Page 16 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 4

The Sun, the Moon, and All the Swoon

Hushed whispers slowly pulled me from sleep. Eyes closed and mind groggy, I tried to make sense of the voices. Sounded like a group of women.

“Oh, he’s waking up.”

“Give him room to breathe, Penny. You’ll startle him.”

“Startle him with my beauty.”

Confused, I cracked open one eye, then the other. Callum slept beside me, his chest rising and falling steadily. He had one arm around my waist, holding me against his side. But we weren’t alone in the room. My skin tingled as I became all too aware of someone close behind me. I peeked over my shoulder and nearly shot off the cot.

The girl was inches from my face.

“Well, aren’t you just the cutest thing ever?” She was familiar somehow. Brunette, with an oval-shaped face. “A head of golden hair and eyes like emeralds. No wonder Callum is so smitten.”

Her identity then clicked into place. She was the girl I’d seen Callum with outside the Guild Hall.

“Penny,” an older woman chided her. “You’re too close to him.”

“Not close enough, I’d say.” Penny beamed at me. “He has freckles too. My heart could burst.”

“Penelope Ann Galliard.”

“Fine.” She huffed and scooted backward. Then, she smiled at me. “Did my brother finally confess to you? He swore to me he wouldn’t, said that you belonged to Captain Maddox, but I told him to get his head out of his ass. Seeing you now? I’m impressed he lasted as long as he did. Quite the self-restraint.”

“We knights are taught discipline,” a male voice said. “Putting our own desires aside for the greater good.”

I tore my gaze from Penny and to the others in the room. An older woman sat in a chair on the other side of the cot, her sandy colored hair pulled back in a low bun with several wavy strands falling forward. Two women stood behind her, one with dark blonde hair and the other matching Penny’s.

As for the guy? He resembled Callum so much I had to blink a few times. My sleep-muddled brain cleared, and realization crept in.

“You’re Cal’s family,” I sleepily croaked.

“My name is Annabelle, but please call me Ann,” the older woman said. “I’m Callum’s mother.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Evan.” I sat up a little and was immediately tugged back down by the still-sleeping cinnamon roll. “Thank you for all the clothes. They helped a lot.”

Ann smiled. “You’re very welcome, dear. I’m glad they could be of use. Gerard outgrew them so quickly. Sprouted up like a weed, he did.”

“A weed, Mother?” The guy softly laughed. He had the same dimple as Callum, though his appeared in both cheeks instead of just one. “An honor to finally meet you, Evan. My brother speaks highly of you and your café. I’ve been meaning to visit sooner, but training has kept me busy.”

He was Callum’s younger brother, but his huge muscles and broad shoulders could’ve fooled me. They looked like twins instead.

“There’s no way you’re only fifteen,” I said, letting my internal thoughts run free.

“Sixteen, as of one month ago.” Gerard smiled. “I’ll graduate the academy next autumn and become a full-fledged knight.”

“That’s great. Callum’s told me how proud he is of you.” Callum had also let slip once how he wished Gerard would take a different path. One that wouldn’t force him to charge into battle and fight demons.

“I’m Sasha,” the other brunette said. Her hair was cut short, falling an inch past her ears, and she wore a sleeveless shirt that was tucked into black pants. Burn scars scattered across both forearms. Soot tarnished her clothes. “Forgive my appearance. I rushed over straight from the forge when Ma told me about Callum.”

“The forge?” I asked.

“I work as a blacksmith. Specialty is forging weapons. Daggers and swords mostly. If you ever need one, feel free to stop by the shop.”

“Disregard her offer,” the blonde told me. “Callum said you are quite clumsy. Weapons would be unwise.”

I snorted.

“That’s Christa,” Gerard said. “Ignore her. She can be quite the bog witch.”

“I’ll show you bog witch.” Christa put him in a headlock and ruffled his hair. “You may be taller than me now, yet I’m still your older sister.”

Callum grumbled and slowly opened his eyes. He squinted. “Ma?”

