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

Vanilla Bean and Sunshine

Potted plants sat on the windowsill, soaking up the rays of sunlight spilling into the clinic. Others hung from hooks in the ceiling, their long, leafy vines varying in shades of green. Herbs dried on a rack along one wall, and a small cauldron bubbled.

The clinic looked like it could’ve been pulled from a Studio Ghibli movie. I half expected Howl Pendragon himself to step through the door.

Who stepped through instead? A sandy haired twink holding a bulky satchel who lit up like a Christmas tree at the sight of me.

“Evan!” Thane closed the door and placed the bag on the counter with a light thud. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Are you hungry?” I asked “I brought sandwiches and pastries from the café.”

“Best day ever.” Thane bounced over and peeked inside the basket. With a boyish grin, he grabbed a honey bun and tore into it. “Oh! I need to introduce you to someone.”

With the pastry jutting from his mouth, he rushed over to the corner cabinet and grabbed a glass jar. And in that jar? A little horror I recognized all too well. It wasn’t Herbert though. Which could only mean one thing.

“There’s another one? I’m going to have nightmares tonight.”

Thane laughed and reached into the jar, placing the beetle on the table. “Isn’t she beautiful? Found her outside my window two nights ago. Can you believe it? Luck is on my side.”

“Our definitions of lucky are different.” I took a small step backward as the insect scuttled across the table. “How do you know it’s a she?”

“The spots on her rear.” He pointed to a section of red dots. “Only females have them.”

“Herbert has spots.”

Thane’s shaggy hair bounced as he shook his head. “Those are specks. Come closer. See the larger dots right here? There’s three of them.”

“Ah. I see.” Where Herbert the Terror had a midnight blue body and red and yellow specks, this new horror was dark green with red spots.

The young apprentice rested his chin on his hands and beamed at the beetle. “I hope Herbert likes her. I’m trying to introduce them slowly. This species can be highly territorial and aggressive. My hope is they’ll mate and give us lots of little babies.”

“Yep. Nightmare fuel.” The horrifying creature known as Herbert remained in a glass jar while the female horror crawled around. I inched farther away. “Does she have a name?”

The beetles might’ve creeped me out, but Thane loved them. He loved all insects, really. As his friend, I wanted to be supportive.

“Not yet.” Thane’s brow scrunched. “I was thinking about Scarlet because of her red dots, but I’m not sure. Any ideas?”

“How about Holly? Like the leaf.” The green and red reminded me of Christmas.

Thane gasped. “Holly and Herbert! I love it.” He then did the unspeakable and gathered the beetle in his hand, bringing it to his lips for a light kiss. “What do you think, girl? Do you like Holly? Is that your name?”

The thing wiggled its antennas.

I shuddered.

Murmured voices came from the medical ward. Briar had been busy tending to the injured knights when I’d arrived. Not wanting to bother him, I’d placed my basket of goodies on the table and busied myself in the kitchen, brewing his favorite tea and sorting the sandwiches.

“How bad is it?” I asked.

“Not as bad as it could’ve been.” Thane petted Holly’s back again. The beetle inched closer to his finger. Weird to think she was trying to comfort him, but that’s exactly what it looked like. “I’m told the protection charms helped. They warded off the initial attack that took the knights by surprise and gave them a chance to counter.”

The charms differed from my necklace in that they were only good for one use, protecting the wearer from one strong attack before shattering. Which was why some of the knights had still been injured.

Briar stepped through the doorway, wiping off his hands. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, evident in the crease in his brow and slight hunch to his shoulders. He paused when seeing me. “Evan? What brings you here, love?”

“You.” I closed the distance between us. “Are you okay?”

Briar pulled me into his arms, holding me tighter than usual. “I’m much better now.”

His magnolia scent tickled my nose, and I sought more of it, pressing my face against his shirt. “How are the knights?”

“Conditions are stable. The worst is behind them.” He relaxed his hold. “Have you been here long?”

“No. Just got here about twenty minutes ago. Thane showed me his new beetle.”

Thane beamed like a proud father. “Evan named her Holly. Pretty, isn’t it?”

“It is,” Briar said. “Did you travel to the castle alone?”

“Define alone.” I projected all the cuteness I could muster to soften my incoming lecture. “I had my basket of sweets with me. They make for fine company.”

