Page 127 of Dark & Dreadful Brutes

My lips curved upward. “Alright, then. Let’s do it.”

Ravv came looking for me shortly after that, stopping at the entrance and frowning when he saw me working on some pastries I was still trying to master baking. Gleam wasn’t with him; Coarse had spent his days helping the fae moving in, and he’d let me know a few minutes earlier that he and Gleam were heading in for the night.

“You’re not cleaning up?” Ravv asked me.

“Sorry, Highness, she’s cooking most of the night!” one of the other ladies called out, winking in my direction before she looked back at him. “We’re keeping your woman.”

His lips curved upward.

My stomach clenched as I realized it was our last night with the bond. Our last night being able to communicate mentally.

“I can’t leave them to cook alone. I’m becoming part of the team,” I admitted to Ravv.

“Then I’m staying too,” he said simply.

I stopped and blinked.

So did everyone else in the kitchen.

“Do you even know how to cook?” I asked Ravv.

“No.” He grabbed an apron off the hook he’d seen me hang mine on every night. “You can teach me.”

“I barely know how to cook,” I protested.

“We trained you well. You can do it.” One of the other women elbowed me, in the side this time.

“I’m not spending the night before the eclipse away from my female, Lae,” Ravv said.

“Alright, alright, come on.” I waved him over.

He washed his hands and then stepped up beside me. I taught him how to measure out the ingredients, which was overwhelmingly simple, and we were both quiet as we worked.

“This is surprisingly easy,” he remarked to me after a while.

“I know! It’s relaxing too.”

He made a noise of agreement. “The company doesn’t hurt, either.”

I flashed him a playful smile. “Are you thinking about propositioning one of my co-chefs, Ravvi?”

He chuckled, and I felt multiple sets of eyes on our backs as we continued working. Neither of us turned around to check. “I’m far too busy thinking about how many ways I’m going to take you tomorrow to consider anyone else.”

My face warmed, but I couldn’t stop my smile from growing.

A few of the other chefs’ life partners joined us, and one of them seemed to be among Ravv’s closest warriors. Though the warrior started a conversation with him, Ravv ended it quickly. He didn’t seem grumpy or irritated… just calm and contemplative.

The mood was comfortable and upbeat while we cooked, and Ravv’s body brushed mine every chance he got. If he wasn’t using his hands for cooking, they would’ve probably been on my figure too.

It was late by the time we finished everything and headed home. Ravv took my hand and slipped his fingers between mine, still quiet. My shoulder brushed his as we walked.

We walked to our room in the castle in silence. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking—and in a few hours, I’d have no way to ask him other than out loud.

I wanted to collapse in bed when we got back, but I smelled like the food we’d cooked for dinner, so I headed for the shower, and Ravv followed me.

“We’ve made a lot of memories in here,” I remarked, as I stripped and then slid beneath the falling water. My eyes closed as it washed over me, and I sighed at the feel of it.

Ravv’s gaze lingered on my form as I cleaned myself, and for once, he didn’t join me. I was still curious about what he was thinking, because he didn’t look upset or angry. Just calm, and quiet.

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