Page 8 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 4

Masked Men Come at Night

Pork chops baked in the oven, green beans with chunks of ham simmered in a pot on the stove, and purple sweet potato buns cooled on the counter. I sat at the table, reading my smutty romance novel before dinner.

The cabin boy had tracked down the main guy after their fuck fest on the ship and was currently riding his cock in the back of a tavern. Hot as fuck, yet I stared at the words like it was a math textbook.

Freaking Callum. I couldn’t get him out of my head. Not even the steamy sex scene was enough to hold my attention. And I loved smut. Especially smut involving big dicks and twinks that rode them.

Two days had passed since our walk in the snow, but the emotions he’d awoke in me remained. Had me in a chokehold. More and more, I suspected he was one of the men fated to love me.

How would the others react if it was true? My biggest worry was Maddox. He and Callum were close. Would it cause tension between them? A fight over muffins?

“Dinner smells incredible,” Lake said as he and Rowan came into the kitchen. Last I’d seen my wolf, he’d been napping by the fire. No one was more adorable when they slept—his fluffy ears twitched, his leg jerked, and he emitted the most precious little growls. Not that I’d ever tell him. “I’m eager to try the sweet buns.”

Rowan tapped the flask in his pocket. “My dinner’s right here.”

I sighed. “Rum is not dinner, you rebel.”

He smirked.

My stomach growled. “Nothing says we can’t have a snack while we wait for Maddox and Briar to get home. All that reading made me hungry.”

“Hungry for sex?” Rowan asked. “Because I saw the page you were on, you naughty little treasure. A rogue was being ridden hard. We should sit back down so you can read it aloud to us.”

“I distinctly remember you saying romance books are silly,” I said, trying to step past him but being pulled into his arms anyway. I only pretended to be bothered. His arms were a safe space for me. A safety I felt when around all of them. “You hate love and all the swoony, romantic things.”

“Smut cancels out my hate. Even better if we toss the book aside and act out the scene instead.” Rowan lightly bit at my neck. “You be the rogue and I’ll be the cabin boy.”

I batted him away with a laugh. A shaky little laugh because my blood was definitely racing hotter than before. Damn him.

As the scent of sweet buns reached me, causing another guttural rumble from my belly, I grabbed a plate from the cupboard. Two or three buns going missing from the platter wouldn’t be noticeable at all.

One glance out the kitchen window had me dropping that plate with a squeak.

“What’s wrong?” Lake was at my side in an instant and grabbed my hands, examining them. “Are you hurt?”

“N-No. But… um. Do you see them too or am I going crazy?”

“See who?” Lake followed my gaze and tensed.

Four hooded figures stood near the tree line, dressed in black from head to toe and with masks covering half their faces. None of them moved. They faced us, completely still apart from the ends of their cloaks blowing in the evening breeze.

“Is that Draven?” I pointed to the one in the middle. “Hard to tell from this distance, but it looks like him. Maybe.”

“Wait here,” Rowan said before heading for the back door.

As if I’d let him face them by himself. I followed him outside, sucking air between my teeth as the winter night hit every inch of exposed skin. Lake came with me, staying close. I knew he was looking out for Rowan too.

The four spies walked toward the porch without a word, their steps soundless. Not even their weapons clanked.

“Good evening,” I said, stopping on the top step. Lake grabbed the back of my shirt, preventing me from going any closer to them. “It’s cold tonight, huh? Kind of depressing. I’m ready for spring. But you all look warm enough in your cloaks. That’s good.”

Rowan glanced back at me. “I thought I told you to wait in the cottage, rambles.” He then did a double take. “Evan? What in the hell are you holding?”

“Oh. Um.” I waved the item in question. “A stirring spoon. It was a spontaneous grab. Just in case.”

“In case they want soup? You do know they have daggers, right?”

Lake made a rough sound.

Rowan turned toward the spies as they reached the porch. He stood on the bottom step, acting as a barrier between me and them.

“Evening.” The one in the middle tipped his head. I recognized that deep voice. And now that he was closer, I saw a peek of his pale blond hair and blue eyes.

