Onyx waved his hand, and the wall sconces ignited, washing away the shadows with a soft warm glow. The large window onthe far wall showed a dark sky that was gradually growing lighter in the distance. Not quite daybreak but inching closer with each passing second.
“I must confess that I was dishonest with you.”
I looked at him, nerves prickling at my ribs. “Oh yeah? About what?”
A smirk played at his lips. “I can’t actually whack heads off with a simple flick of my fingers. But how fun that would be if I could.”
I softly laughed, both amused and relieved. My mind always went to the worst-case scenario. “Lie about anything else?”
“Such as?” Onyx rested his hip against the counter, watching me.
“Well, for starters, it’d be awesome if I actually wasn’t your prisoner.”
“I never said you were a prisoner.” Humor touched his eyes. “You’re free to wander around my castle as you please. If you’re good, you may be allowed to go outside.”
“If I’m good?” I put my hands on my hips. “You’re the one who’s being a butthole, not me.”
His lips twitched. “Are you always so cheeky?”
“It’s worse when I haven’t had coffee,” I responded. “I’m going on, like, day four without it. I’m surprised I haven’t died. Or started a riot. Coffee withdrawal is no joke.”
Onyx chuckled. The sound was low and musical. “I’ll speak to Fane and see if we can gather beans for you.”
“Are they rare in this realm?” I asked, horrified by the thought. Coffee had been uncommon in Bremloc as well, mainly because of the price. Only nobles had been able to afford the high-quality beans.
“I wouldn’t say they’re rare,” he responded. “Most of us here simply don’t care for the taste. We prefer tea.”
“Ah, so you’re like Briar and Lake. They love tea. Maddox and Callum are coffee sluts like me though.”
“And Rowan?” Onyx asked.
“Rum. It’s his life juice.”
Another chuckle filled the space between us. I tried not to focus on how my body responded to the sound. My chest felt featherlight and warmth filled my bloodstream.
Onyx cocked his head, smile slipping. He moved in closer and ever so lightly rested his hand over my heart. “Beating so quickly beneath my palm. Tell me, little bird, is it from nerves… or something more?”
His proximity definitely didn’t help calm those quick heartbeats.
“I’ll, uh, start breakfast.” I stumbled back from him and dove into the pantry, taking deep breaths once inside and out of his sight.
Fated mate or not, genuine fear filled my bones at the thought of us together. He was like one of those complex ciphers with the hidden messages. You had to carefully turn the nobs and twist to solve the puzzle. Problem was, one wrong move and a bottle of ink would burst and destroy the contents forever.
A reflection of what possibly awaited me in being with him. The jury was out on whether Lord Onyx was the one who’d possibly kill me someday. A walking and talking, too hot for his own good, doom flag.
“Did you become lost in there?” Onyx asked from outside the pantry door. “Need help finding your way out?”
“N-No, I’m good! Just grabbing what I need.” Once composed, I exited the pantry with an arm full of ingredients and set them on the counter. I was acutely aware of Onyx watching me as I moved around the large kitchen, gathering bowls and utensils.
“What are we making?” He leaned against the counter and propped his chin on his hand.
That made me smile. “We?”
“You think me incapable of cooking?” He lowered his arm from the countertop and pushed up his sleeves. “Tell me what you need me to do and I’ll do it.”
Just like that, my earlier nerves dissipated. The male before me didn’t seem like a wicked villain who’d murder me in cold blood. He seemed… kind of cute.
“I’mmaking muffins,” I said, pointing the stirring spoon at him. “I just need you to sit there and look pretty.”
