Page 5 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 4

Where the Red Flower… Glows?

Face planting into a prickly bush wasn’t how I’d seen my afternoon playing out. But there I was, face crammed in deep and body hurting all over.

It hadn’t even been a big hill. More like a ditch. Leave it to me to roll down it anyway and crash into the trees below. It was a gift. Truly. Muffins had impressive momentum.

Groaning, I rolled to my back on the forest floor and stared up at the trees. “Thanks, necklace.” I sluggishly slapped a hand to it and patted once. “You always have my back. But can you maybe start protecting me from myself? I’m more dangerous than any bad guy at this point.”

A pained whine reached my ears.

I sat up with a wince and scanned the area. The forest was dense, blocking out the sun and preventing me from seeing too far in front of me. The whine came again, this one more frantic. It sounded like a puppy.

Was it hurt?

Forgetting about my own aches, I forced myself to my feet and stumbled forward, catching myself on the nearest tree trunk. A sharp pain in my side had me gasping. One look almost made me throw up. I’d been impaled.

Well, kind of.

Two thorns had pierced through my shirt and lodged into my skin. Not deep, but still. I plucked them out and gagged as I tossed them to the ground. Great. After so many boastful comments about defeating a thorn bush, it finally came back for its revenge.

Maddox would never let me leave the cottage again after this.

Wandering deeper into the shroud of trees wasn’t the brightest idea I’d ever had. I should’ve been heading in the opposite direction. Back to Callum and the knights.

Another pained yelp pierced the air, the sound brutal on my heartstrings. Leaving an injured puppy alone was out of the question.

So, I forged ahead, deeper into the forest.

Thick foliage slowed my advance as I stepped over hollowed out logs, skirted around more evil thorn bushes and vines, and passed between trees. The trickle of water sounded from a nearby stream, and the greenery thinned. I hadn’t gone too far from the entrance of the woods, but it felt like I’d been stumbling around for ages.

The leaves rustled from the shrub in front of me.

I stopped walking. “Hello?”

A little growl answered me, followed by a whimper that tore at my heart. Poor thing was scared.

“It’s okay,” I said in my best soothing voice. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”

Reaching the bush, I carefully moved the leaves aside. As my eyes adjusted, I made out the form of a black puppy with pointed ears and a poofy tail. A wolf, maybe? It was hard to be sure.

“Hey there, little guy.”

The puppy cocked his head.

“Why are you crying? Are you hurt?”

He growled and inched away from me, curving his little foot under his body.

“Ah. Is it your paw?” Slowly, I reached toward him.

He snapped at my fingers.

I jerked away and fell backward. Pain radiated through my knee, making me cry out.

The puppy’s ears shot upward, and he sniffed the air a few times. He unfurled from his spot and inched toward me, whining each time pressure was placed on his paw. Yep. Definitely the culprit. But he seemed more concerned about me.

“I’m okay,” I said with another wince. “It looks worse than it is.”

Probably.

No longer hidden in the leaves, more of the puppy’s features were noticeable. Black fur, light blue eyes, and a white streak going down his chest.

“You remind me of one of my favorite cookies.” I smiled. “I’ll call you Oreo. Is that okay?”

One ear flopped while the other stayed straight up.

“I’m Evan. Not that you can speak or understand what I’m saying, but still.” I moved my hand closer. “Can I see?”

Oreo bared his teeth, as though on impulse, before sniffing the air again. He then placed his paw in my palm.

Holy crap. He actually understood.

“You’re so brave.” I petted the top of his trembling foot. “You know that? The cutest and bravest boy ever.”

Oreo watched me with eyes that seemed more aware than other animals. As if he really could understand every word I said. He stayed still as I examined his paw. I gently turned it from side to side, not seeing any blood or signs of what was causing him pain. He whimpered.

“I know it hurts.” Being as careful as I could, I felt around the area, lightly pressing on the pad and telling him I was sorry when he whined. My finger then brushed something hard. “Oh. What’s this?” It took several tries, but I managed to grab the intrusive object and pull it out. “A thorn?”

A huge ass thorn. Two inches at least. No wonder he’d been in pain.

