Page 25 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me 7

Cheep.

“Um. Ev?” Callum slowly withdrew from me, his gaze locked on something over my shoulder. “There is a… strange looking, squirrel-like creature behind you. Though its body is much too long to be a squirrel. And there’s a twig jutting from its head.”

“That’s Pumpkin,” I said, turning to look at the cutie pie. He perched on a table at the edge of the terrace, as though having just jumped down from the low hanging branch beside the railing. “He’s a tree demon I met earlier today.”

“A tree demon?” Callum scrutinized the arbordu, then suddenly shifted me behind him. “It’s approaching.”

I fought an eyeroll. These overprotective men, I swear. “Don’t be scared, Cal. He’s nice. Just wait until he does his little butt dance. Cutest thing ever.”

Before Pumpkin could reach us, the terrace door opened. The critter squeaked and dashed off to the bushes near the steps. The little twig protruded from the leaves though.

“Eh, rabbit?” Rowan poked his head out. “Your brethren smell mighty good cooking in the pot on the stove. Take your stinky hands off my little treasure or you’ll be boiled in that pot along with them.”

“I’d like to see you try, snake.” Callum made a face. “Why are you here bothering us? Shouldn’t you be slithering around in the shadows?”

“And miss the chance to spend time with you?” Rowan flashed my favorite snaggle tooth. “Never. That sneer of yours brings me too much joy.”

As they continued to jab at each other, I listened, amused. While a lot had changed over the months, some things never did, like them constantly butting heads. Then again, I’d worry if they weren’t bickering. It was how they showed their affection.

Even if both of them would deny that affection until their dying day.

“I need to check the stew,” I said before standing on my tiptoes to peck a kiss on Callum’s jaw, then walking over and doing the same to Rowan’s. “Both of you behave.”

They sneered at each other.

As I headed toward the terrace doors, a tiny chirp sounded before Pumpkin leapt from the wall of ivy and landed on my shoulder. I reached up to scratch his fuzzy cheek. “Feeling social again?”

Cheep.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I gave him another light scratch and entered the castle.

Anxiety knotted in my gut as I veered toward the kitchen. Between Nocturne camping outside the barrier and uncertainty around my powers, not to mention the confusion over a certain demon lord, my head was more than a little jumbled.

“You seem to be in low spirits,” Fane said as I entered the kitchen. Bless him, he stood at the stove stirring the stew, making sure it didn’t burn.

“Just a lot on my mind. But I’ll be okay.” I tried for a smile and went to check the loaves of bread on the counter. They had finally cooled and were ready to be devoured.

“It’s all right if you’re not,” Fane responded, his tone softer than before. “Okay, that is. Much has befallen you in a short time. Losing your home and your café. Being chased from Bremloc and attacked by mercenaries. I’d be concerned if you weren’t disturbed by it all.”

“Thanks, Fane.” The center of my chest prickled. “Things might be kinda complicated right now, but it’s nice to know I have a friend.”

His grass-green eyes flickered to me. “I’m your friend?” Though subtle, a smile landed on his mouth. “I suppose I may feel… some fondness toward you in return. Not much, so stop smiling.”

I pressed my lips together.

Pumpkin scurried off my shoulder and landed on the counter before snatching berries from the bowl of fruit and rushing toward the open window. He perched on the sill and nibbled on a raspberry, adorable chitters sounding in his throat.

“Evan?” Fane had returned his attention to the pot of stew, stirring it slowly. “I hear the mercenaries are still in the dark wood. That they’ve positioned themselves outside the entrance to our realm and are waiting for you.”

Throat tight, I nodded.

“It’s because of your power, isn’t it?” A frown marred his features. “Word travels quickly through the castle. I’ve heard tales that a strong magic awoke in you.”

Shock had me freezing in place.

“Don’t worry.” His frown smoothed into a tight smile. “Not many know the truth of what those powers mean. Most believe they come from your father being a dark mage. It’s already well known in this realm that he was a demon tamer.”

“But you know what they really mean?” I asked, completely taken off guard. Fane had treated me no differently over the past few days. When all along, he had known the truth.