Page 52 of Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me 7

Callum wheezed with another laugh. “His britches.”

“All of you are too noisy,” Fane said from the other side of the stove. He had soaked chicken breasts and thighs in a marinade—following my instructions—and was preparing to start pan-frying them. “I long for the days when my kitchen was quiet.”

His long black tail swished back and forth though—a tell that he was in a good mood. He lit the stove burner nearest to him and placed a skillet on top, the edge of his mouth uplifting.

Briar brushed a kiss to my temple before stepping over to help him with the chicken. He coated it in the flour and egg mixture before setting it aside to be cooked. The two of them worked well side by side, quickly finding a rhythm.

“I’m surprised you have energy left to spare after working in the clinic all day,” Fane told him. “Phantasia can be quite meticulous and domineering in what she asks of her assistants. It’s why she’s worked alone for so long. No one stays with her for more than a few days.”

“I enjoy the work,” Briar responded, a sad smile on his lips. Was he thinking of his own clinic and the apprentice he’d left behind? Many had said the same of him once upon a time, but Thane had welcomed the challenge. “I find myself restless if my hands are idle for too long.”

“Aye.” Fane’s expression seemed kinder as he focused on the skillet. “We have that in common.”

“Would ya look at that,” Rowan said, hopping up on the counter next to me and letting his legs dangle down. “Specs made a friend.”

“At least Fane likes someone,” I said with a sigh, playing up the melodrama. “Must be nice. After all the days we’ve spent cooking together, he still hasn’t warmed up to me. All he does is insult my food.”

The demon in question peered over at me, a glint of a smile in his green eyes. “Then perhaps you shouldn’t put bacon in your green beans.”

“Guess what? I’m putting bacon in these too,” I said as I stirred the grits. They needed a bit more time to cook. “As well as a shit-ton of cheese. Good ole Southern comfort food. You’re welcome.”

Fane’s nose crinkled in a show of disgust. And it was a show. Because he had loved those green beans, just like he would love these cheese grits.

“I happen to love bacon.” Reign sauntered over to me, oozing that flirtatious charm. “Even better when the chef making it is as sweet as you.”

“Just wait until you try the chicken,” I said, feeling more immune now to his flirting. At least enough to where I didn’t blush and become a flustered mess. “It’s gonna be pan fried and smothered in white pepper gravy.”

“Can’t wait to taste it.” The beauty mark beneath his eye crinkled as he smiled. “The food will be delicious too.”

“Your farewell can’t come soon enough,” Maddox interjected. “Would be even better if you forewent dinner and just left now.”

Briar, who had gone over to our big grump of a captain after helping with the chicken, lightly elbowed him in the side. “Be nice, you brute.”

“You attack me with your bony elbow and call me the brute.” Maddox bent his head to close the few inches of height that separated them, bringing them at eye level. “Tell me, physician, how is that fair?”

“Behave or I’ll do it again,” Briar responded with a small swallow in his throat, eyes flickering to Maddox’s mouth.

“Is that so?” Maddox challenged him, inching closer.

Briar visibly faltered as he met the force of our captain’s stare. I knew that feeling well. Maddox was hotter than the sun and could make you melt with one smoldering look. He knew the power he held, too, and often used it to get his way.

The moment Briar looked away, no longer able to withstand that smoldering heat, Maddox smirked.

A figure in the corner of the kitchen drew my eye.

Draven was like a silent sentinel against the wall, not having said a single word since he’d walked in. He stood with his arms crossed, the material of his black shirt straining against the mouthwatering bulge of his toned biceps. His pale blue eyes shifted to me before darting away.

I softly smiled before returning my attention to the stove.

Fane and I got back to work on dinner, finishing up the last few things that were left. While the chicken cooked, I fried up some bacon, then chopped it into small chunks to add to the cheese grits. It earned me the side-eye from Fane.

“You’ll love it,” I promised him.

“I find that unlikely.” His expression soured even further as I stirred the grits again, then removed the pot from the burner.

Once the food was ready, we took everything into the dining parlor. Briar, Lake, and Maddox set the table and filled goblets, while Rowan and Callum snuck bites of food, which prompted Quincy and Duke to do the same. Baden went over to stand beside Draven and Reign, who watched the food-stealing gluttons with a small shake of their heads.

I chuckled to myself. It almost felt like old times, reminiscent of those days back in the cottage when we’d sit together for a big meal in the main dining area.