The two siblings stopped rough housing and flipped around to him. Penny bounded forward, landing beside me on the cot.

“Oh, my sweet boy.” Ann rushed from her chair and took his hand. “How are you feeling? Penny, tell the physician he’s awake.”

“Why must I do it?” Penny frowned. “Sasha is closer to the door.”

“Because you’re younger.” Sasha crossed her arms. “Respect your elders.”

“I’ll tell Briar,” I said, lifting the blanket off me. Like before, Callum’s arm tightened around me, as if on reflex. His hold then loosened as he offered me a small smile. I bent down and kissed his cheek before standing.

Penny plopped beside him, taking my spot. “I’ll keep you warm until your pretty boy returns.”

He sneered. “I don’t want you .”

“You have me anyway.” With an impish grin, she nestled against his shoulder. “How the gods must favor you. A precious sister and a pretty little prince.”

“A prince?” Callum asked.

“He looks as though he could be one, no?” Penny motioned to me. “No one else could be so perfect.”

Callum’s expression softened. “He is quite perfect. I agree.”

Cheeks heating, I spun toward the door and exited the medical ward.

Briar looked up from the mortar and pestle he was using to grind herbs. “Has he woken?”

I nodded. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep too.”

I had slept the entire morning and part of the afternoon away.

“You stayed up all night worrying over him. A nap served you well.” Briar stepped over and kissed my temple. “Have some coffee. I’ll tend to him.”

Didn’t have to tell me twice. Regardless of the time of day, coffee made everything better. Kisses from the men I loved did too. Briar blessed me with a soft one to my lips before going into the medical ward.

I sat with a steaming mug and looked out the window. A breeze moved through the large oak tree, and the sun peeked through the branches. How was the café doing? Did Miles have everything handled? I hadn’t gotten the chance to tell him I wouldn’t be there today.

“Afternoon, little treasure.”

I snapped my attention to the far corner of the clinic, seeing swirling shadows but no sign of my sexy spy. “Ro?”

“Right here.” His voice came from behind me now, exciting the hairs on my nape. Goosebumps formed on my skin at the tickle of his breath. “The pup sent me. He said he felt your unease and wanted me to reassure you all was well. He’s helping Miles with the baking.”

My connection with Lake must’ve strengthened for him to be able to sense my emotions from so far. The awareness came with a stinging behind my eyes.

Rowan lightly chuckled and wrapped his arms around me from behind, bringing with him a peppery scent. “You’ve only been gone for one day. Stop lookin’ like a sad toad.”

“One day away from any of you feels like forever.” I turned in my chair to face him. He wore earthy tones that afternoon; a brown tunic, forest green neckerchief, and black trousers. Not his masked and mysterious self but still just as handsome. Similar to the first time I’d met him.

We’d come so far since then.

“I recognize that look.” Rowan slid his hand to my neck and leaned in, ghosting his lips across my jaw. “You want to throw me down in some hay and fuck me silly, don’t you?”

I smiled. “Caught me.”

“I reckon I’ll have to wait my turn though.” He gently bit my neck. “The rabbit hasn’t been initiated into the harem yet.”

“Oh my god, Ro.”

A raspy laugh left him. “I hope Specs makes him drink the flower juice.”

The sex tonic that cleansed the body of any diseases. It only had to be taken once between exclusive partners. But once was bad enough. The taste could best be described as grabbing a handful of flowers from the dirt and shoving them into your mouth.

“Cal and I won’t be doing anything like that until he heals,” I said, body flushing at the thought. I was definitely no virgin, but being with someone for the first time still caused nervous flutters. And not just someone , but with my cinnamon roll of a knight.

I wanted it to be special.

“Where has that prince wandered off to?” Penny’s voice filtered in from the medical ward. “He’s so cute I just want to squeeze him.”

“He’s enjoying some coffee,” Briar responded. “If you think him cute now, you should see him when he’s cranky. Precious is too small a word.”

Rowan laughed. “Put another one under your spell, eh? A woman this time.”

“Oh, stop.”

