Chapter 8
Audrey
An entire week passes with no news from Cape Easton.
I went to The Bandaged Heart yesterday to call Josie for any updates on a timeline estimate, but she told me to wait a little longer, that the case has gotten bigger and they might need a few more weeks before it’ll be safe to go back.
In the meantime, I’m utterly bored.
I’ve gone swimming, taken many long walks with Anita, introduced her to just about everyone on the island, read more books than I have this entire year so far, and went to a crochet class—which is ultimately not the hobby for me.
And now, I’m on my way to Maisie’s cakery for some cupcake decorating. I don’t have high hopes for myself, but at least it’s getting me out of the castle for a while.
Most of my Starry Hill friends have been gracious enough to take turns meeting up with me during the day, letting me hang out at their shops, having lunch with me, or just generally helping me stay busy.
It’s been fun, but it’s also hard not to feel like a burden, despite all their reassurances. I just don’t know how much longer I can go on like this. I’m aching for a project, anything to really sink my teeth into and keep me from staring up at the canopy of my bed for the majority of my day.
The walk to Maisie’s cottage is stunning.
The cobbled footpath curves around gentle hills, cottages with varied front doors peeking out from their flourishing gardens bursting with the most vibrant hues, before heading inland between ancient trees that must’ve stood witness to the lives of countless creatures over their many years.
The zesty aroma of tangerines drift towards me on a light breeze and around the next bend, daisies pop up, decorating the undulating landscape with their cheerful faces, leading me straight to Ren and Maisie’s turquoise front door.
I lift my hand to knock just as the door swings open.
“Audrey! You’re here!” Maisie says brightly, enveloping me in a hug before pulling me inside.
“Ren’s not home. He went to help Shinsu with something, but I think it might have been an excuse to give us more girl time.
And it might be hard for him to concentrate on his own work if we’re chatting in the kitchen.
He says he doesn’t mind, but you know how shy he can get.
I mean, he’s made huge progress in terms of what topics he feels comfortable discussing with anyone who’s not me, but he knows just as well as us that we can get a little… descriptive?”
It takes a second to process everything Maisie managed to get out in what seems to be a single breath, but I welcome her exuberance after my quiet morning.
“Smart guy, that Ren of yours,” I remark as Maisie ushers me toward a seat at the kitchen table.
“Smart and hot. And a very generous lover,” Maisie says as she prances over to some covered cupcakes on the counter behind her.
I look around the meticulously clean space, at the fancy baking appliances, the numerous timers, the labeled ingredients—some of which I can’t pronounce—placed strategically against one wall, and the decorative sign in the center that reads “The Tangerine Grove Cakery”.
This kitchen might look professional, but it still contains so much heart, little pieces of Maisie stamped into every inch of the space.
Many Starry Hill creatures were involved in the cakery’s expansion project and it makes me so happy to see how it’s come together, how the community contributed to make Maisie’s business dream come true.
Originally, the cottage was quite small and served as Ren’s home alone.
But the moment he and Maisie fell in love, he wanted to give her a reason to stay.
He organized a commercial lawyer, Nori, to help make the cakery official and then worked with Bodin, who is a structural engineer, to help expand the kitchen to accommodate all her new equipment.
Talk about romantic.
“The cakery looks great, Maisie. I love everything about it,” I say as I run a hand along the smooth tabletop.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? Still can’t believe it’s mine,” Maisie replies dreamily as she sets a batch of red velvet cupcakes between us.
“You better believe it. You’ve worked so hard to establish your business.”
“Thank you, Audrey,” Maisie says, her green eyes going glassy before she blinks the emotion away. “I thought we can fuel ourselves first with some yumminess while we chat, and then get to decorating.”
“You really shouldn’t have gone through all the trouble. I’m here to help, not eat.”
“With me, you can have your cake and eat it too. Besides, I like to think of it as work foreplay. Got to prep before we dive in.”
I nod as I place one of the cupcakes on the delicate plate in front of me. “Everything is better with foreplay.”
“Don’t I know it,” Maisie says around a bite. “The other night Ren got me off five times without using his cock or tail. Just mouth and fingers. By my last climax, I was sure my soul had left my body.”
Reaching into my bag, I look for my manual glucose reader, but pause when Maisie’s words sink in. “Damn. Five? That’s really impressive. Well done, Ren.”
