"Out!" I banished him from the kitchen, stripping him of the great chef's badge of honor—his apron. "Stay put!"
Kayden stood in the doorway, looking wounded. "I just wanted to..."
"I know what you wanted." I remained unmoved, poking his forehead with my finger. "But please, for the love of Goddess, stay out of the kitchen."
"But..."
"No buts." My tone was final. "You've nearly blown up the kitchen three times already. Elsa's about to have a heart attack because of you."
Kayden looked even more dejected, his ears drooping.
Wait.
He was in human form.
What ears?
I burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright." I patted his arm. "You have other strengths."
"What strengths?" His eyes immediately brightened, sparkling with hope.
"Like..." I thought for a moment. "Protecting us?"
"That again..." He let out a long sigh and dramatically dropped his head onto my shoulder.
So heavy!!
Tonight, I'd just gotten Kai to sleep and returned to my room when soft knocking came from the hallway.
"Layla?" Kayden's voice, barely above a whisper. "You awake?"
I opened the door, curious what new scheme he'd cooked up. "What is it?"
"There's a place I want to show you." Mysterious light danced in his eyes. "Somewhere special."
"Now?" I glanced at the wall clock. "It's almost ten..."
"Perfect." Kayden took my hand. "That place is most beautiful at night."
"If Kai wakes up..." I hesitated for two seconds, stopping him from pulling me forward.
"Elsa will watch him." Kayden blinked, shaking my hand gently. "I already told her."
"Fine. But if this is some weird place..." His pleading look made me smile.
"You won't be disappointed."
We left the manor, moonlight illuminating the stone path, the air sweet with night dew. Kayden held my hand as we entered the forest—not our usual area, but deeper in. The trees grew denser, moonlight barely penetrating, only scattered starlight filtering through the canopy.
"We won't get lost, will we?" I looked at the increasingly unfamiliar terrain, worried.
"We won't." Sensing my unease, Kayden tightened his grip. "I could find this place blindfolded."
An owl hooted deep in the woods, distant and mysterious. I instinctively moved closer to Kayden. He switched to holding my hand with his left, his right arm sliding around my waist, pulling me completely into his embrace.
"Almost there."