Oreo made a hyper little sound before excitedly licking my finger.

“Feel better?”

He licked me again and wagged his tail.

“Thorns are evil, huh? That’s how I got hurt.” I smiled as he came closer, allowing me to pet the top of his head. “I guess this makes us war buddies. We faced down thorn bushes and lived to tell the tale.”

Oreo rolled to his back and panted up at me, one ear going lopsided and his tongue poking out.

“Oh my goodness, you’re the cutest thing ever.” I rubbed his belly. “Do you want to come home with me? Yep, I think you do. A certain grump of a captain might not be too happy about it, so be sure to look at him just like you’re looking at me now. He won’t be able to resist that cute wittle face. No, he won’t.”

Oreo emitted playful little growls and sought more pets.

Just as I was deciding on how to break the news to my men that we had a new puppy, the air thickened around me. What little sunlight bled through the canopy of trees dimmed, like a dark cloud passing in front of the sun.

The hairs on my nape stood on end.

Amidst the darkness, a burst of color drew my eye. A cluster of bright red flowers sprouted from the soil, the petals thin and jutting in all directions. They held a ghostly glow.

Had they been there earlier?

Wait. A red glow. Was that what I’d seen earlier that had lured me closer to the woods?

Oreo’s tail swished in his excitement, and he gave a little woof . He stared toward the darkest part of the forest—as if looking at someone.

Heartrate spiking, I surveyed the trees, seeing nothing but shadows and the eerie red glow of the flowers. I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched.

“Hello?” I squeaked. A drop in temperature had me shivering. Fear probably aided in that too.

Within the darkness, something stirred. Moved. Goosebumps snaked down my arms, and I could’ve sworn I heard traces of a low chuckle, silky and deep.

“Evan?” Callum called from somewhere behind me.

The thickness in the air vanished, and the patch of glowing red flowers wilted, the petals shriveling and detaching. Within seconds, no sign of them remained.

Armor clanked as the knights advanced, chopping at vines with their swords and shouting my name.

“Over here!” I called out, not wanting to scare Oreo by moving.

“There you are.” Callum cleared a path as he approached, hacking at shrubs. “Why did you run off without telling us?”

“Sorry,” I told him over my shoulder. “I fell down the hill.”

“Gods, Ev. Look at you. Are you all right?”

“Yeah. Just some scratches. I’ll live.”

“The captain is going to murder me.” Callum stepped closer… then froze. “Evan? What are you doing?”

“I found a puppy. Isn’t he the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” I scratched behind Oreo’s ears. “Do you think Maddox will let me keep him if I promise to bake, like, a hundred muffins?”

“Ev—”

“Okay, two hundred. A mix of blueberry and banana nut.”

“Evan!” Callum’s harsh tone cut through the quiet forest. “No sudden movements. I’m coming over to get you.”

Oreo rose on all fours and bared his teeth, moving in front of me.

“It’s okay, boy,” I told the puppy. “Cal is nice. He’s just yelling because he’s worried. I do that to all the men in my life it seems.”

When Callum took another step forward, Oreo snapped his jaw and snarled, low and throaty. Threatening. Something was different about him. Sharp claws jutted from his little feet, and his fur looked prickly. The ends pulsed with a blue glow, as though electrically charged.

That was… strange.

Duke and Quincy burst through the shrubs, Baden a step behind them. Their relief at seeing me broke once laying eyes on the puppy.

“Dear gods,” Duke muttered, tightening the grip on his sword.

“What’s wrong?” My confusion grew.

“Careful of your movements, Evan,” he said, voice rough. “Gods be damned. The beast is too close to him.”

The beast? I pushed to my feet, wincing as I put weight on my left knee. “He’s only growling because he’s scared. He’s not a—”

“It’s a Fenrir, Ev!” Callum’s voice broke.

Ice spread through my veins.

Fenrir were the most feared demons in the dark wood. They were lightning quick and ferocious, able to tear apart a grown man in seconds. The scars on Maddox’s ribs and belly had come from a Fenrir attack. An attack he’d barely survived.

“What?” Blood pounded in my ears. I glanced at the puppy. “Are you sure?”

