AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Pushing through the swinging door, I find the kitchen is empty. It's not like Finn to forget to shut this area down completely, but as long as I'm not sharing the space with Atlas, I'm happy.
I'm not sure what would put me in a better mood – sweet, salty, crunchy, soft, bitter, sour. I remember Finn had made a chocolate mousse pie earlier and since Atlas wasn't home for dinner, there are a couple leftover slices, so I open the cooler and scan the shelves for the sweet and flaky treat.
A breeze from behind me envelopes me as the back patio door opens and without hesitation, I whip around, shielding myself from the intruder. With a scowl rooted deep in my features, and prepared to defend myself from an attack, I stare through the force field and my eyes lock with Finn's. He's standing in the doorway with a handful of herbs and a smile on his face.
"You're getting faster with the shield," he says, a hint of pride lacing his words.
Lowering the shield, I sheepishly scrape my fingers through my hair. "Probably due to people startling me."
His chuckle is soft as he closes the patio door and places the freshly plucked herbs onto the butcher block island countertop. "Apologies, but to be fair, I was technically using the kitchen first."
I hate that my first thought these days is that Vesper or one of her red-eyed minions will burst through the door or window and drag me back to Midori. Then I remember Finn reminding me to keep my wits about me and my embarrassment dissipates. It's better to be ready to defend myself than be caught unaware and once again become their victim. One day, hopefully in the not-so-distant future, I won't have to watch my back or flinch in fear when a door opens. One day, I will feel completely safe.
I finally locate the last two slices of the chocolate pie and pull it out of the cooler. "Is it alright, if I eat this?" I ask and he looks confused.
"Of course," he bobs his head, reaching for a cutting knife. "Whatever is here is yours too, Shaye."
"Do you want some?" I snatch a fork from the drawer, prepared to grab a second.
It appears he is about to decline, but thinks better of it and says, "One should never let their friends eat alone."
I laugh and grab a second fork and meet him at the island. We stab our forks into the creamy dessert and the moment the buttery, flaky crust and smooth cocoa chocolate smack my tongue, I'm practically moaning. "This is so good, Finn."
"Thank you," he mumbles through bites. "It's not that difficult to make, but everyone loves it."
Silently, we demolish the rest of our slices and the greedy part of me wishes I hadn't offered to share with him. I scoop his empty plate and dirty utensil and carry them to the sink and rinse them.
"What are you doing up this late anyway?" I ask over my shoulder as he resumes chopping herbs.
"I'm up this late most nights baking or preparing herbs for the shop." He doesn't look up from his work, but asks, "So, why can't you sleep?"
My shoulders tense. "Why do you assume I can't sleep?"
"It's past midnight," he says simply. "I'm normally the only one up this late, unless someone is having a hard time falling asleep."
Atlas' teeth grazing my neck, his hands gripping my hips, his tongue sweeping inside my mouth flash in my mind and make my breathing uneasy. How am I supposed to tell Finn that his brother sent me mixed signals, rejected me, and left me spiraling in confusion and embarrassment? And now I'm trying to figure out how I'm supposed to face him tomorrow for our lesson without wanting to bury my face in my hands and weep.
"You don't have to tell me, if you don't feel comfortable," his voice slices through my thoughts.
I dry the dishes with a towel and turn around to face him. "It's not that I'm uncomfortable confiding in you, Finn, I just…"
"What is it?" He quits fiddling with the herbs and meets my gaze.
"I don't want you thinking lesser of me," I whisper.
"I'm not sure I could ever think that way of you." His reassuring smile shatters all of my insecurities and I find myself ready to spill all of my secrets.
"Flatterer." I hang the towel on the rack before rooting my elbows to the island countertop and watch his hands work. "I have a lot on my mind," I take a deep breath and admit, "and I just had an awkward encounter with your brother."
He quirks an eyebrow and shakes his head. "I don't need details. That's more Eris and Nyx's department, but as far as the stress, I might be able to help." A kettle I hadn't noticed before starts singing and Finn sets his knife down to take it off the stove. He reaches into one of the cupboards filled with a neat row of matching black mugs. "Would you like some tea?"
"Black tea with lemon and honey?" I ask, liking the flavor combination at his apothecary shop.
"Chamomile. Helps one to relax and ultimately fall asleep."
"I'll try some," I nod.
He snatches two mugs, pours boiling water into them, and drops two tea bags inside. "So," he grabs the cups and sets them in front of us, "what do you typically do to calm yourself when you feel stressed out?"
