CHAPTER 49
The cozy kitchen bathed in a delicious, soft aroma.
Amara fidgeted with her fingers recalling how rude was to Martha.
Guilt swept over her and she hesitated to face her.
Martha was the only one after Kaelith who took care of her when she wasn’t able to walk.
Helped her walk and never let her feel alone in this huge mansion, and what did Amara do in return?
Hurt her with her sharp tongue, inconsiderate of the relation they had.
Her chest felt heavy as she recalled the look of hurt on Martha’s face.
Amara contemplated, shifting from foot to foot when Martha suddenly turned around with a whisk in one hand and the bowl in another.
Her eyes widened and her hands stilled their motion.
“Amara?” Surprise laced her voice. Amara stood there, her internal conflict reflected in the uncertain crease of her brow.
The weight of guilt bore down on her, rendering her momentarily speechless.
She desperately searched for the right words to express the remorse that churned within.
With a hesitant swallow, Amara mustered the courage.
Her lips formed a tight smile, though the tension in her expression betrayed the difficulty of the moment.
“Martha…” Amara mumbled, still not looking at Martha.
Taking a deep breath, she lowered her head.
“I… I’ m sorry... I shouldn’t have… been rude. ”
Martha's gaze lingered on Amara for an extended moment, her expression inscrutable. Suddenly, she erupted into laughter, the whisk slipping through her fingers and clattering to the floor. Amara, puzzled by the unexpected reaction, watched as Martha wiped imaginary tears from her eyes.
After a moment of laughter, Martha composed herself, placing the bowl on the counter and retrieving the fallen whisk from the floor.
Amara was still perplexed, watched as Martha deftly set the items on the kitchen island and then walked toward her, wiping her hands on the apron, a lingering smile on her face.
“Oh, my child.” Martha pinched Amara’s cheeks and gently pulled her to the table. “That happens sometimes. Are you hungry? I made some garlic bread. Would you like to try?”
Amara seemed startled at first but then she smiled widely sitting on the chair as Martha sliced small pieces of the bread and put them in a plate.
With a contented smile, holding a piece of the golden-brown garlic bread in her hand, Amara savoured each bite with obvious happiness. Martha’s eyes gleamed with affection.
Martha put two more slices on the plate, her voice carrying a soothing tone, "How is it, dear?” Amara looked up from her plate, her eyes meeting Martha's, and she nodded appreciatively, her mouth still partially stuffed with the bread. “Umm… it’s delicious. Is it cheese I taste?”
A soft chuckle escaped Martha's lips, and she replied, “Cheese and parsley. Would you like some tomato soup? It’s on the stove. Will take a minute or two to simmer.”
Her voice held a warmth. Amara shook her hands and head. “Oh, no, no. This is enough. I’m full already.”
Martha went back to stir the soup and chop the vegetables for dinner. "We need to work on your appetite, child. You barely took two bites. This won’t do well. You need to eat to heal. You look weaker than the first time you came here." Martha scolded with a soft voice. Amara pouted.
“I will, I will. Don’t worry your pretty head, Martha. You are here now. You will take care of me, won’t you?” Amara wiggled her brows as Martha laughed and squinted her eyes.
“Teasing me, huh? Naughty girl.” Amara chuckled softly, the familiar banter with Martha giving a small moment of comfort.
She took another bite of the bread and looked around.
Her hopeful eyes looked at the door. Did Kaelith go out?
She hadn’t seen him ever since she woke up.
He said he would be beside her, but he was not.
Martha looked over her shoulder and noticed Amara’s expectant wandering eyes, a smile curved on her lips.
“If you’re looking for Mr. De Luca, he’s in his study.” Amara’s eyes widened, cheeks flushed as she looked at Martha.
“I…I was not… looking for him. I was just... he said I need to get his permission to go to the garden.” Amara mumbled shyly, Martha smiled teasingly.
“Is that so?”
Amara licked her lips as the flush travelled to her neck. Her belly tingled as she remembered the things he did to her. “Martha… don’t tease me, please.”
Martha's eyes twinkled mischievously, and she patted Amara's hand affectionately. “If you want to go out, better ask him now. It’s cloudy outside. It might rain in an hour or so.”
Amara’ s eyes widened. “ But I wanted to see the peonies.” She looked out the door. The weather did not look that good, but she couldn’t resist seeing the flowers. A few minutes wouldn’ t harm, would they? Amara placed the unfinished piece of bread on the plate and asked. "Where’ s his study?”
“Second floor, last door. You will find it, I’m sure.” Martha said chopping the veggies as Amara pushed back the chair and jogged out of the room. Martha shook her head as she watched Amara running up the stairs. A smile crept on her lips. “Silly girl.”
Reaching the second floor, Amara panted and regretted running all the way. Taking deep breaths, she calmed her heart and looked around. The last door.
The white doors greeted her. And something in her told Kaelith must be here. She hesitated momentarily before approaching the last door. Her heart pounding loudly as she contemplated. Should she? Should she not? Amara raised her hand to knock and tapped her knuckles two times.
“Come in.” Amara shuddered at the depth of his voice. Gathering her courage, she slowly pushed the doors open. The rich scent of leather and mint engulfed her senses along with the faint familiar baffled aroma of… peonies.
Amara frowned as she nudged the heavy door with her knee and instantly stilled.
Her vision of Kaelith was blocked by a large body. Sensing her arrival, the man turned around with a frown and then a huge smile crept on his lips as his eyes gleamed amusingly.