Lake had been with me, of course. He’d kept to the tree line out of sight, but I’d sensed him all the way to the castle gates. But I couldn’t say that with Thane in the room. He didn’t know about Lake.

“Evan…” Briar exhaled.

“I wanted to surprise my men with lunch.” I fluttered my lashes. “My men whom I love so very much. Especially the one who often forgets to eat.”

“You’re right about that, I suppose.” He pressed a kiss to his favorite spot—my temple.

I stepped from his embrace and grabbed the platter of sandwiches. “I brought chicken croissants with tomato, lettuce, and that raspberry vinaigrette you love. You left before eating breakfast this morning.”

“Thank you, love. You’re too good to me.”

“Just as you are to me.”

His responding smile, though tired, was so damn soft. “Will you be visiting our captain too?”

“Yep. Something tells me I’ll have an army of hungry knights to pass through before reaching him though. Say a prayer for me.”

He laughed. The sound wasn’t quite right and weighed with his fatigue, but it brought warmth back to his hazel eyes.

After kissing him again and saying good bye to Thane—and cringing as he fed honey bun crumbs to Holly and Herbert—I left the clinic and headed toward the barracks.

The sun shone bright with very few clouds in the sky. Sunny but far from warm. Snow still covered the ground and crisp air nipped at my nose, causing me to burrow deeper into my cloak. A cloak given to me by the sexiest non-bandit with the most adorable snaggle-toothed grin.

Reaching the knights’ encampment, I passed through the courtyard and stopped beside the fire pit. The heat from the burning logs felt great on my legs. After glancing around, I turned and heated my ass too. My cheeks were frozen solid.

Shouts and grunts came from the nearby field as the men trained.

“I yield!” a knight exclaimed with a wave of his hand, having been disarmed and knocked on his ass.

Callum stood over him and lowered his sword, his expression serious. His gaze then trailed to me, and his hard features broke away, revealing that cinnamon roll smile.

Tingles of warmth wafted over my skin, settling in my face.

“Ev!” He jumped over the wooden fence and jogged over, beaming brighter than the sun against the snow. “This is a nice surprise. Are you here to see the captain?”

“Uh huh.” The warmth in my cheeks trickled down to my chest.

“He’s meeting with Captain Braun at the moment.” Callum stopped less than a foot away. Close enough for his scent to reach me. Something sweet and familiar. Like freshly baked bread and vanilla bean.

What the hell? Had he always smelled like that?

“Oh.” I swallowed to wet my suddenly dry throat. “Guess you’ll have to keep me company then.”

“Such a bother for you, I’m sure.” His brown eyes crinkled at the edges. “Quite fortunate for me, however. I’ll accept any reason to see you.”

Why was there a dip in my stomach?

“Maddox isn’t the only reason I came.” I tore my gaze from his, confused by my reaction to him. Maybe I was coming down with a cold or something. One that gave me a quickening pulse, heavy heartbeat, and a weird tugging in my chest. “I heard about the demon attack this morning.”

“Aye. No casualties, by the grace of the gods. Well, the gods and Briar. The protection charms proved to be invaluable. They made all the difference.” His thumb brushed the curve of my jaw before he lowered his hand. “I see you’re holding a basket.”

I held it higher. “What sharp eyes you have, Sir Cinnamon Roll. I’ve brought an offering of gratitude to you and the other brave knights.”

“Gratitude for what?”

“For protecting this fine kingdom. Also…” I leaned in closer and lowered my voice, sneakily glancing around. “Payment for your bodyguard services when Maddox learns I’m here.”

“He doesn’t know?”

“Um.” I shifted in place. “Not exactly.”

“You’re asking me to stand between you and a grouchy Captain Maddox? There better be muffins in that basket. Lots of them.”

I exaggerated a sigh. “I see how it is. You only love me for my muffins. Without them, you’d leave me to fend for myself.”

Callum’s lips curved up, showing a dimple in his cheek. “That pout is deadly.”

“Deadly enough for you to protect me with your life?”

Softness touched his eyes. “I’ll always protect you with my life.”

Heat crept up my neck, and my heart twinged.

