"I'd be happy to help and keep your beautiful dress on—Krevan hasn't stopped staring at you since you put it on.I don’t need an apron.He wasn't joking about starting your own private celebration after we leave."Katie's eyes twinkled with mischief."By the way, Carl and I brought something for your birthday."Kellie followed them into the kitchen.Across the counter, Kellie's face crumpled, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Kellie, what is it?"Ancelin moved to her side.
"I—I only made you this."Kellie offered a folded paper card; her gaze fixed on the floor."We couldn't afford a real gift."
Ancelin wrapped her in a gentle embrace."This is perfect.Something you created yourself means everything to me.How old are you now, Kellie?"
"Nineteen," she replied, passing over the handmade card with its childlike drawings and misspelled words.
Ancelin beamed, attempting another hug around Kellie's protruding stomach."Your little one makes hugging challenging!"
"Derrick says the same thing," Kellie said with a small laugh.
"You remind me of my sister Alyssa," Ancelin said softly."She was even younger than you—vibrant, beautiful.Today I can remember her without tears, which makes this truly a good day."She kept one arm around Kellie as the men entered, taking seats at the table and island.While Kellie settled beside Derrick, Ancelin and Katie served dinner.The meal was magnificent—perfectly seasoned with spices from the market.Krevan claimed nearly the entire roast for himself, barely touching vegetables.He consumed so much tartis that no one dared ask for seconds.
Krevan scraped his fork across the empty platter where the twenty-pound tartis roast had been."That was exceptional, Ancelin."
"I noticed," Ancelin said, her eyes dancing with amusement.“I’ll have to make more next time I have people over.”
Katie leaned forward."We should do this again soon.Carl and I will bring the ingredients if you'd teach me your techniques."
"I'd be delighted," Ancelin said."There's precious little entertainment on Verrian anyway.Kellie should join us too, if she's interested."
Ancelin placed the chocolate pudding before Krevan, who captured her wrist with gentle fingers as she pivoted away.
"You remembered my favorite," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
A delicious shiver traced her spine."I made it especially for you," she replied, brushing her lips against his temple before retrieving the cake waiting on the counter.
"I should get your recipe," Kellie chimed in with a knowing smile."Derrick loves chocolate pudding too."
“I can give you the recipe.It’s easy to make.”Ancelin gestured to the other desserts."Chocolate or white cake?Katie and Carl brought ice cream.We could eat now or watch some SatView first."
"What's that you've got?"Carl asked, eyeing Krevan's bowl.
Krevan hunched protectively over his pudding."Ancelin's special chocolate pudding.I suppose I could share...if there's more."
"I'll stick with cake," Carl said."I’ll eat the cake later.I'm stuffed now—best meal I've had since leaving Mars Colony a decade ago."He nodded toward Krevan, who was savoring each spoonful of pudding."You've worked miracles with this Triaxen, Ancelin.He's nothing like the brute who first landed here.You've transformed him completely."
"I'm sitting right here, Carl," Krevan said, scraping the last of the pudding from his bowl with deliberate pleasure.He set down his spoon with a satisfied clink."Forgive my table manners.When Ancelin makes chocolate pudding, I forget myself."His eyes, normally a cool and lovely green, had shifted to a luminous silver that caught the light like polished coins.Kellie's sharp intake of breath didn't escape Ancelin's notice.
"It's okay, Kellie," Ancelin said quickly."His eyes change color when he's...emotional.He gets silvery over me all the time.He's perfectly harmless, he won’t pounce on you."She smiled.
"Harmless, only to you," Krevan murmured, "But I plan on pouncing on you later."He winked at Ancelin.
Heat rushed to Ancelin's cheeks as Katie intervened, tugging her toward the living room."Before you two newlyweds need privacy, you should open our gift."She pressed a box into Ancelin's hands that made curious shifting sounds when moved.
Inside lay an assortment of gemstones nestled in dark velvet—jade, amethyst, and others Ancelin couldn't name, each one catching the light differently.
“We just got these in stock,” Katie explained.“And after seeing the beautiful necklace you made, I know you’ll put them to good use."
"They're perfect," Ancelin said, running her fingers over the smooth stones."I could make matching earrings for you.Maybe even create a collection for your shop?"
"Brilliant idea," Katie agreed.
The evening stretched pleasantly into night.When the last guest had finally departed, Krevan joined Ancelin in the kitchen, gathering dishes without being asked.
"The rest of the kitchen can wait until morning."Krevan closed the cool unit door on the leftovers."I have other priorities now."His silver eyes gleamed as he traced the curve of her waist with his fingertips."I've been thinking about your birthday gift all evening."He lifted her hand to his mouth, his breath warm against her skin."Unless you'd prefer the living room again, I suggest we go upstairs.I don’t want to mess up your beautiful dress.”His voice was low, almost a growl.
