advice… tell them everything. Confide in them. You’ll need your men by your side in the battles to come. All of them. Even those not yet realized. Each will have an important role to play.”
“Those not yet realized?”
He smirked. “Muffin Lord and the Seven Alphas.”
“Oh god.” I eyed the ladle again. “Can you at least tell me when I’ll meet the others?”
“You’ve already met them.”
My heart did a weird plunking thing. “I have?”
“Indeed. Do what you will with that information.” Lupin rose from the chair and smoothed the front of his suit again.
“You’re leaving?” I felt panicky all of a sudden. “But I still have so many questions. Worries. Things that’ll keep me up at night.”
“Gods. That pout is truly a weapon of mass destruction. Very well. I will answer one question before I go, so make it a good one.”
One question. A log popped in the fireplace as I mulled everything over.
“Okay.” I took a breath. It shook on the exhale. “In all the possible futures you’ve seen, specifically, the ones that end badly for me… are my men safe at least?”
“Out of everything I’ve told you, your only concern is still for them.” That sad smile returned. “You’re just like your mother. Selfless and with the biggest heart. But I’m not sure you want to hear the answer.”
My gut coiled. “Why?”
“Because it’s not a happy story.”
That coil tightened even more, as if a boa constrictor lived inside me, squeezing my organs and making it hard to move. To breathe. “Do they die?”
“Just as deeply as you love your men, they love you just as deeply. Every path that leads to your death is stained with their blood as well.” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t say more.”
“Tell me, Lupin. Please.”
“If you insist.” His pale eyes lingered on me. “Your loss hits Maddox the hardest. He blames himself for not being strong enough to save you, and his rage consumes him, making him reckless. Lake, as well. He loses all sense of humanity and becomes the blood-crazed wolf everyone fears. Rowan surrenders to his darker nature and really does become a villain. Inflicting pain on others helps him forget his own.”
Tears stung my eyes. “And Briar?”
“After losing you and seeing what becomes of the others, the grief is too much for him to bear. That’s all I’ll say on the matter.”
“None of that can happen.” I touched my chest, feeling like my insides were on the verge of breaking apart. “I won’t let it.”
“Fortunately, every little decision we make alters our fate. That dark future is only one of the possible outcomes. My advice about listening to your heart isn’t just for your love life. It’ll serve you well in the trials to come.” Lupin reached into his inner jacket and withdrew a silver pocket watch. The same one he always carried with him. “Now. I really must be on my way. I regret to say I’m unsure when I’ll see you again.”
“Then let me say thank you.” Blinking away tears, I stood from the chair and held out my hand. “For everything. Saving me when I was little and then bringing me back home. For trying to guide me down the right path.”
Lupin stared at my hand before taking it in his. “Happiness is all I wish for you. Truly. Do be careful, Evander. I mean that with my whole heart.”
“You be careful too. Take care of Saint.”
“I will.” The mention of his husband made him smile. “And you take care of your harem.”
I sneered at him.
With a musical laugh, he opened the pocket watch. His form was cast in a soft, silvery light before he faded from sight. Similar to when Rowan used the shadows, but Lupin was the opposite, using whatever light the pocket watch emitted.
Everything he’d told me rattled around in my brain as I took the ladle back downstairs and finished cleaning up the kitchen. Lupin had come to warn me that something big was about to happen.
Something that would change the course of my life forever.
***
A booming crash woke me from sleep, followed by a shrill scream. I flung upward in bed, my heart racing and a thin layer of sweat on my skin.
“Evan?” Lake stirred beside me, his purple eyes glowing in the darkness of the room. The fire still burned in the small hearth but had died down, destined to go out if not stoked or given a fresh piece of wood.
My throat felt sore, and my cheeks were wet. That’s when I realized the scream had come from me. Another roar of thunder crashed outside. Tears welled in my eyes, and a pathetic little sound left me.
Lake took my face in his hands and wiped at my cheeks. A low whine tore through his chest. “How can I make it better?”
“You could start by holding him,” a different voice said, coming from the corner. Topaz eyes showed in the shadows before Rowan stepped forward. “Can’t you see he’s scared?”
“R-Rowan?” My voice shook.
“Of course it’s me. What other dashingly handsome devils do you know who lurk in shadowy corners?”