Oreo didn’t look like a demon. He wasn’t evil or ferocious. After realizing I wasn’t a threat, he’d licked my hand and butted his head against it for pets.

“We’re fortunate it’s only a pup.” Baden readied his sword. “I’ll slay the beast.”

Slay him?

“No!” I jumped in front of Oreo and faced the knights, holding out my arms. The pain in my knee was all but forgotten as fear took root. “Leave him alone.”

“Listen here, boy,” Duke said. “I know you have a gentle heart, but it’s wasted on that creature. If not slain now, it will grow into a bloodthirsty beast that will kill any human it comes across. Adults are a lot harder to take down. Many good knights have been torn apart trying to do so. Is that what you want? More future bloodshed?”

“N-No, but—”

“Stand aside, Evan.” Callum mirrored Baden, readying his sword.

“He’s just a baby!” I cried. “He hasn’t done anything wrong. Please don’t hurt him, Cal. Please.”

Grief touched his expression. “That’s one request I can’t obey. Not when your safety is at risk.”

There was a nudge against my leg, and I looked down at the puppy. He wasn’t baring his teeth anymore, and his fur had returned to its fluffy softness. Demon or not, he was innocent.

“I won’t let them hurt you.”

He cocked his head, one ear flopping like before, and whined. Then, he bit the bottom of my pants and tugged at them.

“I can’t go with you.” My vision blurred.

The knights closed in on us, and the puppy’s ears shot back as he growled and trembled.

“Run, Oreo!”

He released a little growl before shooting off into the bushes. Lightning quick.

“It’s getting away!” Baden roared and lunged forward.

“Leave him alone!” I spun around to the knights and placed myself in their path, pushing against Callum’s chest. Even putting my full weight behind the push, he didn’t budge an inch. “He’s just a baby!”

Quincy, Duke, and Baden shot past me, their boots crunching through the fallen leaves. Moments later, they cursed and stopped their pursuit.

“The beast is long gone now,” Duke grumbled, returning with a defeated slump. “No sense in tracking him.”

Oreo was safe. Relieved, the fight left me, and I slumped against Callum.

“Did it hurt you at all?” Callum touched my temple and down my cheek before wiping at the blood. They were only minor scratches. Battle wounds from the evil thorn bush.

“N-No.”

“Good.” He crushed me to his chest and dropped his face to my hair. “When I saw that demon so close to you… gods, Ev. I forgot how to breathe.”

“I’m okay. I promise.”

“Give me a moment,” he rasped, keeping his arms around me. “I just… I need to hold you right now.”

With my pulse thrumming wildly, I burrowed my face into his cloak. His sweet scent enveloped me, helping quiet my frayed nerves.

“That demon could’ve killed you in mere seconds, and I was too far away to stop it,” Callum said, voice strained.

“I’m wearing my protection stone.”

“Still. Anything could’ve happened.”

As much as I wanted to be mad at him for trying to kill Oreo, I understood why. Fenrir demons had slaughtered countless knights. A single moment of hesitation could be the difference between life or death. He hadn’t seen how cute Oreo was when he licked my hand or when he rolled to his back, head tilting and tongue poking out.

“Sorry I worried you.”

“Worried is putting it mildly.” He pushed his face into my hair, body quaking. “Your gentle heart is what I love most about you. It also terrifies me. I can survive many things, Evan. But seeing something happen to you? It would kill me.”

His words settled over my heart. They said he loved me. I loved him too. He was my best friend.

Baden whistled under his breath. “You are a downright bloody mess. The captain will have a fit when he sees ya.”

“It’s not that bad.” Glancing between them, their horrified stares gave me pause. “Is it?”

Quincy cringed. “Looks like you got into a fight with a crazed rooster and lost.”

Duke looked at him. “A crazed rooster?”

“Aye.” Quincy held up his hand, gnarling his fingers. “One with sharp talons. We had one on our farm when I was a lad that’d chase me every time I stepped outside. Gave me nightmares.”

“Ah, so that’s how you got your scar,” Baden said. “I thought it was an honorary mark of your time in battle, but a chicken makes much more sense.”

I laughed.

