Page 10 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 4

Fruit Carts Make the Best Hiding Spots

The market was a bustle of activity. Enticed by the sunny day, people ventured out for an afternoon of shopping and running errands. Me included.

Though still cold, the day was warmer than previous ones. I strolled down the lanes, taking in the smells of the various food stalls, burning coals from the blacksmith’s forge, and perfume from the lady selling floral oils and sprays. Wind blew in from the harbor, carrying with it the scent of saltwater.

“Fancy a baguette, mister Evan?” the baker called out from the doorway of his shop. “I just pulled some from the oven.”

“Oh, definitely!” I zoomed over, juggling the bags on my arm filled with my recent purchases. Spices from the shop near the bookstore, packages of meat from the butcher, and some colorful vials I’d seen in the window of the apothecary I thought Briar might like.

“Excellent. Give me a moment.” Barty offered me a kind smile and stepped back into his shop. He was in his late sixties, with a rounded midsection and a bushy mustache that fluttered when he laughed. A good guy all around.

Much better than the former baker. That asshole had been sent packing after too many complaints of his mistreatment of demi-humans; Miles having been one of them. Good riddance. Prince Sawyer’s hard work on passing protection laws for demi-humans had probably been the reason for that.

“Here you are.” Barty returned with a loaf that was, indeed, fresh from the oven and smelled incredible.

“Yay. Thank you.” I pulled out my coin pouch and paid him before tucking the baguette into a bag. I liked supporting the other shopkeepers. They, in turn, came to my café to return the favor. We helped each other. The way a community should be.

“Watch your step, darling,” a man told the lady on his arm before guiding her around a heap of slushy snow.

More snow had melted with the recent days of sunshine. What hadn’t melted had been shoveled from the main path and sorted into piles. I skirted around those piles and kept watch for any icy spots as I continued through the market, checking off items on my shopping list.

The café was open today, but Miles had told me he had everything handled and to take my time. Pretty sure it was a ploy to get me out of the kitchen for a few hours. I baked when anxious, and with everything going on in my life—worry over demons, fretting over the various doom endings if anyone learned my royal secret, and my growing feelings for Callum—I might’ve overdone it lately. Just a little.

“Make way!” a woman shouted.

A group of adventurers passed by, hauling a monstrous boar on a rickety cart. Off to claim their reward at the Guild Hall. Bounties were always posted for boars. The meat went to the butcher and the thick hide to the blacksmith for weapons and armor. Boar hunting was a lucrative, but dangerous, profession. Not sure if a bag of coin was worth that risk.

Fortunately, I’d never encountered a live boar. They kept to the lands east of the kingdom. I’d probably shit myself if I saw one running at me with its massive tusks and hooves that could easily crush a grown man’s skull.

And it was then, amongst my thoughts of scary boars, that my boot found a patch of ice. I tried to right my balance but tipped backward. My life flashed before my eyes. A life of my feet betraying me.

A hard body stopped my fall, and muscled arms came around my waist.

“I should be surprised, yet I’m not,” a deep voice murmured in my ear.

“Maddox!” I flipped around, all but forgetting my almost-demise on the icy sidewalk. “You really are my knight in shining armor. Always coming to my rescue.”

His lips twitched. “We should ask the physician to rework the magic in that necklace to include protection from those clumsy little legs of yours.”

“My legs aren’t little.”

“Mhm.” Black hair fell over his brow, and his eyes caught the light, reminding me of how the sun reflected on the sea, bringing out deeper tones of blue. “Why are you here alone?”

“Am I ever truly alone?” I rolled my eyes and set the bags at my feet. “Lake’s no doubt hiding somewhere watching my every move.”

“Fair point.” Maddox’s lips twitched. “I take it the thief is still in bed?”

“Ro worked all night and is allowed to sleep as late as he wants. And he’s a spy now, not a thief.”

Three days had passed since Rowan joined the Secret Order. Since most of their work was done in the shadows, he left at sundown and came home in the wee hours of the morning. Although I was incredibly proud of him, it felt weird not having him home when I went to bed.

“Why are you here?” I poked his chest. Then poked him again for good measure. “Besides to rescue muffins in distress.”

Maddox snatched hold of my hand and pulled me closer to his large body. “Careful, muffin. That attitude will get you into trouble. And we’re in public.”

The low dip of his voice gave me shivers.

“Oh?” I waggled my brows. “Worried you’ll tarnish your chivalrous reputation as Captain of the Second Order by bending me over your knee and spanking me right here in the market? Well, I got news for you. I’d like it.”