“Amara! What a pleasant surprise. Do you remember me? I’m Lorcan, this jerk’s… I mean Kaelith’s friend.” Lorcan was on her before she could even blink. “You remember me, don’t you?” he asked when she just stood there as he circled her. Amara swallowed and managed a nod.
“I-I remember…” Amara mumbled curving her lips in a smile as she offered her hand for a handshake. “Good evening.” Lorcan grinned putting his arm over her shoulder and pulling her inside feeling amused as Kaelith glared daggers at him.
“Umm… I… I will come… back later.” Amara tried to escape his hug as her eyes moved to Kaelith who sat behind the table with an unreadable expression on his face.
“Stay. He was leaving.” Kaelith muttered incoherently. With a quickened heartbeat, she licked her lips unable to keep eye contact with his intense gaze. There was a kind of intoxication in his eyes that always left her speechless and tongue-tied.
Lorcan whipped his head at Kaelith, his mile leaving his lips as she scowled. “Was I?”
Kaelith narrowed his eyes at Lorcan’s arm on Amara’s shoulder and then raised them to meet Lorcan’s eyes. A feral animalistic gleam shone in his eyes. “Leave.”
If it was anyone else, they would’ve been shaking in their boots by now. But Lorcan knew Kaelith on another level. He smirked and his hand clasped around Amara ’ s shoulder. Kaelith ’ s jaw clenched.
“Asshole.” Lorcan rolled his eyes. Amara feared the way Lorcan was provoking him like this. She didn’t know about him, but she knew she might pay in his place.
Kaelith’ s fists clenched, a cold look flashing in his eyes and the corners of his mouth tightened, forming a thin line that betrayed a growing sense of displeasure at the way Lorcan touched her.
When Lorcan played with her hair, Kaelith’s expression further darkened. A fleeting micro-expression of derision crossed his face. A growl left his lips as he gritted out. “Lorcan.” Lorcan rolled his eyes with a smirk and let go of Amara and took a step back.
“Fine. Fine” he stepped to the door and looked at Amara and then at Kaelith, a smirk still on his face as he winked at Amara. “Goodbye, sweetheart. Take care.”
Amara swallowed as Kaelith growled. Lorcan was already out the door his laugh bombarding in the hallway outside.
Kaelith tilted his head back, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Fucking bastard. He made a mental note to kick his ass later.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard her gently clearing her throat.
Kaelith opened his eyes, reminding himself that he couldn’t punish her for what Lorcan did.
He tried to keep his jealousy at bay and turned his attention towards her.
He studied her for a moment, his intense gaze softened by a fleeting smile. She wore his clothes, and nothing beat the pleasure he got seeing her covered in his scent. It gave him the satisfaction that she belonged to him.
“Close the door.” He said deeply. Amara opened her mouth and then closed it shut. He wouldn’ t punish her, would he?
She slowly turned back and closed the door behind her; she couldn’t help but feel the weight of his gaze lingering on her. She hesitated for a moment and then turned around to face him, her eyes meeting his, a flicker of uncertainty passing between them.
He looked amusingly at her, forgetting about the jealousy and beckoned her over with his finger.
“Come here.”
Amara shifted on her feet, nervously tucking the strand of hair behind her ear and approached him. Amara felt a shiver down her spine as she stood before him. Even with her standing and him sitting, he still intimidated her.
He slightly pushed his chair back and widened his muscular legs. Amara seemed confused but a startled yelp escaped her lips as he shackled her wrist and with a jerk, pulled her onto his lap. Before she could move, he clasped her waist, keeping her between his legs as she looked wide-eyed at him.
Her mouth opened but he nuzzled his head into her neck and inhaled deeply, calming his emotions. “Did you sleep well?” he asked peppering kisses along her neck. Amara shuddered, blushing red.
“You said you’d be there. You lied.” She muttered. Kaelith chuckled.
“Did you miss me?” he teased. Amara was glad he couldn’t see her face. She must be looking like a red tomato.
“I-I did not.” She shook her head. Kaelith hummed, replacing his lips with his tongue. A playful smile on his lips as he pushed his hand under her shirt, rubbing circles on her waist.
“Hmm… not convincing.” He thumbed her belly button as she shuddered. “Did you eat?”
Amara nodded feeling butterflies in her stomach. “I already ate. Can we go to the garden? I want to see the peonies.”
Kaelith pulled away, his eyes hooded and filled with an intensity she couldn’t describe in words. “Then give me a kiss first.” Her eyes widened and she shook her head, pushing herself away.
“No.” His eyes narrowed as he cupped her jaw and looked down at her tempting lips.
“I want a kiss. Or I will not take you out.” He whispered huskily into her ear. Amara glared at him. That was blackmail.
Sighing, she leaned and pecked his cheek. “Now let’s go.”
Kaelith frowned and tightened his hold on her small waist. Pulling her face to him, he shook her his head. “That was not a kiss. Kiss me on the lips.”
She narrowed her eyes. Cunning man. A kiss wouldn’t hurt, would it?
You’ve done more than kiss. A voice whispered in her head and she swallowed. Closing her eyes as leaned and placed her lips on his. Their lips met for a lingering second but before Kaelith could deepen the kiss, Amara pulled away, breathing heavily.
Kaelith groaned in disappointment. “That’s blasphemy, little one. You cannot just make me taste heaven and then push me down to hell. What would I do with you, Amara?”
Amara nestled her head into his neck, her heart beating loudly. The kiss lasted only a moment, yet it turned her world completely upside-down. He was right. Although she couldn't envision what heaven looked like, if it were a place, his arms would undoubtedly be it.