Page 62 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

“What did I tell you about wearing shoes, Seren Fach?” His deep masculine voice carries through the kitchen and once again, it’s bustling noise pauses to assess the scene.

My eyes grow wide, looking down at me feet before glancing back up at him. I go to answer him sheepishly but Mama Zen cuts in.

“Whose kitchen is this?” My attention snaps to her, eyes wide in surprise. She holds a hand on her hip, wooden spoon in the other aimed at the king. Her brows are raised, awaiting an answer.

I look at the grown male, large in muscle as he narrows his eyes at her. They stare off for a moment before he relents with a sigh and a roll of his eyes, “Yours.”

“That’s what I thought. If Miss Verena wants to walk around barefoot like a heathen in here, then she will.” Her accent reminds me of the witch from the woods just not as thick but there was a twang to it not heard in Zorya.

“Yes, ma’am.” He says and immediately I’m ready to do whatever he tells me. His muscles fit his black button down, a common choice in his wardrobe that is well-deserving of its praises by me. The top few buttons are undone, tattoos peaking out on his chest. His raven hair messy and his dark brown eyes shining as he peruses me from the stairway.

I watch his eyes darken as he trails his gaze over my dusted apron and face, noting the stick in my hair and the way the dress I wore was scrunched up with a rope to keep myself from tripping over it.

“I see you’re having fun. I was coming to finalize the menu for the wedding.” He looks at his head chef who smiles at him.

“No need. Verena did it.” This time he looks at me with surprise. I know he took over all wedding planning since Hadeon told him how stressful it was for me when I was marrying Dryston.

“You didn’t have to do that.” He walks over to me, eyes never leaving mine as he wraps an arm around my waist to pull me closer to him.

“I wanted to help and Mama Zen was already teaching me things. I might as well have helped her take this off her and your plates. I don’t want you to think I don’t want to plan this day with you. If you need me for anything, let me know.”

“I can’t wait to marry you.” He says, kissing me softly.

Chapter 32: Little Star

Verena

Chaos surrounds me. Cries of anger, screams of pain, clashing of metal upon metal reverberates throughout my head. Where are familiar faces? Everyone around me is covered in dirt, sweat, and blood. Bodies litter the ground. My chest rises and falls in quick succession, panic swelling within me. A cry of war sounds from my left and as I jerk my head to look, I note Hadeon fighting off a soldier of Zorya. Further back is Esmeray and I can’t move my legs to help as a Zoryan stabs his sword through her torso. I try to scream, but no sound comes out.

Where is Eryx?

I glance around me, tears filling my eyes. I hear his pained groan from behind me and when I twist around in haste, I have no choice but to watch as his life is stripped away.

A scream leaves my throat as I jolt upwards in bed, my breathing erratic as blood pounds in my ears and I hold my chest with my hand. Gaining my bearings, I look around to pull me back to reality. The sweet smell of brown sugar floods my nose as Eryx jerks awake with me, holding me close to him as I press my face into his chest.

“Shh.” He soothes, running a hand over my hair while he holds me tightly with the other. Tears brim my eyes and I blink them away, letting them fall down my cheeks and onto the sheets covering us. “It’s a nightmare. You’resafe.”

“It felt so real,” I choke out softly, allowing him to keep me close. “I watched you die.” My heart clenches at the thought. I feel him tense at my words but he continues rubbing my hair and back.

“I am safe. Nothing is going to happen to me, love.” I nod, trying to force the thoughts away. “Let’s try to go back to sleep.” He lays down while pulling my body on top of him. The thrum of his heart fills my ear as it presses against his chest, the warmth from his body heats mine, and suddenly I am falling back asleep while his hand traces circles around my bare back.

Waking up hours later, the sun shines through the windows, casting the room in a warm glow. A knock sounds at the door before Mama Zen waltzes in with a cart full of food.

“Good morning, you two.” She smiles before stopping the cart by the bed. I cover myself with the comforter but she doesn’t seem to mind or note our naked bodies. “Happy Wedding day! Eat up so you don’t feel weak.” Then she leaves and Eryx slips out a light laugh at my red tinted cheeks and chest.

“Is she always like that?” I question, smiling.

“Zenaida is an actual mother and helped mine raise me and my sisters. She’s seen it all so she doesn’t mind. That’s why she knocks, to give you a warning that she is coming in.” He starts pouring tea for me, knowing it’s my preferred drink for mornings before buttering a biscuit and adding a berry jam to it.

How does he know what I prefer for food?

“I pay attention.” He says as if reading my mind. We spend the rest of the morning eating and talking, simply enjoying each others company.

Until Ruelle, Calanthe, and Esmeray burst into the room. “You’re still in bed?” Ruelle exclaims. “Come on! We have to get you ready! You’re gonna spend the rest of your lives together, you can go a couple hours apart.” The women laugh excitedly and I can’t help but join in, moving to slip from the bed.

Eryx reaches out, stopping me by my arm before pulling me in for a long sensual kiss, slipping his tongue in to brush mine that made me not want to leave.

Esmeray made a playful gagging sound as if she were disgusted by the act but when I look at them, Calanthe is smiling and Ruelle slaps her sister.

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