His composure slipped, and he smiled, taking me into his arms. Usually, he would’ve drawn back from me by now. Maddox didn’t like showing affection when others were around. But his arms remained secured around me.

I buried my face against his leather armor. “You never told me why you’re in the market. Is everything okay?”

“All is well. I met with Captain Stone.”

“The pirate?”

“Yes. We had business to discuss.”

Rowan, in his days of sneaking around the kingdom, learned that the knights worked with Stone and her crew in regard to security and intel. The knights turned a blind eye and let the pirates roam freely—within reason—in exchange for any reports on suspicious sightings or dealings within and around the capital.

“She didn’t flirt with you again, did she?” I asked with a snarky little edge. “I’m armed with a loaf of bread and not opposed to using it as a sword.”

“Is that jealousy I detect, my murder muffin?” Maddox grabbed my chin and angled my face up to his.

“No,” I mumbled. His brow arched. “Okay. Maybe. She’s just really pretty. A total knockout. Ten out of ten.”

“And yet, my eyes are only on you.” He swept his thumb over my bottom lip. “You’re so beautiful you take my breath away.”

Heat spread through my veins, like the growing roots of a large tree, traveling all throughout my body. “Captain Smolder, oh how I’ve missed you. But you might need to tone down the swoon or my heart will stop.”

“Your heart isn’t allowed to stop.” Maddox bent lower, pressing his forehead to mine. “So many others are tied to it.”

“Keep talking like that, and I’ll have no choice but to drag you back to the cottage and have my wicked way with you. I don’t care if you’re still on duty either. This armor will come off and—”

He kissed me.

The winter air brought out the warm spice of his skin, and I sought more of that warmth, linking my wrists behind his neck. He swept his tongue across mine, and a deep, possessive sound rumbled in his chest, one that had my pulse spiking and blood turning to liquid fire.

“When you said you had somewhere to be, Captain, I assumed it was the castle,” a feminine voice rang out. “Yet, it seems you actually snuck away to ravish your male.”

Maddox pulled from my lips. “What I do is no concern of yours, Stone. Our business is concluded for the time being. What more do you want?”

“What do I want?” Isabel, aka Captain Stone, wore a red tunic and a black corset that fastened down the front. Her dark hair fell in long waves, and black liner surrounded both eyes. “A heavy bag of coin, to start. My ship could use a fresh coat of paint and minor repairs. Softer padding for the crew’s bedding and dozens more barrels of rum to keep us company on those long, cold nights at sea.”

“The Crown has paid you generously for your services. It’s no fault of mine that you’ve squandered said payment on liquor and women.”

“And what beautiful women they were,” she said with a devilish grin. “It might serve you well to indulge in them every so often. Perhaps you wouldn’t be so rigid.”

“I have no desire for them,” Maddox responded, touching my lower back.

Her gaze fell to me. “I see why. Very few others compare to this little beauty. You ask what I wanted? I wouldn’t mind tasting his lips to see if they’re as sweet as they look.”

Maddox growled. “I thought women were your preference.”

“Ah, they are.” Isabel smiled at me. “However, he is quite alluring, no? Golden hair, fair skin, and eyes like emeralds. Soft, pink lips.” When Maddox growled again, she laughed and stepped back. “Very well. I shall keep my hands to myself. For now.”

“A wise decision,” Maddox told her.

Isabel winked at me. “If you ever tire of this too serious bore of a man, come find me. You can join my crew. I’ll even let you sleep in the captain’s quarters.” She fluttered her fingers in a wave and then joined a group of men waiting near the tavern.

“Okay, previous verdict overturned,” I said, smile wide. “I like her.”

Maddox huffed and snaked his arm back around my waist.

“Is that jealousy I detect?” I asked, mimicking him from earlier. “If you’re feeling stabby, I have a baguette you can borrow.”

He dropped his head to mine. “Perhaps I should take up bread making. Punching some dough and pretending it’s a… how did you once phrase it, a tart-faced brothel wench?”

A surprised laugh bubbled from me. “This is a side to you I’ve never seen. I love it. Best day ever.”

“It’s a side I was unaware I had.” Maddox slid his hand to my neck. “I enjoy watching Briar kiss you. Lake and Rowan too, for I know how dear they are to your heart. But I suppose I’m not fully immune to jealousy. The thought of her tasting your lips made me inwardly rage.”

“Well, no worries.” I rested my hand over his. “There’s only one captain I want to kiss, and it’s not Stone.”