He flashed his fang before planting a kiss to my lips. “I should return to the café. Miles was baking croissants when I left.”

“My carb thief.” I hugged his waist. “And the spy who stole my heart.”

“I’ll steal it as many times as I need to.” Rowan pushed his fingers through my hair before stepping back into the shadows.

He vanished from sight just as Penny rounded the corner. Her bubbly personality was contagious. It was hard not to smile as she zoomed over, looped our arms together, and dragged me back into the medical ward.

“Please don’t frighten him away, Pen,” Callum told her. “He’s important to me.”

Penny huffed and tugged me closer. “He already adores me. Just look at his smile.”

As the afternoon drew on, one thing became clear. There was something special about Callum’s family. The love between them was unmistakable. Laughter, playful taunts, and more laughter.

I soon understood why he always felt so warm. His family felt the same way.

Briar brewed tea for everyone and sat with us for a while. Until a medical emergency pulled him away. A castle guard had tripped and thrown out a hand to catch himself—while in full armor. The impact sprang his wrist and broke his index finger.

I related to that guard on a spiritual level. He belonged in the clumsy squad with me and Quincy.

“The sun is setting.” Gerard stood from his chair. “I should return to the academy before I miss curfew.”

Shocked, I looked toward the window, noting the fading daylight. We had visited for hours. Time had flown by.

“It was lovely meeting you,” Ann said, grabbing my hand. “Take care of my boy.”

“Ma.” Callum groaned.

I smiled at him before turning back to her. “I will.”

Gerard nodded to me before taking his mom’s arm and leading her from the room. Christa followed behind them. Sasha ruffled my hair in an all-too-familiar way before leaving too. As his older sister, I was sure she’d done that to Callum many times while growing up.

“Will I see you again soon?” Penny asked me, eyes big and pleading. “Oh! How about this. Come with me on my next quest. My guild accepted a bounty for a cave exploration.”

“Absolutely not,” Callum told her. “Evan isn’t going anywhere near those caves. I fear what would become of him.”

My face fell.

“See what you did?” She flicked a hand at me. “You took his smile away. How dare you?”

I laughed. “Cal has a point. I’m sure I’d trip and fall into a deep chasm or something. Maybe impale myself on a stalagmite.”

Penny pouted.

“But you could come to the cottage,” I suggested. “I’ll make dinner, and you can tell us about the quest.”

She beamed before throwing her arms around me and squeezing tight. “Sounds perfect.”

Once she left, Callum’s palm slid against mine. “Apologies if you’re overwhelmed. My family can be… a lot.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I drew both legs up onto the cot and inched closer to him. “Your family’s amazing, Cal. Sasha is a total badass. Gerard was nice and really mature for his age. Christa didn’t say much, but I get the feeling she’s more of an introvert.”

“Aye.” Callum smiled down at our joined hands. “Christa is the eldest. After my father fell in the war against Haran, my mother took on extra work to make ends meet, and Christa became a sort of second mother for us. She’s watched over us ever since. As for Penny?” He blew out a breath. “She’s always been high spirited.”

“I like her.”

“Good. Because she’s latched on to you, and once that happens, you’re doomed.”

“Doomed isn’t the word I’d use,” I said with a laugh. “I think she may become my new partner in crime. Sorry.”

Penny and I just vibed, feeding off each other’s energy. Pretty sure the two of us together equaled trouble and would test the patience of the men in our lives. That vein in Maddox’s temple might really explode.

“I don’t mind sharing you.” Callum’s expression kickstarted my heart. His chocolate eyes darkened as his gaze fell to my mouth. “I’ve wanted this for so long, Ev. Wanted you. And I’m terrified.”

“Of what?”

“Waking up,” he whispered. “And realizing this was only a dream.”

I pinched his arm.

“Ow. What was that for?”

“It stung, right?”

“Um.” Callum’s brow pulled together. “Yes?”

God, he was adorable.

