16. Gruffydd

Chapter 16

Gruffydd

I bolt upright, my sleep-fogged brain struggling to make sense of the hazy gray cloud hovering at eye level.

Leaping out of bed, I sniff the air, hackles raised and ready to face whatever danger has infiltrated my peaceful abode. I sniff again, inhaling a lungful of the acrid stench as I race into the main living area of my cave.

What the...?

Slowly, realization dawns. Kiki is at the stove. She appears to be cooking, but judging by the plume of smoke wafting from the kitchen alcove, that’s debatable.

I lumber over, squinting through the haze. "Good morning, sunshine. What are you doing?"

She whirls around, spatula in hand. "Gruffydd! Geeze, don’t sneak up on me like that! How does someone your size move so quietly, anyway?” There’s a smudge of flour on her cheek and she’s never looked so beautiful. “ I wanted to surprise you with breakfast."

“Served well-done, I’m assuming.” I flash her a grin to show I'm teasing but she doesn’t seem to register the joke, so I clear my throat and ask, "What's on the menu?"

"Pancakes. My specialty. Well, it’s the only thing I know how to cook, if I'm being honest." She gives the batter a vigorous stir. "I had to improvise a bit since your cupboards are sorely understocked, big guy. But don't worry, I'm flexible that way."

I rub the back of my neck. Pancakes. The globby mess in the frying pan looks nothing like pancakes. Perhaps humans serve a different version of the food. "Yeah. I don't cook much, so I don’t often have much on hand. I usually eat at Sizzle, our communal dining hall."

Kiki brandishes her spatula at me. "Not today. Today, you're in for a treat. The Kiki Special."

"Can't wait," I deadpan, but secretly, I'm thrilled. She's cooking for me. For us. It's so damn domestic, the two of us having breakfast together in the cave. I love everything about it.

Except maybe the smell.

And the thick cloud of smoke.

Then I remember the package I special ordered. Eager to see if the custodian delivered it overnight as I requested, I saunter over to the entrance and poke my head out nonchalantly. And there it is, the small package just outside the cave door.

"I have a gift for you." I interrupt Kiki as she is plating the blackened blobs, and hand her the small, wrapped parcel.

She takes the bag, her brow furrowing in confusion until she peeks inside. Then her face lights up.

"Coffee!"

"You expressed very clearly how much you need it." I shrug, warmth blooming in my chest at her obvious delight. "It’s my duty and my pleasure to provide."

It’s obvious my mate is pleased with me when she throws her arms around me, heedless of the flour dusting her hands. "Thank you. It’s very thoughtful."

I hug her back, savoring her softness, the faint scent of our lovemaking last night still clinging to her. I could stay like this forever. I probably would, but Kiki waves a hand in the air, gesturing for me to sit.

Reluctantly, I pull away and seat myself at the table as she slides a plate under my nose.

"Ta-da! The Kiki Special.”

Pancakes? These are pancakes? They’re charred black around the edges, and just this side of raw nearer the center. They’re swimming in a sea of…

I take the plate, sniffing tentatively. It's...pungent.

“I had to use honey since I couldn't find syrup," she announces as though the statement explains what I’m looking at.

She waits, watching me with hopeful expectation as I take a bite, fighting back a grimace as the charred, overly-sweet concoction hits my tongue.

Her face falls. "You hate it."

"No, no! It's great. Really." I shovel in another mouthful to prove my point. "Best pancakes I've ever had." I chew with all the gusto I can muster. "Delicious," I lie through my fangs. But the way I see it, a little white lie never hurt anybody. Especially when it puts a smile on my mate's face.

And it does. Kiki beams. "I'm glad you like them! I was worried they might be a little overdone."

I just smile and try not to wince as I force myself to swallow the bite in my mouth.

"I need to head over to Eden this morning. I've got to tend to the gardens. You're welcome to join me if you'd like?"

Kiki glances down at her rumpled clothing. "I should probably hit the dorm. I need to grab a fresh change of clothes and check in with the other women. But maybe we could meet up later?"

"Definitely. There's another event tonight. A hootenanny."

“Hootenanny,” she repeats, her forehead furrowing. “Right, well then, it's a date."

As luck would have it, Kiki turns her back to me and, quick as a flash, I seize my chance to scrape the remaining “Kiki Special” into the trash.