“Several men will be awfully excited to see you.” He offered me his arm. “Shall I escort you to the mess hall, milord?”

“You shall, dear knight.” I slid my arm through his, holding the basket of goodies on my other.

The “milord” and “dear knight” was something we’d started during the trip to Exalos. All in good fun. Little did he know just how true it actually was.

He led me into the dining hall, which also acted as a gathering place for the knights when they had downtime. Tables were scattered throughout the room, and a large hearth housed a roaring fire. Smaller fires burned in the kitchen area with large cooking pots hanging over them.

It was cozy and dear to my heart.

When I’d first come to Bremloc, Maddox had realized I was a dreadful stable boy and too clumsy to handle weapons, so I’d been assigned to the mess hall. Cooking, cleaning, and dining with the men who’d eventually mean so much to me.

I set the basket on the nearest table, and the soft thud had gazes roaming over. “If anyone’s still hungry, I brought—”

That’s all I was able to say before tall, beefy knights swarmed me. They patted my head, pinched my cheek, and clapped me on the back in between taking their pick of the treats. I loved the smiles on their faces as they ate.

Two knights fought over a croissant. A third then popped up and stole it, causing the other two to give chase.

“The captain tells me the thief is living at the cottage now,” Callum casually said, watching the three chase each other. “Does this mean you love him too?”

“Yeah. I do.”

“Then, I’m happy for you.”

Why did his eyes look so… sad?

“Our small but mighty thorn prince!” a voice boomed before I was swept off my feet and smothered by muscles. There could be worse ways to go.

“Duke,” I wheezed, slapping at the massive arm constricting my midsection. “Too… tight.”

“Oh. Apologies.” He set me down and adjusted my cloak that had gone askew. “There. All better.”

Not that it mattered. With the arrival of Quincy and Baden, I became an Evan sandwich. My face was shoved into Baden’s pecs while Quincy squeezed from behind. My lungs screamed. But who needed to breathe anyway?

Rest in peace to the muffin lord. He’s gone to muscle heaven.

Baden stepped back from me and grabbed a jelly tart. “You are a sight for sore eyes, Evan.” He bit into the tart and nodded to Duke, speaking with his mouth full. “Seeing his ugly mug all day takes its toll on a man after a while.”

Duke smirked. “Your brother had no complaints about my ugly mug when I railed him. Then again, his face was in a pillow.”

Baden lunged at him with a roar, tart flying, and the two clashed and pummeled each other, grunting and talking crap as they punched and shoved. Light heartedly though, like best friends in a playful brawl.

Callum watched them with an amused gleam in his brown eyes. Maybe I’d only imagined the sadness earlier. He seemed like his usual self now.

“This is my favorite flavor,” he said, regarding the blueberry muffin in his hand. He hadn’t taken a bite yet. “But only when you make them.”

Something about the sight sparked a memory—a dream I’d had of seven men sitting around a table at the cottage, three of their bodies and faces shadowed. Symbolizing the three men still destined to fall for me. One had been munching on a muffin in the same exact way. He shared the same build with Callum as well. Muscled but not bulky.

Did that mean Callum was… No.

It had only been a dream spurred on by Lupin’s revelation about me being with seven men. No reason to think deeper into it.

Duke put Baden in a headlock. “Do you surrender?”

Baden slapped at Duke’s bicep and squirmed, all to no avail. He then sighed and slumped. “Aye, you redheaded bastard. Release me. The victory is yours.”

“No sweeter words have ever been spoken.” Duke preened, sliding a hand over his hair in a showy fashion. “I will treasure this moment for the rest of my days.”

“Keep talking and that day will come much sooner than you think.”

“Says the one who just admitted defeat.”

I was smiling so much my face hurt.

The brush of fingers against mine drew my attention to Callum. He watched the knights gorge themselves on sweets, seemingly oblivious of his wandering hand. A hand bigger than mine with a slightly rough palm and calloused fingertips that came from wielding a sword.

I lowered my gaze, finding a tiny scar on the pad of his thumb. How did he get it? From training? Fighting demons?

“Chopping potatoes,” he said.

“Huh?” As our eyes met, something knocked in my chest—tugged. Begging to break free.

“The scar.” He smiled. “Got it when I was a boy of eight. I was helping my ma cook supper and nearly sliced it off.”