With a tender smile, he leaned in and captured my lips—much like he had my heart. The kiss was soft, as if holding all the romantic things he struggled putting into words. Not as intense as earlier but affecting me all the same.

But as amazing as his lips felt on mine, my curious mind couldn’t be stalled for long.

“Why were you meeting with her?” I asked, pulling from that delicious mouth.

“Another business arrangement.” Maddox toyed with my scarf. The overprotective grump shifted it closer to my neck to block out even a lick of cold air. “Some of the men involved with the recent brawl often frequent the tavern. Stone and her crew will report to me about any concerning intel they find, such as another riot or plans of that nature.”

“That’s why you’ve been so tense, huh?” I linked my hands behind his neck. “Worrying about all of this.”

Wariness caused a deep wrinkle in his brow. “Fighting demons, I understand. But this? Having the very people I’m sworn to protect possibly incite a rebellion? It’s…”

“Stressful?”

“That’s one way to describe it.” Maddox placed another soft kiss to my mouth before drawing back. “I must be on my way.”

“Nope.” I held on tighter. “The muffin lord demands more cuddles first.”

“You demand it, do you?” He caressed my jaw with the backs of his knuckles.

“Yep. But I may be persuaded to let you leave if you tell me what’s so important that you can’t give me a few more minutes of loving.”

“A royal feast is scheduled for this evening,” he said. “I need to meet with Captain Braun to arrange an escort for the caravan bringing the food and supplies. Then, I’ll be with Captain Vander and knights of the Royal Order overseeing the security of the grounds.”

“A feast? For who?”

“The baron of Voltas and his daughter. They arrived earlier this morning. The feast is to welcome them. A small affair, by the sound of it. Only the royal family and those from Voltas will be in attendance.”

“The royal family,” I said in an unintentionally wistful tone. Technically, I should’ve been there too. The more time that passed, the more I wished I could tell them the truth. Or, at least tell Sawyer.

Maddox’s expression softened. “You have a family, sweetheart. One who’d move mountains for you.”

“I know.” I cleared my suddenly tight throat. Lake wasn’t the only one who could read me like an open book. “So, Lady Alina is here? Prince Sawyer said she’d be coming to the capital. I guess it’s really happening, then. Their engagement.”

“This saddens you?”

“Being forced to marry someone for political reasons is just… I don’t know.” I rested my head over his heart, thankful for every steady thrum. “I can’t imagine being torn away from the ones I love and told I have to marry a stranger. And for what? An alliance?”

“An important alliance.” Maddox pet the back of my hair. “Lord Norwood, Lady Alina’s father, controls the strongest naval fleet in the seas. Even Captain Stone steers clear of Voltas because of it.”

“It’s still not fair,” I mumbled into this armor. “This feast sounds like serious business. You should take me to the castle with you. I’m armed with a bread sword and will protect you with my life.”

He barked out a laugh and kissed the top of my head. “The bread is bigger than you. You’d end up whacking yourself with it before landing a blow to an enemy.”

“Hey, it’d be a good distraction. So new plan. I’ll make the enemy laugh while you go in for the kill. We’d make a great team.”

“If it were my decision, I’d never again leave your side.” He kissed my knuckles. “But Captain Braun is awaiting me at the castle gates.”

“Fine. Go,” I half-said, half-whined. Because I was a dramatic little muffin sometimes. “But you better be home for breakfast tomorrow. I’m trying out a new cinnamon raisin muffin recipe, and you’re my expert taste-tester.”

A knowing smile touched his lips. “I can think of one other knight who is as well.”

My heart knocked against my ribs. “Are you giving your blessing for him to eat your muffin?”

“I already gave you my answer on the matter.” Maddox caressed my jaw. “For I know a piece of that muffin will always belong to me and me alone.”

“A large piece,” I said, fighting a wave of emotion.

“Be careful going home, sweetheart.” Maddox kissed my temple before pulling away. His gaze lingered on me for several beats before he turned and continued down the lane.

Two other knights from the Second Order met him in front of the blacksmith’s forge and handed him the reins to his black stallion. I watched him until he was out of sight, then sighed and shuffled forward, way less bubbly than I’d been earlier.

That was, until I saw a cinnamon roll gleaming in the sunlight. Callum stood in front of the Guild Hall, having just stepped outside.

Spirits lifting, I jogged toward him, bags rustling and the top of the baguette smacking me in the face. A detail I would keep from Maddox to spare myself the humiliation of him never letting me live it down.

But then, I came to a sharp halt.