“You can’t feel pain in your dreams.” I bent to kiss the spot I’d pinched, then lifted back up, planting another kiss to his lips. “So, whenever you start to worry about this being one, just give yourself a little pinch, and you’ll know it’s real.”

“I…” Something sparked in his eyes—a quiet intensity. He grabbed the back of my head and kissed me. His lips trembled.

Returning the kiss, that tremble passed to me, causing a quake in my sternum. For the first time since I’d suspected Callum of being one of my fated men, the ache in my chest calmed. It no longer twisted and turned, desperate for a connection.

It had found that connection. An inexplainable bond.

Callum gently pushed me to my back and deepened the kiss. There was a slight hesitation to his lips. He might’ve been experienced in battle and earned a reputation for being the best swordsman in the Second Order, but this was uncharted territory for him.

It thrilled me but also awoke a stirring of guilt. Because I was experienced. And I didn’t belong to just one man. My heart—and body—belonged to several.

“Does it bother you?” I asked against his mouth. “Me being with so many men?”

“No.” He gently bumped his head to mine, like an affectionate nuzzle. “You were with them before I even realized my feelings for you. And once I did? I didn’t wish to replace them. I only wanted to join them. To spend my days waking up beside you and listening to your rambles. To be there to catch you when you tripped over your own two feet. And to lie with you just like this.”

“I want all of that too,” I said, fighting the tremor in my throat. “All of this was unexpected, Cal. Falling for you. But now I can’t see it happening any other way.”

“Neither can I. Almost feels like fate, doesn’t it? The stars aligned and brought us together.” He slid his hand down my spine. “Reminds me of a poem I once read about the sun and the moon.”

“Yeah? What did it say?”

“That they were gods who fell in love but were cursed when another god became jealous of their love. From then on, they were torn apart. The sun shone on the world below him, all the while mourning a love that couldn’t be. And when the moon rose each night to take his place in the sky, her tears created the stars.”

“That’s sad.”

“Aye. It is.” Callum dragged in a breath, then slowly released it, turning more into me. “That’s how I felt for all these months. Like the sun mourning an impossible love.”

I blinked back tears. “Did the sun and the moon get their happily ever after in the poem?”

“No.” He trailed his hand up my chest and smoothed his thumb across the base of my throat. “I always wished I could rewrite the ending.”

“How would you change it?”

As our gazes met, his brown irises burned with that same quiet intensity as earlier. “I’d have the two meet between day and night and embrace as lovers do, dancing in the twilight.”

“I like that,” I said, heart swelling. “Sounds like you have a poet in you after all, dear knight.”

He smiled. “I’m still much more skilled with a sword.”

“Were you serious about the sparring match?”

“Yes and no. I believe it’d serve you well to have a basic understanding of self-defense, yet the captain would, indeed, do what the demon failed to do and rip off my head.”

I sighed. “He’s such a protective grump.”

“One who loves you dearly.” Callum ghosted his lips down my cheek.

“He loves you too, you know.” My pulse thrummed like a hummingbird’s wings. “You belong with us, Cal. You don’t have to be like the sun in that poem and shine on everything around you while hiding your own pain. We’ll warm you too.”

“I’m certainly warm enough right now.” He pressed closer, dropping his face to my neck. “I related to the poem, thinking our love impossible, but here you are in my arms. We must be in that space between night and day. Where we can finally exist together.”

“Well, the sun has set.” I looked at the shadowy world beyond the window. Only a faint light remained in the distance.

“Not fully.” Callum shifted his weight and settled halfway on top of me. “He’s waiting for that dance.”

“Can you dance?” I smiled up at him. God, he was making me giddy. The butterflies in my belly were more like bats, the flutters heavy but quick.

“Perhaps I’ll show you someday.” He brushed a soft kiss over my sternum. “When we meet in the twilight.”

***

Frogs croaked from a nearby pond as Callum and I strolled through the castle grounds. Briar had released him from the medical ward but said he should wait another day before riding a horse. Being a mighty muffin lord, I’d offered to escort him to the barracks.

