Chapter 35
Florian
Afew days later I’m hurrying into work, already a few minutes late.
Grimes was very persuasive in keeping me back with kisses and sweet talk, and then panicky and apologetic as he realized he was making me run late.
I’ve been working at a restaurant since we moved to Obal.
It’s one of the finest in the city. I started off as kitchen assistant, and worked my way up just as I promised Grimes I could.
A few days ago I got promoted to sous-chef.
I’m so proud of myself. Grimes is even prouder.
When I told him the news about the promotion he lifted me off the ground, so overexcited he almost clunked my head off the ceiling.
Now I speed in the back door to the kitchen, taking off my jacket.
“Sorry, I’m late, Chef,” I say to Carissa, the head chef.
“Just don’t let it happen again,” she says, and turns back to her pot.
It takes some getting used to, being treated like any other worker. No one here knows how much power my father has in Rhennes, which is the way I like it.
“Yes, Chef,” I say.
I pull on my chef’s whites, chest swelling with pride.
I can barely believe that my cooking is good enough for this place.
Just like Grimes promised: he wasn’t just being nice.
This isn’t the kind of place where they employ anyone out of pity.
The patrons are exacting, just as likely to complain as to praise.
Grimes is working on me to try to realize my other dream, too.
He keeps suggesting that I try out for some of the city theaters.
I haven’t gotten the courage yet, but I will some day with his help.
We’re working on Grimes’ dream, too: the boxing gym.
We’re still saving up to build one. Real estate is more expensive here than in Galbrava, so it’s taking a while.
He refuses to spar with me, saying he’ll only ever lay hands on me with a loving touch.
But he’s seen me spar with others in my own weight class, and says I’m good enough to help him teach students. It’ll be our gym, not just his.
At the end of the long shift, I hang up my chef’s whites with a tired but satisfied sigh. Then I check the pocket of my jacket to make sure the jewelry box is still there. As my hand closes around it, my heart jumps with excitement and more than a little terror.
“Hello.” Someone covers my eyes from behind, making my heart jolt with panic. But it’s a loving, familiar voice. Grimes is sticking his arms through the swing door into the kitchen to grab me. I let him pull me out into the restaurant.
“You’re not allowed in the kitchen,” I hiss.
“I wasn’t in the kitchen.” He grins at me. “Just my arms.”
“You’re going to get me in trouble,” I say.
“Sorry. I wouldn’t do that.” He looks suitably chastened, so I give him a peck on the lips to cheer him up.
Then I run my hands over his shaved head, caressing him, and his handsome face lights up with a smile.
He wears his hood down most days now. His prison tattoo doesn’t draw as many stares as he expected here, so far from Rhennes, and the ones that come are easier to ignore with me by his side. At least, that’s what he says.
Carissa comes out of the swing doors, her eyes landing on me. “Florian, there you are. Before you go home, could you soak some flying rice for tomorrow? I told one of the assistants to do it, but they’ve disappeared to who knows where.” She scowls, rivaling Grimes’ grumpiness.
“Yes, Chef,” I say.
“And I need you here a little early tomorrow.”
“Of course, Chef,” I say, dipping my head respectfully.
She retreats back into the bustle of the kitchen, ignoring Grimes entirely.
I go back into the kitchen to finish my last task.
Then I join Grimes out in the street, which is chilly after the furnace-like kitchen.
I huddle inside my jacket, and Grimes’ arm instinctively wraps around my shoulder, just like always when he notices that I’m cold.
But he’s quiet, a little scowl on his face.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Nothing.”
“Come on. You’re sulking about something.”
“It’s stupid.”
“Let me decide that.”
“Okay. Well.” He takes a breath. “I’m… I’m just not used to hearing you follow someone else’s orders.”
“You… you’re jealous that I just said yes Chef?” I say, incredulous.
“It was a little too close to yes, Boss,” he mutters, staring at the ground. “I thought that was our thing.”