A woman joined Callum outside. She had long brown hair and was dressed like an adventurer, wearing thin armor, leather cuffs, and a cloak with fur. A small axe was strapped to her belt. She rose up on the balls of her feet and kissed his cheek.

He smiled down at her. And when the dimple I adored made its appearance, something gnashed in my chest, like someone plucking at my heart strings. Testing the strength of each one with a painful amount of pressure.

I hid behind Miss Joanna’s fruit stand so he wouldn’t see me.

As the two of them left the Guild Hall and headed toward the main square, playfully bumping against each other and smiling from ear to ear, that pressure in my chest tightened. Made it hard to breathe.

“Well, if it isn’t dear Evan!” Finnian approached with Ban in tow, their armor and swords clanking.

Callum glanced over his shoulder.

“Shh!” I waved my hand at them and dropped lower to the ground.

The guards reached me a beat later.

Finnian seemed curiously amused as he knelt beside me. “Why are we squatting? Hiding from someone?”

“No. I’m just, you know, hanging out.” I peeked around the cart, not seeing Callum and the girl anymore. Good. I was in no state to explain to him why I’d taken refuge with some fruit. With the coast clear, I stood up and dusted off my butt. “Hi. Good morning. Sorry about that.”

Ban cocked his head. He wore his helmet, but I caught the scrunch of his mouth through the gap.

“You never fail to amaze me. Such spirit you have. And quirks.” Finnian smiled. “We were just on our way to your café when Ban spotted you.”

Ban averted his gaze.

“Oh. I had to run a few errands but was on my way back. Feel free to come over, and I’ll make you something to eat.”

“You are much too kind,” Finnian said. “Unfortunately, we’re here on business. We’ve come at the request of the king.”

“The king sent you? For me?”

Was this it? One of the doom endings I’d been stressing about? Someone learning my secret, telling the king, and me being taken into custody. I saw myself being thrown in front of him and ordered to explain myself. He might even think I was lying and have me locked in the dungeon.

“For your sweets, actually.” Finnian bowed his head to me. “King Eidolon has requested your services for the feast this evening. If you’d be so inclined to accept.”

***

The look on Maddox’s face when I showed up at the castle was priceless. A bit terrifying, sure. He wasn’t happy at all, given that I was supposed to be at the cottage, safe and sound. But still. The man made anything look good. Shocked, yet murderous, expressions included.

“Evan.” His hard tone matched that lethal gleam. He stood on the castle steps, having stepped away from Captain Braun once seeing me arrive in the carriage. “Why are you here?”

“I’m happy to see you too, big guy.” I patted his chest. “Seems like only this morning when you embraced me fondly and said how much you love my muffins.”

“Explain yourself.”

I sighed and fidgeted beneath the force of his hard stare. “Know the feast you mentioned earlier? Well, the king wants me to make the dessert. So, here I am.”

Maddox expelled a long breath. “I wasn’t informed of this.”

“Hey.” I closed the tiny gap between our bodies and reached up to cup his face. Light stubble tickled my palm. He hadn’t shaved in a few days, and I kind of loved it. “Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll be on my best behavior. Trust me.”

“I do trust you, sweetheart.” Maddox’s eyes tightened, and he exhaled again, shakier now than before. “But I want you at home where it’s safe.”

“I am safe.” I brought his hand to my chest, over my necklace. “I have all of you right here. Protecting me. Well, except for Rowan. Maybe I can ask him to add something to it so he’ll be represented too. I have the dagger he gave me but left it at home. Didn’t want the guards to search me, find it, and think I was an assassin muffin or something.”

“No one would ever make such an assumption of you. Of that I’m certain.” His lips twitched. “Assassins have stealth. A skill you sorely lack.”

“Wow.” I stuck my nose up at him. “And to think I planned on making you muffins tomorrow.”

“You would deny me?” Maddox asked. “Your gluttonous captain?”

Damn him and those blue eyes. Denying him anything was impossible. The sexy bastard. “I’ll consider it.”

Albeit small, his eyes softened, and he brought my head forward, kissing the top of my hair.

Boots thumped up the steps, and we turned to see a bright-faced Callum. Usually, he was like my own personal sunshine. But seeing him right then brought to mind an image of him with that pretty girl.

“Afternoon, Ev,” he said, not faltering in that smile. “Ban is looking for you. He said you’re making the dessert for the feast?”

“Yep.” Then, I processed his words. “Wait. He said ? As in, the big, silent Ban actually spoke?”

Callum’s dimple appeared. “Well, not exactly. He grunted a few times. Finnian translated.”