Callum’s eyes tightened at the corners as he examined my face. He then dropped down, offering me his back. “Hop on, milord. I’ll escort you from the forest and to your royal steed.”

“How kind of you, dear knight.” I grabbed his neck and hooked my legs around his waist. He was visibly upset but trying to lighten the mood with our little lord and knight game.

“You mean you’re his royal steed.” Duke snorted. “Shall I fetch a saddle, Lieutenant? A coffin? Because the captain will take your head when he sees his precious muffin in this state.”

“And I’ll let him.” Callum rose from the ground with me on his back. “I was supposed to protect you, Evan. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”

The quiet walk back through the forest and to the horses waiting along the main road said he didn’t believe me. He placed me in the saddle and stepped up into the stirrup, seating himself behind me.

“I’ll take you to Briar.”

“Nah, it’s okay. These are just scratches. I don’t want to bother him since he has his hands full with a million other things.”

“Very well.” Callum pressed his face to my nape. “What possessed you to wander into the forest?”

“I heard him whining and went to help.”

“As I feared.” He expelled a short breath. “That gentle heart was nearly your undoing.”

“I didn’t think I’d find a demon. I didn’t know they traveled to the king’s forest.”

“Normally, they don’t,” he said. “The beast looked smaller than typical Fenrir pups, so I assume he’s the runt of the litter and was chased off. Perhaps from the horde Captain Braun’s men encountered earlier this morning.”

My lip quivered at his words. Oreo didn’t have a family. He was alone and scared.

We continued down the road in silence. The other knights kept glancing at me, their expressions clouded with guilt. They blamed themselves for what happened. I hated making them all worry.

The knights steered their horses from the main path and toward the narrow road beyond the market.

A cottage then came into view. Smoke billowed from the chimney, and with the surrounding snow, it was like I lived in my own winter fairytale. One filled with so much warmth and love I could burst from it.

The sunny day had several customers sitting outside. Demi-birds by the look of it, with feather-like hair and beaked noses. The terrace I wanted to build wasn’t finished yet, but we’d placed a few tables and benches near the garden, along with small fire pits.

“Here we are. Home sweet home.” Callum slid from the saddle and then helped me down. The edges of his eyes tightened as his gaze raked over my face. With a tremble in his hand, he glided his knuckles along my cheek. “If only I could say you made it in one piece.”

“I’m okay.” I placed my hand over his. “Briar will give me an elixir, and I’ll be healed in no time. Good as new.”

The guilt in his eyes deepened. My heart thrashed as he pulled from my hold.

“Stay for a while,” I said. “Y’all can come in and eat. I may even whip you up a special dessert. Whatever you want.”

Anything to make him smile again. The sun shone above us, but it couldn’t reach me right then. Not with that sad look in his eyes.

“The captain needs to know about the Fenrir pup,” he said.

“Does he really though?”

“Ev…” His eyes narrowed. “It’s a matter of security.”

“That’s fair.” I shifted my weight to my uninjured knee. “But how about you omit the teeny tiny detail that involves me? ’Cause I’m like ninety-nine percent sure Maddox will never let me out of the house again if you tell him.”

Duke laughed from atop his horse.

“You expect me to keep this from him?” A trace of my cinnamon roll surfaced as a smile returned to his eyes.

“Man, I have a sudden urge to make blueberry muffins. You know. Your favorite. I could make a whole batch just for you. For a price.”

He cracked a smile. “You don’t pay fair. Making me choose between your delicious muffins and lying to my captain.”

“It’s an omission of the truth. Not a lie. Pretty please don’t tell him?”

“Did you…” Callum lost his footing a bit. Probably a loose rock. “Did you just flutter your eyelashes?”

“Nope.” I did it again.

His tongue quickly flicked out to wet his lips. “I see now. You may not be proficient with swords or bows, but you skillfully wield a weapon all of your own. Batting your lashes and being adorable to get what you want.”

I gasped and put a hand to my chest. “Are you implying I use my cuteness for evil?”

He grinned. There was something soft about it. “Evil? Never. You’re the kindest person I know.”

Heat crept up my neck. “Okay. I’ll bake muffins for you every day for the next month. Final offer. Take it or leave it.”