“You, escort me?” he’d asked with an amused twitch of his lips. “Very well.”

He could joke all he wanted, but I wasn’t totally useless in a fight. If someone jumped from the bushes and attacked us, I could throw a rock at them. Or fall flat on my face and make them laugh themselves to death.

Stars twinkled above us, and I tipped my head up, trying to makes sense of the clusters. The constellations were different from the ones I knew. No Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt. Sometimes I forgot about my old world, but little things reminded me.

“Do you have names for the stars?” I asked.

“Aye.” Callum held my hand as we walked along the moonlit path. With his other hand, he pointed to a cluster to the left of us. “See those? We call them Atreyu’s Shield. Named after a knight of old who held off enemy soldiers with only a shield, protecting his prince. He was gravely wounded, missing one arm and stabbed in the gut, but held on until reinforcements arrived. Stories say the stars formed with his final breath. The gods honored his bravery.”

“Are all knights sworn to do that? Lay down their lives for the royal family?”

He nodded. “The royal guards are sworn to do so as well.”

I focused on the warmth of his palm against mine. “I wouldn’t want that if I was a prince. Someone else dying for me just because of my bloodline. No life is more important than another, regardless if you’re a knight, commoner, or the king himself.”

“I believe differently.” When he peered down at me, there was a slight tightness at the edges of his eyes. “You say no life is more important than another, yet I would give mine for you without hesitation.”

Damn. My heart skipped a beat. The man had charm. His new title should be Sir Swoonamon Roll.

Flickers of orange showed ahead of us, coming from the firepit in the courtyard. Knights sat around it with drinks in hand and stood at our approach, nodding to Callum. He returned the gesture before veering toward a footpath that led to the officer’s quarters.

“Seems like forever ago that I first came here,” I said, surveying the grounds. The grove of trees. The barracks. The door Maddox had carried me through the night of the storm after my date with him and Briar. We’d taken shelter inside and warmed ourselves in front of the fire.

“Yet, you still haven’t seen my room.” Callum stopped in front of his door and turned to me, resting his shoulder against it.

“Is that an invitation?”

A slow smile curved his lips. “Well, you did show incredible bravery escorting me home. Did you hear those toads in the pond? Maneaters, I bet. I fear they would’ve swarmed me had you not been by my side.”

“You’re right.” I exaggerated a sigh. “I totally saved your life with my muffins of steel.”

When he chuckled, the sound awoke the sleeping butterflies in my belly. Ones that fluttered faster as he opened the door and pulled me into the room. I couldn’t see anything but darkness at first. Then, the moonlight coming through the lone window helped my eyes adjust enough to make out the shape of a small table and a bed in the corner.

“Give me a moment.” Callum squeezed my hand before stepping away. He lit a lantern and carried it over to a small stone hearth. As he worked on starting a fire, I took a look around.

Two bookcases along the wall were completely filled, the books ranging in size from short stories to thick volumes. I glided my fingers along the spines before coming across a small wooden horse on the shelf. A knight stood beside it, also crafted from wood and painted to match the colors of the Royal Order.

“That was my dream when I was younger.” Callum neared my side and smiled at the toy knight. “I wanted to be the king’s personal knight.”

“There’s time to make that dream come true. You’re so young and have already made a name for yourself. Men twice your age respect you. You’ll work your way up the ranks in no time.”

“Gratitude for the encouragement.” His brown eyes softened as they fell to me. “But I’m exactly where I wish to be. With my captain and the knights I consider brothers. And with you.”

My stomach did that thing —the little dip that made me feel like I was going over the top of a roller coaster. “Are you sure it’s not just my muffins that keep you around?”

“The coffee is quite tasty as well.”

I snorted. “And the sweet buns, right? I was thinking of making some filled with red bean paste next time. Never made my own before, but I used to love eating—”

Callum kissed me.

As our mouths melded together, he took hold of my hips and gently pushed me against the bookcase. With a small moan, I rose up on my toes and wrapped my arms around his neck, being mindful of his wound.

A light rapping came at the door.