I laugh out loud. He’s ridiculous. So jealous. As needy as I am, in his own way.
“Told you it was stupid,” he says.
“It’s my job. I have to do what Carissa says.”
“I know, I know. Like I said, I was being silly.”
“It’s okay.” I look at him sideways. “Jealousy can be kinda… hot.”
He perks up fast. “Really?”
“As long as you don’t take it too far.”
He grabs my locket necklace, the one that holds the ashes of our contract, and pulls me close. He has this habit now, leading me around the bedroom with it, using it to drag me close when he wants to assert his will. I love it. Heat spreads through my body as I look way up at him.
“I’m confused. Help me out here,” he says. “You’re saying I shouldn’t corner that chef and tell her you’re mine and that she’s never to look at you again?”
“I’d rather you didn’t.” I wind my arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to kiss his crooked grin. “But I like you a little jealous. Shows you care.”
“Oh, I definitely care.”
I lean close to whisper in his ear, uncaring of the pedestrians hurrying past. “And don’t worry, I’ll only spread my legs when you order me to.”
“Mmm.” He moans satisfaction at the idea into my ear. His hands sneak down to my ass and give it a quick squeeze.
“So, where are you taking me for dinner tonight?” I say, stepping back before we get carried away.
“I was thinking of the Haloh,” he says, naming a very expensive restaurant.
He keeps taking me to fancy places, and he insists on paying for everything.
When it’s my turn to choose I always choose street food eaten while walking around the city as the stars begin to sparkle in the sky: my favorite kind of date.
He thinks I’m trying to save as much money as possible for the gym.
He’s partially right, but to be honest I mostly just love having him to myself, no other customers looking on, just the two of us walking hand in hand under the twilit sky.
And tonight I have a very special reason for wanting to be alone.
“It’s up to you, of course, Boss,” I say, biting my lip, all demure. “But I think you might want to go for street food this evening. I have something to say to you, and I don’t think I could do it in a crowded restaurant.”
His eyes get wide. He swallows hard. “Florian? What—?”
“Let’s get the food,” I say.
He tries to get me to explain, but I’m tight-lipped as we grab a couple of fried beef and cheese pastries from a street vendor.
We take them to Jal hill, which has a perfect view overlooking the city, and sit on the grass beneath a monument to those who’ve died in the Rhennes-Callinth war—on both sides.
“So what were you going to say?” he demands, before either of us can take a bite.
I hesitate. I’m sure of the answer I’m going to get. The way he looks at me doesn’t lie. But now the moment is here I’m nervous, the ghost of low self-esteem coming back to haunt me. I don’t even know how to say it. How would I phrase it? Shit, was I stupid to think I’m strong enough to do this?
With shaking hands, I take the jewelry box from my pocket.
I open it and let the bracelet hang from my trembling fingers.
Grimes’ eyes fix on it. Rhennian engagement bracelets are unmistakable: always gold, always with a bar where the date of the engagement and wedding is engraved, along with any words that are special to the couple.
“Yes,” he says. “Hell, yes, I’ll marry you.”
He leaps on me and bowls me right over. I’m crushed on my back on the grass as he attacks me with breathless kisses. I’ve never seen him so beside himself.
“You little minx,” he keeps saying. “You had this all planned and you didn’t say anything? How could you keep this from me? And where did you get the bracelet?”
I can’t draw breath between the happiness crushing my chest, and Grimes crushing me… literally.
“Can’t breathe,” I squeak. He finally releases me. “I got the bracelet at a Rhennian jeweler’s here in Obal. I’ve been planning it for weeks. I’ve had the bracelet in my pocket all this time.”
“I thought you might want me to be the one to propose,” he says.
“I wanted you to feel like the prize this time,” I say.
He kisses me again, melting me right down to liquid in his hands.
“I bet you didn’t think I was bold enough to propose,” I say.
“On the contrary.” He smiles, and I see my own happiness reflected in his dark eyes. “You’re bold enough for anything, flower.”