“Draven,” I said. “I thought that was you. Welcome back.”

He looked at me, then focused back on Rowan. “Come with us.”

“How about... no.” Rowan crossed his arms. “Not until you tell me why you’re here.”

“Our captain wishes to meet with you,” Draven told him. “We’ve come to escort you to the location.”

The spy beside Draven regarded me. His hood fully covered his hair, but his exposed eyes caught my interest. They were different colors; one brown and the other blue. A silver dagger with a red stone in the hilt hung at his hip.

“Hi. I’m Evan. What’s your name?”

“Reign,” the spy said in a voice much softer than I’d expected. Pleasant and smooth.

I smiled. “Nice to meet you, Reign. Are y’all hungry? Dinner’s almost ready. Plenty for everyone.”

The other two spies looked at Draven. He must’ve held rank over them. Both appeared to have dark eyes and bronze complexions.

“We haven’t the time for a meal,” Draven said, then regarded Rowan. “Come with us or don’t. The decision is yours. We will not force your hand.”

“What happens if your captain decides not to let him join?” I asked, holding the stirring spoon in a firmer grip.

“That’s no business of yours, boy,” Draven told me.

“Um. It is actually. You plan to take my boyfriend away to some undisclosed location. Least you can do is guarantee his safe return.”

Rowan turned to me, eyes softening. “Like they could best me. Bone Crusher, remember?”

I tried for a smile, but it felt too shaky.

“Make your decision, shadow mage,” Draven said. “Captain Remy is waiting.”

Lake’s nostrils flared as he stared down the spy.

“I’ll go.” Rowan glanced at Lake, then at me.

My knees nearly buckled. Would the spies kill someone who failed the initiation? Someone who learned too much?

“Ro,” I rasped.

“Don’t worry, little treasure. I’ll be home before you know it.” Rowan walked back up the steps and pulled me against his chest. A peppery scent lingered in his hair. “Save one of those sweet potato buns for me. Don’t let Captain Glutton eat them all.”

“I’m slowly converting you to liking sweets,” I said, heart thrashing.

“This one is more like bread, so it’s an exception.” His lips ghosted over mine before making contact. A kiss that wasn’t nearly long enough, but we had an audience. “You and the pup go back inside. It’s cold.”

He then pulled away and joined the spies in the yard. As they walked toward the trees, I leaned against the porch railing and watched them.

“Be careful,” I whispered.

Rowan looked back at the porch, somehow hearing me. Or maybe, he’d been thinking of me too and needed one final glance before sinking into the shadows.

“He’ll be fine.” Lake’s arms came around me. In the evening air, his forest scent surged forward, mixed with the hint of peaches. “The shadows will protect him.”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Evan?” came Maddox’s deep voice from inside the cottage.

Lake’s wolf ears perked up.

“Where are you, love?” Briar asked.

“Our men are home.” I slid my hand into Lake’s. “Let’s go see them.”

And I tried my best not to worry about the one who wasn’t with us.

***

“Come to bed.” Maddox kissed my nape. “Staring out this window won’t bring your thief home any sooner.”

We had eaten dinner and played a few hands of cards before coming upstairs. The cards were a nice distraction, even if I’d lost every game. I had the worst poker face ever, much to Maddox’s amusement. Briar had played a game with us before tackling work he’d brought home. He was still downstairs reading through documents.

“When do you think he’ll be home?” Wind pushed against the cottage, causing creaks in the walls. My eyes watered. “He doesn’t like the cold.”

“Sweetheart?” Maddox turned me to face him. Firelight kissed his naked skin, dancing over the hard lines of muscle and scars. “Please come to bed.”

His voice was unexpectedly gentle. Pleading, even. I nodded and walked with him back toward the bed.

Lake lay on top of the blanket, half asleep. As I crawled under the sheets, he stirred and settled into his favorite sleeping spot: head on my belly and body curved around my legs. I lowered a hand to his silky hair. He nudged my hand and emitted a sleepy sigh.

My sweet wolf.

“Briar works too much.” I cuddled against Maddox as he joined me in bed. “What’s he working on anyway?”

