“That is very generous of you,” Adres noted, sitting at one of the stools around the large island.
“Well, even though cooking was never in my official duties for the king, there is nothing I wouldn’t do for Justice.” Henry smiled, going back to his big copper pot of sauce. “I never in a million years thought I’d be doing this, but I can honestly say that I love it. Warming blood is a bit redundant and requires little to no thought.” Henry sniffed the spoon but did not lick it. “Now making a béchamel sauce with the absolute perfect amount of nutmeg… that takes skill.”
Adres wasn’t sure what to say to that besides, “If you insist.”
Henry grinned. “Justice loves my sauces. I think he even smears some on Wick when—”
“Ei.” Adres balked, not needing that visual. “I really don’t think those are necessary details.”
“Well, if Macauley ever runs out of here with my gravy boat like Justice did last week… I’ll know why.”
Adres was glad his hood was low enough that Henry couldn’t see the heat radiating in his eyes. He couldn’t imagine Macauley smothering him in that steaming white sauce that Henry stirred methodically and then licking it off of him. Adres used a couple of his shields to block the lust rising in his pants.
“Also, the shifters are usually starving when they finish on a run, so I like to have some food ready for them.” Henry shrugged as if that was no big deal, but it was obvious now why he was so loved and pampered. Those sandwiches on the counter were overflowing with slices of meat.
“It is honorable what you do for them. You cook for Macauley too, yes?”
“I do. Justice’s home is open to not only his siblings but the entire pack.”
“Then I should thank you.” Adres nodded.
Henry stared at Adres a moment as if he was trying to see him through the cover. “I hope you and Mac will be okay. He’s such a great guy. Loyal beyond measure. Funny, and so talented with his hands—”
Adres hissed, his eyes widening in shock before he cut it off quickly. “My apologies. I do not even know why I did that. I do not consider you a threat.”
“No, I am not a threat, my Lord.” Henry chuckled. “I am in love with Macauley’s brother. What I meant was that Mac is so good with his hands and building these cabins and the furniture and things.”
“Of course.” Adres was embarrassed. He should apologize again. The last thing he wanted was to ignore Taleb’s warning he gave when they’d first met. He’d been very clear that Henry was not to be hurt. Ever. “Again. My sincerest apologies.”
“It is fine.” Henry set another sandwich on the platter. “Once you are mated, all that aggression will simmer down.”
Adres doubted it.
“Come on. I’m on my last sandwich, and Justice’s food is already packed.” Henry washed his hands and removed his apron.
“‘Come on’ where?” Adres stared, dumbfounded.
“Outside, of course.”
“It will be snowing in the Underworld before I go back out there with those crazy pups.” Adres stayed where he was sitting. “I think I once saw a movie about those kinds of children. I believe it was done by a man who went by the name of Hitchcock.”
Henry blinked, his long brown lashes brushing his cheek. “Well, I wanna go outside and enjoy the weather and activities, but you won’t go with me. I’ll just wander around by myself. Heavens forbid anything happens to me and Taleb hears that you refused to escort me, Lord of Arms.”
If Adres had been capable of a laugh, Henry could probably have gotten him close to it. How could such a pretty vampire have been so cunning? A small tilt lifted one side of Adres’s mouth as he got off the stool. “Yes. Heavens forbid,” he deadpanned as Henry rushed to put on his thick black parka over his suit.
“It’s cold out there,” Adres muttered.
“Hence the coat.” Henry cocked one smooth brow. “But I hear you can summon the west wind.”
“This place is nothing more than a gossip mill.” Adres shook his head. “I guess I have lived in isolation for too long and forgot what socialization is like.”
“Perhaps you have.” Henry stood in front of him and waved at the tattoos on Adres’s hands and his foreign wardrobe. “All of this should not be kept a secret, my Lord.”
Adres gestured for Henry to precede him out of the front door, just in case those insane pups were lying in wait. Thankfully, the courtyard was mostly empty except for Farica and her friends walking. They must have babysitting duties.
“Wow. Look at that.” Henry pointed towards the sky, a wistful smile gracing his soft features. “Have you ever seen anything more majestic?”
Adres sucked his teeth. “Well, actually—”
“That was rhetorical, my Lord,” Henry snapped, cutting his eyes towards him.