“How’d you know I was looking at your scar? Are you a mind reading cinnamon roll?”

Another smile, this one a bit lopsided. “You were tracing it.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Callum turned his hand palm up, and mine slid against it on impulse. Our fingers linked. “I don’t mind being touched. If it’s you.”

That tug in my chest intensified.

The door to the mess hall burst open.

“Orders from the captain.” A knight strolled in. Dark curly hair fell past his ears, and he had a stocky build. Nikolai, if I remembered correctly. “Three units are needed. One to patrol the perimeter of the king’s forest, another at the coast, and the last along the outer fields.”

The knights snapped their attention toward Callum.

I’d known he was second in command but actually seeing it was different. To me, he was a cinnamon roll with brown eyes that crinkled when he smiled and a dimple too cute to be real. But to them, he was a respected knight of high rank.

Callum rattled off names and sorted the knights into three units. The named men abandoned their meals and left the mess hall, dispersing toward their assigned positions.

“Why did Maddox order the patrols?” I asked, anxiety building.

“Worry not.” Quincy patted the hilt of his sword, as though to ensure it was still sheathed at his side. “I’m sure the patrols are only a precaution.”

“Aye.” Baden clapped me on the back. His dirty-blond hair reminded me of a Marine’s high and tight; buzzed on the sides and a bit longer on top. “Remain one step ahead of the enemy. Whatever Lord Onyx is planning next, we’ll be ready.”

Hearing the demon lord’s name caused a memory to surge forward. Porcelain skin and dark red eyes. Midnight black hair that fell to the middle of his back. A few pieces had been braided and pinned back, reminding me of a regal warrior.

He’d said we’d meet again soon. That had been four or so months ago and no sighting of him since then.

“Do you think Lord Onyx is planning something?” A sickening thought hit me. “What if Haran tries to ally with him? Then we’d be fighting two armies at the same time.”

“An alliance between them is highly unlikely,” Callum said. “Lord Onyx is loyal to no one but himself. Always has been. And King Silas is too proud a man to ally with a demon, no matter how powerful.”

Duke scratched at the stubble on his jaw. “At least with an evil bastard like Lord Onyx, we know his intentions. King Silas isn’t nearly as bold. He relies on underhanded tactics to advance. He showed that when he murdered King Eidolon’s brother.”

My gut tightened.

“You’re speaking of Prince Elias.” Baden nodded. “I was a lad when that happened, but I remember the outrage and years of war that followed as a direct result of it.”

“As do I,” Quincy said. “My Ma cried for a whole fortnight after hearing the news of the prince’s death.”

“He was well-loved by the people?” I asked, trying to keep a neutral expression.

“Very.” Duke grabbed a sweet bun from the basket and tore into it, washing it down with a generous gulp from his mug. “I’m told Prince Elias often fled the castle in disguise in order to drink and be merry with the common folk in local taverns. Drove his guards mad. He wasn’t one for fancy balls or extravagant feasts. Had a good heart from what I hear too. Fought for demi-human rights and paid for the orphanage with his own coin when the king cut the funding to put that money into the military instead.”

The backs of my eyes prickled. I had learned about my mom while in Exalos but hadn’t known much about my dad. Turned out, he’d been pretty damn amazing too.

Callum rested a hand on my lower back. “I’ll escort you home.”

“We’ll all take the little prince home,” Duke said. His phrasing made my gut tighten, even though none of them knew the truth. “We can’t be too careful.”

“Aye, he’s a tough one.” Quincy tossed me a smile, causing the scar on his face to crinkle. “But we will protect him all the same.”

“Pfft. I’ll be the one protecting all of you.” I put my hands on my hips. “I have muffins of steel, you know.”

Callum smiled and guided me toward the door.

The knights readied their horses, and we started the trek to the cottage. I sat with Callum in the saddle, and the others rode behind us. Hooves clacked against the road as we moved at a steady pace, passing through the castle gates and into the kingdom beyond them.

Fields of snow glinted under the clear blue sky. The crisp air found every inch of exposed skin and made me think fondly of spring. I didn’t even care that my allergies went nuts. I’d take that over bone-chilling cold any day.

Callum wound his arms around me, keeping hold of the reins. “I… I really missed you, Ev.”