“Documents from the magic academy,” he answered.

In between his duties as the court physician, Briar often aided in research for the school, read over reports, attended classes as a guest lecturer, and periodically accepted students to temporarily train under him.

I sat up and lifted the blanket off me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Maddox asked.

“To see Briar. It’s late. He should be in bed with us. Work can wait until tomorrow.”

“No, you’ll stay here where it’s warm.” He guided me back down and tucked the cover around me. “As you said, the hour is late. Way past a muffin’s bedtime.”

“But—”

“No buts.” Maddox bopped my chin. “There’s that face again. The—”

“Sad toad! I know.” I wiggled deeper into the bed and brought the blanket up over my mouth.

Lake lightly huffed, and his tail flopped once against the bed.

Maddox and I exchanged a look. I pressed my lips together, and the muscle in his cheek jerked. We were being too loud and a certain wolf was sleepy.

Silence followed, leaving nothing but the logs crackling in the hearth and the low howl of the winter wind. My mind wandered. Thoughts of Rowan made me too uneasy, so I forced myself to think of something else. Anything else.

Brown eyes and the warmest dimpled smile came to mind. My scalp tingled, as if my hair had been ruffled by a phantom hand.

I missed the feel of that hand. Missed the flutter in my belly caused by his warm palm.

Steps came down the hall, nearing the room. A tired Briar then stepped through the doorway. Bless him. He really did work too much.

“Apologies for the late hour.” Briar lifted his glasses to rub at his eyes. “The upper level students submitted their research dissertations, and Professor Madeline asked me to read over several that caught her interest.”

“You mean your sugar momma?” I said with a grin.

Madeline was the headmaster of the magical academy and had the hots for Briar. I noticed it when first meeting her the night of the autumn ball. Her flirty smiles and touches to his arm could be seen a mile away.

“Sugar momma?” Maddox’s brow scrunched. “Is that a type of dessert?”

I laughed so hard I cried. It felt good after being so anxious over Rowan. My string of giggles disturbed my sleepy wolf’s rest.

Lake cracked open one eye and smiled.

“Why do you laugh?” Maddox looked at me like I had three heads. “ Is it a dessert?”

“No.” I wiped at my eyes. “I just meant that Professor Madeline is attracted to Briar and wants his, uh, magic love stick.”

“A magic love stick?” Lake asked. “Like a sorcerer’s wand? Why does she think Briar has one?”

That threw me over the edge. I had just calmed my giggles too, damn him.

“Well, I assure you, if Professor Madeline does hold such feelings for me, they will not be returned,” Briar said. “I have all I could ever want and need right here.”

“As do I.” Maddox turned his face into my hair.

Lake laid his head on my lap, and his fluffy tail slowly moved.

Briar stepped farther into the room and started undoing the buttons on his shirt. His fingers, normally so precise, fumbled with them.

“Need help?” Maddox asked, voice gravelly.

Briar gave him a tired smile. “Please.”

Warm tingles swirled in my belly as Maddox went over and helped Briar undress. He took off his glasses and carefully set them on the nightstand. Affection shone in their eyes, telling of the deep love that had blossomed between them.

“In to bed with you.” Maddox swatted his ass.

“I don’t take orders from you, Captain.” Briar stepped toward the bed anyway. “How many more times must I say it?”

“Once more at least.” Maddox lifted the blanket for him. “Now, in you go.”

Briar moved sluggishly and plopped down beside me on the mattress, groaning softly. “A sign of my old age. Groaning getting into bed.”

“You’re not old.” I snuggled into his side. “You’re just exhausted. Been working too hard.”

He bent to kiss my temple. “Yet, even when my body aches, my soul comes alive when you’re near. You keep me young.”

“He keeps you young and ages me ten years,” Maddox said. “He can’t take one step outside without facing death.”

“I’m not that bad,” I grumbled.

My captain smirked.

My gaze shifted to the window—to the swaying tree branches caught in a gust of wind. Why wasn’t Rowan home yet?

A whine tore through Lake’s throat, and he focused on the same window. He was waiting for Rowan too.