I tried to laugh, but it came out like a small cry. Lake’s arms enveloped me. And then, so did another pair of arms. The scent of peaches and black cardamom surrounded me, acting as a balm for my racing heart and anxiety.
“It’s only a storm,” Lake murmured in my ear, petting the back of my head. “You’re safe.”
However, pieces of the dream I’d been having before being woken by the thunder came back to me. Ones I didn’t want to remember. Maddox roaring in his rage, blood slinging off his sword. Lake’s purple eyes glowing as he tore into someone. Rowan using shadows to crush people to dust. And Briar… my sweet Briar…
I choked on a sob.
“Sing to him,” Rowan snapped at Lake, rubbing my back. “That calms him when he’s upset.”
“How long have you been spying on us?” Lake asked with a snarl.
“Long enough to see how you wiggle and whine like a little puppy sometimes when you sleep. It’s really adorable. Especially when you wag that fluffy tail. Is it as soft as it looks?”
“Touch me, and I’ll bite off your hand,” Lake growled.
I smiled at their bickering. It helped mend some of the sorrow that had my sternum in a death grip. I had to save my men from whatever dark future Lupin had seen.
I would save them.
The storm raged outside, amplifying my anxiety about everything.
Lake lay back down, taking me with him as he cradled me to his chest. Rowan sat on the edge of the bed and lightly rubbed up and down my side. His fingertips created a delicious heat on my skin. Like he was made of sunlight.
“The bed is big enough for the three of us,” Lake told him. His skin was warm too, less like the sun and more like a shooting star blazing across the night sky.
“I prefer to sleep alone,” Rowan responded.
“I said nothing of sleep, thief. Our male needs us. Unless you don’t see him as yours?”
My heart knocked hard against my ribs.
Silence followed Lake’s words. But then, the mattress dipped behind me, and a warm body pressed to my back. As Rowan’s scent strengthened, I closed my eyes and wiggled more into him. I loved being sandwiched between them.
A soft melody filled the dark room as Lake began to sing, threading his fingers through my hair. From behind me, Rowan rested his face against my nape and tightened his arm around my waist.
Thunder rolled deeply, rattling the windowpane. Lightning flashed and lit up the entire room. But I wasn’t scared anymore. Not when they were with me. As sleep claimed me again, I went somewhere the earlier nightmares couldn’t find me.
I went home.
I dreamed of our cottage nestled in the woods. Familiar. Safe. And so damn peaceful. Smoke billowed from the chimney, and wildflowers sprouted up from the rich soil. Seven men sat together on an outside patio, having breakfast.
Maddox snatched a muffin from the plate in the middle of the table, and Briar sipped tea, hiding a smile behind his cup. Lake shoveled an egg-and-bacon omelet into his mouth, his tail wagging happily behind him. Rowan had both legs pulled up into his chair and sneered at them between sips from a silver flask, but his eyes gave him away.
They were warm. Like pools of dark honey.
Three men’s faces and bodies were shadowed. Two had muscled frames, while the other was more elegant somehow. Although I couldn’t see who they were, I sensed their happiness. Felt it deep in my heart. One of the unknown men reached for a muffin, and Maddox swatted his hand away before taking it for himself, shoving half in his mouth.
Briar laughed so hard he sputtered tea.
Then, all seven of them turned to face me. One of the shadowy forms—the elegant one—stood and held out his hand. I slipped mine in his, letting him guide me to my chair.
When I woke up the next morning, sunlight spilled into the room. The storm had passed. Fragments of my dream remained though, and a sense of longing filled my chest. I sat up in bed and looked around the sunlit room. Rowan was no longer beside me. In his place?
A stuffed bunny rabbit with button eyes and floppy ears. Mister Hop.
“He left an hour ago.”
I turned to see Lake staring up at me, his silver hair fanning across his pillow. He was so damn beautiful it took my brain a second to function. Okay, two seconds. “He stayed the whole night?”
Lake nodded. “Before he left, he placed Mister Hop beside you. He’s difficult for me to read. His lips say one thing, but his eyes say another.”
“What does his eyes say?”
“That he didn’t want to leave you when you needed comfort.” He lifted a hand, and I grabbed it, allowing him to pull me back down beside him. “Speaking of. How do you feel?”
“Good. Just a little sleepy.”
“Then rest for a little longer.” Lake pushed his face into my hair. “The world can wait.”