He chuckled. “Oh no, you exist very much. If you didn’t, I wouldn’t have won the bet.” He drug his nose along the side of my neck and I fought the urge to moan.
I peered up at him. “What bet are you two idiots talking about?”
The giant spoke up before Matthew had a chance. “How long it would take you to get violent, of course.”
“I–I’m not violent…”
“Eva, every time we’re together you end up hitting or yelling at me.”
I rolled my eyes and muttered, “It’s usually because you deserve it.”
“There you go, rolling those eyes again,” he whispered into my ear. My cheeks flushed, and I hoped his friend hadn’t heard that, but there was a part of me that didn’t care.
The giant got off his stool and marched toward me. He was even taller than Matthew, which meant that he absolutely towered over me. He stuck his hand out toward me and I could only stare at it. “Since Matthew is being a terrible host, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Kalen Drake.”
Matthews’s arms slowly unraveled as I reached for Kalen’s hand. “I’m –”
“Eva, Princess of Helia!” He exclaimed, throwing his arms wide. “When are they making you queen?” He plopped down on the stool once more.
“I don’t even know if I’m welcome back at this point…” I hadn’t thought about that. I knew I would be in trouble for leaving. My father was bound to be furious, but would he change the succession to pass it on to Erina? What would happen if I went back?
Matthew’s arms tightened once more around me as he scowled at Kalen. “I’d advise you to keep your mouth shut, you big oaf.” He leaned over slightly to kick his stool.
Kalen made a dramatic bow. “Apologies, oh royal one.” He looked up at me and winked. “Sorry, though. I really wasn’t taughtexemplary behavioron the battlefield. I don’t know if anyone expected me to live this long, if I’m honest.” He scratched the back of his neck. “But here I am, as unruly and poorly behaved as ever.”
I couldn’t help but chuckling, and a smile instantly spread on Kalen’s face.
“Ten minutes! I win this time.” He launched his fist into the air.
I looked up at Matthew. “What was this bet about?”
He sighed. “How long it would take you to warm up to him.” He nodded his head in Kalen’s direction.
“Out of curiosity, how long did you think it would take?”
He shrugged. “Honestly? I thought he’d never be able to break you, but since I was required to put a time on it… I said at least ten years.”
I gaped at him. “Ten years? Am I really that discourteous?”
Matthew kissed my temple. “No, but Kalen sure is. I knew he would love you; everyone does.”
Both men walked away, leaving me utterly dumbstruck in the kitchen. Maybe I hadn’t heard him correctly. After all, it hadn’t been that long since I’d been in the middle of a war zone. It was entirely possible I had sustained some sort of brain injury. Because there was no way that Matthew had just said he loved me.
Or did he?
27
EVA
“So, Kalen, how do you and Matthew know each other?”
It had taken a while, but we ended up clearing the kitchen so that we could scramble together a meal. I knew Matthew was a phenomenal cook from our previous meals together, but it was even better than I could imagine. We brought our plates out to a smaller garden area that held a fire pit in the middle. The heat from the fire offset the slight chill in the air. It was perfect.
“Ah, Master Matthew and I met when I led a group of mercenaries to battle. He was assigned to the same encampment that he was in during the war. We were both way too young to be thrown into such a rabble, but there we were. He was such a pompous di- ”
“I think that’s enough of storytime!” Matthew interrupted quickly. I looked over to Kalen, who mouthed, “See?” I couldn’t contain the giggle that escaped. Matthew looked quickly between the two of us and went back to his dinner.
“Anyway, we have been inseparable ever since. I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him, and he damn sure wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for me.” Kalen’s huge hand came down on Matthew’s back with a thud and caused him to choke slightly on his food.