Sometime later, I was in that place between awake and asleep when a familiar scent brought me back. Spicy with a hint of sweetness. Lips pressed to my forehead, and that peppery scent strengthened.

“Ro?” I peeked at him through bleary eyes. The fire in the hearth barely lit the room, having burned too long without being stoked.

“Didn’t mean to wake you, little treasure.” He knelt by the bed and smiled. “Go back to sleep.”

“What happened at the meeting?” I propped myself up on my elbow, the haze of drowsiness fleeing.

“Oh, nothing really.” He toyed with my bangs. “Only that a certain spy, you may know him, rhymes with raven, pledged for me in front of his captain and agreed to take me under his wing. A bit of a shock. I thought he was an asshole.”

“Take you under his wing?”

Excitement sparked in Rowan’s eyes. “You, little treasure, are looking at the newest member of the Secret Order. I was sworn in this evening.”

“Oh my god!” I threw my arms around him. “I’m so proud of you, Ro.”

He tucked his face against my neck. “No need to be so loud. It’s not that exciting.” Yet, I felt his smile. Heard the delight in his voice.

Lake stirred from sleep and looked at Rowan, his tail wagging once. “Welcome home.”

“Were you worried about me, pup? I’m flattered.”

Our wolf huffed and turned his face away. Not seeing the soft smile Rowan gave him seconds later.

Briar shifted in place and opened his eyes. He scrutinized Rowan, as if trying to process what he was seeing. Being without his glasses probably didn’t help. “Good. You’ve returned.”

“He says with disdain,” Rowan said. “I bet you secretly hoped they’d shove daggers in my gut and leave me in the woods to die.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Briar scoffed. “That would break Evan’s heart. It would also… well, it would be upsetting for the rest of us as well.”

“Speak for yourself, physician,” Maddox mumbled into his pillow. “Perhaps then I’d get a decent night of sleep.”

Rowan rolled his eyes.

“What else happened?” I grabbed his hand. “Did the captain give you your first mission? Something super mysterious and sneaky?”

“Your excitement is too damn precious.” He toyed with my hair again. “I’m meeting Draven tomorrow. He’ll show me the ropes and then set me loose, letting me do what I do best.”

“And what would that be?” Maddox asked. “Annoying everyone with that mouth of yours?”

“Oh, Captain,” Rowan said, using the honeyed tone he knew pissed Maddox off. “I reserve that only for you.”

I fought a grin. Smiling would only encourage him. He was such a butt sometimes. Both of them were.

Lake smacked Rowan’s leg with his poofy tail.

“Why do you abuse me like this, pup? You should be hitting him. He started it.”

“Don’t make me finish it,” Maddox said.

“I could take you down with ease. You’re big but slow.”

Another light whack of Lake’s tail.

“Ow,” Rowan muttered. “Your men are so mean to me, little treasure.”

A rough sound rumbled in Lake’s chest. His unique laugh.

“As obnoxious as I may find it, you’re one of his men too, thief,” Maddox said. “And you’re part of our family. Never think otherwise.”

His words proved he actually did care about Rowan despite earlier remarks suggesting the opposite.

“Aw, Captain.” Rowan rested his chin on his hand, still kneeling by the bed. “Those are the sweetest words you’ve ever said to me. My black heart is all aflutter.”

Maddox found my hand beneath the pillow, weaving our fingers together. I smiled. He was my big and grumpy muffin-loving knight. One I’d be lost without.

With my free hand, I poked Rowan’s nose. “This calls for a celebration. Name anything you want for breakfast, and it’s yours.”

“Anything?” He grabbed me by the nape and brought our faces closer. “Making food for me is fine and all, but I can think of one thing you can do now that’ll be even better.” His raspy voice was like a sensuous whisper across my skin. “Unless you’re too tired.”

“Tired? Never heard of it.”

He laughed and crawled into bed, gliding his hand up my stomach.

It was the first time we’d all been in bed together. Rowan might’ve popped in for a few minutes some nights, but he never joined us during sex. How long it would last, I wasn’t sure, but when his lips claimed mine, I moaned and surrendered to him.

To all of them.