We barely had time to react before it opened. A hooded figure stepped through first, followed by my favorite redhead, Briar, and Maddox. It took my brain a moment to process. Probably because all the blood had been in my other head.

But then their scents tickled my nose, bringing some clarity. All of their scents. A faint hint of peaches included.

“Looks like we’re interrupting.” Briar closed the door and locked it. “Apologies.”

“You won’t get an apology from me.” Rowan sneered at Callum. “What my little treasure sees in a rabbit, I’ll never know. I still say he belongs in a stew. Hopping off the nearest cliff would also be acceptable.”

The hooded figure turned to him, and there was a soft whack.

“Dammit, pup,” Rowan grumbled. “A cliff into the sea . Better? Unless rabbits can’t swim.”

Another whack.

“Lake?” I stepped forward, chest tight. He lowered his hood, exposing his fluffy ears. Tears welled in my eyes, and I rushed over, throwing my arms around him. “I missed you.”

“And I missed you.” He grazed his teeth up my throat and to my earlobe. “My human.”

“My wolf.”

“Now both of you are cryin’.” Rowan leaned against the closed door, arms crossed and his dark auburn hair pulled to the side in his signature gold cuff. “It’s only been one day. Bunch of sad toads.”

Lake regarded him, keeping his arms around me. “Says the one who’s been pacing for the past hour waiting for Maddox to come fetch us.”

“Only because you looked so pathetic.” Rowan dismissively waved his hand. “I was tired of seeing you pout.”

I clung on tighter to my wolf. “It’s dangerous for you to be here.”

“Hence the cloak,” Rowan said. “It hides his ears, and he tucked his evil tail into his trousers. Before he hit me with it anyway. I also used shadows to help mask him.”

“See? No reason to fret.” Lake cupped my cheek, tenderness in his purple eyes. “I’ll always find my way to you.”

There was a knock in my chest. “All I have to do is say your name.”

“And I’ll come running.” He pressed our foreheads together.

“Gross,” Rowan mumbled. “I should’ve left you in the cottage.”

Lake whacked him again, and I laughed.

“Captain.” Callum nodded to him. “Is all well?”

“Yes,” Maddox said, nearing me and Lake. His hand came to rest on my hip. “We thought it best to speak with you together. Seeing as to how this involves us all.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Callum is special to you,” Briar told me. “We’ve already told you our feelings on the matter. That we welcome him gladly.”

“I wouldn’t say gladly,” Rowan said under his breath, then jumped away before Lake could whack him.

“However.” Briar ever so subtly scowled at Rowan before returning his tired eyes to me. “You are no ordinary man, love. If Callum wishes to become part of our family, there are things he must know. For your protection.”

Oh shit.

I expelled a shaky breath. “He needs to know the truth about me.”

“What truth?” Callum asked.

As my heartbeat elevated, I tried to find courage in Lake and Maddox against me. But I felt too antsy to stay still. Important discussions always amped up my nerves. Especially when so much could go wrong.

Where did I even start? Callum didn’t know about me being from another world or that I was the long-lost son of a prince. What if he didn’t believe me and thought I’d lost my mind?

“There he goes again,” Rowan said. “Pacing before a big reveal.”

I halted in the middle of the room, not even realizing I’d been doing it. All eyes were on me. Waiting. So, of course, I shuffled forward, then spun and shuffled the opposite way.

“He’ll wear out the floorboards eventually,” Maddox said. “You don’t happen to have any of your wine on hand do you, physician?”

“Regrettably no,” Briar answered. “He’ll need to do this without it.”

“Ev?” Callum stood in front of the bookcase. “What’s going on? You’re worrying me.”

Taking a deep breath, I made my way over to him and took his hand. Nerves tightened the skin around his eyes.

“This is going to sound nuts. You might not believe me. But I swear every word of it is true.”

“Just tell me,” he said with a pleading stare. “Please.”

“To start, my name is Evander. Evan for short.” My chin trembled. “And my dad was Prince Elias of Bremloc.”