“He’s bound to hear of it eventually.” Callum tossed a look to the other knights. They whistled and looked the other way. “You’re also covered in cuts and scrapes.”

“I’ll tell him I fell. Which isn’t a lie. I did fall. Down a hill and right into a thorn bush. The irony, right?”

Duke laughed again.

Callum looked like he was fighting hard not to do the same. “Ev…”

“Fine.” I sighed. “Just don’t be surprised if you never see me again. Good bye, sweet freedom.”

That dimple reappeared. “I’ll be sure to visit you in your cell.”

A weird ache formed in my rib cage. With one smile, he made winter feel like a bright summer day. “You better bring me coffee when you do. You know how I get without it.”

“I know.” Callum ruffled my hair. The warmth of his palm stirred the once sleeping butterflies in my stomach. “I’ll see you again soon.”

“Be sure to get permission from my jailor first,” I grumbled. “Otherwise you’ll be thrown into the cell beside mine.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” He tossed me a grin before turning toward his horse. But then, he hesitated. “Ev?”

“Yeah?”

“I…” A strong emotion burned in his eyes. That fire was then snuffed out, and he averted his gaze. “Go warm up in the cottage. Your cheeks are pink from the cold.”

Without another word, he swung back up into the saddle and set off down the path alongside the other knights, taking whatever he wanted to say with him.

A peppery scent tickled my nose.

“About time you came home. The pup was worried.”

“Oh yeah? Lake was worried?” I turned to Rowan. “Are you sure you—”

“What have you done to yourself, little treasure?” His eyes blew wide. “Tried to walk and breathe at the same time?”

“Is it really that bad?”

He looked me up and down, shaking his head. “Let’s get you cleaned up before the captain gets home and has a heart attack.”

“It’s official.” I grabbed his hand. “Dead muffin walking.”

***

“Take a breath and calm yourself, Captain,” Briar said. “It’s not good for your blood pressure.”

“That vein’s about to blow,” Rowan said, tucked away in the corner of the parlor. “A surprise it hasn’t already.”

Maddox kept his eyes pinned to me. “Tell me again. From the beginning.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I squirmed on the couch cushion. “You almost exploded the first time I told the story. I’m afraid a second time will trigger an atomic level blast that’ll level not only this cottage, but all of Bremloc with it.”

“Evan…” His jaw clicked.

“There it goes again,” Rowan said. “If his head pops off, I call dibs on his collection of swords.”

“You’re not helping,” Briar snapped at him.

“I wasn’t trying to.” Rowan picked at his nails.

Maddox’s stare didn’t leave mine.

As my squirming intensified, I shot up from the couch and padded over to the set of windows. “Beautiful night we’re having, isn’t it? All cold and stuff.”

“Evan.” My name on Maddox’s lips sounded like a curse word.

“Short version?” I lifted a hand to the windowpane and traced a design on the glass. “The knights were helping an old man with his cart, and while walking around, I slipped on the snow and rolled down a hill. I then heard what sounded like an injured animal and went deeper into the forest, found a puppy with a thorn in his paw, and helped him.”

“A puppy that was actually a damned Fenrir demon,” Maddox snapped.

“Yep. He was nice though. I gave him pets, and he licked my hand.”

“Of course you’d want to pet it. Really, Evan, what were you thinking?”

“I didn’t know he was a demon.” An ache jabbed at my heart when I recalled Oreo’s cute little face and the excited growls that signaled he wanted to play.

“And you were hurt on top of it,” Maddox roughly said.

“Briar fixed me up.” I gave my physician a grateful smile. He’d applied healing salves to my cuts and gave me an elixir for my knee, taking away the pain instantly.

Lake’s ears drooped. “I should’ve been watching you.”

“Don’t blame yourself, wolf,” Maddox said in a much softer tone. It surprised me. He normally would’ve jumped all over Lake for such a thing. “You saw that Evan was with Callum and assumed he’d be safe. You didn’t know he’d wander off on his own.” The last was spoken with a hard glare tossed my way.

I fidgeted in place. “Oops.”

