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Asterion groaned. Absolutely not. This was not becoming one of their activities.

“Again!” Korinnae squealed.

Ria looked at him expectantly before giving him a subtle nudge with her elbow. Do something.

He rubbed the lingering sting in his shoulder and shot her a glare that promised revenge.

She merely smiled.

Korinnae looked up at him with hopeful eyes.

“Ah…” His mind went completely blank. “Let’s…” He glanced desperately around the room. “…go cook something.”

The words sounded painfully awkward even to his own ears.

Korinnae tilted her head. “You cook?”

“Of course I cook.”

She grinned. “I love your cooking.”

“Really?” His chest warmed a little.

“No,” she giggled. “But I might!”

Ria finally snorted. Asterion turned toward her, but she only met it with a steady nod. “You wanted something fun,” she reminded him.

He sighed in surrender.

“My mother used to make a snack for Xanthe and me when we were your age.” A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “It was your mother’s favorite.”

Korinnae’s eyes lit up. “My mama?”

“Aye.”

“What was it?”

“You’ll have to help me make it.”

Without another word, Korinnae grabbed Ria’s hand. “Come on!”

Ria laughed as she was pulled to her feet. “I guess I’m helping.”

“You have to!” She tugged enthusiastically toward the door.

The two disappeared into the hallway, Korinnae chattering excitedly about ingredients she hoped they’d need.

Asterion lingered for a moment, watching them go. Then, shaking his head with a smile he didn’t quite realize was there, he followed after them.

Chapter 6

Ria

The kitchen was warmer than the rest of the house. A wide stone hearth crackled in the corner, while the afternoon sun spilled through windows overlooking the yard. The long wooden table that dominated the center of the space was scattered with crumbs, a jar of honey, a crock of fresh butter, and the ingredients Asterion had insisted were “absolutely necessary” for making the snack.

Ria sat, taking in the scene. She never would have guessed that the intimidating minotaur also knew his way around a kitchen. More surprising still was how patient he was with Korinnae. Letting the girl spread the butter a little too thick, drizzle far too much honey over the bread, and call each lopsided sandwich perfect. Now the three of them were seated around the table, each with a snack in hand.

“My mama really liked these?”