“Finnian must be a wizard.” I shook my head in awe. “Welp. Best get to the kitchen.”

Maddox sighed. “Please behave.”

“This again? I always behave.” I rose up to brush our lips together. “And stop worrying. I’ll be fine.”

“Who says I’m worrying?”

“That crease in your forehead.” I poked it. “Riiiight there.”

He snatched hold of my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing my middle fingertip. As his ocean blue eyes held my gaze, my belly flip-flopped. Damn him and that smolder.

“There you are, dearest Evan.” Finnian neared us with a mountain looming behind him. A mountain whose face softened as he looked at me. “I wondered if I’d need to locate another fruit stand in order to find you.”

“Fruit stand?” Maddox asked.

“Ah, yes.” Finnian laughed. “When Ban and I found Evan in the market, he was hiding behind one.”

Callum frowned. “You were in the market earlier?”

“Oh. Um. Y-Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “Had errands to run. Almost had to fight off a hot pirate captain with a bread sword. You know, normal muffin lord business.”

“Why were you hiding behind a fruit stand?” Maddox asked, still stuck on that one detail.

“Um, do you hear that?” I curved a hand around my ear. “I think I hear Miles calling for me. A carriage was sent to pick him up and bring him here. To help me with the dessert. For the feast. I should get to the kitchen. There’s so much to do. The cake won’t bake itself, you know.”

“Evan…” Maddox gave me the look . “Why were—”

“Love you lots!” I rose up on my tiptoes and pecked a kiss to his jaw. “Be careful doing knight stuff. Okay. Gotta go!”

I then high-tailed it from the area before he could stop me, heading toward the massive entry doors. Once at a safe distance, I slowed my pace and chuckled to myself. He was going to punish me later.

I couldn’t wait.

“Halt!” the guard outside the entrance exclaimed, moving his spear to block my path.

I nearly ran into said spear but skidded to a stop inches from it.

“State your name,” he barked.

“He’s cleared to enter the castle,” another voice chimed in as Finnian and Ban reached me. “He’s preparing food for the feast this evening.”

“Oh.” The guard blinked. “Apologies.”

Ban stepped forward and roughly moved the spear aside, a growl building in his chest. His gray eyes then lowered to me. Other than his mouth, they were all I could see through his helmet. And despite his anger at the guard, they looked so warm right then. Like a rain shower in summertime. Slowly, he lifted a hand to my cheek before quickly withdrawing it.

“I’m okay,” I told him. “Promise.”

After another lingering stare, he faced the guard. The younger man visibly shrank beneath his ire.

“We’ll escort you to the kitchen,” Finnian said before guiding me forward.

“Thanks.”

Ban kept pace on my other side. We passed more guards along the way. A lot of them I didn’t recognize.

“Are there more guards than usual?” I asked.

“Some came from Voltas with Lord Norwood,” Finnian answered. “Others were handpicked by the royal family.”

“Because of the infiltrators?”

“Correct.” He glanced down at me. “And with tensions so high in the kingdom, safety of the royal family is of the upmost importance.”

I recalled the conversation from my café between the two men. Politics went over my head, but one thing I did know? War brought out the worst in people. The fear of war did too.

“You three.” A guard approached us and removed his helmet. “Why is the boy here?”

“August.” I’d recognize that snarling face anywhere.

“He’s providing the dessert for tonight’s feast,” Finnian told him. “Now cease with that snarl. Evan here is a friend.”

“A nuisance is more like it,” August said.

“Why, Augie. Enough of that. Did the kitchen run out of your favorite blackberry jam again? Is that the cause of your sour mood?”

Augie? I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling. It was cute.

“Enough of that silly pet name.” August glared at the other guard before his dark eyes returned to me. “Carry on.”

He stormed down the hall and barked orders at two guards outside another set of doors who were slouching against the wall.

“Take no offense,” Finnian told me. “He’s all bark and no bite. The man has a soft side for you.”

“He does?” I asked, shocked. “But he hates me. He’s threatened to string me up by my ankles and gag me more times than I can count. He even said my cookies were too crumbly.”

Ban grunted.

“I know, right?” I lightly patted Ban’s forearm. “The audacity. Insult me, fine, but leave my sweets alone. Those cookies were perfectly soft and not crumby at all, thank you very much.”

The mountain of a guard made another rough sound. Somehow, I knew he was agreeing with me.

Finnian looked at Ban before moving his eyes to me. “You are more loved than you realize, young Evan. Even by those you’d least expect.”

And with that, we continued toward the kitchen.