“That’s all you have to say?” The tic in his jaw said unpleasant things were coming. “Oops?”

“Uh oh.” I envisioned myself being thrown into a dungeon. Or hogtied and thrown into bed. Maybe even placed in a super high tower like Rapunzel, barred from the outside world. Would I need to grow out my hair?

Maddox approached me at the window. A nervous ramble was seconds away. But then, he dropped to his knees in front of me and lowered his head.

“You have to be more careful.” He grabbed my hand. “If anything happened to you, sweetheart, I…”

My nerves fled, and warmth filled the gap they’d left. “Look at me, big guy.”

Ocean blue eyes met mine. Long dark lashes surrounded them, the ends glistening. He often kept his emotions locked away, but they were leaking through the cracks as he stared at me. He’d always been protective, but knowing who I truly was had kicked that protectiveness up a few notches. Encountering a demon hadn’t helped any.

“Nothing will happen to me.” I touched my necklace. “I’m wearing this, remember?”

“You’re never allowed to take it off.” He kissed my palm. “The next time you meet a demon in the forest, leave it alone.”

“He was so cute and fluffy.”

“Cute and fluffy now but give him a year and you’ll think differently.” He stood from the floor and pulled me against his big body. “The beast now has your scent. He’ll be able to find you again.”

“Oreo won’t hurt me.”

“Naming the beast doesn’t change what he is. He’s not a pet, sweetheart. Demons know only one thing. To kill.”

Briar crossed an ankle over his knee, classy and sexy as hell. He’d unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt and pushed up his sleeves, showing his pale forearms. “You also mentioned seeing red flowers?”

“Yeah. They had long leaves and glowed.”

“Hmm.” He rose from the couch and neared one of the bookcases, scanning the spines before finding the one he wanted. One of his plant books. He flipped through it and stopped at a page in the middle, walking over to show me. “Like this?”

I studied the illustration. “Not quite. The one I saw had a long stem and thin leaves jutting from the top.”

Briar adjusted his glasses before plucking another book from the shelf. A man on a mission.

“You and your plants,” Maddox said with a half-smile. “Can’t rest until you find it, can you?”

“It could be important.” Briar shot him a look before returning his attention to the page. “The glow could have various meanings. Some flowers bloom in total darkness and use luminescence to attract prey.”

“Wait.” I rested a hand on the back of Lake’s chair. “Are you telling me it could’ve been a man-eating flower?”

“A carnivorous one, yes.”

“Oh fun. I bet Herbert and Holly are besties with that flower. They’re one big and monstrous flesh-eating family.”

“Holly?” Lake asked, head tilting.

“Thane’s new beetle,” Briar explained, amused. “She’s beautiful.”

“Beautiful?” I shuddered. “Not the word I’d use to describe the creepy terror.”

“Ah, come on, little treasure. You’ll hurt its feelings.” Rowan pushed from the wall and neared the hearth, kneeling on the rug to stoke the fire. “It may scuttle all the way from the clinic and bite you for saying such a thing.”

I dove onto the couch and drew both legs up. “That’s the meanest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

His raspy laugh joined the crackle of the burning logs.

“The flower could also contain mana particles, which would explain the glow,” Briar said, flipping through the book. When he set his mind on something, it consumed him.

“A magic flower?” I relaxed on the cushion, now that the fear of a vengeful beetle had dissipated.

Briar nodded. “Well, one with magical properties. There are many types. Some are highly toxic and are used on blades and arrowheads to make them lethal with a mere scratch. Others are beneficial for medicinal purposes, such as the Night Kisses you’ve seen me gathering. They only bloom beneath a full moon and aid in relieving insomnia.”

“Thanks for the lesson, Specs,” Rowan mumbled. “The Night Kisses aren’t the only things that can help someone fall asleep. Your blabbing has the same effect.”

Briar ignored him and tapped a page. “Ah, look here! This flower only grows in the darkest part of a forest. Extremely difficult to find, as certain conditions must be met in order for it to fully bloom. Oh. But it’s purple, not red. Hmm.”

Maddox arched a brow at me. “We’ll never be able to pry that book from his hand, will we?”

“I can throw it in the fire,” Rowan suggested.

