“Yeah. I can deal. What with your problem, my fire skill and Guy coming and going, at least I’m not twiddling my fingers.”
“Well, you’ve always got me, and that’ll never change. I can probably promise a ton of future problems for you to fix too.” Violet eyes twinkling, she picked up the dish. “I’ll go feed the hounds before they chase me in here.”
“Thanks. I’d like some quiet time, just me and my kitchen.”
“You got it.”
Definitely no finger twiddling. I got busy with the night’s upcoming meal, preparing a deep lasagna dish that would feed an army, or certainly Zayn’s family of twelve. Afterward, I made a gooey chocolate brownie, one large enough for double servings. Without a doubt, there was plenty for all.
As the skies darkened out the window, I cleaned up.
Yeah, it was time to change, and to take this mountain of food to where it was needed.
I hurried down the passageway to the north terrace and raced up the gray marble staircase to my rooms on the second floor.
I crossed my sitting area, a space which was all mine, and one I adored. Gold throw pillows graced two long comfy couches in deep red. Those two colors had always bathed me in their warmth. No wonder, really, that I loved the colors of a blazing fire now I’d received the fire skill. I skimmed my fingers over some of my favorite cook books stacked on a redwood bookshelf behind my study-desk. Yellow notes poked from between many of the well-worn pages, beckoning me. So many recipes I had to get to. After finals there’d be more time.
I continued on to my dressing room. From my drawers, I grabbed a pair of skinny red jeans and a soft yellow blouse embroidered with red on the capped sleeves. Nice bright colors to keep bumping up my mood. Cooking for Zayn’s family had helped. I just had to keep busy. I dressed then searched the bathroom vanity for my wide-tooth comb. My reflection in the mirror over the basin showed a fright, although nothing unusual for me after hours in a hot kitchen. My hair was a frizzy bird’s nest, the long spiral curls of red-gold matted together. I gently detangled the knots then set a clip at each side, gold with a small ruby stone, the set gifted to me from Silas for our last birthday. Okay, that was a little better. With a touch of berry flavored lippy, I was done.
Hmm, what would Guy be doing now? He’d said in the evenings he attended to whatever awaited him in Dralion. He’d likely be seeing to Wincrest’s bidding then. Being mated to a warrior really wouldn’t have worked, or at least that’s what I’d keep telling myself.
What I needed to do was get some control over my fire skill, sort the girls’ problem, and then I’d no longer need Guy. Not even the smallest bit.
Today had definitely seen my reliance on him grow, when I shouldn’t need him at all. I was an independent woman.
“Silvie, it’s Zayn. You ready?”
I tapped my head and smiled. Nice. I liked the telepathic skill. “Hey.” I scurried from my room. “Everything’s made. I’m coming down now. I’ll be five minutes.”
“Great. How’s your afternoon been? Any more fire?”
“Just a touch, but Faith warned me, so I didn’t burn anything. Sorry about not getting to show you around. What’d you get up to without me?”
“I took another swim at your beach. Oh, I see the chocolate brownie. You’d better hurry or I might start on it.”
“Don’t you dare.” I picked up my pace, fairly flying down the passageway. Whoa. Too fast. Not like me at all. I almost took out the vase of white roses perched on the recessed wall shelf as I skidded around the doorway into my kitchen. Bending over, I grabbed in a breath. “Phew, I’m here. Fingers out.”
Grinning, he licked his thumb. “Too late, and I thought you said five minutes.”
“My speed’s up.” I grabbed the brownie. “Look at that hole. I’ll tell your mother you did that.”
“Yeah, she won’t be surprised.” Still grinning. “Hey, you want to work on your fire skill tomorrow? I’ll be done with my day’s duties by the time you finish school, and I found this amazing spot about twenty miles farther down the beach from where we were today. It’s secluded and perfect for what you’ll need.”
“Sounds great.” He was the best, for wanting to help me.
He tucked the shirttails of his loose-sleeved white shirt into his brown rawhide pants. He must have dressed on the run. “I can’t wait to see all you can do. You could whip some serious butt with your skill.”
“You mean burn it.” I nudged the lasagna dish toward him and kept the warm brownie in my hands. “Zip-zap, please.”
“You got it.” He scooped up the dish with one hand and held my arm with the other. “Be prepared for a lot of noise. That’s the only warning I’ll give you.”