Heat seeped into my skin. “Sure you didn’t just miss my muffins?”

“Oh, I missed those too,” he said with a smile in his voice. “But nothing compares to the man who makes them.”

His words acted as an accelerant to my blood, sending it racing faster through my veins. Hotter. Confused by my reaction, I tried to ignore it altogether. “I was afraid you’d had enough of me after our journey to Exalos. Not everyone can handle my rambling mouth for extended periods of time.”

“I could never tire of you.” His breath feathered across my nape. “Or your rambles.”

“You say that now, but you haven’t lived with me.”

“Is that an offer?” he asked, and I could’ve sworn I felt the graze of his lips.

My heart knocked against my ribs. “You’re always welcome at the cottage. Might have to ask Maddox first though. Not sure how he’d feel about a rival for his morning muffins.”

He laughed into the back of my hair. The sound awoke little flutters in my belly. “He’s not the same man he once was. I learned many things about him because of you.”

“Like what?”

“That he has a sweet tooth, for one,” Callum responded. “He rarely indulged in anything. Food, drink, or sex. He dedicated everything he had to the knights, seldom taking a moment for himself. Then you came along. I saw him truly smile for the first time. And laugh. It’s like you breathed life into him.”

Emotion clogged in my throat. “Coming to Bremloc and meeting all of you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“I feel the same about meeting you.” He rested his cheek against my hair. “My world hasn’t been the same since the morning I first saw you beneath that tree.”

“You stole my shoes that day,” I said, sternum tightening.

He exhaled a laugh. “Borrowed, not stole. I’m saddened they aren’t warm enough for these winter months. The material’s too thin. But I must confess, they’re a bit snug around my toes.”

“You better not say a word about me having small feet. Maddox teases me enough.”

“Only to see your reaction. You pout and stomp your foot like a child.”

Like a child. Callum clearly saw me as a kid brother. Fitting since a majority of my wardrobe—apart from Briar’s sweaters—had come from Gerard, Callum’s actual little brother.

“Up ahead,” Duke said with a nod forward.

A wooden cart set on the side of the road, loaded down with logs and a bit lopsided. A large horse stood in front of it and stared as we approached. The hooves were massive and covered in fur, reminding me of a Clydesdale.

“Pardon me, sirs!” an older man called out, wearing a wool hat and a heavy tunic several sizes too big for him. He motioned to the cart. “Lost a wheel on my way home and could use some assistance if you have a moment to spare.”

Callum exchanged a look with the others before guiding his horse in that direction. He dismounted from the saddle and offered me his hand. “Your turn.”

“Don’t trust me to take control of the reins?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Wow. That was fast.”

“You’re too clumsy,” he said, grinning. “If the horse didn’t throw you, you’d fall off all on your own.”

“Rude.” I accepted his hand and swung my leg over, crashing into him seconds later as I lost my balance. “Not a word.”

Callum brought me closer, shaking with a soundless laugh. “You’re too precious, Ev. So much you make my heart ache.”

As he held me against his chest, letting one of those laughs slip free, he kind of made mine ache too.

He then pulled away and turned toward the man. “Let’s take a look at that wheel.”

This whole day had been confusing. Being around Callum felt different than usual. His voice. His laugh. The crinkle at the edge of his warm brown eyes. All of it stirred something in me.

Duke clapped me on the shoulder before following after him. Baden and Quincy each ruffled my hair and joined them.

Knowing I’d be in the way if I tried to help, I left them to it and checked out the area. The sea glistened in the distance, visible beyond the rolling hills. Woods stretched to the right, and a layer of snow covered the ground, crunching beneath my shoes as I strolled along the perimeter.

What should I cook for dinner? Fish and potatoes? Maybe a cheesy chicken casserole with squash medallions for a side and blackberry cobbler for dessert. Something filling and yummy. Hopefully it’d help Briar regain some energy. Poor guy was overworked.

A red glow came from the trees.

I stopped and squinted. The sun might’ve shone all around me, but the woods remained shadowed. Dark. The ground sloped toward the tree line, and I carefully inched that way, trying to get a closer look.

Then, I did what I did best. My shoe slipped on the snow, and I tumbled down the short hill.

Right into the dark forest.