“Yes, my hot-headed one.” He got busy. A plume of flour rose and wafted onto his midnight hair. He added the rest of the ingredients and mixed.
I prepared the donut dough. The long ones with jelly were Silas and Davio’s favorite. When younger, they’d eaten them only after blowing the dusted icing sugar from the top into each other’s faces. So funny.
“Who cooks for you in Dralion?” I kneaded, and he followed suit with his dough.
“The cooks. There’s a communal dining hall where the warriors eat.”
“What about at the station?”
“Again, food is prepared for us. There’s a chef at the homestead.” He rolled his dough into a ball and set it carefully into his bowl. “Do I drape a towel over this? I remember my mother used to do that.”
“Yes, and sit it in the sunshine.” I swiped two clean towels from the drawer and tossed him one.
“This has brought back some nice memories.” He laid it over the rim with quiet reverence. “Thank you.”
“Any— Ah, sorry.” What was I thinking? He couldn’t come back anytime. I scurried to the sink and rinsed my hands.
“It’s all right. I understand.” Arms around me, he pressed his broad chest to my back and thrust his hands under the water with mine. “What’s a normal day like for you?”
“School, homework, hanging out in my kitchen. If I’m lucky, a good dose of bickering with Silas and Davio thrown in. What about you?”
His breath fanned my cheek. “I train in the mornings with the sword, and then aid Hope as she needs at the station. In the afternoons, I study my craft. Each spell requires rigorous testing.”
I grabbed a cloth, patted my hands dry then his. “And in the evenings?”
“Whatever’s waiting for me in Dralion. Donaldo understands, without my father to aid me, I’m studying my skill alone. I’m allowed certain leeway.”
I faced him. “You make Wincrest sound almost human.”
“He is.”
“No, he’s not.” I straightened his collar tangled by the apron string. “He’s a tyrant.”
He dipped his head, touched his nose to mine. “I’ve told you my allegiance is to my king and country. You won’t sway me otherwise.”
“I wasn’t trying to.” I would never do that. I had no right to. Eyes closed, I fought back the strong emotions taking me. “I wish things were different.”
“So do I.” His voice was whisper soft. “Gotta kiss you again. Sorry.”
His lips descended on mine. Oh boy. Hot, and so yummy. He deepened the kiss and a delicious heat stole through my veins. Arms around his neck, I sank into him. He was all muscle, and lots of it, a tower of strength in more ways than one.
“Okay, that’s good,” he mumbled against my lips. “No, maybe a little bit more.” He devoured, and I didn’t stop him. I held on tight for the ride of my life. Sooo good.
“Uh-hum. Fire.”
Faith rapped the countertop, blond hair whooshing about her shoulders.
“Can’t I leave you alone for one minute? There’s fire sizzling from your fingertips, Silvie.”
“What?” I blew on the tips, but that only made the flames lick higher.
“Don’t feed them. Think cold. And why are you kissing Guy? I got forewarning and had to hurry this time. If you get hot and heavy with him then watch your temp, otherwise you’ll burn down your kitchen.”
“The kissing’s my fault.” Guy yanked the fridge open and planted me in front of it. His lips lifted in a slow smile. “I couldn’t help myself.”
Cool air washed over me. The flames spluttered and died. “Okay, so kissing isn’t good.”
Still smiling, Guy inspected the tips then ran his thumbs over them. “Not good at all.”
A new surge of heat thrummed through me at his close touch. “You wanna do it again?”
He backed away. “Don’t test me.”
“Ah, excuse me.” Faith leaned against the countertop and eyed Guy. So, you two—” she flicked a hand between us. “—have changed your minds?”
“No.” Guy cleared his throat. “What you saw is not what it looked like.”
“I didn’t see any kissing?”
“I’m only here to aid Silvie, as you asked.”
“Aiding Silvie requires talking, not kissing.” She lifted the towel from one of the bowls. “Hmm, donuts. Silvie never lets me cook with her.”
“Yeah, because you burn everything, and it’s just donuts. I don’t see what the problem is.”
“Well, this dough has risen, and I’d say because of the extreme heat in here.”
“Great.” I slid the bowl across and scooped it out. “See, kissing has its benefits.”
“I’m sure it does.” She smirked then straightened her lips. “You want me to turn the oven on?”
“Yep, and grab me a tray while you’re there.” I rolled my dough into a long sausage shape. Guy cut and shaped his into circles. “You’re a quick learner.”
“I have a good teacher, but since we’re here, we should speak about how I’m supposed to assist you, and not in the kitchen.”