Briar, oblivious to them, slowly paced across the parlor floor, his nose buried in the book. My handsome nerd.

Lake padded over to the couch with a blanket and draped it over me before curling up at my side. I snuggled into him, smiling at the faint smell of peaches.

“All right. That’s enough for tonight.” Maddox snatched the book from Briar. “Your little plants can wait until tomorrow.”

“Give that back.” Briar held out his hand and gave an impatient snap of his fingers. “Now.”

Smirking, Maddox lifted the book high in the air. “You want it that badly? Come and get it.”

“Oh, you infuriating man.” Briar huffed and pushed his glasses farther up his nose. “The gods blessed you with height, and you certainly use it to your advantage. Very well. I will cease my search for the evening, but when I wake in the morning in a wretched mood, just know it’s your fault I lost sleep obsessing over which flower our Evan saw in the forest.”

“He’s my Evan,” Rowan said from his spot on the rug. “Find your own.”

Maddox glared at him. “Silence that tongue before I throw you outside, thief.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

“Is that a challenge?”

“Be nice,” I said. “Both of you.”

“Are you giving me orders, muffin lord?” Maddox slowly approached the couch.

I squirmed. “Save me, Lake.”

Lake lifted his head from my shoulder, glanced between me and Maddox, then laid back down.

“Rude.”

“See that?” Maddox bent down and placed a hand on each side of my head. “The wolf’s on my side. What will you do now?”

“Throw a muffin at your too perfect face.”

“That’s not the threat you think it is. Have you met me?”

“Don’t make me laugh,” I said, stifling my giggles. “I’m trying to give you my tough face.”

“Ah, your tough face does have an effect on me but not the one you’re hoping for.” Maddox glided his lips over my Adam’s apple. “You misbehaved today, sweetheart, and need to face your punishment like the fierce muffin lord you are.”

“Oh no. God. Don’t tickle me. I drank two mugs of coffee after dinner. If you tickle me, I’ll piss my pants and then throw myself out into the snow to escape my mortification. I might build an ice hut while I’m at it and just live out there. Become one with nature and all that.”

Humor shone in his blue eyes. “Should’ve considered that before wandering off without telling the knights where you were going. Callum also said you tried bribing him with muffins to keep him quiet.”

“Have mercy.”

Maddox’s composure broke as the humor in his eyes plummeted to his lips. Lips that were so damn close to mine. Cupid bow shaped and silky smooth.

My blood heated as the smell of his skin tickled my nose, amplifying my desire to kiss him. So, I did. He emitted a soft grunt, taken off guard. When he tenderly returned the kiss, butterflies awoke in my belly.

“Come on, pup,” Rowan said, walking toward the archway. “Show me how to play that silly board game.”

Lake’s fluffy tail lifted in interest “Chess? You really want to play?”

“Only if I can be the black pieces.”

“All right.” My wolf smiled and trailed after him, leaving the parlor.

Maddox stared after them, then smiled at Briar. “Perhaps that thief isn’t so wretched after all. He gave us possession of the muffin lord for the evening.”

“I’m not an object to be owned.” I arched up into Maddox. “You butthole.”

“Careful, muffin.” He slipped one hand under me and squeezed my ass cheek. “I’m awfully ravenous. I worked up quite the appetite.”

“Hmm. Speaking of appetites, there are edible flowers that glow too,” Briar muttered and glanced at the bookcase. He inched toward it.

“Take one more step, physician, and I’ll throw you over my shoulder just like I do to our Evan when he misbehaves and haul you upstairs.”

Briar scoffed and adjusted his glasses. “Don’t be absurd.”

“Yeah, don’t be absurd,” I said. “I never misbehave.”

“Telling lies too, I see.” Maddox scooped me up from the couch. “Prepare for your punishment.”

I laughed as he carried me from the parlor and toward the staircase.

Over his shoulder, he said, “You better join us, physician, otherwise I’m coming to haul you upstairs next.”

Briar lightly chuckled and followed. The three of us went upstairs and ran a bath. The tub wasn’t quite big enough for all of us, so Maddox placed me on his lap. He kissed up my spine, while Briar eased forward and claimed my lips. Wedged between them, Maddox’s cock pressed against my ass crack.