I give my finger a quick prick to get a reading of my current blood sugar level. Seeing that I’m within target range, I take out my insulin pen and give myself a shot in my stomach.
Considering cupcakes are high in carbohydrates and that the sugar will hit my system quickly, I want to make sure I’m safe before I put what promises to be something very delicious in my mouth.
I’ll have to test again about thirty minutes after I’ve eaten to ensure my levels are balanced, but I know this cupcake will be worth it.
It’s been a bit of an adjustment to get used to not relying on my wearable device that continuously tracks my glucose levels, but since my phone’s basically useless on this island, I’ve had to revert to other ways to monitor myself.
It takes quite a lot more mental space this way, but I’m slowly getting used to it again.
As the first bite of decadent sweetness hits my tongue, Maisie says, “By the way, did you know incubus cum tastes like red velvet? I tweaked the recipe a little so they resemble the real deal better.”
“Maisie,” I say, utterly flabbergasted, almost choking as I swallow down my bite. “I’m never going to be able to look at Ren the same way again.” It takes a lot to shock me, but if there’s one person who knows how, then it’s one hundred percent unfiltered Maisie.
She shrugs lightly before licking at some of the frosting. “Oops. Sorry, but that’s where red velvet cupcakes got their inspiration from. What does vampire cum taste like?”
“No idea,” I grumble, unable to keep my pout from forming.
“Oooh. You’ll have to do some field research and report back. I’m very curious.”
“That makes two of us.”
Maybe I should consider different ways to find out this very pertinent information. It could definitely help cure my boredom if I was on a mission.
Even though Arran has been keeping himself scarce, I hardly think he’s drowning in Starry Hill matters. There’s not enough happening on the island that would keep us from bumping into each other at least once a day somewhere in the castle.
Perhaps it’s time I paint my lips the sluttiest red I have and figure out how to seduce a four-hundred-year-old vampire. I could save him from the same boring purgatory I’m currently trapped in. And get a ton of orgasms.
But first, cakes.
“Who’s today’s order for?” I ask as Maisie brings over six mini cakes, ranging in colors and I’m guessing flavors too.
“They’re going to Nesting Grounds tomorrow.”
“The heat clinic Marisol used? Where she met Bash, Silas, and Killian?”
Last year, Marisol was only supposed to get some help with her heat at the specialized facilities, but what she didn’t expect was that the guys would be so taken with her that they courted her and the entire town after her heat ended.
Leading up to Halloween, they worked over time to help decorate and get The Singing Seahorse ready. It truly looked amazing, and perhaps it was just enough for Marisol to give them an actual chance. Now the whole pack’s mated and living out their joint happily ever after in Starry Hill.
“That’s the one,” Maisie confirms as she lines up a variety of piping bags and different tips on the table.
“There’s a male omega with a very strong sweet tooth going into heat.
This alpha has been courting him and wants him to have a variety of all his favorites in case a specific craving strikes. ”
“That’s the sweetest fucking thing I’ve heard.”
I’m not jealous. At all. I don’t do romance, I remind myself.
But, being out here in Starry Hill and witnessing all the ways partners are taking care of each other, it’s kind of making me feel things I don’t usually feel in Cape Easton.
I’m sure it’s just the slower life here that’s fucking with my mind.
When Maisie and I are fully settled into decorating—me sticking to the basic piping techniques while she adds exquisite details to the cakes—Maisie asks, “How’s your first week of vacation been so far?”
“It’s been… nice. A highlight was when I popped by The Crowned Boot on Tuesday to ask Peregrine to design a sundress for me.”
“That’ll be lovely.” Maisie peeks over the cake and gives me a wicked smile. “Was Aurelius there?”
I arch a brow, recalling the sound of rustling clothes and zippers hastily being pulled up. “Hiding in the back behind a stack of material. Peregrine was thoroughly flushed when he appeared. I offered to come back at a different time, but he insisted I stay.”
A delighted chuckle bubbles out of Maisie. “Poor guys. Or not. You most likely helped them with their edging kink.”
“I’m not going to ask how you know what their kinks are.”
“Haven’t figured yours out yet, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before I can pinpoint it exactly.”
I don’t even look up as I continue piping the buttercream on. “Not likely, Miss Tail Play.”
“Miss Somnophilia,” Maisie corrects cheerfully. “That’s my biggest one.”