“Take him, Captain,” Briar murmured between kisses. “I want to hear his moans.”

“The one time I’ll allow you to give me orders.” Maddox nipped at my shoulder blade. “You best not take your eyes off us. I want you to watch as I fuck our male.”

I shuddered.

After prepping me, Maddox eased in. Briar’s magic helped dull the ache, as usual, taking away the pain and leaving only the tingling pleasure. Water sloshed as Maddox fucked me from behind, one arm secured around my waist.

“Mm.” Briar touched himself as he watched us through heavy lids. He’d taken off his glasses, and damp hair fell over his brow. Water droplets beaded on his pale skin and rolled down his lean torso

“Enjoying yourself, physician?”

Briar cracked a smile. “I’d enjoy myself more if you fucked him harder, Captain. He’s much too quiet.”

Maddox took that as a challenge and quickened his pace, his fingertips digging into my hips.

“Fuck.” I arched my back.

“Let me hear you, sweetheart.”

I had no choice but to obey. Every nerve ending was hypersensitive, making me cry out with each hard thrust. Each slam against my prostate.

Briar stroked himself faster, chest rising and falling with his quick breaths. Our sexy voyeur. He leaned forward and kissed me just as I came, then joined me in release. The pressure of his lips softened as the last ripples of our orgasms waned, leaving our breaths ragged and muscles weak.

“Your turn, big guy.” I reached back and cradled his head.

Maddox tipped his head back and came with a soft groan. As his cock pulsed, I slowly rode him, being greedy for every last drop.

Afterward, we washed and dried off before cuddling together in bed, me in the middle.

“You two own my heart,” Maddox softly said, pressing his face into my hair. “I’d do anything to keep you safe. No matter the cost.”

“You’re such a sap,” Briar told him.

Maddox released a shaky laugh before turning my face to kiss me. As his lips met mine, soft and a bit lazy, I felt his exhaustion. My stubborn, overworked captain.

The two of them kissed each other good night, then dropped their lips to me, kissing my temple, cheek, jaw, and mouth. Thoughts buzzed in my head long after they’d fallen asleep, preventing me from doing the same. Worries about demons and the possible war with Haran. Hoping Oreo was okay.

Then, there was the weirdness with Callum. It made me antsy. Restless.

Lake came into the room sometime later and curled up in his favorite spot; his head on my belly. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah. It was just a long day.” I dropped a hand to his silky hair. “Where’s Rowan?”

“In the parlor,” he answered, keeping his tone soft. “He likes sleeping by the fire.”

I recalled Rowan’s cave in Exalos and the bedroll near the fire pit. As much as I wanted him beside me, I understood he was the type of person who needed to be alone sometimes. Needed to recharge his social batteries.

“He said to tell you he gets you tomorrow though,” Lake then added. “So enjoy the night with, and these are his words not mine, Specs and the grumpy asshole.”

I snorted, then slapped a hand over my mouth to keep from waking Briar and Maddox.

Lake nuzzled my hip bone. “Shall I sing to you?”

He read me so well. His voice always calmed the string of incessant thoughts that often kept me awake. “As much as I’d love that, I don’t want to wake these two.”

“Too late,” Maddox mumbled, eyes still closed. “That noise you made already woke us. Like a little piglet.”

Briar laughed. It was a sleepy, croaky sound.

“Wow,” I said. “I feel the love.”

“You have all of our love.” Briar smiled against my temple. “Always.”

“And you have mine,” I said, chin wobbling. “All of you do.”

“Go on then, wolf.” Maddox trailed his hand up my chest. I felt so delicate and small compared to him. “Ease our male’s restless mind so he’ll silence that mouth and go to sleep.”

“You never complain about my mouth when it’s around your cock.”

He smiled. “Another way to silence you.”

“Lord, you’re insufferable.”

“Yet, you love me regardless.”

“I do.”

His expression softened.

As Lake sang a lullaby in his native tongue, I focused on the inflections of his voice, the words unfamiliar but the melody calming the racing of my thoughts and allowing me to finally fall asleep.